Montana is undoubtedly one of the best states for outdoor recreation in the entire country.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking and backpacking, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing, water recreation, winter activities like snowshoeing, and, of course, camping to name just a few popular outdoor activities.
Camping in Big Sky Country is my favorite way to explore the state whether you prefer to stay at tent campgrounds, RV parks with full hookups, or free dispersed campgrounds in the middle of nowhere.
You’ll find Montana campgrounds near towns and cities, miles upon miles down dirt roads, near excellent fishing lakes and rivers, and in national parks. No matter which corner of the state you wish to explore, you’ll have a variety of fantastic campgrounds to choose from.
Here’s how to find the best camping in Montana.
When it comes to camping, Montana can be broken down into six main regions.
These are Glacier Country, Central Montana, Missouri River Country, Southwest Montana, Yellowstone Country, and Southeast Montana.
It’s a mountainous region notable for its mining and ranching heritage. When you think of Montana, this area is likely what you imagine in your head.To help you plan your Montana camping trip, we list which region each of our favorite Montana campgrounds is located in below.
Unbeatable tent camping in Montana is easy to find. Dozens of campgrounds across the state welcome tent campers with open arms. In the market for a new tent? Check out our roundup of the best camping tents before your Montana tent camping trip!
Here are 10 of the best tent campgrounds in Montana:
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Region: Southeast Montana
Sprawling and beautiful Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, most notable for its stunning 1,000-foot-tall canyon cliffs, is home to three developed campgrounds plus ample backcountry and dispersed camping. Horseshoe Bend Campground, Afterbay Campground, and Barry’s Landing & Trail Creek Campground are all open year-round and accommodate both tents and RVs. Although all three campgrounds are great, Afterbay is my favorite thanks to its convenient location on the shores of Afterbay Lake making it ideal for fishing, swimming, boating, and more.
Learn more about camping at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Region: Southeast Montana
The largest state park in Montana, Makoshika State Park covers an expansive badlands area made up of stark rock formations. 24 total campsites are available for both tent and RV campers, although the ample privacy between sites and rustic nature of the campground makes this state park best for tent camping in Montana.
Makoshika is also home to a high volume of dinosaur fossils.
Learn more about camping at Makoshika State Park.
Region: Glacier Country
Glacier National Park is truly one of the natural gems of Montana. It’s a must-see destination for many visitors and camping here is often considered a bucket-list activity. 13 developed front-country campsites and numerous backcountry campsites give campers plenty of options to choose from. Apgar Campground (194 campsites) on the west side of the park and St. Mary Campground (150 campsites) on the east side of the park are the largest and most popular campgrounds. I personally prefer smaller Cut Bank Campground for camping in Glacier National Park.
Learn more about camping in Glacier National Park.
Region: Glacier Country
Tent camping in Montana doesn’t get much better than a stay at Big Larch Campground on the shore of Seeley Lake in Lolo National Forest.
Easy access to the lake makes this campground ideal for hot summer days where you’ll want to spend most of your time swimming, lounging on the beach, and boating. Town is just a short jaunt away and several nature trails are located in the area. Big Larch Campground has just under 50 campsites total.
Learn more about Big Larch Campground.
Region: Glacier Country
Indian Trees Campground is easily accessible from Highway 93 near Sula but remains a quiet and peaceful place to stay thanks to a limited number of campsites (just 15 total) all spread far apart from each other. Set in the Bitterroot National Forest, this Montana campground is shaded by tall ponderosa pine trees and is surrounded by many wild and scenic rivers perfect for fishing.
Learn more about Indian Trees Campground.
Region: Yellowstone Country
Located just outside of Livingston, Pine Creek Campground is your perfect homebase for exploring the Absaroka Mountains or as a stopover on the way south to Yellowstone National Park.
The small quiet campground has just 27 campsites and is set at roughly 5,500 feet in elevation. Don’t forget to check out the 1.5-mile roundtrip trail to Pine Creek Falls or the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Pine Creek Lake if you have time for a hike.
Learn more about Pine Creek Campground.
Region: Yellowstone Country
Just north of the north entrance to Yellowstone in Gardiner, Tom Miner Campground is one of my favorite places for tent camping in Montana, bar none. The 16 campsites are all first-come, first-served at $7 per night. It’s located high in the Gallatin Mountains in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Expect beautiful scenery on the drive in and pop on down to the nearby petrified forest if you have time.
