Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Maiden Rock Dispersed along the Big Hole River offers 15 free camping spots allowing pets with up to 16-day stays. Each site includes picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes not typically found at dispersed camping areas. Dogs can access the river through established pathways, though no designated pet areas exist. Sites are well-maintained with level gravel parking areas suitable for RVs and tents. Very clean and well laid out sites make the area feel more like a developed campground than typical BLM land. The single vault toilet is located a significant distance from some campsites. Pets must be kept on leash due to wildlife activity, particularly bears in the area.
The nearby Divide Bridge Campground provides additional pet-friendly accommodations with riverside sites available for $10 per night. Dogs enjoy access to boat ramps suitable for water play and hiking opportunities on the Sawmill Gulch Trail. Wildlife encounters require vigilance with pets, as a bear known locally as "Boo-boo" has been active in the Maiden Rock area. The orphaned bear has been habituated to humans, making proper food storage and pet supervision crucial. Sportsman Lodge in Melrose offers cabin options for travelers with dogs and features numerous pet waste stations throughout the well-maintained grassy grounds. The area's fishing opportunities make it suitable for active dogs who enjoy water activities, with the Big Hole River accessible from multiple campgrounds.












