Boondocking or free RV parks in I-90 W of Billings

The campground next to the Yellowstone River in Columbus is a good place to overnight as pointed out by bobsallyh above, costs a little but is quiet and with the big trees providing shade is a restful spot. Another place if you're heading west on I-90 is just past Bozeman at Headwaters SP about a mile north of the freeway. A very historic place with some good hiking trails and not many people staying there, Lewis & Clark Expedition stayed at the same area on their trip westward over 200 years ago.

We like Itch-Ke-Pe also. On the Yellowstone river. Next to golf course. Water on site and dump at service station just on left as leaving park. Located in Columbus, MT. Follow signs to city park. There is also a city park in Laurel, but the last we drove thru there it needed quite a bit of work.

I've stayed at Billings Cabela's as well as Itch-Kep-Pe park. Both great choices, depending if you want to be on asphalt next to a store, or in a rustic park next to a river.

A couple days ago, my friends stayed at Pelican Fishing Access site in Greycliff, MT.
fwp.mt.gov/fishing/siteDetail.html?id=283230

You can stay at Cabela's in Billings. They have long sites set aside and a dump onsite. Just check in with them when you arrive and ask if it's ok. We have stayed at several Cabela's.

Someone asked a similar Q not too long ago: Rest Areas WY & ID.

This one might just be what you are looking for: "Itch-Kep-Pe" City Park.

Maybe this will be of some help in finding places: Free & Almost Free Campsites - MT.

A neat aide in finding similar sites including city camping sites in all the States. Ditto for Find Them Map.

We stayed in this Choteau City Park many years ago. West of Billings, but not on or near I-90. West & North of Billings. Ha!

Also West of Billings then South to Gardner, we learned it was ok to Boondock in the town. Yellowstone CGs were all full, so we had to wait a day. We looked around Gardner, stopped at one commercial campground, full. But the man was friendly and gave some advice. I mentioned boondocking in leaving. He called to me & told me the town would not say anything if we just boondocked along the main road to the park. We did, in the small parking lot to the Forest Ranger Station was right on the main drag. We did an overnight in it. A little traffic nose, but not too bad. Not bothered by anyone.

If I remember correctly, RV park gentleman said the many pull offs along US 89 between Livingston & Gardner were ok to overnight. Can't remember how far up from Livingston they start to be.

Canyon Campground along the Yellowstone River has 18 sites and accessible facilities. There are fire grates, tables and toilets. There is no water. This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Too see more National Forest Service Campgrounds near Livingston scroll pass the Private RV Parks.

The Cabela's Billings Store Web Site, idea from next post by Missourijan.