Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Alberton, MT

Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping provides free dispersed camping sites approximately 10 miles west of Missoula near Alberton. Located in the Lolo National Forest at elevations between 3,100-3,300 feet, the area experiences hot summer days with cool nights. Most sites can accommodate vehicles up to 27 feet in length. The camping area consists of 3-4 primitive sites situated along a creek bed that typically runs dry by mid-summer.

What to do

Fishing access points: Check out Big Pine Campground where "service is spotty, verizon and at&t had only 1 bar" but you can enjoy "beautiful spot by the creek" according to past campers. The fishing access site is approximately 10 miles from Alberton.

Hot springs visit: Drive approximately 30 miles southwest to Lolo Hot Springs from Lolo Creek Campground. A camper notes, "Only a short drive further down the road to Lolo Hot Springs!" The campground features "sites right on the water" and serves as a convenient base for hot springs day trips.

Floating and tubing: During summer months, access Clark Fork River from multiple points near Alberton. One visitor at Petty Creek Road mentions, "Creek bed runs right next to the back site, but it was completely dried up in late July." For better water access, a camper at Quartz Flats notes, "you can take the path to the river and just sit in the water to cool off."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Kreis Pond Campground, campers appreciate that there are "7 well spaced campsites all around the pond" and the "sites feel surprisingly private" despite the small size of the campground. One visitor noted it's a "great secret camping spot" with "only about 5 spots."

Low traffic during weekdays: Most dispersed camping areas near Alberton remain uncrowded Monday through Thursday. At Petty Creek Road, a reviewer noted, "We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there. Someone else pulled in around 9 but the sites were separated by enough trees we could barely tell they were there."

River proximity: Several campgrounds provide direct river access. At River Edge Resort, campers enjoy "the river view" and one visitor mentioned they "had a great afternoon and evening" at the riverfront location. Another camper described "beautiful view of river and mountainside" at this pet-friendly camping option.

What you should know

Bear activity: Food storage precautions are essential at campgrounds near Alberton. A Petty Creek Road camper warned, "Something is eating big game out here so lock up your food." Similarly, at Big Pine, a visitor observed "saw some deer, and lots of bugs. found some random bones."

Road conditions: Access to Quartz Flats Campground is straightforward from I-90, but Kreis Pond requires "several miles of dusty, washboard gravel roads" according to visitors. One camper had "issues locating" Kreis Pond because "my GPS couldn't figure out how to get me there without going on private property."

Noise considerations: Sites closer to I-90 experience traffic noise. At Quartz Flats, "proximity to freeway and loud train" were noted by campers. One mentioned, "train would go off multiple times throughout the night waking us up every time." River Edge Resort similarly has some highway noise, though campers report it being "surprisingly quiet for being right off the highway."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: For amenities like playgrounds and pools, Missoula KOA Holiday offers the most family-friendly environment. A visitor noted, "Lots to do with the kiddos" and another mentioned, "Lots of fun for the kids with mini golf, bikes, paddle boats, and arcade games."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer wildlife spotting opportunities. At Petty Creek Road, one camper reported, "Saw deer so far" while another at Big Pine mentioned seeing "some deer, and lots of bugs." For families interested in wildlife, a 40-minute drive from Missoula provides access to the National Bison Range.

Safety considerations: For families concerned about security, developed campgrounds provide more oversight. At Petty Creek Road, one camper reported, "a ranger came to say hello in the morning while we were making breakfast and was friendly." In contrast, another camper at the same location noted concerning activity: "I had multiple people throughout the night, pulling up to the spot and like walking around my truck."

Tips from RVers

Turning radius requirements: At Petty Creek Road, RVers should note limitations with larger rigs. One camper with "a 27 foot RV towed with a truck that has a 8ft bed" reported: "Initially we missed the turn and had nowhere to turn around since this is on the side of a mountain." The site was "reasonable to back into" but they "wouldn't recommend parking a 20ft plus rig in the back site."

Hookup availability: For RVs requiring hookups, dog friendly campgrounds near Alberton like River Edge Resort offer full hookups. One camper noted the staff "even had a special treat for my pups to enjoy and complementary doggy bags" at check-in. For RV campers seeking more amenities, Granite Peak RV Resort provides "reliable water and electric with a pool."

Leveling considerations: Many dispersed sites require careful leveling. At Petty Creek Road, a camper noted sites are "flat parking and quiet" while another with a trailer mentioned, "We were able to back into site (flat!) and do a 180° turn ok to exit." For more consistently level sites, developed campgrounds like River Edge Resort provide more reliable parking pads.