Boulder, Montana sits at 5,381 feet elevation with surrounding camping areas ranging from riverside locations at lower elevations to mountain sites above 6,000 feet. The region experiences significant temperature variations between seasons, with summer highs typically reaching the 80s and winter lows often dropping below freezing. Camping opportunities extend beyond the immediate Boulder area into the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, with accessibility varying seasonally depending on road conditions and snow levels.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Boulder River provides excellent fishing access at Galena Gulch, where campers can enjoy riverside spots. "Nice spot along a stream. Seems to be a weekend spot for locals from Helena," notes Dave S., who camped there in May 2025.
Cave exploration: Visit Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park for guided tours through limestone formations. "The cavern tour is also great, fun, beautiful, informative," shares Glenn I. The park has a visitor center with interpretive displays explaining the geology and history of the caves.
ATV trails: Homestake Pass Dispersed Camping area offers direct access to OHV trails. A visitor notes, "This is definitely the place that all the locals bring out their quads and dirt bikes on weekends." The trail system connects to several forest roads with varying difficulty levels.
Mountain biking: Several trails around Lowland Campground connect to the Continental Divide Trail. "We didn't know about that until we were leaving, so we will come back to explore," writes Lisa K., who discovered the nearby trail access during her stay.
Hot springs soaking: Boulder Hot Springs offers thermal pools for day visitors. "Wonderful hot springs, cold plunge, and sauna for $10. Must bring a towel and amenities," shares Kris D. who visited in 2025, highlighting the affordable relaxation option after a day of outdoor activities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Park Lake Campground, the 22 paved sites are arranged to provide decent separation. "The entire campground is paved! Perfect for the kiddos on their bicycles," mentions Heather, who appreciated the family-friendly layout and paved surfaces.
Riverside camping: Galena Gulch offers camping along the Boulder River with several sites directly adjacent to the water. "We went on a Sunday..there were about 3 other campers. All pulled out that evening so we had the Campground to ourselves! Very peaceful and the restrooms were clean and well stocked. Nice river nearby to cool off in and get water from," shares Debbie P.
Mountain views: Delmoe Lake provides scenic views with lakeside camping options. "Lots of rock formations in the area to climb and explore. There's a few trail heads to get to the peaks and get an amazing view of the lake and surrounding valley," reports Nick T., highlighting the diverse terrain around the camping area.
Solitude options: For campers seeking quiet spots away from crowds, exploring forest roads beyond main campgrounds yields rewards. A camper at Homestake Pass notes, "As a single female tent camping I felt very safe here. One morning a bunch of cows came through my site, which was amazing."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept vault toilets. At Lowland Campground, "The camp has three clean toilets stocked with toilet paper, and a pump water fountain with clean and cold water to enjoy," according to Lisa K., who spent four days there.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Many higher elevation campgrounds have restricted operating seasons. Park Lake Campground typically opens from Memorial Day through Labor Day, while lower elevation sites like Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park operate year-round with varying services.
Cell service variability: Don't count on reliable connectivity. "I initially found this on free campsites. Com... There is no water and no electricity and no cell phone service. I have Verizon," reports a camper who stayed at Galena Gulch.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds are affected by interstate traffic noise. "I didn't stay but upon arriving, I only had 1 bar of 4G via ATT so had to relocate so I could work. The sites were clean, along the river and had a table & fire ring... The major drawback is how close it is to the interstate but it's free!" reports Abby M. about Galena Gulch.
Water considerations: "Bring water and food as you would have to drive 20 minutes back to Boulder to get services," advises a camper about Basin Canyon Campground. Most dispersed sites lack water sources, and even at some established campgrounds, water may not be available or requires treatment.
Road conditions: Access to the best places to camp near Boulder, Montana often requires navigating forest roads. A camper at Scott Reservoir Dispersed notes, "Not the best roads but I got up there fine with my 2015 Outback just fine," providing helpful context about vehicle requirements.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "We camped here with a group of families and the playground was nice for the kids. There aren't many trees and the land is flat but we were able to really keep a decent eye of the kids running around because of it," shares Heather.
Junior Ranger programs: Some parks offer educational activities for children. "Did you know you can print out a packet for your little ones to become Cub Rangers at this State Park?" notes Sierra V. about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
Lake swimming: Delmoe Lake provides shallow areas appropriate for supervised water play. A visitor mentions, "The lake is beautiful, but not huge. Not the type of lake that you would spend on a motorboat all day," suggesting it's better suited for casual swimming than power boating.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to observe local fauna. "Deer visited camp at night!" reports Mark F. at Lewis & Clark Caverns, while others mention seeing chipmunks, rabbits, and various birds at several campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at some campgrounds. A camper at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park reports, "Had to use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level."
Limited big rig access: Many of the best camping spots near Boulder, Montana can't accommodate large RVs. At Scott Reservoir Dispersed, a camper notes, "There's a nice hand full of spots you could pull up in a car, maybe two spots your could fit a small trailer in."
Alternative dispersed options: For smaller RVs seeking free camping, Homestake Pass offers accessible spots. "The spot was close to the highway - lots of potential spots... we had no problem and got a good night sleep to carry on our journey," reports Andrew H., indicating its suitability for overnight stays.
Dump station availability: Plan your tank management accordingly. At Lewis & Clark Caverns, "Warm showers $3. (Cave tours not included in camp fee, dump is $5 also)," notes Mark F., providing specific costs for services.
