Best Campgrounds near Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT
Campgrounds surrounding Anaconda-Deer Lodge County provide a diverse mix of camping opportunities in western Montana. The area features established campgrounds like Fairmont RV Resort with full hookup sites, cabins and tent camping, as well as rustic options such as Dickie Bridge along the Big Hole River. Several public lands offer dispersed camping, including the remote Upper Seymour Lake and Flower Lake areas accessible only by hiking trails. Camping options range from developed RV parks with showers and electrical hookups to primitive backcountry sites near alpine lakes. Both tent and RV camping are accommodated throughout the region, with sites along waterways, near hot springs, and in forested settings.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through September or October, with weather determining exact opening and closing dates. Access to dispersed sites in higher elevations can be limited by snowpack into early summer. Several campgrounds provide basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables, while RV parks offer full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. Preparation is essential for dispersed camping areas, which lack services and require hikers to bring all supplies. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage and awareness. One camper noted: "This is grizzly country and we saw a LOT of signs of them. Fresh droppings. Fresh prints in the snow after the blizzard. Bring bear spray. Hang your food."
The area's waterfront campsites consistently receive positive reviews, particularly those along the Big Hole River and at alpine lakes. Campgrounds near Fairmont Hot Springs provide convenient access to thermal pools and resort amenities, making them popular family destinations. Many visitors appreciate the quiet, natural settings found throughout the region, though some note that mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in riverside locations. Higher elevation dispersed sites deliver exceptional solitude and views. A visitor to Flower Lake described: "From the time we left Upper Seymour Lake to the time we got back, we didn't see or hear another soul. Five days of just us." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with many campers reporting sightings of various animals throughout their stays.
