Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana encompasses a network of campgrounds along the Big Hole River that provide both dispersed and developed camping options. Maiden Rock Dispersed stands out as a highly-rated free camping area with designated sites that include picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes, making it unusually well-equipped for dispersed camping. Divide Bridge Campground offers established sites along the river with water access for fishing and boating. The area accommodates various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites with and without hookups, and cabin options at locations like the Sportsman Lodge in Melrose.
Road access varies throughout the region, with many campgrounds accessible via unpaved roads that may require careful navigation. Most dispersed sites in the area have gravel parking pads that can accommodate larger vehicles. A camper noted, "The designated camp spots are super clean and nicely laid out. I couldn't give 5 stars for several reasons: there is not any shaded spots, it's very exposed." Cell service is limited in much of the area, particularly at Maiden Rock where visitors report no service except at specific points along Frontage Road. Camping limits typically extend to 14 days on public lands, with fees ranging from free at dispersed sites to approximately $10 per night at developed campgrounds like Divide Bridge.
The Big Hole River provides a centerpiece for recreation in the region, with numerous fishing access sites doubling as camping areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with visitors frequently reporting bird sightings and occasional bear activity. "It's like actual campgrounds. Picnic tables, fire pits. Bathroom down the road," wrote one visitor about Maiden Rock Dispersed, highlighting the surprisingly developed amenities at this free site. Campgrounds in the area are generally well-maintained with clean vault toilets, though amenities vary significantly from basic dispersed sites to more developed options with showers and hookups. Summer brings mosquitoes at riverside locations, particularly in July and August, while higher elevation sites offer cooler temperatures even during peak season.
"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."
"Put toilet right outside of camp. We walked down the road to the angler parking and took a dip in the evening :)"
$10 / night
"Then I noticed the sprinklers watering a manicured lawn in the middle of southwest Montana and genuinely did a double take."
"The BLM's Divide Bridge Campground is a nice campground located on the Big Hole River just off of state highway 43. The campground is a short distance past the pleasant day use area and boat launch."
$29 - $48 / 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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Only 3 miles from the highway, this campsite is at the end of a well maintained, slightly rutted gravel road. It’s wide enough for trailers."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
TravelerGreat little campground! Only 3 other rv in the camp . It felt like we had the place to ourselves. Highly recommend , with senior national Park card, only $15 for full hookups
GuideGrass, beautiful sunsets, nice dog area (mowed but not fenced), full hookups at every site.
GuideSmall cg at MT St park, we have it to ourselves (at least right now). Tons of birds!!
GuideEasy to get to, very popular. Paid campground $8 per night with senior and access passes, decent vault toilets, potable water, trash disposal, tall pines/shade, paved Loop A 1-24 first come first serve, Loop B has some first come first serve as well, Loop C no first come first serve. Cell service, plenty for zoom meetings. With shade, solar is challenging. No hook ups. Campfire rings and firewood for sale by the host. Need a water craft to get on lake for fishing.
GuideEasy to get to, hosts were great. Credit card machine available - senior and access pass discounts. Campground well maintained. Spots are flat, little to no shade depending on the spot. Vault toilets clean, water available, bear boxes provided. No cell service.
GuideLovely peaceful camp. Water out of the pump is very rusty so filtration a must. People need to go over the rules. No holding sites it is illegal. Please pay and show your tickets. Don't park in a campsite to visit other campers use day use. Do not leave smoldering campfires ever. That is considered unattended. Put it out so others dont have to breath it in all night. No gens after 10pm. Why doesnt everyone get better batteries and solar. It is easy and economical. Did i say pay? Why folks think they dont have to pay cause no one is watching. What other rules get broken by such folks when no one is checking. Have some honor in an honor system and especially when this regime has no honor.
GuideThis is our first experience camping in disbursed BLM campsites. We just installed a rooftop tent on our Jeep and camping at National and state parks, recreation areas, and commercial campsites (like KOA). We are from Michigan and have been traveling for the past two weeks. These sites are as good, if not better than many we have stayed in so far. They are very clean, Georgia’s scenery, off the highway and easy to find.
I expected being mid-July that we would roll into this campground to find it packed. I wasn’t confident we would secure a spot. To the contrary, there is only other campsite in use. The place is practically all ours. These sites are absolutely perfect for us. I very highly recommend.
GuideIt's a well put together location, with ample spots and toilets, but the road noise is unbearable from most sites and the bugs are horrendous during the summer. I stayed two days but likely wouldn't come back unless during colder weather.
LegendRight off I90 at Deer Lodge. Sites are close together, all are FHU. Each site has a small grassy area and a nice newer picnic table. Bath house is nice and there are ADA toilets and shower with fold down bench- it is nice and clean. HOWEVER! If you are in a wheelchair it will be very difficult to access the bath house or laundry facilities as there is no ramp to get you over the concrete platform the building is on, and there is a 2-4 inch lip from the gravel drive to the walkway around the bath house There is some noise from the highway. It is fine for an overnight stay.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest spans over 3.3 million acres across southwestern Montana, featuring elevations from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F while summer brings warm 75-85°F days with cool nights even in July. Most campgrounds in the region open from late May through September, with higher elevation sites typically accessible only after mid-June due to snow conditions.
Fishing at Big Hole River: Access premier fly fishing at Glen Campground where the river provides excellent opportunities for anglers. "Glen Campground is a great place to stop when passing through Montana on the 15. It's not far from town or the freeway, but remote enough to enjoy a few nights of camping," notes Richard M.