Learn more about Tom Miner Campground.
Region: Glacier Country
Bad Medicine Campground is located in the western reaches of Montana near its border with Idaho.
This small pristine Montana Campground has 18 total campsites perfect for tent camping and small RVs. It’s set in a shady forest on the south end of Bull Lake, a popular fishing destination.
Learn more about Bad Medicine Campground.
Region: Glacier Country
It’s hard to find developed camping in Montana nearly as beautiful as that at Holland Lake Campground in northwest Montana. Part of the Flathead National Forest, this campsite is set on the titular 400-acre lake. A multitude of hiking trails are close at hand. Roughly 40 campsites are available to both tent and RV campers.
Learn more about Holland Lake Campground.
Region: Southwest Montana
Head to Lowland Campground for a quintessential Montana camping experience just 20 miles from Butte. This small campground has just 12 campsites that accommodate both tents and small RVs/trailers. Located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the location is fantastic for outdoor recreation like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and so much more.
Learn more about Lowland Campground.
Want to explore Montana in an RV? Luckily, the state has countless RV parks and campgrounds with RV spaces. Whether you prefer boondocking or full hookups, there’s a Montana RV campground for you. Use our RV rental tool if you don’t have an RV of your own!
Here are 10 of the best RV campgrounds in Montana:
Region: Yellowstone Country
For some of the best RV camping in Montana, look no further than Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. Just a few blocks away from the national park’s west entrance, this is the perfect RV basecamp for exploring everything Yellowstone has to offer. It has over 200 sites with full hookups as well as additional amenities like cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and more.
Learn more about Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park.
Region: Glacier Country
RV camping in Montana doesn’t get much better than Jim & Mary’s RV Park.
Located in Missoula, you’ll be greeted with friendly hosts and clean campsites. This Montana RV park has around 70 sites with full RV hookups. Downtown Missoula is just 10 minutes away!
Learn more about Jim & Mary’s RV Park.
Region: Yellowstone Country
Another top-notch Montana RV park near Yellowstone, Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park is just outside of Livingston near Paradise Valley. It boasts a cozy, comfortable atmosphere with hosts that will quickly become friends. The RV park has 85 sites with full hookups and a wide range of amenities. Not only is this a great homebase for exploring the national park, but it’s also just minutes from some of the best fishing in Montana.
Learn more about Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park.
Region: Glacier Country
Hoping to go RV camping in Glacier National Park this summer? Then Outback Montana RV Park is for you.
Just outside of the park’s western boundaries near stunning Flathead Lake, this well-kept RV campground is popular for all the right reasons. It’s conveniently located near Glacier National Park. It provides access to Flathead Lake for fishing, swimming, boating, and more. It has a huge range of RV sites with full hookups as well as grassy tent sites and even cabin rentals.
Learn more about Outback Montana RV Park.
Region: Yellowstone Country
There are a lot of KOA campgrounds in Montana but the Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA is one of the best. Like almost all KOAs, it’s notable for its impressive mix of RV sites with full hookups, grassy tent sites, and cabin rentals. But the real reason to stay here is its proximity to the national park and many of its major features. For instance, the west entrance is just 7.5 miles away while the famous Old Faithful geyser is just 37 miles away.
Learn more about Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA.
Region: Missouri River Country
Not all RV campers want to stay in an RV park on their Montana camping trip. If you prefer something a little more rustic, Downstream Campground just below Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River might just be for you. Not only does the spacious campground offer 85 campsites, 70 of which have electric hookups, but it also has an RV dump station, potable water, and clean restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers.
Learn more about Downstream Campground.
Region: Southwest Montana
Lewis and Park Caverns State Park is notable for two things. It was the first state park in Montana and remains its most popular. Of course, the beautiful and interesting limestone caverns are what makes it such a must-see Montana camping destination. Once you’re done exploring the caverns or hiking the park’s trails, retire to the 40-site campground and enjoy the spacious campsites in your RV.
Full hookups, an RV dump station, and restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets are all available to make your stay more enjoyable.
Learn more about camping at Lewis and Park Caverns State Park.
