Lisa P.
Scout
ScoutCameahwait Campground
Nice. Worth the few extra miles to be away from 1-15.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT
1 campground with availability next weekend
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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.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (98)
1. Maiden Rock Dispersed
"The mountain views all all around you are gorgeous. Some other folks camping here went trout fishing - so that's an option. Only downside is that my dogs had some trouble walking on the gravel."
"Blm camping on the big hole river, montana, free up to 16 days. About 15 spots. Boat ramp, fishing hiking fire pits, no wood available."
2. Divide Bridge Campground
"Boat ramp in the campground and also one at the main entrance (fun for dogs ) Only 10.00/night. 4 stars because the mosquitoes were INSANE! Apparently only in July and August."
"Then I noticed the sprinklers watering a manicured lawn in the middle of southwest Montana and genuinely did a double take."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 / night
3. Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park
"This is a great spot in a tiny town south of Butte Montana. They have a couple cabins, several motel rooms and about 10 full hookup, all grass, RV spots. Also a large area for car/tent camping."
"Quite hazy with smoke from forest fires when we were here but I can tell it is beautiful, nestled in between Montana mountain ranges. Easy walk to the river for fly fishing access."
Check Availabilityfrom $29 - $48 / night
4. Salmon Fly
"The fishing access site is with in walking distance to the small town of Melrose. The site has one vault toilet. No water or trash service is available."
5. Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site
"Some highway noise but not too bad."
"Brownes Island Fishing Access Site is located 6 miles south of Melrose on the Big Hole River. This nice little Fishing Access/Campground has five campsite sitting under large cottonwood trees."
6. Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area
"The sprinter all wheel drive negotiated the trail easily from the trailhead up. We found an open meadow of sagebrush. Beautiful sunrise. One bar AT&T signal."
7. Boulder Creek
"Great location closer to the north side of the park near Wise. Was great falling asleep to the sound of the river. Everything in the park was a short drive away."
8. Lodgepole Campground
"This campground is probably one of my favorite places to visit in Montana. My family makes the trip from washington to Montana once every summer, since I was little."
"Right on top of the highway, you definitely get some road noise here. The trees are pretty thin (maybe not good for hammocks), but there are a lot of them which provide a bit of privacy."
9. Fourth of July Campground
"It is absolutely beautiful, and the ability to fall asleep under the stars while listening to the rushing river nearby is exactly why I would recommend other people stay here."
"This is a popular campground because of the access to the well shaded creek that is gray for playing and fishing."
10. Homestake Pass Dispersed
"Its pretty heavy traffic at all times (day and night) since its located pretty close to the entrance of the 17mile NF road loop, and off-roaders will zip by."
"The spot was close to the highway - lots of potential spots - some “locals” who seem to live out there and run generators 24/7 - we had no problem and got a good night sleep to carry on our journey."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 35 min from Helena, MT
- 1 hr 48 min from Bozeman, MT
- 2 hrs 6 min from Missoula, MT
- 2 hrs 47 min from Great Falls, MT
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
44 Photos of 98 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
529 Reviews of 98 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Campgrounds
Juliana J.
RangerPoint of Rocks Jefferson River Campsite
Serene and quiet
A little bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip. I had a friendly neighbor who was scoping out elk for hunting season starting soon. It appeared there were only two spots by the river, both pretty large and far enough apart I felt like I had privacy. Bonus - hot springs literally less than a quarter mile up the road. I googled it and it may or may not be on private land and someone died in it… but I still dipped my toes in. The road was totally fine going into the site area until I drove into the second private site on the left. It was just a bit bumpy and I wouldn’t drive a trailer through it. There seemed to be additional pull off spots to camp on the road above, but they definitely lacked any privacy or space to spread out at all. Otters, birds and apparently crawfish. Very little shoreline, so no real rock combing. Amazing sunset. Bees were present. I slept in my car but could have put out a tent easily and would have been comfortable minus the cold.
Hayley F.
