Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Butte, Montana, Delmoe Lake was a beautiful place to camp for a night. The area is popular with OHV’s and you will pass multiple staging areas on the drive up as well as many others camping along the way up to the campground. It’s a ~10 mile drive on a well maintained gravel road that is accessible from I-90 by taking either exit 241 or 233 (we're driving cross country so it was important to find some place that was easy to get to yet far enough away to feel like we were out in nature). There are two camping loops as well as a day use area. Sites cost $5/night plus $3 for any additional vehicles (we had 2 cars so it was $8 for the night). Sites include a picnic table and fire ring, and there was ample firewood left by others for us to use. Pit toilets are also available. We were here in late July and there were a decent amount of mosquitos. Echoing the previous review, there was a fair amount of trash around but it was still a pleasant place to spend the night.

Lowland Campground located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest north of Butte Montana is nice small very quiet campground with 11 sites and a large day use area. You will disconnected from the world hear as there is no cell phone service at this campground. The campground has a vault toilet at the entrance, two more are found in the day use area, one is just a short distance from the campground toilet. The campground has several new bear proof garbage bins. The site has a water pump, but the only pump appears to be in the day use area so you will want to drive to the pump to fill up your water jugs in order to avoid a long walk back to camp with those heavy water jugs. Each site has plenty of room to spread out. You will want to collect firewood before you arrive at the campground as there is nothing to harvest in the campground, even small twigs for starting a fire were hard to find. We had the campground to our selves when we visited, and the best part is the fee is only$5. Can't beat that price and have vault toilets, water and trash pins.

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Lowland Campground Review

Lowland Campground located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest north of Butte Montana is nice small very quiet campground with 11 sites and a large day use area. You will disconnected from the world hear as there is no cell phone service at this campground. The campground has a vault toilet at the entrance, two more are found in the day use area, one is just a short distance from the campground toilet. The campground has several new bear proof garbage bins. The site has a water pump, but the only pump appears to be in the day use area so you will want to drive to the pump to fill up your water jugs in order to avoid a long walk back to camp with those heavy water jugs. Each site has plenty of room to spread out. You will want to collect firewood before you arrive at the campground as there is nothing to harvest in the campground, even small twigs for starting a fire were hard to find. We had the campground to our selves when we visited, and the best part is the fee is only $5. Can't beat that price and have vault toilets, water and trash pins.

Ranger Review of the Grub Stick

Received the Grub Stick several weeks ago and have used it on several outings since. Have to say this is just fun to use. Cooking over a fire is always great fun and having the Grub Stick just gives you way more options for fire cooking fun. It was a blast coming up with ideas to try. We really likes the bacon bowl feature, but a hint on using it “don't use thick cut bacon” it takes to long to cook and is hard to get the bacon clip over it. We have cooked up hot dogs, sausages, made eclairs, S'mores, Chocolate chip cookie s'mores, Biscuits, biscuit s'mores, Bacon bowls stuffed with just about anything we could find. The big down fall of the Grub Stick is that we didn't have enough of them and waiting for someone to finish was a downier, especially when you had a new idea you wanted to try.

Basin Canyon Campground and Picnic Area in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a bare basics campground with only 2 sites(an old 3rd site can be found but is over grown and falling apart). Be careful not to drive right by the site as the sign for the campground is missing. The two campsites sit on the Boulder River side of the road. A picnic area and two outhouses sit on the other side of the road. One of the two sites is a very nice site next to the river with a picnic table and metal fire ring. This site appears to get heavy use as the ground is all bare dirt. The other site sits closer to the road in a grassy area. The second site also has a metal fire ring and picnic table. This campground does not have water(but looks like it may have in the past) and does not have trash service, so be sure to pack out your trash and bring plenty of water for your stay. Across the road is the picnic area which has three large picnic tables and two concrete fire pits. A rock ring fire pit has been placed in the picnic area and this might be a safer place for a fire at the picnic site do to the encroaching forest at the concrete fire pit location. The picnic area could use a little maintenance. The picnic area side of the road has two outhouses. These are old school wooden framed forest service outhouses, but are very nice, clean and well stocked inside. I did find one more former campsite/picnic site that has pretty much been reclaimed by the forest and the table is falling apart.