Region: Glacier Country
Another great Montana campground in the Bitterroot National Forest, Lake Como Campground is ideal for RV campers that want a private Montana camping experience. It has just 10 total campsites (and pull-thru) that can accommodate the largest RVs and fifth-wheel trailers. The campground is set underneath a shady stand of pine and fir trees. It’s a short walk to the titular lake. Water and electric hookups are available at just $16 per night per campsite.
Learn more about Lake Como Campground.
th Ranch RV Park
Region: Southeast Montana
7th Ranch RV Park’s claim to fame is that it’s the closest RV park to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
But that’s not all to love about this southeast Montana RV Park. 7th Ranch is also notable for its large pull-thru sites with full hookups, fast Wi-Fi, clean restroom and shower facilities, and well-groomed grounds. It’s a popular RV camping destination for those attending the annual Crow Fair Celebration Pow Wow & Rodeo each August.
Learn more about 7th Ranch RV Park.
Region: Glacier Country
Yet another fantastic RV park near Glacier National Park, Columbia Falls RV Park has 76 RV sites with full hookups that can accommodate any size of RV. In addition to its convenient location just minutes away from the national park’s entrance, this Montana RV campground is most notable for its stunning mountain views, nearby parks (including the city swimming pool), and friendly office staff.
Learn more about Columbia Falls RV Park.
I love camping in Montana because of the abundance of public lands, like national forests and BLM land, that offer free dispersed camping.
Although primitive (plan to go to the bathroom in the woods since there’s likely no toilets), the remoteness and sheer beauty of free camping in Montana makes the slight inconvenience well worth it.
Here are 10 of the best free campsites in Montana:
Region: Southwest Montana
Potosi Campground is one of my favorite places for free camping in Montana. Located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, this small campground is set near the Tobacco Root Mountains with South Willow Creek running through the middle. The 7-mile dirt access road from nearby Pony can be quite rough. Don’t forget to check out Upper Potosi Hot Springs during your stay.
Learn more about Potosi Campground.
Region: Southwest Montana
Looking for free camping in Montana close to town? The Wisdom Veteran’s Memorial Park is located within walking distance of the small town of Wisdom.
It’s basically a large grass park that welcomes tent and RV campers alike. Well water and pit toilets are available. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and includes the Big Hole River, Big Hole Valley, and distant Beaverhead Mountains. Take the time to stop at the nearby Big Hole National Battlefield.
Learn more about camping at Wisdom Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Region: Southeast Montana
Just outside the small town of Rosebud in southeast Montana is Far West Fishing Access Site. Set on the shoreline of the Yellowstone River, this area is a popular daytime destination for swimming and fishing in the summer. A handful of campsites are scattered throughout the area suitable for tents, vans, and small RVs/trailers.
Learn more about camping at Far West Fishing Access Site.
Region: Central Montana
Fresno Reservoir is just to the west of Havre in north central Montana.
There are a handful of free places to camp around the reservoir, including a large flat gravel area for RV boondocking. This primitive camping area is easy to access and home to excellent fishing and swimming.
Learn more about camping at Fresno Reservoir.
Region: Glacier Country
North of Flathead Lake on the Flathead River, Hungry Horse Reservoir is an excellent place for dispersed camping in Montana, especially if you plan to visit Glacier National Park. It’s basically just a handful of pullouts along the road leading to the developed campgrounds. A few of the best have views of the reservoir itself. There’s a lot of other dispersed camping in this area if you drive around and look for it.
Learn more about camping at Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Region: Missouri River Country
It’s not often you find free camping smackdab in the middle of town. But Bruegger Centennial Park offers RV campers and van campers just that! There’s a small parking lot with a sign welcoming overnight guests (no parking on the street).
Downtown Culbertson is just a short walk away. Tent campers are also welcome although it can feel somewhat uncomfortable as you’re basically pitching your tent in the middle of a grassy city park.
Learn more about Bruegger Centennial Park.
Region: Yellowstone Country
It doesn’t get much better than free camping near Yellowstone! Travertine Road Dispersed in Gallatin National Forest is the true dispersed camping experience without developed campsites. It’s an easy drive to the town of Gardiner and almost all the pullout sites boast amazing views. There are a ton of dispersed campsites in this area. The farther in on the access road (it can be rough) you drive, the more private your site will be.
Learn more about camping at Travertine Road Dispersed in Gallatin National Forest.