TravelerGalena Gulch
Great for one night
By the interstate, $10 to camp. Takes cash, check or there is a kiosk for cards. Definitely interstate noise and gun shots in the distance, but great for one night stay. You can back in right by the river. Our travel trailer was 27ft and we chose site #3, it was easy to back into to.
Aaron S.RangerButte KOA Journey
A No-Frills, Budget Stopover (Plus a Must-See Mining Tour!)
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for an overnight stop while rolling through southwestern Montana on Interstate 15 or Interstate 90, the Butte KOA Journey serves its purpose as a functional travel hub. It is far from a luxury resort destination, but if you need a safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible place to park your rig for the night, it gets the job done.
Campground Grounds & Amenities
It is best to set expectations before pulling in—this is a very basic, older KOA:
- The Grounds: The roads and driveways are dirt and gravel, which can get muddy after a rain. There is virtually no grass throughout the sites, so expect some dust or dirt around your rig.
- Facilities & Security: While there is nothing fancy about the park, it felt completely safe and quiet during our overnight stay. Staff members were very welcoming and friendly.
- The Value: The nightly rate was very reasonable, which makes up for the lack of upscale amenities. If you just need hookups, level ground, and a spot to catch some sleep without paying premium resort fees, the price matches what you get.
Location & Highway Access
- Easy In-and-Out: The standout practical benefit of this park is the convenience. It offers quick, hassle-free on-and-off access from the nearby interstate junction, which makes pulling in after a long driving day and departing the next morning straightforward.
- The Town Setting: Butte definitely shows signs of an old mining town that has struggled economically since its historic copper mining heydays, but it makes up for that with raw character and rugged Western history.
Must-See Local Stop: The Berkeley Pit Tour
If you stay here, do not leave town without visiting the Berkeley Pit.
- The Experience: It is an overwhelmingly massive open-pit copper mine that operated for decades and is now filled with heavily mineralized water. Known historically as part of"The Richest Hill on Earth," it offers a fascinating window into America’s industrial past.
- The Logistics: The viewing stand and tour setup—conveniently run right by the local chamber of commerce/visitors center—is inexpensive and only requires about 30 minutes of your time.
- Active Mining Nearby: While the Berkeley Pit is retired, active open-pit mining is still happening right next door (projected to continue through 2050!). If you have any interest in mining, geology, or gold and mineral prospecting, this quick detour is well worth your time.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Butte KOA Journey won't win awards for landscaping, but its budget-friendly rate, safe atmosphere, and prime interstate convenience make it a viable 3-star overnight rest stop. Pair it with a half-hour visit to the Berkeley Pit to get an authentic taste of Montana's copper history before hitting the highway again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 out of 5 Stars)
Jene M.ScoutRuby Reservoir Recreation Area
Updated facilities; great spot
The campground has been updated with level gravel pads, metal fire rings, and picnic tables. One group site. In addition to the updated sites, there are several old ones without picnic tables or pads. I really liked the open country, with hills surrounding the reservoir, but the lack of shade could be an issue in summer. There really are garnets in the lakeshore sediments. We were van camping, so cannot comment on whether long rigs will fit.
- Barb T.
GuideLewis & Clark Caverns State Park — Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
Needs more trees
We are here in October and we are getting snow I love it. Only 3 other campers here. .the dogs just run. Getting about 6 inches of snow. Going to hike some trails tomorrow. We have AT&T and there is cell service but we also have Starlink. No water this time of year and there is only 1 pit toilet...across the campground. It would not be a place I would stay in summer....no trees I'm not a fan of seeing all the campers. Looks like pretty decent gravel sites. We do have electric. The rangers are very nice.
- MMackenzie C.Traveler
Stuart Mill Bay
Beautiful, clean, and feels safe
Plenty of sites to pick, it seems that at least half of them are right on the water. Pit toilets available. Campground host is attentive but not invasive.
