Bitterroot National Forest in Montana encompasses numerous camping options ranging from established campgrounds to dispersed sites along forest roads. Sam Billings Memorial Campground offers drive-in tent and RV sites with vault toilets and fire rings, while Lake Como Campground provides electric and water hookups during its Memorial Day to Labor Day operating season. The area includes several dispersed camping opportunities along Forest Service roads, with Lost Horse Dispersed Campground offering free primitive camping with basic toilet facilities. Painted Rocks State Park Campground and Three Frogs Campground provide lakeside camping experiences with varying levels of amenities.
Access to many sites requires traveling on dirt roads of varying quality, with some remote locations like Bear Creek Pass requiring high-clearance vehicles. "It is a long gravel road to get there but worth the trip! It's beautiful!" noted one visitor about Deep Creek. Elevation changes affect seasonal availability, with many campgrounds open primarily during summer months. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most locations, particularly at higher elevations and more remote sites. Weather patterns can change rapidly in the Bitterroot Mountains, with cooler temperatures persisting at higher elevations even during summer months. Campgrounds near lakes like Como and Painted Rocks Reservoir tend to fill quickly during peak season, making weekday arrivals advisable.
Several campgrounds in the Bitterroot area feature proximity to lakes and streams, with water access being a significant draw. Painted Rocks State Park offers views of wildlife, with one camper noting "Every morning we saw elk and big horn sheep." Camping near Lake Como provides access to swimming and boating, while sites along creeks offer more secluded experiences. Facilities vary widely, from primitive sites with no amenities to developed campgrounds with potable water, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Bears are present throughout the region, requiring proper food storage at all camping locations. The mixed conifer forests provide partial shade at most established sites, though some locations like Alta Campground have been described as having limited shade cover.
$13 - $25 / night
"This was one of the best places to stay in Montana, electricity and water was a plus, great sites, lake was pristine!"
"I love it everytime I get leave from the navy I go back home and hike and camp everywhere and I haven't hiked any mountain range like the ones in Montana"
"Toilets are located across from site 3, between 5/6, across from 12. #7 is low ground camping you walk down to with minimal shade and perfect for hot weather days."
"If your a good walker Montana is for you, the water amazes me at how clear it is but very cold, if your lucky you'll find a hot spring."
$15 / night
"Montana is such a beautiful place to visit. We come every summer but try and hit a new spot in Montana every time. We like experiencing new places, new hikes and new campgrounds!"
"I reserved this a month or so in advance, a big recommendation from me, it is around 3 miles to get to the beautiful and majestic Painted Rocks lake."
"Lots of ATVs and side-by-sides on the road near the campground, but the campground itself was quiet and peaceful. The sites are all flat. Some are big-rig friendly."
$8 - $15 / night
"Water point is by the paved hiking trail at the campground entrance. Two hosts on site that clean and stock the 4 toilets daily. The beach is a short walk away."
"Walk to Lake Como, campfires, canoes, excellent beach and boating."
"Its very close to the city. So you can walk and leave your camper on the ground."
"The final few nights were in the Whitetail Cabin, which had a bit more room to move around in. The owner/employees were friendly and helpful during our entire stay."
"Found this spot on our way to hike the Baker, Middle, & Gem Lake Trail. There's just one proper dispersed site on this long switchback dirt road, but it's quite the spot if you can grab it!"
"Wonderful location near the river. Not too many people"
GuideThis dispersed site was a large turn out on the road, enough room for two camps, on a large bend in the West Fork of the Bitterroot River, caught several cutthroat and rainbows 10-12”, site was great, free, shady and right next to woods and river. A couple nice stone fire pits had been formed, lots of room.
GuideSite “10”, tents only but enough room for our truck camper rig. Beautiful access to East Fork of the Bitter Root. Oneish hour south of Missoula. Most sites require reservations. Fished here, caught a bunch of little bitty Bull Trout. Host let us help ourselves to firewood.
GuideThis little gem comes up quick and is tucked off of Highway 12. Handful of spots with a vault toilet and most the campsites are right on the river. There’s plenty of dead wood for fires and easy to drive my truck through.
GuideLove this place right on the Lochsa River. Small and peaceful. Pit toilet.