Region: Central Montana
Freezeout Lake near the town of Fairfield is the best place in Montana for seeing snow geese and tundra swans.
Hundreds of thousands of the birds arrive each spring as a stopover point on their migration from the Gulf Coast to Alberta and Saskatchewan. Whether or not you visit during snow goose staging season, you’ll be sure to appreciate the smattering of dispersed campsite around the lake. Know that camping here is primitive with minimal facilities and it can get very buggy during the summer.
Learn more about camping at Freezeout Lake.
Region: Glacier Country
This small free campground is located in Flathead National Forest. It’s situated on the shores of a crystal-clear alpine lake at roughly 5,500 feet elevation. It’s a popular place for picnicking and fishing in addition to camping. There are 6 total campsites best suited for tents, vans, and small trailers.
Learn more about Red Meadow Lake Campground.
Region: Southwest Montana
Cottonwood Recreation Area is home to a small Bureau of Reclamation campground.
It boasts just a handful of dispersed campsites. No amenities are available except for a vault toilet. The campground is located near the Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Note that its proximity to Helena means it can fill up fast, especially on holidays and summer weekends, although you should still be able to find somewhere to pull off for the night.
Learn more about camping at Cottonwood Recreation Area.
Keep the following tips in mind for the best Montana camping trip possible:
While you’re at it, make sure to always follow the leave no trace principles.Camping in Montana is really just like camping anywhere else with the proper preparation, planning, and know-how!
We have several camping resources, like our family camping checklist and camping gear guides, for camping beginners hoping to explore Montana’s campgrounds.
Don’t forget to check out our additional best state camping guides and national park camping guides while you’re at it.
And, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions about planning your Montana camping trip!
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Recreation opportunities abound on over 8 million acres of BLM-administered public land in Montana and the Dakotas on a diverse scope of landscape types.
Enjoy fly fishing on the Blackfoot River Corridor outside of Missoula, Mont. or cast your lines on the Madison River while secluded in the Bear Trap National Wilderness Area.
Hike on many of Montana and the Dakotas most scenic lands. Whether you want to take a short day hike or a longer backcountry excursion, public lands offer a premier destination to take in a little nature.
BLM-managed lands in the Montana and Dakotas also are home to many historical and culturally significant area. Walk in the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s step at Pompeys Pillar National Monument and along the Upper Missouri River Wild and Scenic River, or take a peek into yesteryear at Garnet Ghost Town in Western Montana.
Wildlife watching is made easy in one of the many wilderness study areas, and there are plenty of places to hunt, fish and camp in the Montana and Dakotas.
Please enjoy your public lands responsibly, and be prepared for changing weather conditions, rough roads and possible predator sightings.
The BLM maintains a large number of camping sites on public land; the public is welcome to make use of the facilities provided. BLM offices have printed information on campgrounds.
The BLM and U.S. Forest Service regulate the use of roads, trails, and lands under their jurisdiction to accomplish specific land management objectives, protect resources, and provide public safety. This may involve the restriction or closure of certain areas to vehicles, etc. To avoid any inconvenience to you, we advise that you check for any restrictions posted at these sites. You may want to consult the local BLM or U.S. Forest Service office for the most current information and more specific information; fire danger information can also be provided.
There are no designated long-term camping areas in Montana, North Dakota or South Dakota; the maximum stay is 16 days.
Camping is permitted on BLM lands that have not been developed as a camp site. You must have legal access to the area and travel on existing roads and trails.
The maximum stay is also 16 days.
For other information on camping opportunities in Montana, North Dakota or South Dakota, you may want to contact the appropriate tourism office:
Travel Montana
1424 9th Ave.
Helena MT 59620
1-800-847-4868
South Dakota Tourism
Capital Lake Plaza
Pierre SD 57501
1-800-732-5682
North Dakota Tourism
PO Box 2057
Bismarck ND 58503-2057
1-800-HELLO-ND
For further information on recreation you can browse the following web site: http://www.recreation.gov
We ask you to follow a policy of «Treading Lightly.» By picking up litter, avoiding travel that could damage the land, observing signs and posted areas, leaving all gates as you found them, and asking permission to enter private lands, you will enhance the public’s opportunity to enjoy these lands in the future. We hope you enjoy your camping experience on BLM lands.
Your interest in hiking in Montana is understandable given the vast open spaces available! The BLM and U.
