Best RV Parks & Resorts near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

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.

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.

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. The grounds are meticulously maintained by the owner and it has nice views of the bluffs and mountains all around it. Walking distance to the restaurant and bar in town if that’s your thing. Quality hookups at each site, and each site has its own trash can. Clean bathrooms and laundry on site. Owners are very present and attentive on site and super friendly. Picnic tables at every site. One shared fire pit out front of the office. It’s in a very small town, with several fishing spots nearby. Very peaceful location. We would stay again.

A few things to be aware of:

• All sites are back in, but they are reasonably wide and very long.
• It is about a mile or two from the interstate which is convenient but you can occasionally hear a large truck pass by.
• There is a train track nearby, we heard about one train per day in the morning.
• We were here in July and there were some mosquitos. If you plan to be outside probably bring a citronella candle or bug spray.

We stayed here twice this year, once going North and then headed South for home.  First time they put us in a full hook-up that was to small so I asked for a bigger spot and because about 1/3rd of the spots were empty, they moved me.  Owner was very friendly and willing to find us a better spot.  Second time was on Sunday and the note on door put us in an even smaller full hook-up, despite me asking for a bigger site so I wouldn't have to unhook.  This is one reason for only three stars.  Office was closed and no one answered the phone or returned our call.  The site was totally unacceptable.  Even if I un-hooked there was not enough room to park the pick-up truck.  Left several messages, no response.  We moved to an empty water/electric only site and set up.  An hour later another camper came in and said we were in their spot.  We moved again to another spot hoping no one would claim it.  Still no response from owner.  I guess camp is unsupervised on Sunday.  Maybe owner was out of town.

Second reason for only three stars:  Camp is older and full hook-up sites are close to each other.  I did not see any 50 amp, only 30 amp.  The openings for dumping are a couple of inches below ground level and the kind you just point the hose down and put a few rocks over to hold it down.  Gravel sites that are mostly level.  

The Good:  The water and electric only sites in the back (spots 28 to 36) of the park are long and spread out.  I recommend if you can go without having sewer connection, the ones in back (spots 28 to 36) are the best to stay in.  Don't get the ones in front.  Big trees and lots of grass (but watch out for the gofer holes).  Quiet and peaceful night.

Did not use their restrooms or showers or pool (may not have been open) so no comment.  There is a dump site.  Wifi was 17 mbs but slowed down in the evening.  We use AT&T and got two bars of 5G.