Best Campgrounds near Alberton, MT

Alberton, Montana provides a mix of dispersed camping and established campgrounds along the Clark Fork River corridor. Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping offers free primitive sites just minutes from Interstate 90, while developed options like River Edge Resort and Big Pine Campground provide more amenities for both tent and RV campers. The area serves as a convenient stopover for travelers on I-90 and attracts visitors seeking fishing access and proximity to the Lolo National Forest.

Road access varies widely throughout the region, with most dispersed sites requiring little clearance but offering minimal facilities. Petty Creek Road sites are located about 5 minutes off the highway, making them accessible for most vehicles including those pulling trailers. The area experiences typical Montana mountain weather patterns with hot summers and cold winters, with most campgrounds open from May through September. Fire restrictions are common during late summer months. Cell service can be spotty in the more remote areas, especially along Petty Creek Road where "service is spotty, verizon and at&t had only 1 bar," according to one camper's experience.

The Clark Fork River provides a scenic backdrop for many camping areas, with fishing access sites doubling as camping areas. River Edge Resort receives consistent praise for its riverfront location despite proximity to the highway and occasional train noise. Multiple reviewers highlighted the Petty Creek dispersed area for its privacy and ease of access. A recent visitor noted, "Beautiful spot a little ways south down petty creek road, stayed here one night after rock climbing at Alberton. Fire rings and accessible by car." For RV campers, sites with hookups are limited to established campgrounds like River Edge Resort, which offers full hookups, while tent campers have more flexibility with primitive options throughout the surrounding national forest lands.

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Best Camping Sites Near Alberton, Montana (157)

    1. Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    12 Reviews
    Alberton, MT
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 626-5201

    "Beautiful spot a little ways south down petty creek road, stayed here one night after rock climbing at Alberton. Fire rings and accessible by cat"

    "3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there."

    2. Whitefish-Kalispell North KOA

    13 Reviews
    Lolo National Forest, MT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 862-4242

    "Wonderful little campground located just south of Whitefish Montana on highway 93. This KOA has a lot to offer from cabins to RV parking and several tent camping locations."

    "our site was nice and tucked off in the trees on the edge, but near the showers. they also provide free breakfast in the morning. newish washers/dryers were great too since we were starting a two week"

    3. Jim & Mary's RV Park

    23 Reviews
    Frenchtown, MT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 549-4416

    "Lots of shade to keep cool during the hot Montana summer. We wish we would have stayed a few more nights."

    "The pull through sites on the outer edge do not but others inside do. The laundry and bathhouse was very nice and clean. $2.00 per load to wash."

    4. Big Pine Campground

    10 Reviews
    Alberton, MT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "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."

    "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)."

    5. Missoula KOA Holiday

    44 Reviews
    Missoula, MT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 549-0881

    $75 - $192 / night

    "Great friendly and clean place to stay in Missoula Montana!"

    "This KOA is conveniently located for a quick overnight stop. We were passing through Montana and needed a full hookup site to rest and recharge before another long day of driving."

    6. River Edge Resort

    5 Reviews
    Alberton, MT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (406) 552-0573

    $31 - $47 / night

    "Highway is close by as well, so you will hear some traffic noise. A train occasionally runs slowly across the river. Campground nicley maintained. But, the lawnmower is out there everyday!!!"

    "Close to interstate but noise not too bad. Free laundry was a bonus."

    7. Kreis Pond Campground

    6 Reviews
    Huson, MT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 626-5201

    $10 / night

    "Bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around. Neat, fun area especially with the Sleeping Woman hike so close."

    "7 well spaced campsites all around the pond. Truly enjoyable stay. Clean toilet facilities. Be prepared for several miles of dusty, gravel, washboard road."

    8. Quartz Flats Campground

    9 Reviews
    Superior, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 822-4233

    $15 / night

    "It is very close to the highway which makes it easily accessible for a one night stop while driving through. With a senior access pass I was able to pay half price ( $7.50 as opposed to $15 (."

