Halfmoon Campground is located at the Big Timber Creek Access on the east side of the Crazy Mountains north of Big Timber, MT. There are 12 campsites set in a scenic forested canyon. There are no reservations – all sites are first-come, first-served. The campground has vault toilets and hand-pumped water in the summer. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage cabinets.
Halfmoon Campground | |
|---|---|
| Season | Open All Year – Limited winter access |
| Number of sites | 12 campsites |
| Reservations | No |
| Amenities | Vault Toilets, Picnic tables, Fire pits, Some food storage |
| Accessible | Some sites and all latrines |
| Firewood | No |
| Attractions | Hiking, Fly fishing, Extreme Kayaking |
| Nearest City | Big Timber, MT – 23 miles |
Campground Details
Directions to Halfmoon Caampground
The campground is at the end of the Big Timber Canyon Road which intersects with US 191 about 11 miles north of Big Timber. There are signs in both directions on US 191 and Big Timber Canyon Road runs west toward the Crazy Mountains. Follow this gravel road for about 2 miles until a signed junction where you bear to the right. Continue on for about 10 miles until the road ends at the Halfmoon Campground and the Big Timber Canyon trailhead. Stay on the road past the large trailhead parking area to enter the campground and picnic area.
Campsite Information
There are 12 campsites spread along a single large loop. Each site has a table, a fire ring, and a bear-proof food storage cabinet. Most have excellent tent sites as well as parking for trailers and RVs. The USFS cautions that the access road is not suitable for vehicles longer than 32 ft.
Vault toilets and water pumps are located in the campground. The water is only available in the summer months. Firewood and trash removal are not provided.
Fees and Payments
There are no camping reservations for Halfmoon Campground. All sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campground does fill in the summer months so plan on arriving early to secure a site. There is no way to check on-site availability except to drive to the campground.
There is a nightly camping fee for Halfmoon Campground that must be paid on-site. Credit/debit cards are not accepted so bring cash or a personal check to make your payment. In 2021 camping was $12.00 per night plus $5.00 for an extra vehicle.
Physical Setting
The campground is set in the woods alongside Big Timber Creek. From here it is only mountains and forest heading upstream. The large mature forest provides great summer shade and provides privacy to most campsites.
The Crazy Mountains are one of central Montana’s “island mountain ranges”. These ranges pop up in the landscape and are not attached to any of the larger mountain ranges that cover the western part of the state. Other nearby island ranges include the nearby Big Snowy Mountains and the Castle Mountains
Recreation
Halfmoon Campground is a jumping-off point for many recreational activities. There is great hiking up Big Timber Creek where day hikers can visit Twin Lakes or Blue Lake. Backpackers begin trips here to head into the heart of the Crazies.
Anglers will find fishing in Big Timber Creek, at Twin Lakes, and in Blue & Granite lakes. Rainbow trout are most common but an occasional brown trout is reported. Most fish are a foot long or less but there are some that are larger. The creek is quite steep in most sections so it can be hard to fish.
Extreme kayakers flock to Big Timber Creek in the spring when snowmelt swells the stream into a raging torrent of whitewater. Big Timber Creek Falls is a well-known extreme section that is very close to the campground. If you visit when the kayakers are on the water you can get great views of their skillful descents from the overlook to the falls.