S. Forest Service regulate the use of roads, trails, and lands under their jurisdiction in order to meet specific land management objectives, protect resources, and provide public safety. When hiking or planning to hike, you should be aware that these regulations may result in restricting travel to certain roads and trails, or closing areas to specific modes of travel. These restrictions have been posted at the site. You may want to check with the local BLM or U.S. Forest Service office for more current or specific information, as well as any fire danger restrictions.
The BLM has established hiking areas in a number of public land areas. Areas open year round include Divide Bridge, Red Mountain (which is a nine-mile walk through Bear Trap Canyon), and Humbug Spires.
The following information details a few of the more prominent BLM areas in Montana.
Humbug Spires area is ideal for hiking due to its rolling hills graced with lodgepole pine, Douglas Fir, and majestic white granite spires.
There are no specific trails and the land is not uncomfortably rugged. One can set their own direction in an unregimented area. Hikers of all ages and attitudes will find this to be a worthwhile venture. For more information on this area, contact the Butte Field Office.
Holter Lake/Sleeping Giant Recreation Area provides an excellent scenic setting, topped off by the Gates of the Mountain Canyon, for hikers to enjoy. Contact the Butte Field Office for more information on this area.
Centennial Mountains provide Montana with 21,000 acres of natural, unspoiled views of subalpine forests along the Continental Divide. Excellent views of the Red Rocks Lakes National Wildlife Refuge await the avid hiker. For more information on this area, contact the Dillon Field Office.
Bighorn Canyon is a spectacular area of sand hills, colorful canyons with 2,000-feet high cliffs, and prairie grasslands. Hiking is possible along Bad Pass Road throughout the area. For more information on this area, contact the National Park Service’s web page for that area.
Pryor Mountains. This area allows the more experienced hiker a place to roam and explore along with the wild horses that inhabit the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. Accessed by County Road 16, Sykes Coulee is visited by few and accessible by 4-wheel drive,high clearance vehicles only. A visit to this area rewards visitors with a sweeping view south into Bighorn Basin. This three mile area is rough, but the view from Sykes Ridge is worth the effort. Further down the road towards the open rocky South Ridge of East Pryor Mountain, there are a number of short (up to two miles round trip) hiking opportunities in the Wild Horse Park. For further information, contact the Billings Field Office.
Four areas along Ear Mountain have been designated as Outstanding Natural Areas (ONAs) due to their scenic quality and wild land resources. The ONAs total 13,087 acres and are located about 20 miles west of Choteau, Montana. For more information on this area, please contact the Lewistown Field Office.
Square Butte Natural Area, which is approximately 20 miles north of Stanford, Montana, is unique in geological, historical, and scenic values. Please contact the Lewistown Field Office for more information.
Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River offers outstanding hiking opportunities. This 149-mile segment of the Missouri is the only major portion of the mighty Missouri to be protected and preserved in its natural, free flowing state. It is also the premier segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. You may contact the Lewistown Field Office for more information on this area.
Collar Peak Trail. Scenic views of the Judith Mountains can be experienced from this trail. To obtain more trail information, contact the Lewistown Field Office.
Please help protect all natural areas and add to the enjoyment of others by «Treading Lightly.» We ask that you pick up litter, observe and obey signs and posted areas, leave gates as you found them, and ask permission before entering private lands.
We have some printed information you may find useful. Send an email to the address below if you are interested in copies. Enjoy your hiking experience in Montana’s great outdoors.
Rockhounding is a permitted recreational activity on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The usual rock hound materials, including agates and stones, may be collected in reasonable quantities for hobby use. Petrified wood collection on BLM lands is limited to 25 pounds plus one piece per day to a maximum of 250 pounds per year.
Rock hounds are allowed to collect rocks found on the surface of the ground. Power equipment or explosives may not be used for excavation or to collect materials or wood without written authorization from the appropriate BLM office.
The Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 prohibits the excavation, taking, or destruction of any historic or prehistoric site or any object of antiquity on lands under federal jurisdiction.
Vertebrate and other fossils of «recognized scientific interest» also are protected.
The BLM requires permits for the collection of certain fossils. Permits are granted only to qualified institutions for bona fide scientific research and are not issued to casual recreationists, even though they may have an interest in fossils.
