Dispersed camping near Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana offers sites at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 7,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations even in summer months. Nights often drop below 40°F at higher elevations like Flower Lake and Upper Seymour Lake, while daytime temperatures typically reach the 70s-80s during summer. Many primitive sites feature established fire rings despite the lack of formal development.
What to do
Fishing in the Little Blackfoot River: Access multiple fishing spots from dispersed sites along this river. At Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite, one camper noted "Access to the river was a bit tight through the day use area," while another mentioned it has "a nice spot if you need to cool off from the summer heat."
Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: Several camping areas provide access points to this iconic trail. From Upper Seymour Lake Dispersed Camping, "Tons of great hiking in this area as it is close to the Continental Divide Trail. A lot of it definitely involves going up the sides of mountains, but if you're day-hiking and not carrying a heavy backpacking pack, they're not that hard."
Mountain biking near Homestake Pass: The area features extensive trail networks. "There are MTB OHV and walking trails nearby," notes one camper at Homestake Pass Dispersed, while another visitor mentioned "Lots of mountain bike trails nearby. We were there for a couple of nights."
What campers like
Privacy levels at different elevations: While roadside sites offer convenience, backcountry options provide true seclusion. At Flower Lake Dispersed Camping, one visitor shared, "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: Many campers report wildlife encounters, particularly at higher elevations. "We saw a LOT of signs of them. Fresh droppings. Fresh prints in the snow after the blizzard," noted a camper at Flower Lake regarding bear activity, adding "We never ran into one directly, but they were definitely around."
Expansive mountain vistas: The varied terrain creates diverse viewing opportunities. At Maiden Rock Dispersed, one visitor remarked, "This spot was so friggin beautiful! Surrounded by mountains, each with a different look to them every direction you look."
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many forest roads become challenging after rain or snow. At Racetrack Dispersed Campsite, a visitor warned, "Road in was 100% washboard, but the campsite was decent. Had to traverse a lot of private property to access it, and the locals do not appear to be friendly."
Bear safety is essential: All areas require proper food storage and awareness. "Bring bear spray. Hang your food. This is grizzly country," warns a camper from Upper Seymour Lake. At Flower Lake, a visitor advised, "We noticed that one side of the lake had far more signs of bears than where we were. We avoided it, and I wouldn't recommend camping there."
Cell service varies by location: Coverage depends on proximity to towns and elevation. "No AT&T service," notes one camper at Homestake Pass, while another reports, "I got 3-4 bars LTE of Verizon here!" At Maiden Rock, a camper advised, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for established sites with amenities: Some dispersed areas offer surprising comforts. At Humbug Spires Trailhead Basecamp, one visitor found "nice clean pit toilets" and noted it's "only 3 miles from the highway, this campsite is at the end of a well maintained, slightly rutted gravel road."
Water sources require filtration: No potable water exists at these sites. At Flower Lake, one camper described, "There is a little stream that feeds it where we gathered our water to filter, and I finally decided to take a half-bath. Good god it was freezing, but it felt good once it was over."
Weather changes rapidly: Come prepared for unexpected conditions, especially at higher elevations. A camper at Flower Lake reported, "We got slammed with a blizzard that lasted all of the second day and night. We were expecting snow that day, but this was more than we were imagining. It was COLD. Intense wind. Lots and lots of snow."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Several areas can accommodate RVs but require planning. "We came in with our 28' travel trailer and had ample room for turning around etc," noted one camper at Racetrack Dispersed Campsite, while warning the road is "pretty bumpy but otherwise maintained."
Approach angles matter: Some sites require careful maneuvering. At Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3, one camper warned, "If you have a long trailer it is a difficult spot to get into as you have to back your trailer down it and then when you're done, you have to back your trailer back up into a brush area in order to get back on the road."
Generator etiquette varies by location: Different areas have different norms. At Homestake Pass, one visitor observed "Several other campers running gens all day," while another noted "locals who seem to live out there and run generators 24/7."