- LLarry H.Scout
Butte KOA Journey
Nice for Stop overnight stop
Nice for overnight stop cose to I90 sites are tight trails and Butte visitor center next to campground
- JJill P.Traveler
Mill Creek Road Camp
Beautiful Spot
The area is gorgeous but the ride in was rough. Quite a few miles of rough, gravel road and very narrow. We made it in our. Class C but I wouldnt recommend trying in anything larger
Guide to Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Dispersed camping options near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest range from developed sites with amenities to basic riverside spots. The area sits at elevations between 5,600-8,000 feet with cottonwood forests along river valleys and pine forests at higher elevations. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day and drop to 45-55°F at night, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Fishing access points: Several campgrounds provide direct river access for anglers. At Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site, campers enjoy "right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge." The site features five campsites under large cottonwood trees with dirt parking pads and fire rings.
Hiking trails: The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway offers multiple hiking opportunities near campgrounds. Fourth of July Campground provides access to nearby trails and a "short paved bike trail that circles the campground, going behind sites and through the day use area." According to one visitor, the campground is "located pretty close to the Crystal Park entrance."
Water activities: Beyond fishing, several locations offer swimming and water play. At Divide Bridge Campground, "boat ramps in the campground and also one at the main entrance" are "fun for dogs," making it ideal for water-loving pets. The campground has "two loops" with the "lower loop sites along the river" providing the most shade.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being free or low-cost, many sites have excellent upkeep. One camper at Glen Campground noted it's "well-maintained, clean, possesses established, separate tent sites with a parking block for each separate vehicle, an area for RVs, and a maintained outhouse central to the tent sites."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the thoughtful spacing at many locations. At Boulder Creek, visitors enjoy "great tree cover" with the "river between you and the byway" meaning "all you hear is the water." The natural buffer creates a sense of seclusion even when the campground has multiple occupants.
Level camping areas: Many campgrounds feature graded surfaces that accommodate various camping setups. According to one visitor to Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park, "the RV sites are on grass that is pretty level. Lot of space in front and on the sides." Another noted it's a "beautifully maintained property with lots of green grass for the pups to walk through."
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Several campgrounds require proper food storage due to bear activity. At Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site, visitors should follow standard bear safety practices as it's located in bear country with cottonwood forests that provide habitat.
Limited facilities at some locations: Many dispersed sites have minimal services. Glen Campground requires visitors to "pack in/pack out all of your belongings & trash" as there are "no garbage bins or water spigots." Similarly, at Fourth of July Campground, "there is no trash service so be prepared to pack out your trash."
Variable road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating unpaved roads. Boulder Creek has what one visitor described as "terrifying" roads with "steep drop offs, sharp rocks, narrow lanes." Seasonal conditions can worsen road quality, particularly after rain or snowmelt.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water areas: Finding safe water access points helps keep children entertained. At Fourth of July Campground, families enjoy "access to the well-shaded creek that is great for playing and fishing" with a short trail that "circles the campground" making it easy for kids to navigate.
Insect preparation: Several campgrounds report significant mosquito activity. At Glen Campground, one visitor reported "big mosquitoes were swarming me! But a little deet resolved the issue." Boulder Creek similarly has "tons of bugs" according to visitors, so families should pack appropriate repellents.
Educational opportunities: The region offers natural learning experiences for children. Near Divide Bridge Campground, families can access the Sawmill Gulch Trail Head, providing hiking opportunities suitable for various ages. The area's mining history and geology also present educational topics for families to explore.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many forest campgrounds have restrictions on RV length. Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site can accommodate larger rigs but has dirt parking pads that may present challenges during wet conditions.
Level site selection: RVers should choose sites carefully for level parking. At Divide Bridge Campground, "the upper loop sites are more in the open" with "level gravel parking pads" that work well for RVs, while the lower sites along the river provide more shade but may be less level.
Hookup availability: Most dispersed sites lack utility connections. For those requiring hookups, Sportsman Lodge RV Park offers "quality hookups at each site" with "each site having its own trash can." As one visitor noted, "We pulled into our assigned site and hooked up the 50 amp shore cord."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Maiden Rock Dispersed with a 4.8-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 98 dog-friendly camping locations near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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