    "Campground is located behind the rest stop. Run by the USDA campground is well maintained. Free firewood in June 2025. $15.00 night rate. $10.00 just to use dump station if your not camping."

    9. Granite Peak RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Frenchtown, MT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 543-9400

    $40 - $150 / night

    "We were in a site along the outside, and our site was rather short, it fit our 174BH, but there was not much room to spare and we had to back it all the way in. "

    10. Lolo Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Lolo, MT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3750

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We tried to drive out here and the gps location is on private land. The actual campground is to the east on the main highway on the south side of the road."

    "Tucked in away from everything. Nice little camping spot!"

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Recent Reviews near Alberton, MT

598 Reviews of 157 Alberton Campgrounds


  • Eden N.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Quartz Flats Campground

    Pretty good

    It’s kinda noisy from the highway and the train tracks. But other than that good

  • Michał M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Fishing access near i90 exit 30

    Leveled gravel free space with some noise

    Loads of flat space, some noise from I90, few other cars camping nearby. Beautiful river nearby.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Lolo Hot Springs RV Park & Campground

    Great campground in the mountains

    Best spot with 50 amps I could find! We pulled up and was surprised by how serene the setting was, beautiful creek, awesome big rocks and of course the hot springs across the street. We ended up not even going to the hot springs, there was lots to do! If you get a spot right on the creek it would be super nice, it’s very quiet here and you can hear the water. Definitely recommend.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Missoula KOA Holiday

    Better options available

    I would not stay here again. We are in our RV camping as a family approximately 70 days a year. Not a ton but enough that we’ve got some experience. We stayed in campground in 46 of the 50 states. This KOA price rivals Key West, on the beach in the Florida panhandle, glacier national park koa at peak summer and posh resorts of the south east with elaborate water parks, lazy rivers and margarita delivery daily. This camp ground does not have the bells and whistles to justify this price. We paid for a deluxe extra wide site. We have a 27ft Class C with a drivers side slide. Not a tiny RV but by no means large. When being directed to our site I was asked to move over so our tires weren’t near the grass. They were near the grass on both sides. I indicated if I moved over my slide wouldn’t open all the way due to the power box. I was nonetheless asked to move. So I did. And here we are with the slide 4 inches from going out all the way and bugs having free rein to enter thru the now non sealed siding. If that were all I might just move on… but kids are $10 extra per night?!? On top of the already $130 campsite fee. So many KOA’s don’t charge extra for kids - we come here because we have kids… who else would come to a KOA?!? Don’t charge extra per kid! I’m in now in excess of $160 for one night for a uneven gravel site, under a glaringly bright white street light making it nearly daylight inside the motorhome, attracting bugs to a slide that isn’t sealed because the site isn’t wide enough to open … and being charged extra. My first ever negative review at those level. Just so so sad. I’d stay at the Glacier, Jim & Mary’s etc. we tried this one because the pool was open late but… not worth 2-3x the price of nicer campground nearby

    Ps - online when we booked it said “last site” hurry book now in essence. Alas… there are multiple campsites empty on both sides. Front and back are full but the ones.. not under the light… are empty….

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

    Interesting spot

    Road is absolutely clapped out going up for like ten miles. Wouldn’t recommend a rv or trailer unless you don’t mind washboards. I got a flat tire going up so be careful of sharp rocks. The pin is at just a pull off on the side of the road. Drive another mile or so until a corner then take a trail on the side. (Only in a truck). Awesome sunset spot and no one bothered me

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Rock Creek Dry Campsites

    Best secluded spots

    Gorgeous area deep back on rock creek. Probably 10 plus miles. Pass campgrounds with toilets. Individual campsites with fire rings and access to great fishing.

  • Luke L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Amazing By the River

    Arrived very late in the dark on Friday night coming back from Canada, and found an amazing site next to the river which drowned out all surrounding noise. Beautiful and forested with privacy and plenty of space to setup 5 tents. Didn’t have any issues with bugs or mosquitos despite being by the river in August.


