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Maiden Rock Dispersed

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Smooth gravel roads lead into Maiden Rock Dispersed, a free BLM site along the Big Hole River outside Divide that consistently surprises first-time visitors with how developed it feels. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire pit with a cooking grill, and a bear box, arranged across a gravel pull-through area large enough for RVs. A vault toilet sits a short drive across the bridge, roughly a minute from camp. Multiple reviewers note the sites look and function more like a fee campground than a dispersed area, which makes the free price tag feel almost counterintuitive.

The Big Hole River runs alongside most of the sites, though reaching the water from some spots requires pushing through riverside brush. Anglers report trout fishing in the area, and the river also gives paddlers and swimmers a reason to linger beyond a single night. Ashleigh Z. notes the surrounding terrain offers views where the mountains look "different in every direction you look," with sunrises and sunsets worth watching from camp. There is no shade to speak of, so campers sensitive to sun exposure should plan accordingly.

One practical concern worth knowing: a habituated bear, reportedly named Boo-boo and orphaned as a cub, has been active in the area. Meatball W. documented a close encounter in September 2025, noting that rangers were working to move the animal further up the canyon. Bear boxes are on-site for food storage. Carry bear spray. Cell service is essentially absent at camp, though a small window of coverage appears roughly 2.5 miles out on Frontage Road.

Sites are not heavily spaced apart, so expect neighbors during busy summer weekends, though mid-July visitors have reported arriving to find most spots empty. Train tracks run nearby but reviewers are split on whether passing trains register as noise. The campground sits close to I-15, making it a practical overnight stop on a longer road trip through southwest Montana. Campers wanting a more established setup nearby can check out Divide Bridge Campground a few miles to the northwest, or Maidenrock Campground just down the road.

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Map & DirectionsMaiden Rock Dispersed is located in Montana near Divide

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

45.70438943183649 N
112.73689763705733 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 21 users
    Last on 7/25/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 9 users
    Last on 7/25/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 21 users
    Last on 7/25/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 9 users
    Last on 7/25/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

Drive Time


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Reviews18 Camper Reviews - Maiden Rock Dispersed

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1 Star

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22%
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5.0

out of 5

18 Reviews

Many visitors highlighted the exceptional quality for free BLM camping, with well-equipped sites featuring picnic tables, fire pits, and bear boxes. Guests frequently mentioned beautiful mountain scenery and river access for fishing.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2026

Hoping for a choo choo.

Another stop on my way to Glacier NP, and I was quite pleased. Never made it across the bridge because I loved the view and was hoping for a train to amble on thru. Lots of traffic for a weekday and a clean looking, but very fragrant pit toilet at the front made this a 4 instead of 5.

Siteright before the bridge
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2026

Outstanding, beautiful sites

This is our first experience camping in disbursed BLM campsites. We just installed a rooftop tent on our Jeep and camping at National and state parks, recreation areas, and commercial campsites (like KOA). We are from Michigan and have been traveling for the past two weeks. These sites are as good, if not better than many we have stayed in so far. They are very clean, Georgia’s scenery, off the highway and easy to find.

I expected being mid-July that we would roll into this campground to find it packed. I wasn’t confident we would secure a spot. To the contrary, there is only other campsite in use. The place is practically all ours. These sites are absolutely perfect for us. I very highly recommend.

Sitenot numbered, but first site past the bridge
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Jeff W., July 15, 2026
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Jeff W., July 15, 2026
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Jeff W., July 15, 2026
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2026

Great free camp near a river

This site has designated gravel areas, with a park bench, fire pit (with cooking grill and plenty of wood around) and also a bear box to store food. The camp is near a wide river (Big Hole River) making it ideal for multiple night stays despite being free. Across the bridge is even a day use toilet (1 minute drive from camp)

Best free camp we’ve experienced in the US in the last 6 weeks of our travels

Month of VisitJune
  • cooking on the grill (it’s charcoal I swear)
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Samuel I., June 23, 2026
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Samuel I., June 23, 2026
Reviewed Apr. 16, 2026

Great Campsite

Each site has plenty of room to park and has a fire pit, bear box and picnic table. Space to put up a tent. It’s clean and there’s a vault toilet on site.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Robert G., April 16, 2026
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Robert G., April 16, 2026
Reviewed Mar. 22, 2026

Nice place

Really clean and nice place. Will be back to camp sometime in future for sure!

Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2025

Amazing spot but be Bear aware

I think the other reviews say it best but it’s a really nice spot, almost feels like it should be paid for. Smooth gravel roads and well set out campsites with picnic tables and a Bear box. The river is right there next to most of the sites, but could be a bushwhack to get to depending on where you are.

The only downside is as of September 1st 2025 a Bear might still be active in the area. It tried to get into our camper (it didn’t thankfully lol, but it did pull my window open and give me a heart attack). We didn’t see it the next two nights after that encounter. Apparently his name is Boo-boo, and he was orphaned as a cub and fed by miners making him not so human afraid. Last I heard rangers were trying to get him further away and up the canyon. Carry bear spray and you’re probably fine!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Meatball W., September 5, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Meatball W., September 5, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Meatball W., September 5, 2025
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2025

Diverse Landscape & Clean

This spot was so friggin beautiful! Surrounded by mountains, each with a different look to them every direction you look. The entire area was extremely clean and well kept up with. Sunrise and sunset were beautiful. Very peaceful

Month of VisitAugust
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Ashleigh Z., August 20, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Ashleigh Z., August 20, 2025
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2025

Amazing place to camp

Plenty of spots available when we arrived at around 17:45. The standard of sites are top notch and much better than most paid for campsites.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Anthony C., August 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Anthony C., August 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Anthony C., August 13, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2025

Favorite spot so far

This place is amazingly beautiful! We stopped by twice over three weeks- both times only one other site occupied. Sites are spaced nicely, brand new looking picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire rings. Put toilet right outside of camp. We walked down the road to the angler parking and took a dip in the evening :)

Sitenot sure
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2025

BEST SPOT YET

Hands down the best spot I’ve found on this app so far!!

Literally was talking to myself as I pulled up making weird noises because I was in so much awe at how beautiful the spot was! The sunsets here are amazing or at least the night I stayed was!

The camping spots are somewhat close together so that’s good to keep in mind.

But omg, the spot is insane. The mosquitoes were not bad at all. The spot feels like a perfect little oasis.

The spot is close to the freeway, but far enough that you won’t hear any of the noise so it’s perfect if you are on a road trip. :)

There are some train tracks that run by it, but I didn’t notice if the train was noisy or going by as I was car camping!

Getting to the spot - you will get off the main road and drive through some dirt roads and past some private property. At the end of one of the roads you’ll see a small bridge you’ll drive over and the camping spots are maybe 30 seconds past the bridge.

Also an incredible spot to fish!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Maddie F., June 26, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Maddie F., June 26, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Maddie F., June 26, 2025
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2025

Beautiful And Private

It’s like actual campgrounds. Picnic tables, fire pits. Bathroom down the road. Here’s some tips. There’s no cell service. About 2.5 miles from Maiden Rocks Road on Frontage Road you will get service for a small portion of the road.

If you are coming from Highway 43 East, go 12 miles and Turn right onto Frontage Rd, there will be a large sign on the right for Frontage Road. Start to look out for Frontage Road after you cross the train tracks. go 3.5 miles on Frontage Rd. then turn right onto Maiden Rocks Road. go 1.6 miles, then turn right. Go over the bridge and train tracks for about .2 miles and then you’re there, If you hit I-15 you went one street too far.

