Rainbow Point
Date filmed:2025-08-02
Number of sites:85
GPS:44.7792048, -111.1802993
Max vehicle length:45 Feet
Check in:2:00 pm
Check out:12:00 pm
Quiet hours:10:00 pm - 6:00 am

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
RVs
Electric Hook Ups
Vault Toilets
Fire Wood
Shade
Lake Access
Water Spigot
Host
Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Biking
Boating
Bird Watching
Swimming
Wildlife Viewing
Photography
Kayaking

Things to Do

Echoes of the Frontier

Exploring Nevada City, Montana

Featured: Cabin Creek, Baker's Hole, Beaver Creek , Lonesomehurst, Rainbow Point

We step back in time at Nevada City, Montana — a living museum where history lingers in every weathered building and wooden street. In this episode, we arrive at Nevada City, Montana — a town that feels caught between the present and the past. Once a bustling mining settlement during Montana’s gold rush, Nevada City today stands as one of the most authentic glimpses into 19th-century frontier life anywhere in the West. We spend the day exploring the Nevada City Living History Museum, a remarkable collection of original and relocated historic buildings preserved thanks to the efforts of Charles Bovey, whose passion for Montana’s heritage helped save these pieces of the Old West from disappearing forever. Walking through the museum, we find ourselves surrounded by weathered storefronts, silent cabins, and rusted tools that once shaped everyday life here. The creak of the wooden floors, the faded paint on the signs, the stillness in the air — everything here tells a story. It’s both haunting and beautiful, a reminder of how fragile history can be, and how much of it has been quietly reclaimed by time. This episode is part exploration, part reflection — a look at how the past lingers, and how preservation efforts like Bovey’s keep those echoes alive for future generations.

Walking Through Time

Virginia City, Montana’s Living Past

Featured: Cabin Creek, Baker's Hole, Beaver Creek , Lonesomehurst, Rainbow Point

We explore Virginia City, Montana — a perfectly preserved gold rush town where history lives on through its storefronts, museums, and the charm of the Fairweather Inn. In this episode, we continue our exploration of Montana’s storied mining towns with a visit to Virginia City — once the heart of Montana’s Gold Rush and now a beautifully preserved time capsule of the 19th century. We stroll up and down the historic main street, peering into the old storefronts and museums that still tell the story of a bustling frontier town frozen in time. Through the glass of weathered windows, displays recreate the daily life of miners, merchants, and townsfolk who once chased fortune in these rugged hills. As in neighboring Nevada City, Charles Bovey’s preservation efforts again take center stage — his dedication to saving these structures from decay allowing us to walk through history instead of just reading about it. Each creaking board and faded sign feels like an echo of those who came before. After a long day of exploration, we check into the Fairweather Inn, a historic lodging that still welcomes guests in true old-west fashion. It’s the perfect way to end the day — surrounded by history, quiet streets, and the feeling that we’ve stepped back more than a century in time. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to walk through a living museum, Virginia City offers that rare experience — part ghost town, part preservation triumph, and entirely captivating.

Exploring Custer Gallatin and West Yellowstone

A Day on the Job with Campvue

Featured: Baker's Hole, Beaver Creek , Cabin Creek, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Lonesomehurst, Mammoth, Rainbow Point, Tower Fall, Canyon

Leaving Virginia City behind, we roll into Yellowstone! It’s a Campvue filming day as we document scenic campgrounds along the route — a behind-the-scenes look at the work behind our big adventure. In this episode, we leave Virginia City behind and head toward one of America’s most iconic destinations — Yellowstone National Park. But before we dive into the park’s world-famous sights, it’s a workday for us at Campvue, filming campground drive-throughs and documenting the places where future travelers will pitch their tents and park their RVs. The route takes us through beautiful stretches of western Montana and into Wyoming’s rugged landscapes as we cross the threshold into Yellowstone. Along the way, we stop at several campgrounds to capture the atmosphere — from riverside forest settings to open meadows with mountain views. This isn’t just a travel day — it’s a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into our broader project, connecting roadtrippers and campers with real, visual previews of campgrounds across the West. It’s the practical side of our journey, but with plenty of scenic wonder along the way. By the end of the day, we’re well inside Yellowstone’s boundaries, ready for the adventures ahead — from geysers and bison to more nights under the stars.

