Camping and Hiking in Montana's Castle Mountains

Camping and Hiking in the Castle Mountains

Click photo to enlarge
Montana's Castle Mountains have gentle sloping sides and rounded peaks

The Castle Mountains are an island mountain range located just east of White Sulphur Springs. The mountains are not the steep chiseled peaks encountered in other areas of the state. Rather, they are more rounded and not as severe with the highest peaks being about 8,000 ft in elevation. However, the forested hillsides of the Castles make them a favorite destination for hikers and hunters. Access to the Castles is rather limited as all of the lands surrounding the mountains are privately owned. Fortunately, a public road that runs through the national forest and provides opportunities for access.

There are two developed forest service campgrounds that are located a mile apart on Fourmile Creek Road (Forest Service Road #211) about ten miles from White Sulphur Springs. Grasshopper Campground is the first encountered as you drive from White Sulphur Springs and is the larger and more developed of the two. It sports about a half dozen or ten sites and has water available. This campground is preferred by those who are in campers and Rv's. Richardson Campground is much smaller with only tow or three campsites. This area is all on a slight hill and it can be difficult to find good level parking areas for campers.

Unfortunately, it can also be hard to find good level tent sites. However, this campground receives much less use and generally provides better solitude.

I mentioned earlier that hunters like the Castles. You need to be aware of this if you plan a camping trip here. During both archery and rifle hunting seasons it is unusual to find the campgrounds without groups of hunters, some of whom host elaborate and extensive camps. These are great people that really enjoy the out of doors in their own way but they often consider four wheelers and generators to be a necessary part of their camping experience.

Click photo to enlarge
A typical tent camping site at Richardson Campground in Montana's Castle Mountains

The hiking in the Castle Mountains is good but there are not a lot of trails. There is a great ten mile out and back hike described in Hiking Montana that will take you to the highest points in the mountains. Along this trail you will get a great idea of the terrain that makes the Castles special. There is a system of trails that loop through the heart of the Castles. However, this is much more of a backpack trip than a day hike.

The castles are one of the historic mining areas of Montana and the mining ghost town of Castle is located on the south side of the range. There is a road that travelers right through the original town site and it is an interesting area. All of the lands surrounding the ghost town are private property and there is no excuse for trespassing. Look at the ruins from the road but please respect the property owners and do not leave the road right-of-way.

Mountain meadows, forested trails and lots of wildlife make the Castle Mountains a great off the beaten path camping destination.

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Hike Index H=Hike C=Camp V=Visit Livingston Area George Lake H Crow Mountain H Pine Creek H,C S. Fk. Deep Creek H Big Timber Area Boulder River H,C,V Natural Bridge Falls H,C,V Big Timber Creek Falls H,C,V Twin Lakes H,C Bozeman Area Mystic Lake H Central Montana Castle Mountains H,C Central MT Railroading V Crystal Lake H,C,V Judith Mountains V Judith Gap Wind Farm V Moccasin Mountains V Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Anvil Lake H,C Camping and Hiking in the Castle Mountains Click photo to enlarge Montana's Castle Mountains have gentle sloping sides and rounded peaks The Castle Mountains are an island mountain range located just east of White Sulphur Springs. The mountains are not the steep chiseled peaks encountered in other areas of the state. Rather, they are more rounded and not as severe with the highest peaks being about 8,000 ft in elevation. However, the forested hillsides of the Castles make them a favorite destination for hikers and hunters. Access to the Castles is rather limited as all of the lands surrounding the mountains are privately owned. Fortunately, a public road that runs through the national forest and provides opportunities for access. There are two developed forest service campgrounds that are located a mile apart on Fourmile Creek Road (Forest Service Road #211) about ten miles from White Sulphur Springs. Grasshopper Campground is the first encountered as you drive from White Sulphur Springs and is the larger and more developed of the two. It sports about a half dozen or ten sites and has water available. This campground is preferred by those who are in campers and Rv's. Richardson Campground is much smaller with only tow or three campsites. This area is all on a slight hill and it can be difficult to find good level parking areas for campers.Unfortunately, it can also be hard to find good level tent sites. However, this campground receives much less use and generally provides better solitude. I mentioned earlier that hunters like the Castles. You need to be aware of this if you plan a camping trip here. During both archery and rifle hunting seasons it is unusual to find the campgrounds without groups of hunters, some of whom host elaborate and extensive camps. These are great people that really enjoy the out of doors in their own way but they often consider four wheelers and generators to be a necessary part of their camping experience. Click photo to enlarge A typical tent camping site at Richardson Campground in Montana's Castle Mountains The hiking in the Castle Mountains is good but there are not a lot of trails. There is a great ten mile out and back hike described in Hiking Montana that will take you to the highest points in the mountains. Along this trail you will get a great idea of the terrain that makes the Castles special. There is a system of trails that loop through the heart of the Castles. However, this is much more of a backpack trip than a day hike. The castles are one of the historic mining areas of Montana and the mining ghost town of Castle is located on the south side of the range. There is a road that travelers right through the original town site and it is an interesting area. All of the lands surrounding the ghost town are private property and there is no excuse for trespassing. Look at the ruins from the road but please respect the property owners and do not leave the road right-of-way. Mountain meadows, forested trails and lots of wildlife make the Castle Mountains a great off the beaten path camping destination. Home Books & Maps Camping Hiking Traveling Montana Equipment copyright Copyright This website and all contents and design, including images, are protected under U.S. Copyright © 2008 by Montanahikes.com. All rights reserved worldwide. Montanahikes.com is for your personal and noncommercial use. No one may modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, or publish any materials contained in dwarf cichlid.com without prior written permission. montanahikes.com is a registered service mark and may not be used without permission. Montanahikes.com - your source for reliable information about hiking camping and traveling in Montana!