Hood Creek Campground, Hyalite Canyon

Bozeman’s backyard reservoir campground.

Hood Creek sits on the shore of Hyalite Reservoir, 17 miles south of Bozeman at 6,700 feet, with meadow and forest sites, a boat ramp and kayak rentals at the host site. Hyalite Canyon is Bozeman’s playground: waterfall hikes like Palisade Falls in summer and well-known ice climbing in winter. Book on Recreation.gov; there are no showers, hookups or dump station.

At a glance

Sites

25 + 1 group site (up to 80 people)

Hookups

None; no showers or dump station

Max vehicle

45 ft

On the water

Boat ramp; kayaks from the host, $15/hr

Nightly

$26 + tax

What’s here

• Tent sites
• Lake or riverfront
• Pets allowed

Gear, rentals and guides

• Hood Creek kayak rentals

  Single and tandem kayaks by the hour from the campground host.

• Montana Alpine Guides

  Bozeman guides for rock and ice climbing in Hyalite and beyond.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• FestivalDec 9–13, 2026

  Bozeman Ice Festival

  The 30th annual ice climbing festival in Hyalite Canyon, with climbing clinics.

Where to stay

• cabinWindow Rock Cabin

  Forest Service rental cabin south of the reservoir; sleeps four with a wood stove, drive-up in summer.

  10 min drive$65 / night · Recreation.gov nightly rate
• hotelThe Lark

  Boutique hotel on Main Street in downtown Bozeman.

  35 min drive
• hotelKimpton Armory Hotel

  Upscale hotel in a converted historic armory downtown.

  35 min drive

Nearby

• Palisade Falls · 5 min drive

  Paved, accessible half-mile trail to a waterfall over basalt cliffs.

• Hyalite Peak Trail · 5 min drive

  7.5 miles one way past a string of waterfalls to Hyalite Lake and Peak.

• Museum of the Rockies · 30 min drive

  Dinosaur-rich museum and planetarium in Bozeman.

• Bridger Brewing · 30 min drive

  Bozeman brewery known as much for its pizza as its beer.

Getting there

• Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) · about 50 min drive
• Bozeman · about 0.5 hr
• Billings · about 2.75 hr

Directions in Google Maps