A paved, single-lane road winds into a narrow canyon outside Anaconda, ending at Lost Creek State Park Campground's 21-site loop. The drive in is part of the experience: granite walls rise over 1,000 feet on either side, and a beaver pond sits along the road before the sites begin. No reservations are taken, and the campground rarely fills on weekdays, though summer weekends draw more visitors and neighbors can be close.
The layout matters here. Sites 1 through 6 sit near the entrance with little shade and full afternoon sun until the canyon walls block the light. Site 7 is roughly a quarter-mile further in, and sites 8 through 21 occupy the loop at the end of the road, where shade is more consistent, sites are more spread out, and the sound of Lost Creek carries through camp. Drinking water from a pump spigot is available only at the upper loop. Dexter I. notes that "raspberries and thimbleberries located along the creek were ripe" in early September, a small bonus for late-summer visitors.
The waterfall is the main draw. Lost Creek Falls drops roughly 50 feet and is accessible via a short paved path from the end of the campground, making it reachable for campers with mobility limitations. A Forest Service trailhead at the top of the loop connects to longer routes following the creek into higher terrain. Vault toilets are distributed throughout the campground, and Lee D. describes them as "exceptionally clean." Cell service is limited, with some T-Mobile signal reported.
Campers with RVs should note the 23-foot length limit, though some reviewers with longer rigs found workable sites in the upper loop. The season runs May through November, and temperatures can drop sharply even in late spring, with one visitor recording a low of 27 degrees in mid-May. This is a first-come, first-served site with pack-in/pack-out trash policy, so plan accordingly. Non-residents pay $28 per night, a rate some find steep given the dry-camping setup. Nearby Lost Pines and Copper Court RV Park offer alternatives for those needing hookups or more amenities. Lost Creek works best for campers who want direct access to a waterfall trail, canyon views, and a low-infrastructure overnight stop between Glacier and Yellowstone.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLost Creek State Park Campground is located in Montana near Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
Directions
Turn north onto Hwy 48 near milepost 6 just east of Anaconda. Go about ¼ mile and turn west onto Hwy 273, then 2 miles and turn left and go 4 miles on paved road plus 3 miles on gravel road to the dead end. From Interstate 90, take Montana Hwy 1 to Anaconda. Approximately 2 miles east of Anaconda take Galen Rd following signs to the park.
Address
5750 Lost Creek Road
Anaconda, MT 59711
Coordinates
46.20192295 N
112.98752936 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/7/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 37 min from Helena, MT
- 1 hr 48 min from Missoula, MT
- 1 hr 51 min from Bozeman, MT
- 2 hrs 49 min from Great Falls, MT