Sites having apparent scientific or historic potential, such as cabins, prehistoric campsites, buffalo jumps, fossil beds, etc., should be reported to the nearest BLM office. They will then be evaluated by a archaeological or paleontological specialist.
Maps are available for $4 each. These maps will reflect federal ownership of both surface and subsurface estates. These maps will not show where you might find petrified wood, agates, geodes, sapphires or other rockhounding items. Many of the areas have unpatented or private mining claims on or near them. Always ask permission before crossing or entering upon private property.
To order maps, please list the name and number of the maps you want and enclose the appropriate payment. Please do not send cash. Checks and money orders should be made out to the Department of the Interior-BLM, and mailed to BLM Maps, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT 59101. If you would like to expedite your order by using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover, you may place your order over the phone by calling (406) 896-5000. Maps can also be purchased at the BLM State Office in Billings, 5001 Southgate Drive, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Specific information on the geology of Montana and the distribution of various minerals is available from geologists in our local BLM offices. A map showing BLM office boundaries and locations is available on-line. You may also want to contact the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Helena, Montana: U.S. Forest Service, Missoula, Montana; Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte Montana; and local universities.
Local rock shops are an excellent resource for collectors. The Rock Hound’s Guide to Montana (available at your local bookstore) has a listing of the shops, as well as other useful information.
An objective of the BLM is to promote harmony in balancing the many uses of the federal lands. As a rockhound, you have room to roam in enjoying your hobby but are requested to respect all natural resources and the interests others have in them.
New morning of a new day.
Skoda Fabia test drive for the ability to sleep three in a car was a great fit. Objectively: the rear seat does not unfold into an absolutely horizontal surface, but slightly tilted, which is inconvenient. Well, it’s tight. AND COLD! We have sleeping bags with temperature characteristics: comfort +13, extreme +0 for me and +5 for the guys. This is hardly enough for an overnight stay in the mountains.
Not that they chattered with their teeth all night, but it was very chilly and uncomfortable. The temperature at night overboard is slightly above zero.
Oh well… We have specific plans for the day today. You need to climb the Teide and go down. Ideally, on foot, or if we don’t fit in on time, then one way we will have to use the cable car.
In the meantime, a couple of photos of the Ramon el Caminero campsite, which is located 100 meters across the road from our overnight stay. It turns out that again we slept anywhere:)
Such an unremarkable hut. We, at least, did not notice a normal-looking pointer. You can easily walk past at night.
A wrought iron inscription screwed to the end of the house says that this is the desired campsite.
On the camping site — no special features: barbecue grills, tables for gatherings, faucets with water and a warning that you should not drink it, there is still a «warm» toilet and some households.
rooms in the house, but it’s all closed.
We took water and drove towards Teide. It’s half past nine.
We still have not decided how we will get to the top: on foot or by cable car. We decided to start by driving up to the lower station and find out for sure what time exactly the last gondola departs from the upper station. We found out — 16-50. At 9 o’clockin the morning, so if you push it, then by 15 you can go up to the upper station through Montaña Blanca, run to the crater (we have a permit from 15 to 17), and back — on the cable car, because walking in the dark I would not want to go down. Decided — done. We go to the beginning of the trail through Montaña Blanca. We park, we change shoes, we brake, we leave. Let’s go….
This is how the car park at the beginning of the Teide hiking trail looks like.
We are going, it means 10 minutes …. and then I understand that while we were getting ready to leave, it was already 11 o’clock! And in order to be at the top at 15, you no longer need to walk, but run at a gallop, because.
according to the information stand, the ascent is designed for 5.5 hours, which we do not have:(
This arrangement does not suit us. After a constructive dispute, a decision is made to turn around, leave the car where it is now, and walk to the lower station on foot and climb up on the cable car, try to get to the crater up to 15 (thereby carve out additional time for the descent), but go down already on foot through Montaña Blanco straight to the car. And so we do 🙂
We wander along the road towards the lower station of the cable car.
We stop at each exit of volcanic glass. The fact is that my son’s friend collects minerals, we pick up a heavier present for the mind 🙂
Another bruise! Now everyone is waiting for me.
We reached the lower station in 20-30 minutes (2 kilometers to go). There are few people, there are no queues, we bought a ticket (12.5 euros per person — a robbery in broad daylight!) and went upstairs on the first gondola that arrived.