Guide to Alberton

Dispersed camping options near Alberton, Montana range from riverside spots to forested retreats in the Lolo National Forest. The area sits at approximately 3,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F during peak season. Fall campers should prepare for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing by late September, with first snow often arriving in October.

What to do

Fishing access points: Several camping areas serve as entry points to the Clark Fork River. At Big Pine Campground, campers can enjoy riverside recreation. "Not a ton of sites, but they're right on the creek and nice and flat," notes a visitor, adding that "there is a pit toilet" but "the only water source is from the stream."

Hiking nearby: Campers staying at Quartz Flats Campground can access forest trails. One camper mentioned, "You can take the path to the river and just sit in the water to cool off," making it ideal for hot summer days. The area includes easy access to multiple forest service roads for additional hiking opportunities.

Hot springs exploration: The Lolo Hot Springs commercial resort is within driving distance of several campgrounds. A camper at Lolo Creek Campground shared that it's "only a short drive further down the road to Lolo Hot Springs" and "sites are shaded and well spread apart," providing a good base for hot springs visitors.

What campers like

Privacy in dispersed areas: Away from developed campgrounds, Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping offers secluded sites. "Great quiet spot next to the road. Not much traffic, we slept great in our car and felt very safe," wrote one camper. Another noted, "What a great spot! 3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway."

Riverside views: Many campers praise the waterfront settings available. At River Edge Resort, "Amazing views and surprisingly quiet for being right off the highway," according to one review. The campground features "beautiful view of river and mountainside," despite proximity to transportation corridors.

Flexible site options: Camping spots near Alberton offer various accommodation styles. At Petty Creek Road, one camper observed, "There look to be 4 spots. I used the one right by the road turn off. There was another person who had a travel trailer in another." This flexibility accommodates different camping setups from tents to medium-sized trailers.

What you should know

Weather preparedness: Mountain weather patterns can change rapidly. "The trees were gorgeous. Not bad for a free spot," noted a camper at Petty Creek Road, but bring appropriate gear as temperatures drop significantly at night even in summer.

Fire restrictions: Late summer typically brings fire danger. A camper at Kreis Pond Campground mentioned, "Both had fire rings but we were in a fire restriction," so check current fire regulations before planning campfires.

Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires careful driving. A visitor to Kreis Pond warned, "Be prepared for several miles of dusty, gravel, washboard road," while another camper never reached their destination because "my GPS couldn't figure out how to get me there without going on private property."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping spots in Alberton?

Alberton offers several excellent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping is a beautiful spot located just south of town, popular with rock climbers and featuring established fire rings. Another great option is Muchwater Recreation Area, which provides river access and spots that can accommodate RVs and group camping. Both locations offer a more rustic, natural camping experience close to Alberton. For those looking for established campgrounds nearby, River Edge Resort and Kreis Pond Campground are within easy driving distance.

What amenities are available at Alberton camping areas?

Camping areas around Alberton offer varying levels of amenities. Lolo Hot Springs Campground provides 30-amp electric hookups with water, fire pits, picnic tables, and an on-site dump station. It also features cabins and tent sites with a natural woodland feel. Beavertail Hill State Park Campground, located about 30 minutes from Missoula, offers scenic riverside camping with hiking trails and fishing access. For more primitive camping, dispersed sites typically provide basic fire rings but no utilities, toilets, or water sources, so campers should come prepared with all necessary supplies.

What is the best time of year to go camping in Alberton?

The optimal camping season in Alberton runs from late spring through early fall (May to October). Summer (June-August) offers warm days perfect for river activities, though this is also the busiest period. Chief Looking Glass Campground provides relaxing riverside spots during this peak season, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Early fall brings spectacular colors and fewer crowds, while Quartz Flat Campground remains accessible and spacious even during busier times. Winter camping is challenging due to snow and cold temperatures, with many facilities closing seasonally. Always check current conditions before planning your trip.