Best Dispersed Camping near Bonner, MT

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Bonner, Montana

34 Reviews of 17 Bonner Campgrounds

• A

  Ahron B.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 9, 2023

  Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

  dispersed camping

  first dispersed camping spot for Lolo from the entry road for this Forest Service land entry. Just cross the bridge, and be careful of high water (signs stating it's impassable 100 yards past the photo of the bridge when high water.) The grey area is public land the white square at the end of the road is private property by the map legend. 

  maps attached are screenshots from the National Forest Service online map as of Sept. 8th, 2023.

  The dots show where dispersed camping is allowed for this spot.

• H

  Harry H.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 1, 2017

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  Mining ghost town for day or overnight

  Many states out west allow dispersed camping on select public lands owned by the Bureau of Land management. You need to pick up a map of exactly where you’re allowed to camp (there are no facilities, obviously). You can also rent “cabins” which are buildings from before the building became ghosted (but have been updated). Even if you don’t want to camp you can tour the town and have a surreal afternoon imagining what it’d be like to be a miner back in the day.

• 

  Ben H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 7, 2024

  Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

  Dusty dirt road

  This area allows disperse camping Beyond a certain point (there is a small sign). There is a map provided at the road trailhead. However it is confusing since I believe the map is upside down. On my drive up I did not see any established distributed campsites. However there are some turn offs that you could park at. This area would probably not be ideal for RVs. Four wheel drive does not seem to be a requirement. I ended up camping at a turnoff and walked a bit off the road to set up my hammock. The road was not very busy I did hear an occasional car pass by. Good views and decently private. I was able to get Verizon signal at my campsite. However driving up signal was spotty

• 

  Joshua C.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 1, 2024

  Big Pine Campground

  Great camp spot, limited space

  Maybe 6-7 spots for cars/trucks/vans. We fit our 170 sprinter no problem and would work for half the sites. Sign says no trailers where all the camp spots are and I would agree as there is no turn around room or ways to back in.

  Sites looked clean and was very quiet while we were here for a Sunday night.

  T-mobile 5G UC signal from campgrounds. Day use area has wide open sky to recharge if needed. Camp spots are shaded by trees. River access is along camp spots and also near day use area. No trails from campsite so pretty limited in exploration options, just more a beautiful place to stop for a night or 2.

• 

  Liz P.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 10, 2024

  Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

  Not a camping spot.

  This spot is not a camping spot.  Day use only.

• s

  sophia M.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 6, 2024

  Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

  beautiful spot by the creek

  super easy to get to! just exit off I90 onto Petty Creek Road and go straight for a mile or two. not totally isolated, the site is not too far from the road but not the interstate, so there is a bit of noise but not frequently. service is spotty, verizon and at&t had only 1 bar. found some random bones, saw some deer, and lots of bugs. small area with a few places to park, thankfully nobody was there when we were but could be fun for a group!

• 

  Amanda L.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 17, 2016

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  Wonderful Summer Camping and Winter Cabining

  Camping is dispersed and a little eerie. This ghost town is complete with still stocked shops, empty hotels with beds left in and slowly aging buildings. It is an interesting look at the mining industry in Montana. There are numerous interpretive signs and information about the building throughout the town and rangers on site during the summer months to answer questions. During the winter two of the cabins (the larger of which is the old saloon) are available to rent through the forest service. Most of my recent trips have been during the winter months, where the town is only accessible by ski, snow shoe or feet. Then it is silent and strange but heart breakingly beautiful.

• 

  K B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 15, 2021

  Peterson Lake Dispersed

  Nice mountain lakes

  About 5 miles one way to Peterson lake, anither 1 and 2 miles to Duffy and Holloway lakes above Peterson. Nice secluded valley heading into Bitteroot-Selway wilderness. You gain around 1700ft in elevation before dropping down around 800ft into the first lake.

• 

  Andy C.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 25, 2024

  Lower Blackfoot River Dispersed - BLM - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  Closed - but new options available

  The dispersed campground near the start of Johnsrud Rd (Mile Marker 28 on Hwy 200) has been removed. However, 2 new campgrounds have been added, and the entire road is now paved making RV accessibility much easier. 

  The three campgrounds are as follows: 

  Thibodeau Campground- 5 mi in

  Corrick River Bend - 11 mi in

  Ninemile Prarie- 13 mi. in

• 

  Tee C.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 2, 2023

  Big Pine Campground

  Near river, not far from 90

  Conveniently only 4 miles down a well maintained road and positioned next to the river, this campground has vault toilets and bear boxes. It’s very nice!

  Heads up for trailers, the coordinates will take you to the official campground which seemed potentially a little snug, but if you take the right toward “Rivulet” at the T at the bottom of the road, there are more campsites!

  I had no service here.

