Red Shale
Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Red Shale is a National Forest campground near Ashland, Montana.
First-come, first-served
- National Forest
- Managed by
Red Shale sits inside Custer Gallatin National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Free
Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30
What's there
- ✓ Toilets
- ✕ Potable water
On site: Toilets. No potable water.
Access and cell service
- Elevation
- 3,200 ft
45.5688, -106.1462 in Powder River. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Red Shale?
No. Red Shale is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Red Shale?
Camping at Red Shale is free.
Is there drinking water at Red Shale?
No. Red Shale has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Who manages Red Shale?
Red Shale is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around Red Shale
More campgrounds: camping near Ashland and campgrounds in Powder River.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-30
- epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-10-01