Best Tent Camping near Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT
Tent camping near Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana provides access to pristine wilderness areas with several established campgrounds nestled along rivers and lakes. Stuart Mill Bay Campground in Anaconda offers tent campsites with walk-in access, while Deerlodge National Forest Orofino Campground provides tent-only sites with shade from large trees. The Beaverhead National Forest's Pettengill Campground features three well-spaced tent sites along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, and Seymour Creek Campground accommodates tent campers during its seasonal operation from Memorial Day to September 15.
Most tent campgrounds in the area feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Gravel or dirt parking pads are common at established sites, with metal fire rings and picnic tables available at locations like East Bank Rec Site and Fishtrap Creek. Vault toilets are standard, though drinking water is limited to a few locations such as Orofino and Warm Springs campgrounds. According to reviews, "finding a level spot for a tent is difficult" at some sites, particularly at Orofino. Seasonal considerations are important, as one camper at a nearby site noted, "We got snow on Labor Day weekend (still Summer!), so check the forecast." Bear-proof food storage is available at some locations, including East Bank Rec Site.
The backcountry tent camping experience in this region offers solitude and natural beauty. Pintler Campground provides a remote tent camping experience approximately 10 miles from Highway 43 on a rough gravel road, with only three designated spots available. Primitive tent camping opportunities exist at former developed sites like Ladysmith Campground, which has been converted to dispersed camping with minimal facilities. One visitor described Stuart Mill Bay as offering privacy options: "This site is one of the best sites if you want a bit of privacy. As with the rest of the Georgetown Lake sites, there are a number of people, but you have many options to limit contact." For those seeking walk-in tent sites, several fishing access areas along the Big Hole River provide tent camping with river access.