• 

  K B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 14, 2021

  Boulder Lake Backcountry Site

  Great Backcountry Lake

  Awesome lakento hike into, best accessed during summer after snow has melted. Trail that descends the steep grade down to the lake is not horse friendly, difficult for those who struggle with steep terrain.

  Numerous primitive campsites around west shore of lake, old growth grove at base of cliff is fun to explore. Burned remains of Boulder Lookout sits at the top of the cliff overlooking the lake. Awesome views to take in. There was a pair of loons mesting at the lake when we visited a few years ago.

• 

  Lauren M.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 25, 2024

  Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

  Small but good stop

  Right off the road and easy to get to. I only saw 2 spots and the other was occupied. Both had fire rings but we were in a fire restriction. I got the site closest to the road and it was not so bad, I was camping in my car anyway. The spot seemed pretty level. The trees were gorgeous. Not bad for a free spot.

• 

  Joshua C.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 1, 2024

  Informal Dispersed Campsite at Fish Creek Properties Montana State Park

  Big Spot adjacent to the road, Good if in a pinch

  Sign says camping permitted to 14 days in a 30 day period. Adjacent to dirt road with a few trees in between. Not the most private but a good option if you need a place for the night if the nearby campsite is full. No amenities. T-mobile cell service is good here.

  River access just at the entry of the turn in. Could easily pull a big rig in but may have a hard time turning it around as there is not a pull through. There is a concrete slab that is level and about 12'x25' in size  which could be good for a trailer or van without having to do much for leveling. Many vehicles/tents could fit here in the dirt area but would likely be comfortable for a single group rather than multiple camp groups.

• 

  Carla S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 29, 2016

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  Campfire Story

  Camp beside one of Montana's best preserved ghost towns!! Garnet!! Learn rich history of pioneer days of Montana and visit cabins among the town. Not many amenities available here. Yes I believe in ghosts!!

• K

  Kerrie

  Guide

  

  Jul. 9, 2021

  Lower Blackfoot River Dispersed - BLM - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  Pretty

  The river was running pretty fast when we were there. Couldn’t play in the water but it was still beautiful. Saw an eagle. Quiet.

• C

  Celine K.

  Ranger

  

  Nov. 8, 2021

  Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

  Local fav

  Blue Mountain is a great place to recreate! Very dog friendly and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camping is allowed west of road 365. The area can get busy during the day but is quiet at night.

• 

  Leonidas R.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 9, 2021

  Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

  An escape from the city

  Not the best in terms of views, but worth the drive to get out of the city. You will have the occasional driver coming up and dust you a bit, but if you can get past that, it's a nice area to set up camp. You've got to go in at least 5 miles to camp.

• 

  Danielle B.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 17, 2023

  Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

  No actual camp spots

  The recreation area is nice but there’s not actually anywhere to camp unless you want to camp on the road.

• K

  Kelly

  Guide

  

  Dec. 31, 2022

  Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

  Standard

  It’s a spot to pull up and sleep for the night

• 

  Terri F.

  Scout

  

  May. 22, 2024

  Placid Creek Pull Off

  Primative but usable

  Open. Near creek. No amenities aside from outhouse. Rough dirt entrance. 4-5 semi designated parking spaces. More if you were cozy. Not recommended for low clearance or large vehicles

• 

  Lindsay B.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 10, 2015

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  Camp by a Ghost Town!

  This camp ground is less than a hundred yards from the Garnet Ghost Town! The ghost town was recently in the news because people from across the country applied to volunteer at it once a story about it went viral. No need to apply to volunteer -- just stay at the campground to get your fill of history and maybe a haunting!

• P

  Phillip R.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 2, 2021

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  No camping within 1/2 mile of the town.

  Interesting and informative, though half of the buildings are locked upright. You can really interesting artifacts through the windows. Great potential. A little picnic area.

• S

  Susan S.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 17, 2021

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  This location is not a campsite as it is within the 1/2 mile zone. It is marked with no camping sign

  Great ghost town!

• 

  Curt D.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 25, 2024

  Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

  There is no camping here

  Just a ghost town no camping

• 

  BriAnne M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 31, 2018

  Lake Elsina - Dispersed

  Rugged, mosquito infested, breathtaking

  Absolutely gorgeous undeveloped area! If you can stand the hordes of mosquitos and constant trail of hikers coming through the area hiking to Lake Dinah.

• 

  K B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 15, 2021

  Bass Lake Dispersed Camping

  Easier mountain lake hike

  Around 7 miles one way to the lake, only gain 3000ft over the course of the hike with around 1000ft of elevation gain in last mile. Scenic mountain meadows lots of vegetations, creek nearby for a good portion of the hike.

• 

  Lizzy K.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 29, 2021

  Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

  Cute spot off the creek road!

  Beautiful spot a little ways south down petty creek road, stayed here one night after rock climbing at Alberton. Fire rings and accessible by cat