Map showing campground location near Alberton, Montana

Camper submitted image from Big Pine Campground

Big Pine Campground

Accessible via a long gravel road about 10 minutes off Interstate 90, Big Pine Campground operates as a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fishing access site with five designated sites. The campground features fire rings, picnic tables, and a pit toilet, though recent upgrades include new tables installed by the state. RVs up to 23 feet can navigate the access road, but the layout favors tent camping and smaller rigs.

The campground sits directly alongside a creek, with several sites positioned right on the water. Jeffrey R. notes that "there are a few sites that actually sit 'on' the creek which is cool." A massive pine tree stands on the creek bank with an informational plaque detailing its significance. The forested setting provides natural screening between sites, though the proximity to Interstate 90 means evening travelers sometimes stop for overnight stays.

Cell service drops out once campers reach the camping areas, and water access depends on creek levels—high water can make collection difficult. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or hookups. Mosquitoes can be thick during summer months. For additional options in the region, campers can explore places to camp near Alberton or check out dispersed camping areas along Fish Creek Road.

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Map & DirectionsBig Pine Campground is located in Montana near Alberton

Public Campground

Coordinates

46.99062864 N
114.661792 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/11/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 7 users
Last on 5/11/26
AT&TLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 12 users
Last on 5/11/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

32 min from Missoula, MT
1 hr 54 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
2 hrs 13 min from Helena, MT
3 hrs 49 min from Lewiston, ID

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Reviews10 Camper Reviews - Big Pine Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

10 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the beautiful free riverside camping with creek access and peaceful atmosphere. Some campers noted concerns about evening traffic from Highway 90 travelers and limited water access from the stream only.

Jeffrey R.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 3, 2023

Good and bad

Lets start with the good. Smaller campground, with access to the creek. There are a few sites that actually sit "on" the creek which is cool. If you luck out with one of these spots they can be "secluded" which is nice.

During the day its not bad, but because of its proximity to 90 it tends to fill up with travelers in the evenings. It's not uncommon to be laying down and hearing folks pull in and setting up camp, only for them to be gone the next morning.

If you're heading to this area, there are a number of disbursed camping areas along fish creek road that are better.

Month of VisitMay

lili G.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2022

Great spot

great riverside campground. first come first serve and free with a pit toilet

Site6

Month of VisitAugust

Shy S.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 14, 2022

Good camping/fishing Spot

It’s a beautiful location with dispersed sites and enough room for rigs. THERE IS NO SERVICE once you reach the campsite areas. There is a creek and tons of sites to camp along.

Month of VisitAugust

Raq

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2022

Scenic, peaceful, not far off the highway

This spot was amazing. I would camp here again anytime. There were only maybe 4-5 first come first serve sites, a couple with creek access. But the area was amazing and super peaceful. No hookups and no room for big stuff. Excellent boondocking not far from Missoula.

Month of VisitJune

Sarah L.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2022

Hidden gem

Such a beautiful campsite. Free, right on the River, clean bathroom, quiet! Just a handful of spots, 10 min off the free way on a well maintained road.

Month of VisitJune

Will M.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 14, 2021

Nice, free

This campground is a Montana fish wildlife and Parks fishing access site. I believe there are five sites with fire rings and tables. And they just put in new tables. There are some other sites located between this main area and the highway. And there is a second campground 6 mi south that is also free. There is a pit toilet. However the only water source is from the stream and if the water level is high it's difficult to get.

SiteNA

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Robert D.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Hidden gem

Driving through Montana heading to a friends house. we were not in a hurry and wanted camp and fish on the way. Picked up an out of state fishing license and ouch. We were looking for an out of the norm camp site and jut happened to check out this place. We can only say awesome.

Month of VisitMay

Kayla D.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2020

Great spot, limited sites

Nice sites, long gravel road to get to. Next to the river. Has bathrooms but down the road a bit. Saw a few people with RV's. We just tent camped at the end of the road where it dead ended for the night and it was nice flat land. Highly recommend. Just very limited availability. I think about 6 sites total.

Mia T.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

Quiet forested campground near a creek

This campground isn’t usually busy. It is forested and near a beautiful creek. An enormous pine tree sits on the banks of the creek. There is a bathroom. The mosquitoes are thick in the summertime.

Month of VisitJuly

Lindsey A.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 24, 2018

Secluded And Worth It

A little off the beaten path, this small camp/recreation area is quaint and quiet. My husband and I spent a night in the spot closest to the Big Pine (the area namesake). A massive tree worth reading about at the plaque beneath it. A creek/river runs nearby. Definitely a great spot to camp.

Month of VisitApril

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Big Pine Campground located in Montana?

Big Pine Campground is located in western Montana, situated alongside a creek or river. It's a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks fishing access site, approximately 10 minutes off Interstate 90 on a well-maintained gravel road. The campground is named after a massive pine tree that stands on the banks of the creek, which has a plaque beneath it describing its significance. The location offers a peaceful setting in a forested area, making it a scenic retreat in Montana's natural landscape.

What amenities and facilities are available at Big Pine Campground?

Big Pine Campground offers basic amenities for a rustic camping experience. The site features approximately 5-6 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables (recently updated). There's a clean pit toilet/bathroom, though it's located a bit down the road from some sites. The campground provides direct access to a creek/river, with some prime sites located right along the water. No hookups are available, and cell service is non-existent at the campsite areas. The campground is free to use and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is Big Pine Campground suitable for RV camping?

Big Pine Campground can accommodate some RVs, but with limitations. There's enough room for rigs at certain dispersed sites, but the campground isn't designed for large RVs. No hookups are available, making it strictly a boondocking experience. The access road is gravel but well-maintained. This location is better suited for smaller to medium-sized RVs or camper vans rather than large motorhomes or fifth wheels. Be prepared for a self-contained camping experience without amenities typically needed for bigger rigs.

How close is Big Pine Campground to Missoula, MT?

Big Pine Campground is located relatively close to Missoula, MT. It's approximately 10 minutes off Interstate 90, which connects to Missoula. The campground provides a convenient option for those wanting to camp near Missoula without being directly in the city. This proximity makes it a good base for exploring the Missoula area while enjoying a more natural and peaceful camping setting. Just be aware that once at the campground, there's no cell service, so plan navigation and communication accordingly.

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