Red Shale Campground is nestled in the Custer National Forest in southeastern Montana, near the quaint town of Ashland but distant enough to escape the light pollution and earn Red Shale a Class-2 Bortle rating.

The campground sits at an elevation of 3,200 feet and spans five acres. There are 14 well-spaced campsites available for free and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving before noon ensures the best chance of claiming a site for the evening.

Though the campground is secluded and wonderfully remote, it still provides visitors with multiple toilets, picnic tables and fire pits. No water. Pets are permitted to join in the adventure as well. The maximum trailer length is 30 feet, with no hookups or dump station—a true Montana dry-camping experience. Be sure to respect the land by packing it in and packing it out.

During the Day

• Go birdwatching.
• Visit nearby Ashland.
• Search for the geocache located nearby.

Getting there

FROM ASHLAND: Take HWY 212 east 6 miles. Campground will be on the left.