Sam Billings Memorial Campground offers 12 well-maintained sites with pet-friendly policies throughout the year. Dogs are permitted at all campsites in this National Forest Service campground near Darby, Montana. Each site includes fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets kept clean by attentive hosts. Lake Como Campground similarly welcomes pets while providing more amenities including electric hookups, water hookups, and thirty-amp service for RVs. Three Frogs Campground provides pet owners with wooded campsites near lake access. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with campground hosts regularly servicing the vault toilets. Sites are generally well-spaced, providing adequate room for campers with dogs.
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Bitterroot National Forest offer diverse hiking opportunities with several trailheads accessible directly from camping areas. Bear Creek Pass Campground provides direct access to two trailheads with facilities for horses and a vault toilet. Painted Rocks State Park Campground permits pets while offering lakeside camping with opportunities to view wildlife including elk and bighorn sheep each morning. When camping with dogs in this area, visitors should maintain bear awareness and proper food storage. Temperatures can vary significantly, so adequate water supplies for pets are essential. Lost Horse Dispersed Campground offers free primitive camping with pet access and basic toilet facilities. The clear water at Deep Creek attracts wildlife including otters, providing interesting viewing opportunities for campers with pets.
"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"
from $13 - $25 / night
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $8 - $15 / night
"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"
"Lake level was super low when we went, and smog from forest fires, but overall a superb campground. Easy access to old firetower trails for dirt biking/quads, great fishing and tons of wildlife."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 / night
"Perfect campground located next to painted rocks reservoir. Can be hot, there isnt alot of shade trees."
"Very clean and well kept campground near the Bitter root river and among lost of walking and hiking trails."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
RangerThis campground is in a beautiful location right along the Lochsa River. When we arrived, the iron ranger was damaged and covered up with a tarp. Made us question the safety of the campground. Never did see a host or a ranger. We were in loop B site 5, a generously long pull thru. We had surprisingly few neighbors for such a nice stretch of weather. Zero AT&T service.
GuideI very rarely give 5 stars. This place earned it. Paved camp spot, very clean rest rooms, very quiet, fire ring, table, and drinking water nearby. To top that off with the old geezer pass, you get all this with electric (50, 30 amp.) for $10 a night. A GREAT deal !! $ 20 without the pass is still a very good deal. It would be nice if it had a dump station, but there is one down the road a bit.
GuideBit of a long drive up the mountain to get absolutely zero view. One large site and a small site tucked further in. Large opening has creek sound in background, not level in any spots but nice and open and no one up here.
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.
Camping in Bitterroot National Forest features elevations ranging from 3,200 to over 10,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during daytime, with occasional thunderstorms common in July and August. Most campgrounds remain snow-covered until mid-May, with peak season running June through September.
Fishing opportunities: At Three Frogs Campground, campers can access Lake Como for fishing. "The beach is a short walk away. Every site is partially shaded throughout the day," notes Sadie P. The clear waters support various fish species.
Hiking trails: The area offers trails for all skill levels. "The loop trail around the lake is around 9 miles, and worth every step," reports Lindsay B. about Lake Como. Morning wildlife viewing can yield elk and bighorn sheep sightings, particularly in cooler months.
Wildlife viewing: Deep Creek provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities. "We fished off the dock and was visited by a large otter!" shares Marian J. The crystal-clear water attracts various wildlife, making it ideal for nature photography despite the long gravel road access.
Spacious sites: Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park offers well-designed spaces. "Really nice flat grass for tents. $12 gets you campsite showers and toilets, WiFi and coin laundry," notes Abbas K., adding it provides "really great access to the bitterroot valley if you're into hikin and river activities."
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained amenities. "Two hosts on site that clean and stock the 4 toilets daily," reports Sadie P. about Three Frogs Campground. The campground has an upper and lower level with partially shaded sites throughout the day.
Pet-friendly environment: The Bitterroot National Forest's dog-friendly campgrounds receive positive reviews. "This was one of the best places to stay in Montana, electricity and water was a plus, great sites, lake was pristine!" shares Michele G. about Lake Como Campground, which welcomes pets while offering hookups for extended stays.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires planning. "The last 2.3 miles of the drive was on a fairly rough, but very manageable, forest road," notes an Opus 15 reviewer about Lost Horse Dispersed Campground, adding "This place will do in a pinch but if you are looking for a quiet dispersed camping area kept driving."
Bear safety: Bear-aware camping is essential in this region. "Each tent site has a fire pit, tent pad, table, and is completed with a bear proof storage bin for food," writes Sadie P. about Three Frogs Campground. Proper food storage is required at all campsites.
Water availability: Alta Campground offers drinking water, which isn't available at all sites. "Perfect campground located next to painted rocks reservoir. Can be hot, there isn't alot of shade trees," warns Kat S. Plan accordingly for hot weather camping by bringing extra water containers.
Accessible recreation: Lake Como provides family-friendly activities. "We loved running the 8 mile trail around the lake in the morning while the beach filled up with day time visitors," shares Megan C. The trail system accommodates various activity levels.
Wildlife education: Morning wildlife viewing creates learning opportunities. "Every morning we saw elk and big horn sheep," notes Josh D. about Painted Rocks State Park Campground, making it ideal for children interested in nature.
Pet considerations: Most Bitterroot National Forest dog-friendly campgrounds have specific regulations. "Sites are generally well-spaced," allowing adequate room for families with pets. Some campgrounds provide designated pet areas or require leashes on certain trails.
Site selection: Choose sites based on RV size carefully. "Sites #1 & #2 get the most sun, are the largest, and can accommodate any size RV. The remaining sites vary in size," advises Sadie P. about Sam Billings Memorial Campground.
Hookup availability: Lake Como Campground offers electric and water hookups. "The campground has water and electricity. It's a great deal, especially for seniors with the America the Beautiful pass. We paid $12.50 a night," shares Marc M. Other campgrounds may offer limited or no hookups.
Seasonal considerations: Plan your RV trip according to season. "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," notes a reviewer about Sam Billings Memorial Campground. Many forest service roads become impassable during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bitterroot National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bitterroot National Forest is Lake Como Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bitterroot National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Bitterroot National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
