Madison River (MT)

Madison River Campground is located in southwestern Montana just beyond the banks of its namesake river, approximately 34 miles south of Ennis and about 45 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. The ten site campground borders a Douglas Fir covered hillside to the back, with the Madison River just across the road on the front side. Just across the gravel road, and for about a 40 mile length, the world renowned Madison River offers blue ribbon flyfishing. Nearby Wade and Cliff Lakes also offer fishing opportunities as well as small craft boating, canoeing and swimming, and Hebgen and Henry's Lakes are each about a 30 minute drive. There are many hiking trails in the area, including just beyond the highway in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, and off road vehicle trail riding is popular in the Gravelly range. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. There are two vault toilets and four drinking water spigots spread throughout the campground, located along the one-way road; water is available May to September, with exact dates dependent upon weather. "Bear proof" bins enable compliance with food storage regulations. The camp sites lie along a one way through road which parallels and reconnects with the access road. There is no garbage service. Cellular service is available. At an elevation of 5,910 feet, the campground is situated on the west side of the Madison River at the southern end of the Gravelly Mountain range, backed by a forest of predominantly Douglas Fir. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness is about two miles directly to the west, and Wade and Cliff Lakes are about ten miles away. Riverview Campground is only about a quarter mile away and West Fork Campground is less than one mile, both available on a first come, first served basis, while Wade, Cliff Point and Hilltop Campgrounds are ten miles out. The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park is less than 40 miles east, at West Yellowstone, and the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center and Geologic Site is only about a ten minute drive.