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Gallatin/Soda Butte
Overview
Gallatin/Soda Butte in Cooke City offers a rugged, high-altitude experience for RVers who want to be at the doorstep of the American wilderness. Located at an elevation of over 7,600 feet, this park serves as a vital gateway for those exploring the less-crowded side of the region. It provides a unique balance between rustic mountain charm and the essential comforts required for a multi-day stay in the northern Rockies. The atmosphere here is quiet and focused on the natural beauty that surrounds the small, historic community of Cooke City.
Location & Surroundings
The park is nestled deep within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, positioned perfectly between the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone and the legendary Beartooth Highway. Travelers are treated to staggering views of jagged peaks and dense pine forests right from their campsites. The surroundings are characterized by crisp mountain air and frequent wildlife sightings, as the area remains one of the most pristine corridors in Montana. Being in Cooke City means you are far from the urban hustle, surrounded instead by alpine tundra and crystalline mountain streams.
Amenities & Park Features
While the setting is wild, the amenities are designed to keep modern travelers comfortable. The park features full hookup sites with both 30 and 50-amp electrical service to accommodate various rig sizes. Guests have access to essential facilities including clean restrooms, hot showers, and on-site laundry services. One of the standout features is the proximity to the historic Soda Butte Lodge, where visitors can enjoy a meal at the full-service restaurant and bar. The gravel sites are generally level, providing a solid foundation for your home-on-wheels in this rugged terrain.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the short drive to the Lamar Valley, often called the Serengeti of North America due to its incredible density of wolves, grizzly bears, and massive bison herds. Adventure seekers can also tackle the Beartooth Highway, a National Scenic Byway known for its dramatic switchbacks and panoramic views of the high plateaus. For those who prefer to stay local, Cooke City offers world-class fly fishing, miles of hiking trails, and a glimpse into the mining history of Montana through its charming local shops and museums.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who prioritize access to nature over luxury resort amenities. It is a haven for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and hikers who want to spend their days in the backcountry and their nights in a secure, convenient location. If you are a fan of scenic driving and prefer a basecamp that feels like a true mountain escape, this is the perfect fit. It is best suited for those who appreciate a quiet, respectful camping community and the raw beauty of the Montana high country.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Kylie Barnum
We stayed here 3 nights and I wish we only stayed one. First I want to say, I was not expecting anything fancy. I realize we were visiting a national park and kind of in the middle of nowhere. Before you stay here please realize there is zero cell phone service. They offer wifi which worked great our first night, and then the next 2 nights it hardly worked, leaving us no way to communicate with family. There is no air conditioning, which I know they probably don't need, but be prepared if you rely on that to sleep. Our room could have been cleaner. Found long black hair on the sheets and in the bath tub. Shower curtain needed replaced. The restaurant, which was partially why we chose here to stay, was open the first night we stayed, a Saturday night. Food was decent, service was slower. And yes the plastic silverware kept in a cup on the table is kind of gross. It was closed on Sunday and Monday, even though our waitress claimed they were the only place in town that had Sunday Ticket for football. We ran out of kleenex in our room and asked the guy at the desk for more. He told us the manager wasn't there that night so we would have to wait until morning. We left the next morning so that did us no good, and if you are the only one working how do you not have access to things guests need? The previous 2 nights all the staff hung out in the main lobby, it was kind of awkward as none of them greeted guests when they walked through. Would definitely not stay here again.
Jonna Anderson
Our room was on the 2nd floor and there is no elevator. A very nice employee helped my dad with his bags thankfully. No coffee in room, but they had some available in the lobby. Overall the room was fine; the restaurant service is the reason for the low review. Our restaurant experience was SUPER WEIRD. Bartender and waitress were sitting at a table watching TV when we arrived around 5 PM. We felt like we were intruding on them. Didn’t ask us for a drink order, just gave us menus and walked away. Then they proceeded to hover right next to us the whole time which was very awkward. The ordering process was difficult to say the least because my dad wanted to make 1 very simple add and they couldn’t comprehend his request. Finally they got it and then proceeded to lurk around/watch TV again. Bartender handed my drink to me by grabbing the rim of the glass where your mouth goes. The food was fine, but we had to eat with plastic silverware which was just sitting out in a cup on the table to get dusty and for everyone to paw through. Another table came in while we were eating and they thought the hovering and plastic silverware was weird as well.
Dave Siekkinen
I stayed here the night before a trip in the back country to climb Granite Peak, and again the night we got back. The location was great, only 15 minutes to the trailhead I was using. Since we didn't get back to our vehicles until midnight after the climb, I appreciated the staff leaving our room key on the reception desk. The coffee machine was good. I appreciated the meeting space in the lobby and the beds were comfortable. The bathroom door in my room didn't close very well and there were strange noises throughout the night. Not a 5 star hotel, but it was good enough for me.
Neon Genesis
This is an older hotel that definitely needs a lot of cleaning and renovation. It looks like there’s a lot of history with this hotel so it sucks seeing the state that the building is currently in. The rooms were old and there were a couple of issues: 1) There was leftover food in the fridge from the previous guests. 2) Parts of the ac system were broken. 3) There were a couple stains and hairballs all over the bed sheets. 4) Multiple cracks all over the walls. 5) No free breakfast. 6)Lastly, you can hear EVERYTHING from the people upstairs. It was so loud that I had a hard time sleeping. The good: 1) Bathroom and shower were very large. 2)Location was amazing. 3)Free WiFi. Definitely reconsider staying here if you’re planning to stay in Cooke City.
Gyan&Kynan Tech
We had a big family room. 3 queen beds. Location is awesome! I love the sound of the brook at night. The bathroom was large. Unfortunately, resting at night is terrible. We were on the 2nd floor and for some funny reason, from 11-1145 pm, there was some loud waking and banging of cabinets above us. This went on and disturbed our rest from a long drive. This place was great probably around the 70’s and 80’s. This place needs some upkeep now.