Hiking near Pioneer Mountains: The scenic byway provides access to trails with varying difficulty levels through lodgepole pine forests. At Fourth of July Campground, visitors can use the short paved trail that circles the grounds. "There is a short paved bike trail that circles the campground, going behind sites and through the day use area," according to Annie C.
Rock climbing and exploration: The unique granite spires at Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area offer climbing opportunities with routes suitable for various experience levels. "Road was rocky and rutted by water runoff. The sprinter all wheel drive negotiated the trail easily from the trailhead up. We found an open meadow of sagebrush. Beautiful sunrise," shares David M.
Spacious designated sites: Campers appreciate well-defined areas with ample space between neighbors. "The designated camp spots are super clean and nicely laid out," reports a visitor at Maiden Rock Dispersed. Another camper, Maddie F., notes, "The camping spots are somewhat close together so that's good to keep in mind. But omg, the spot is insane. The mosquitoes were not bad at all."
Accessible water features: Sites near rivers receive consistent praise for recreation options. "This spot was so friggin beautiful! Surrounded by mountains, each with a different look to them every direction you look," says Ashleigh Z. about Maiden Rock. At Fourth of July Campground, Annie C. mentions, "This is a popular campground because of the access to the well shaded creek that is gray for playing and fishing."
Surprising amenities at dispersed sites: Free dispersed camping areas often exceed expectations with provided facilities. Laura B. from Maiden Rock Dispersed shares: "This place is amazingly beautiful! We stopped by twice over three weeks- both times only one other site occupied. Sites are spaced nicely, brand new looking picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire rings."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically throughout the forest. Tee C. reports about Humbug Spires Trailhead: "No cell service, unfortunately. Another con is that there's another road that goes in further, but it's narrow and eroded." At Glen Campground, visitor Tee C. mentions it's "Only 9 miles from Dillon" where services are available.
Wildlife considerations: Bears are active throughout the region. "A Bear might still be active in the area. It tried to get into our camper... Apparently his name is Boo-boo, and he was orphaned as a cub and fed by miners making him not so human afraid. Carry bear spray and you're probably fine!" warns Meatball W. from Maiden Rock.
Water availability: Many sites lack running water. Annie C. advises about Fourth of July Campground: "Be sure to give FULL pumps on the water pump if you want water- it takes 10!" At Glen Campground, Janelle G. reminds visitors: "it is maintained, they do not come daily as it is a free campground on BLM land and does not have garbage bins or water spigots."
Choose campgrounds with shade: Summer temperatures can be intense at exposed sites. "We had a lovely site that was close to the Wise River. Even with a full camp, the ambient sound of the river shielded the sounds of people talking or kids playing," shares Lisa K. about Lodgepole Campground.
Look for established recreation spaces: Sites with built-in activities work best with children. At Fourth of July Campground, Hannah S. reports, "There is a campfire with an attached grill, along with a nice picnic table." Sasha W. adds, "Great trails with beautiful views!!!"
Consider toilet accessibility: Facilities vary greatly between sites. Regarding Sportsman Lodge, Angela M. notes, "Beautifully maintained property with lots of green grass for the pups to walk through. And there are doggie bag stations galore!" While at Lodgepole Campground, Lisa K. mentions, "The bathroom facilities were clean."
Site length considerations: Many forest campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Divide Bridge Campground, Steven L. shares: "Stayed in the upper area. More like a parking lot than a campground. But large sites and very level."
Surface conditions: Level parking pads are crucial for comfortable RV camping. At Sportsman Lodge, Patrick J. notes, "The RV sites are on grass that is pretty level. Lot of space in front and on the sides." Ben H. adds, "All sites are back in, but they are reasonably wide and very long."
Hookup availability: Most forest campgrounds lack connections, though some options exist. About Sportsman Lodge, Ben H. writes, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know before visiting Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest offers remote wilderness experiences with limited connectivity. Cell service is virtually non-existent at many locations like Lowland Campground, so plan accordingly. Roads can be challenging - many campgrounds require travel on gravel roads, with some areas like Twin Lakes accessible only via 18-mile unpaved routes. Be prepared for variable weather conditions even in summer. The forest is popular with OHV enthusiasts, particularly around Delmoe Lake area. Pack essential supplies as services are limited, and always check current fire restrictions before visiting. Wildlife is abundant, so proper food storage is essential.
What camping options are available in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
Beaverhead-Deerlodge offers diverse camping experiences, from developed campgrounds to primitive sites. For anglers, Salmon Fly provides beautiful riverside camping with spacious sites along the Big Hole River. Twin Lakes offers a true wilderness retreat with stunning mountain views, though accessed via gravel roads. For those seeking basic facilities, Basin Canyon provides a primitive experience with just two sites. Several fishing access sites like Divide Bridge and Brownes Bridge also permit camping. For nearby accommodations with amenities, check out Sportsman Lodge outside the forest boundaries, offering RV hookups, cabins, and tent sites.
What are the best hiking trails in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest features excellent hiking opportunities across its vast landscape. Near Lost Creek State Park Campground, you'll find trails winding between dramatic rock walls with spectacular sunrise and sunset views. The Humbug Spires Trailhead offers access to unique rock formation hikes. For historical hiking experiences, trails near Vigilante Campground connect to Bannack ghost town where you can explore preserved 1860s mining structures. The area around Grasshopper Campground features scenic lakeside trails. Most trails are best hiked from late spring through early fall, as winter conditions can make access difficult.
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