It is in a nice location with old growth trees all around. Bathrooms are good, clean but slow working toilets. We stayed there end of April which is really just the start of the camping season and it was a wet evening. Plan on dirt in your camper because the grounds are not well kept and the gravel pads need a refresh. My big irritation was the dog poop all around our camp spot. We came in at night and did not see it until the next day. Bad maintenance and bad, lazy dog owners!! Would I stay again? Not sure. Not as windy of a location as the Countryside RV Park because of its location and bathrooms are much better. Out of downtown. Nice playground if you have kids. Trees are nice in high summer.

This campground is well maintained and tucked away between beautiful rock formations, a rushing creek, and aspens. Our spot was perfect, with a little picnic table that was chained but able to be moved slightly and a fire pit with a metal grill. Perfect getaway spot and very dog friendly!

Clean vault toilets. Friendly Hosts on sight. Grounds well maintained. WATER AVAILABLE. Came in dry and filled up with water. Lower campground has several sites on water. Upper is more rustic with larger lots. (We have a 40 foot fifth wheel) Lovely hike to the top of the mountain over looks the park and the Big Hole River. 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.

This was a bit tight pulling our 35 ft fifth wheel, but just be careful with a couple of the turns. The campground roads need some work in spots - there were several potholes as deep as 6-8 inches - enough to jar your teeth out If you're not watching for them.

Sites are very nicely spaced with lots of sunlight and dappled shade. Everyone was pretty quiet and well mannered. I was a bit surprised by how empty this campground was during the week, despite it being summer. Mon-Fri I would say it wasn't more than 30-50% full. It did fill up on the weekends.

Stayed here two weeks in July. You're at 6000ish feet, so the weather is delightful in the summer. Some nice hiking is within walking distance, and Echo Lake is a decent workout from the campground.

There are several pressurized water spigots spaced around the campground, but oddly, they don't have a standard garden hose fitting. I have a 55 gallon bladder I fill and then I use a pump to fill my rig from the bladder. This saves me from having to move the rig to get water. The camp hosts site did have a standard hose fitting and he had no problem letting me fill the bladder several times during my stay.

There is a day use area (Red Bridge) across the street on Georgetown Lake, but there's not much there. Only a couple picnic tables and a boat ramp. No shade. No place to let the dogs swim and play fetch. I recommend going east back up Montana Route 1 a mile or so to the Grassy Point boat launch. Large parking lot with plenty of doggie access to the water for playing and fetching.

All in all, a nice place to spend a couple weeks.

Awesome campground, the camp host is friendly and making rounds to ensure the bathrooms are stocked and that everyone is enjoying their time. We camped at number 5 last time, and we just got done camping at number 15 for the weekend. Crystal park is not thst far and the Wise river is right after it. Also vheck out Elkhorn hotsprings th a ts the next turn for a natural spring nad suana. Can't wait to camp here again. The picture below will show you our camp set up sadly Teo fridns had to take off earlier before photos. We easily fit 4 tents and had 2 dogs with us. The site provides shared food storages, also vualt toilets, and drinkable water at the faucets through out the camp ground. It was 25 a night for 3 vehicles so we spent 50 in total. Another perk if you need or forgot something go to Ma's store it has a bit of everything. It's just on the other side of the lodge in Grasshopper.

If you like history, ghost towns and camping then Bannack State Park is for you. Bannack Montana was the 1st Territorial Capital of Montana. The Ghost town allows you a look at how settlers and miners leaved in the early day of Montana. See the 1st Territorial Governors Manson (ok, small cabin). Almost all of building you can enter. The best times to visit is when reenactments are happening at the park. The state park has two small campgrounds, Vigilante Campground with 15 sites and one Tipi site. One of the sites at the Vigilante site is only for bikers. Vigilante campsites can be reserved. The other campground is Road Agent Campground. Road Agent has 8 sites. Both sites have Vault Toilets, water and trash bins.

Camp at Bannack State Park, site of Montana's 1st Territorial Capital. Road Agent Campground is one of two campground at Bannack State Park. Bannack state park is a nice state park, see how the early settlers lived in this old mining town and former Montana Capital. Road Agent Campground has eight campsites with one vault toilet. Campsite sits among mature cottonwoods. Prices are a little steep, $18 for residents, $28 for non-residents.

