Lisa P.
Scout
ScoutCameahwait Campground
Nice. Worth the few extra miles to be away from 1-15.
Tent Camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT
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Tent campgrounds near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest offer riverside and mountain settings, ranging from free tent camping at Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site to fee-based sites along the Big Hole River. Tent sites can be found at Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site along the Big Hole River, where campers have access to six well-spaced sites with gravel parking pads and metal fire rings. Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area provides more primitive tent camping opportunities, though reviews indicate it functions primarily as a trailhead rather than a dedicated campground.
Most tent sites in the area feature basic amenities including picnic tables, metal fire rings, and vault toilets. Drinking water is rarely available, with only Pigeon Creek and Pettengill Campground offering potable water during the summer season. Campsites typically have dirt or gravel pads with grassy areas suitable for tent setup. Access to many sites requires driving on maintained forest roads, while others like Humbug Spires require walk-in access. Camping fees vary by location, with Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site offering free tent camping, while others like Salmon Fly charge $12-$18 per night depending on whether campers have a valid fishing license.
Riverside tent camping provides immediate access to fishing opportunities along the Big Hole River. A visitor commented that Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site offers "a small campground with picnic tables and fire rings at each spot and a vault toilet. Right on the river with big trees." Tent sites at Maiden Rock and other fishing access areas provide quieter alternatives to larger campgrounds, though they often have limited privacy from neighboring sites. Many campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from late spring through early fall, with Pettengill Campground specifically open June through September. During peak summer weekends, early arrival is recommended to secure tent sites at the more popular fishing access campgrounds, while the more remote forest service campgrounds tend to have greater availability.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (33)
1. Salmon Fly
"Sites have gravel parking pads, metal fire rings and picnic tables, along with nice grass areas to set up a tent. The fishing access site is with in walking distance to the small town of Melrose."
2. Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site
"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."
"It’s a small campground (5 spots) with picnic tables and fire rings at each spot and a vault toilet. Right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge."
3. 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."
4. Maidenrock FAS
5. Maidenrock
6. Beaverhead National Forest Pettengill Campground
"The campground road and parking pads are all paved. A large paved parking area is also available and is used for snowmobile parking in the winter. "
"There are only 3 paved spots at Pettengill, but they offer a large fire ring and picnic table."
7. Jerry Creek Br Fish Access
8. Pigeon Creek
"This as an adorable camp site, way off the beaten trail but the road to it is maintained."
9. East Bank Rec Site
"Very beautiful area with not too many people around. River runs right next to it. Has a vault toilet and bear proof food storage. Was $15 a night."
10. Greenwood Bottoms
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 Tent Camping Photos near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
8 Photos of 33 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
498 Reviews of 33 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Campgrounds
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)
- 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
- TTeresa L B.Guide
Philipsburg Bay Campground
September Calling
Quiet, few campers, closes Oct. 1st with some campgrounds remaining open. Narrow asphalt roads in campground. Narrow asphalt pad fairly level. Lots of shade in this campground
Emily A.RangerMaiden Rock Dispersed
This is an awesome campsite
We had it mostly to ourselves and It’s so lovely and remote. Can’t hear highway noise, lots of beautiful views and an accessible creek to the front and side of all camp sites. Easy to get into Butte (30 mins) and even like the nearby restaurant (15 mins) called The Hitchin Post!
- SSue R.Guide
American Legion Park
Minimal but acceptable
No luxuries but if you need a place to pull off the road with restrooms, it works great. Tents can stay under shelter. Run by veterans and members of the American Legion, we appreciated it.
Guide to Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Tent camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest encompasses a diverse range of elevations from approximately 5,000 to 8,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from late May through September, with July and August offering the most reliable weather conditions. Most camping areas experience significant temperature drops at night even during summer months, with potential for frost in spring and fall.
What to do
Fishing accessibility: At Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site, concrete boat launches provide direct river access, though Montana FWP warns "the water is shallow for larger boats." The site's proximity to Melrose puts anglers within walking distance of additional supplies.
Ghost town exploration: When camping at Pettengill Campground, visitors can access the Coolidge Ghost Town and Crystal Park, where one camper notes you can "dig for crystal at Crystal park" as a unique day activity from your campsite.
Hiking options: East Bank Recreation Site serves as a gateway to hiking trails, with one visitor mentioning that despite beetle kill removing most trees, the "sites are well spread out and a few still have large trees," making it suitable for hikers wanting riverside access and trail proximity.
What campers like
River proximity: At Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site, one camper appreciated that it's "Right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge. Some highway noise but not too bad," highlighting the balance of natural beauty with minor infrastructure sounds.
Affordability: Pettengill Campground visitors consistently mention value, with one noting "At $6 per night you can't beat the price. With only three sites crowds will not be a problem." The paved spaces and low fees make it popular with budget-conscious campers.
Privacy between sites: Salmon Fly campsites are "all nice spread apart from each other," according to one review, which mentions the campground is "nice and quiet, far enough from the Interstate to not really hear the road traffic" despite the nearby rail line.
What you should know
Seasonal water availability: Water sources are extremely limited in the region. Pigeon Creek operates only "Memorial Day to Labor Day" according to its listing, and requires navigating forest roads carefully as "Google will take you up a private road if you come from the East."
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds offer only basic amenities. At Maidenrock FAS, a visitor noted it "has two picnic tables, one of which has a large rock fire ring next to it. The other picnic table has had fires next to it but does not really have a fire ring."
Bear safety measures: Some campgrounds provide bear-proof storage. East Bank Recreation Site has "vault toilets(handicapped accessible), but no water or trash service so come prepared," requiring visitors to plan accordingly for food storage and waste management.
Tips for camping with families
Best small group sites: Pettengill Campground works well for families with "a large paved parking area" that "is used for snowmobile parking in the winter" but serves as extra space during summer. A camper mentioned each site has "a metal fire ring and picnic table" with good spacing between sites.
River safety considerations: Families staying at Brownes Bridge should know it's "a small campground (5 spots) with picnic tables and fire rings at each spot and a vault toilet," but requires supervision as it sits directly on the river with easy access points.
Storage and preparation: Campers at East Bank noted it has "bear proof food storage" facilities, making it suitable for families needing secure food storage without bringing specialized equipment.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: At Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site, RVers should note the sites are "A little short on the length but okay for our 29'" according to one review, indicating larger RVs may struggle with the available space.
Surface conditions: Jerry Creek Bridge Fish Access provides a practical overnight option for self-contained units, but one camper described it as "just a big boat parking lot for the river. Plus side it has an outhouse," making it suitable for RVs seeking quick overnight stops rather than extended stays.
Limited hookups: None of the campgrounds in the immediate area offer electric or water hookups. RVers staying at East Bank Recreation Site should be aware that while it has "gravel parking pads," there are no services, making it essential to arrive with full water tanks and charged batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Salmon Fly with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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