View of the car park at the lower station
And this is the view of the road through the caldera.
Walking along the paths, admiring the views.
It looks like it’s raining in La Orotava 🙂
Teide’s daughter volcano — Pico Viejo (3134 m)
Behind me begins the path from Teide to Pico Viejo (6 hours)
Another information stand
At 13.30 having looked around, we approach the booth in which sits an amigo checking permits. We ask to let us in early (our time is at 15), the guy checks the permission to climb and passports and passes
without any problems. We go up the path to the crater. View of the upper station
The path is paved with stones, it is easy to walk, just like stairs. People do not say that they wander a lot, but they meet. Mostly Russian 🙂 Many people with children of different ages, even with babies come across (honestly, I don’t understand why babies should be put there, they won’t remember anything anyway).
Almost top. Clouds far below
On the crater wall.
Sulfur from the crater. I can read information posters that say you can’t take anything. But in the volcano, what, will there be less sulfur if I take a piece? I stuff my pocket with sulfur.
At the highest point of the slope of the Teide crater. Height 3700 with kopecks. It looks like we were very lucky with the weather, no snow, warm (I went up in one T-shirt) and the wind is quite tolerable
I am sitting, relaxing, dangling my legs over the crater.
We sat on the top for quite a long time, a pleasant place, we don’t want to leave. The tourists all dispersed, we were left alone.
Suddenly we see, from the direction of the Rambleta, a couple is climbing right on the scree. Well, we think, compatriots! Foreigners, they will never take a step away from the path, but no… when these two got up, it turned out they were pensioners from Scotland 🙂 They don’t have any permits, they decided to climb bypassing the checkpoint.
They say everything is fine, you can climb, only the slope is pouring heavily. Chatted with them for about 20 minutes about fashion and the weather, and dispersed.
This is a panorama of the crater, and on the right, traditionally, people for scale. The same pensioners who climbed up without a path 🙂
The same photo, only in high resolution is HERE
Realizing that without a path it would be much faster to go down than along the path, we decided to make the return trip following the example of Scottish pensioners — ahead, along the slope of the crater.
In this place you can step over the chain, and, in principle, go down. The observation deck of the Ramblet can be seen at the left end of the picture. We go there 🙂
The path is really quite passable with normal shoes, but at the bottom the park attendants tried to take us by the ass, as Walking on trails is prohibited.
And now down! Time — 16.30, there are 3 hours left before dark, and you need to have time to go down with your legs from 3600 to almost 2400 🙂 A house with a red roof — Alta Vista shelter, height 3200 with a penny.
We go there!
We went down to Alta Vista in about 40 minutes. We got some water there (they say it’s not drinking, why do you need it? Guess!) and went further.
Our path. view from above. Before dark, you need to go all this path, and a little more (did not fit in the picture)
Random fellow traveler. It is heading in the opposite direction to ours, rising to Alta Vista. He will spend the night there and tomorrow he will go down through Pico Viejo.
To save time, when descending from Alta Vista, we take shortcuts wherever possible. There is little left. Our car is parked behind that lava field.
Sypuhi here are noble! The slope in some places is 40 degrees, the legs themselves carry, you only have time to rearrange. If you go slowly, you immediately burrow into the stones knee-deep. Part of the way was done by running 🙂
And this is the official trail of Rambleta-Montagna Blanca. It turns out that it lies a little away from our path.
This is me against the background of a pebble.
And in this crack, we finally found awesome obsidian shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow.
Time 18-30. We are in the parking lot. The descent from the top of the crater took 3.5 hours.
We were going to spend the night somewhere in the direction of La Orotava, but many people with whom we talked today complained that it was raining in the north. I don’t feel like sleeping in a tent in the rain, so we decided to go south, and it’s relatively «civilized» to spend the night at the Montaña Roja campsite (4 km from the southern airport). There is electricity and hot water (heated by solar panels), and we can try to change our car at the airport tomorrow.
Drive down the TF-21. We find a campsite, check out (newly arrived guests are checked out until 22:00). We set up a tent, drink tea, and go to bed
RESULTS IN FIGURES
Mileage: 70 km
Expenses:
37.5 euros — cable car ticket
15 euros — Montaña Roja camping (2 adults + child + car + tent)
Tags: Spain Canaries Tenerife Travel
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