A Yellowstone Adventure

Yellowstone’s Grand Views and Campfire Nights

Featured: Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Lonesomehurst, Mammoth, Rainbow Point, Tower Fall, Canyon

We settle into Canyon Campground in Yellowstone, visit the stunning Lower Falls, explore Canyon Village, and wrap up the day with dinner and a relaxing campfire under the stars. 🌲🔥🏞️ In this episode, we arrive at Canyon Campground in Yellowstone National Park, ready to settle in and see if the spot lives up to its reputation — and it doesn’t disappoint. After setting up camp, we head out to finally experience one of the park’s most iconic sights: the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It’s a place we missed on our first trip here, and seeing it now feels like completing a long-awaited chapter — the sound of the roaring waterfall echoing through the canyon is every bit as powerful and humbling as we imagined. Back at Canyon Village, we explore what the area has to offer: food, supplies, and a look at the modern conveniences tucked inside one of America’s wildest parks. From the general store to dining options, it’s the perfect stop for travelers balancing comfort and adventure. As evening settles in, we return to our site at Canyon Campground for a quiet dinner and time by the fire — the perfect way to unwind after a full day of exploration and reflection. Between the natural wonder, the warm glow of the flames, and the cool Yellowstone air, it’s one of those days that reminds us why we travel.

Campground Overview

Rainbow Point Campground – Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana

Rainbow Point Campground is a lakeside campground located within Montana’s Custer Gallatin National Forest along the shores of Hebgen Lake. Known for its scenic setting and access to water-based recreation, the campground provides a relaxed environment for campers seeking a balance between forested surroundings and open lake views. Its location makes it a popular choice for visitors exploring the Hebgen Lake area while remaining outside more heavily developed resort zones.

Location & Setting

The campground is situated on the banks of Hebgen Lake in southwestern Montana, surrounded by conifer forest and open shoreline. The setting combines wooded campsites with proximity to the lake, offering a mix of shade and expansive views. Hebgen Lake is a large reservoir known for its clear water and mountain backdrop. The surrounding area is managed as national forest land, preserving a natural feel while still supporting recreational access. Weather conditions can change quickly due to elevation, and wind exposure near the lake is common.

Campground Overview

Rainbow Point Campground is moderately sized and arranged to take advantage of its lakeside location. Campsites are set among trees and natural vegetation, with some areas more open due to the nearby shoreline. Site spacing varies, and privacy is influenced by terrain and vegetation rather than dense screening. The campground accommodates tent camping and vehicle-based camping, though individual site characteristics can differ. Campers should expect a natural surface and typical national forest campground conditions.

Amenities

Amenities at Rainbow Point Campground are limited and consistent with a traditional national forest campground. Campsites generally provide basic features intended to support short-term stays rather than extended comfort camping. Hookups vary by loop. Visitors should not expect showers, or on-site retail services. Campers are encouraged to arrive prepared with water, food, and supplies appropriate for a remote lakeside environment. As with all forest service campgrounds, visitors are responsible for following food storage and fire safety regulations.

Activities & Nearby Recreation

Hebgen Lake is the primary recreational draw for Rainbow Point Campground. Fishing, boating, paddling, and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the area, with access points and shoreline use nearby. The surrounding forest supports hiking, photography, and scenic exploration along forest roads and trails. The campground’s location also places visitors within driving distance of additional public lands and recreation opportunities throughout the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Summary

Rainbow Point Campground offers lakeside camping on Hebgen Lake within Montana’s Custer Gallatin National Forest. With a natural setting, limited amenities, and access to both water-based and forest recreation, it is well suited for campers seeking a straightforward, scenery-focused camping experience rather than a highly developed campground.

Nearby Campgrounds