ScoutWe recently camped at Rombo campground, with friends, and had a wonderful time. The campground is quite small, perhaps 15 individual spots, which worked well for us, as I particularly like the more private and quieter locations. There was potable water spigots and bear proof garbage containers. The fire rings looked fairly new, with higher, larger rings and sturdy grates.
The camp host is very friendly and helpful. He cleans the pit toilets on a regular basis and does a great job. He travels through the campground regularly, with his little dog Jellybean, making sure that everyone is taking care of their campsites (no unattended fires, trash issues, parking issues, etc.)
Most sites had an easy access to the river and there were a few trails nearby to hike on. We heard heron calls in the evening, as well as seeing many smaller critters. The camp host warned us that bears had been visiting the campgrounds near the Painted Rock Reservoir, about 10 miles away, and could show up at our campground as well, so we were sure to pack all food items away.
The spaces for campers were not very large so I would say this is best suited for smaller campers or travel vans. We had a tear drop trailer, which was perfect for the site that we found. There are only a few sites that can be reserved online, the rest are on a first come basis. Our only complaint about our three days there, is that there was a crew across the river that was clearing deadfall and working with chainsaws. They started at about 5:45 each morning but had to quit at 2:00 pm. That put a damper on trying to sleep in and the noise was a bit irritating as it sounded like a dirt bike racetrack around the forest.
TravelerEasy to get in. Off the road but there’s some trees between the spots and the road. The first two sites are closer to the river than the last two but all of them are awesome. Only big enough for tent camping or camper van.
Seems pretty busy. We got there on a Tuesday at 5pm and there was only one spot.
TravelerIt’s technically by a creek but you can’t even see it or access it in any way so you drive all the way in there but it’s just like any other pull off.
GuideBig rig friendly, paved water and electricity
GuideThis is lovely over run place on the 4th of july weekend. We kayaked the lake 6 miles. My issue is the folks reserving sites for friends and family which is illegal in first come first serve. The hosts (2 of them) are not really able to keep up with those who break the rules. It creates animosity to see people put tickets and chairs on tuesday or Wednesday and no one. Show up till Thursday and then do it again for more folks on Friday. It is selfish unfair and greedy. We won't return unless it is off season as it was overwhelming to have so many loud people and dogs all with fires in an area known for its man made forest fires.
Bitterroot National Forest campgrounds span over 1.6 million acres where the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain ranges converge in western Montana. Elevations range from 3,200 feet in valleys to peaks exceeding 10,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations even during summer months. Most forest service roads accessing camping areas are unpaved, with conditions deteriorating after rain or at higher elevations.
Hiking the Lake Como Trail: The 9-mile loop trail around Lake Como provides consistent mountain views and lake access. "The loop trail around the lake is around 9 miles, and worth every step. The constant view of mountains and the clear lake are phenomenal," notes a visitor at Lake Como Campground.
Geology exploration: The Bitterroot range offers interesting geological features for those interested in earth sciences. One camper at Sam Billings Memorial Campground shared, "Stayed we with a friend here to do some surficial geology in the Bitterroots Mt. It was a really nice central area to work out of and it had all we needed from a long day in the field."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings provide the best opportunities for spotting native wildlife. "We fished off the dock and was visited by a large otter!" reports a camper at Deep Creek.
Running: Several campgrounds offer direct access to trails suitable for morning runs. One Lake Como visitor explained, "We loved running the 8 mile trail around the lake in the morning while the beach filled up with day time visitors."
Spacious, private sites: Many Bitterroot camping areas offer well-separated sites. A visitor to Three Frogs Campground noted, "Three Frogs campground was wonderful. Completely wooded and spacious sites made this place really enjoyable!"
Lake swimming: The lakes in Bitterroot National Forest warm up nicely in summer. "Super warm water. Overall I will back," mentions one camper about Lake Como.
Forest sounds: The mixed conifer forests provide habitat for various wildlife. A visitor to Three Frogs described the tent sites as "nestled in the trees amongst the forest sounds of birds and chipmunks. Deer bed down in the area and are often seen in the early morning hours."
Clear water: Streams and lakes in the region are notably transparent. A Lost Horse Dispersed Campground visitor commented, "Camp is easy to get to. Gravel road for about 2 miles but it's pretty smooth. The view is gorgeous. Trees, mountains, and a nice sized river that cuts through."
