Tom Miner Campground is in south-central Montana close to Yellowstone Park and the Yellowstone River. The campground is on the Custer Gallatin National Forest and has 16 campsites all available on a first-come, first-served basis. A trailhead from the campground leads to the Petrified Forest Trail as well as into the wild forests of the Gallatin Range.
| Tom Miner Campground | |
|---|---|
| Season | Early June – Late October |
| Number of sites | 16 campsites |
| Reservations | No |
| Amenities | Vault Toilets, Picnic tables, Fire pits, Food storage |
| Accessible | Some sites and all latrines |
| Firewood | No |
| Attractions | Hiking, Petrified Forest, close to Yellowstone Park and the Yellowstone River |
| Nearest City | Gardiner, MT – 28 miles (16 paved, 12 gravel) |
Campground Details
Directions to Tom Miner Campground
The campground is at the end of the Tom Miner Creek Road which is a graveled county road that intersects US 89 16 miles north of Gardiner, MT. From Livingston, MT Tom Miner Creek Road is 35 miles south on US 89. The road is close to the end of Yankee Jim Canyon.
From the highway, the road heads west and crosses the Yellowstone River in less than a half-mile. From here it’s a matter of following the road until it ends at the campground which is about 12 miles from the highway. The road is gravel all the way and the last couple of miles can be rough.
Campsite Information
There are 16 campsites in Tom Miner campground. All sites are available only on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s very common for the campground to fill during the summer months so be sure to arrive early to secure a site.
Tom Miner Campground has vault toilets and water located throughout the campground. Individual sites all have a table, a fire ring, and a bear-proof food storage cabinet.
Fees and Payments
There is a nightly camping fee ($12.00 per night in 2021) which is paid on site. Only cash and personal checks are accepted as payment. It is not possible to use any form of electronic payment so be prepared – bring cash.
Physical Setting
Tom Miner Campground sits at 7,100 ft in the wilds of the Gallatin Mountains on the edge of the Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area. The campground is mostly wooded and the campsites are shady and many have some privacy.
The campground is located in the Tom Miner Basin which sits on the northern edge of Yellowstone Park. The basin is lightly developed and is mostly open country. Its few residents have a deep commitment to the environment and Tom Miner Basin supports important populations of many animal species.
This is Prime Grizzly bear territory and it’s important to always be bear aware. Keep a clean camp and always carry bear spray. Yellowstone Park offers great advice for camping in bear country.
Recreation
Many people come to Tom Miner to visit the Gallatin Petrified Forest which is located nearby. In fact, the trailhead at the campground leads directly to a mile-long interpretive trail that explores some of the petrified wood treasures that are in the area.
The trailhead that leads to the petrified forest trail is also a major access point for backcountry trips. Trail #120 leaves Tom Miner and climbs 2 1/4 miles to the Buffalo Horn Pass where it connects with trails running north, south, and west.
There is some fishing in the area. Unfortunately, most of Tom Miner creek flows through private property and there is no fishing allowed. The campground is actually on Trail Creek which is a tributary of Tom Miner. There are a few native cutthroat trout in trail creek. Much better fishing opportunities are found on the nearby Yellowstone River.