Snagged a FCFS site at this wonderful Montana state park after reading reviews. So glad I did. Such a nice campground, nice neighbors. Lots of people out on the lake boating. There is a boat launch in the campground. Snow covered peaks still visible in late June. 

Not a lot of shade due to beetle infestation. But wasn't an issue in June. All boats, including inflatable kayaks need to be inspected at a Montana inspection station before launching in the water

I loved it here. Wish I'd stayed longer than one night.

Best out of the 7 campsites we visited on our Montana trip! It’s gorgeous and open and has trees you can easily sling up hammocks. Gorgeous lake.

This is not the location of the Maidenrock campground.  The campground which is part of Maidenrock Fishing Access site is located further south.  The correct location can be found at  

https://thedyrt.com/camping/montana/maiden-rock-campground-2

We had a great vacation in Montana. Campground was $15 per night, better than spending $40 in WA. First long trip with the new 3 Feathers MFG Pinecone teardrop trailer. We love Georgetown & Anaconda!

The campground at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park has all the amenities you would need. Power and water hook ups, bathrooms and showers, a nice big playground for the kids. But, it feels more like a big parking lot with little shade or privacy. Great if you are in a camper, but maybe less appealing if you are tent camping. The campground lies at the base of the mountain that the caverns are in--about 3 miles. Once you are up near the caverns there is plenty of parking for RVs or cars. There is also a shady area to kennel your dogs for a fee, as they are not allowed in the caverns. There is also a small deli and a gift shop.

The total hike to and through the caverns is about 2 miles and about 2 hours. The hike to the caverns is about half a mile, and was fine for our 4 year old. However, the two year old, we carried in a pack. Once inside the caverns, there are over 600 stairs and a lot of bending and stooping, so take that into consideration if anyone in your party has mobility issues. There are handrails throughout and no particularly dangerous areas, other than some slippery spots. As long as children are old enough to know to stay near, they should be fine walking and holding hands.

I I initially found this on free campsites. Com. Though the official website is listed as BLM, BLM actually doesn't have Galena Gulch on their site. However, this is a clean and mowed campsite that is largely grassy field next to the boulder River. The mountainous and forested Recreation area surrounded it though.

There is plenty of space for RVs, though there are no hookups of any kind. There is no water and no electricity and no cell phone service. I have Verizon. I took a star away because there wasn't any water but added it back because it was free!

There were probably a dozen official sites that had fire rings and a parking spur. While there were a couple sizable rigs there, if your RV is so big that you must have a pull through, you will probably find this Campground challenging.

There was a large grassy area and another smaller grassy area that were simply open with no fire ring or parking spur. However, it was very easy to park on the grass and several people could pitch tents there if they wanted. I did this.

There are two side-by-side pit toilets and an information board in the center. They were clean and stocked. Once again, I want to emphasize that there is no water here. The boulder river is directly adjacent but locals in Montana don't consider any water safe.

There were multiple people there with their dogs and a great number of sites filled with RVs. At the time I was there there were only two of us tenting.

Your GPS will get you here, nearly. Take the exit it tells you and follow the directions. However, my GPS told me that I had arrived and I was looking at the boulder River on the right and houses on the left and no Campground. What you have to do is go up the road another hundred feet and follow the sign to turn right to Galena Recreation Area. This takes you on an underpass under the freeway and immediately becomes a gravel road that goes over a one-lane bridge. You can't make any wrong turn here. As soon as you cross the bridge you will see the campground immediately on your right. From the time you make the right hand turn to the campground it is probably a couple hundred feet.From getting off the freeway to the campsite is probably less than a mile

I was there for 3 night and it was full every night. However, the turnover seems high as it appears most people use it as an overnight on their travels, especially since there are not any services there. But it's a pretty area. Some people bring their ATV and use the dirt road that runs through the recreation Area to drive around. You can use that road to hike to , also the radon health mine is right up the road.

Bring water and food as you would have to drive 20 minutes back to Boulder to get services. Boulder's a cute small town with a few restaurants, a grocery store, gas stations and a very wonderful Hot Springs Resort.