The Greenough Lake Campground sits in the trees alongside Rock Creek 12 miles SW of Red Lodge, MT. It’s less than a mile from the famous Beartooth Highway and is great as a destination or for highway travelers.
| Greenough Lake Campground | |
|---|---|
| Season | Early May – September |
| Number of sites | 18 campsites |
| Reservations | Yes |
| Amenities | Water, Vault Toilets, Picnic tables, Fire pits, some food storage |
| Accessible | Partially |
| Firewood | Yes – nearby |
| Attractions | Stream fishing, Hiking, Beartooth Highway, Greenough Lake |
| Nearest City | Red Lodge, MT – 12 miles |
The Greenough Lake campground sits at 7,300 ft alongside Rock Creek less than a mile from US 212, the Beartooth Highway. The highway follows Rock Creek upstream from Red Lodge and just past here it begins climbing the steep switchbacks that are part of what makes the highway famous.
The campground has 18 forested campsites along a single loop. Water and vault toilets are spaced throughout the campground. Each campsite has a picnic table and a steel fire ring. A few of the campsites have steel bear-proof food storage lockers. Firewood is available for sale at the Limber Pine campground which is just across Rock Creek.
This is a very popular campground and it usually fills up. Campsite reservations are available and recommended if you want to be assured of a site. For information visit Greenough Lake Campground Reservations. If you reserve online you must pay the nightly camping fee by credit card. However, if you are paying on-site be sure to have cash or check ready. Current camping fee information is available from the Forest Service. If the campground is full Limber Pine Campground is only a few hundred feet away and Parkside Campground is less that 1/4 mile. There are a number of other Rock Creek area campgrounds nearby.
Greenough Lake
Less than 1/4 mile from the campground is Greenough Lake. Although small in size, it’s huge in beauty. This 1 acre gem is a great place to relax and enjoy the view. The trailhead is right at the end of the campground loop and the trail is very well maintained which makes for an easy walk.
The Greenough Lake trailhead is also the trailhead for the Parkside National Recreation Trail. This trail is open to hiking, mountain biking and cross country skiing. It runs 2.3 miles to the M-K Campground. if you have time, this trail makes a great hike in the mountains!
Fishing Greenough Lake
Greenough Lake is a popular place to fish for rainbow trout. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks stocks the lake several times a year with catchable sized trout. Spin fishing, bait fishing and fly fishing are all allowed. The lake is less than 10 ft deep so it’s easy to get to where the fish are. Don’t expect to catch large fish here.
For more of a challenge anglers can try Rock Creek which runs past the lake and through the campground. Rock Creek provides great fly fishing opportunities but is much tougher to fish than Greenough Lake. In addition to rainbow trout, Rock Creek has brown trout, brook trout and mountain whitefish. While Greenough Lake is stocked, all of the fish in Rock Creek are wild.
On the Edge of Wilderness
Greenough Lake is close to the boundary of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. There are nearby trailheads for the Hellroaring Plateau Trail (# 11), Glacier Lake Trail (# 3) and the Lake Fork Trail (# 2). Each of these trails will take you into the wilds that few experience.
Always remember this is bear country. Although problems with bears are not common, you must always be prepared. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Always keep your food secured in a vehicle or bear-proof food cabinet. Yellowstone Park has great info on Bear Spray and Visiting Bear Country.
For additional information about the Greenough Lake Campground contact:
Beartooth Ranger District
6811 US Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103