To get to 1-15, once you get onto Frontage Rd, turn right and follow the road and then you’ll see signs.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by C L., June 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by C L., June 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by C L., June 13, 2025
Reviewed May. 23, 2025

Very Well Maintained

Very decent spot to spread out and enjoy a wide open vista. The designated camp spots are super clean and nicely laid out. I couldn’t give 5 stars for several reasons: there is not any shaded spots, it’s very exposed; the vault toilet is a significant jaunt for the campers to reach, especially females, and there is not a faucet to get any water (but it’s dispersed so totally acceptable). But I picked this because the family (5) can have space and it’s super clean and quiet. Now that I’ve explored the area I know some other sweet spots to try on vicinity. Overall this is a tremendous place and I will certainly be back.

Site3rd spot on left
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Brodie B., May 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Brodie B., May 23, 2025
Reviewed May. 11, 2025

Wowza!

This place was amazing! Very well maintained area! Picnic benches, tent camping spots, rv spots! We might have been lucky but no mosquitos! It’s across the bridge in case you can’t find it from google maps :)

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Laura M., May 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Laura M., May 11, 2025
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Laura M., May 11, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2025

Best BLM spot ever

Wow… what a spot! Gorgeous scenery and A+ campsite spots for BLM land. Almost feels wrong not to pay for this experience!

Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2024

Best Dispersed Camping

For a dispersed BLM camping area, this is lovely. Plenty of sites that each have a picnic table and long gravel spot to park an RV. There’s a cute little river and some interesting rock features. Close to the freeway so an excellent stop for a night spot.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Tara , October 18, 2024
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Tara , October 18, 2024
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Tara , October 18, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2024

Great find!

This place looks like a paid campground, only free! All the spots have a picnic table, fire pit and bear box. The mountain views all all around you are gorgeous. Some other folks camping here went trout fishing - so that's an option. Only downside is that my dogs had some trouble walking on the gravel.

GPS: 45.702416, -112.736869

Site2nd spot on the left
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Kelda C., October 7, 2024
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Kelda C., October 7, 2024
  • Review photo of Maiden Rock Dispersed by Kelda C., October 7, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2024

MAIDEN ROCK MINE

Blm camping on the big hole river, montana, free up to 16 days. About 15 spots. Boat ramp, fishing hiking fire pits, no wood available.

Site12
Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maiden Rock Campground on the Big Hole River?

Yes, Maiden Rock Campground is located directly on the Big Hole River in Montana. The campground offers excellent access to the river, with many campsites positioned near the water's edge. This BLM dispersed camping area takes full advantage of its riverside location, making it popular for fishing and water activities. Some sites may require a short bushwhack to reach the water depending on their specific location within the campground.

Where is Maiden Rock Campground located in Montana?

Maiden Rock Dispersed Campground is located along the Big Hole River in southwestern Montana. It's situated off Frontage Road, approximately 12 miles from Highway 43 East. The campground is set in a scenic area surrounded by mountains with beautiful vistas in all directions. Access requires turning right at Maiden Rocks Road and crossing a bridge to reach the campground area. The location offers stunning mountain views and river access in a peaceful setting.

What's the difference between Maiden Rock East Campground and the main Maiden Rock Campground?

The specific differences between Maiden Rock East Campground and the main Maiden Rock Campground aren't clearly defined in available information. Both are likely part of the BLM's management of the Big Hole River area, but may differ in size, amenities, or specific location along the river. For the most accurate information about the distinctions between these areas, contact the BLM office that manages these campgrounds or check official BLM resources before your visit.

What fishing opportunities are available at Maiden Rock Campground?

Maiden Rock Campground offers excellent trout fishing opportunities directly on the Big Hole River. The campground features a boat ramp for easy river access, and the area is known for quality fishing. Anglers can walk down to the river from their campsites or access the water from the nearby angler parking area. The Big Hole River is renowned for its fly fishing, particularly for trout species. Visitors should ensure they have appropriate Montana fishing licenses and are aware of any seasonal regulations before fishing.