Campsite maintenance varies: Some campgrounds receive more attention than others. At Rombo Campground, one camper reported, "Extra 5$ over other local campgrounds because there is water available and trash. Not especially nice or terrible. Very small sites, most with no room for a normal size tent, sites packed on top of each other."
Fire pit conditions: Some established campgrounds need maintenance. At Three Frogs, "The fire pits have years of build up ash from use that is well above the vent holes. The depth is 10-14 inches depending on the site."
Road traffic: Some forest roads are busier than expected. A Lost Horse camper observed, "The road in is BUSY. We have camped at a number of dispersed locations over the years and this was BY FAR the busiest forest road we have seen. On Friday night we counted 50 cars passing by before we stopped counting."
Site selection timing: Popular sites fill quickly. "First come, first served. Come before Friday to get a good spot," advises a Three Frogs visitor.
Bear safety protocols: Bear-proof storage is essential throughout the region. "Each tent site has a fire pit, tent pad, table, and is completed with a bear proof storage bin for food," notes a Three Frogs camper.
Hammock opportunities: Many campgrounds have suitable trees for hammocks. "Every site is partially shaded throughout the day," reports a Three Frogs visitor, while another mentioned, "There were fire pits that lead to some really yummy s'mores!"
Creek exploration for children: At Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park, a camper shared, "Running creek nearby with little trails, great for little ones."
Budget considerations: Many campgrounds offer discounts. At Sam Billings Memorial, "Be sure to read the notice above the envelope box before you pay. From weather dependent dates chosen by the Rangers there is no cost from late Oct to late May. Otherwise it is $10 per night, $5 with golden or access passes."
Site sizing matters: Check site dimensions before arrival. A Lake Como visitor advised, "The sites are pretty spacious. The campground sits below the dam with less wind."
Hookup options: Only a few campgrounds offer electrical hookups. "Electricity and water was a plus, great sites, lake was pristine!" shared a Lake Como camper.
Tight turns on forest roads: Some roads have challenging turns. A Three Frogs camper mentioned, "I did see a 30+ foot trailer but i wouldn't do it. The drive out is a bit to tight for my comfort."
Limited big rig access: Most dispersed sites aren't suitable for larger RVs. "We grabbed a nice big spot right next to Lost Horse Creek late Friday afternoon. Another RV came into the area later in the evening and crowded us a little bit but we still had plenty of room to spread out."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Bitterroot National Forest?
Bitterroot National Forest offers several exceptional campgrounds for outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Como Campground is consistently rated as one of the best, featuring pristine waters and well-maintained facilities with a scenic 9-mile loop trail around the lake offering phenomenal mountain views. Gird Point Campground is another top choice, known for its gorgeous mountain setting and clean facilities. Other excellent options include Rombo Campground, which visitors praise for its cleanliness and meeting all camping needs, and Twin Creek Campground, which is popular among huckleberry pickers in season. The forest offers a range of experiences from lakeside camping to mountain views, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
Is RV camping available in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana?
Yes, RV camping is readily available throughout the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Anglers Roost Campground offers fifty spots either on or within walking distance of the Bitterroot River, perfect for RV campers who enjoy fishing. Sula Country Store and Resort provides RV-friendly accommodations with amenities like showers, laundry facilities, and WiFi, plus a convenient store/restaurant/gas station combination. For those seeking National Forest options, Sam Billings Memorial Campground has 12 sites with good tables and fire rings, with sites #1 and #2 specifically able to accommodate any size RV. The Bitterroot Valley offers a mix of private and public RV camping options to suit various preferences and needs.
Are there campgrounds with electricity in the Bitterroot area?
Yes, several campgrounds in the Bitterroot area offer electrical hookups. Powell Campground provides electricity for both tent and RV camping, with pull-in and back-in sites that can accommodate campers up to 45 feet long. Located just over the Montana border along Highway 12 beside the Lochsa River, it features two loops of campsites with electrical connections. Sam Billings Memorial Campground also has well-maintained sites with electrical access. Additionally, Lake Como Campground is noted for having both electricity and water, which campers have cited as a significant plus. These options make the Bitterroot area suitable for campers wanting to maintain electrical connections during their outdoor adventures.
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