Equestrian camping near Boulder, Montana provides access to forest trails along the Continental Divide and Little Blackfoot River. The area sits at elevations between 5,000-6,500 feet, with most horse-friendly campgrounds open from Memorial Day through late October. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during the day, dropping significantly at night due to the mountain elevation.
What to do
Fly fishing expeditions: Access the Little Blackfoot River through trails near Kading Campground, where a five-mile trail leads to Blackfoot Meadows. "A trail head at the end of the road can be reached from a short trail at the end of the campground. The trail follows the Little Blackfoot river," notes Dexter I.
Waterfall viewing: Visit Lost Creek State Park for accessible natural features. "A nice hundred yard path that is paved to the waterfall for anyone with mobility issues. A longer hike up to the bridge is nice and wooded," reports Erik B. from Lost Creek State Park Campground.
Continental Divide hiking: Explore high-elevation trails directly from Cromwell Dixon Campground. "Close to the Continental Divide trail, which we briefly hiked. Beautiful trail," shares Stephanie T. The campground provides direct access to multiple trail segments for day hikes.
What campers like
Canyon settings: The terrain offers dramatic landscapes with significant elevation changes. "Lost Creek State Park has a beautiful canyon setting and a pretty waterfall just a very short hike from your campsite. We could hear the waterfall from there," explains Judy T. about Lost Creek State Park Campground.
Seasonal berry picking: Visitors enjoy foraging opportunities during summer months. "During our visit the raspberries and thimble berries located along the creek were ripe," notes Dexter I. about Lost Creek State Park, adding another dimension to the camping experience.
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation provides relief during summer heat. "I stayed there for a few weeks when the temperature is down in the valley started to get into the upper 90s and near 100. It was a good 10° cooler at this campsite than down in the valleys," shares Will M. about Cromwell Dixon Campground.
What you should know
No hookups available: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds are primitive. "No hookups for RVs; Vault toilets, which were very clean. Pack in/Pack out as there are no trash receptacles," explains Steve V. about Cromwell Dixon Campground.
Water quality varies: Bring drinking water or treatment methods. "Potable water taps and vault bathrooms are very clean," reports Victor E. about Cromwell Dixon, while another camper at a different site noted, "Water was rusty. It worked for over night."
Beetle-killed tree removal: Many campgrounds have undergone forest management. "The campground has been recently cleared of its beetle killed trees making the campground much more open than it used to been," explains a reviewer about Kading Campground, affecting shade availability and wind protection.
Tips for camping with families
Creek-adjacent sites: Select campsites near water for natural entertainment. "The river and waterfall are in the campground which made for lovely white noise when falling asleep. Thimbleberries were ripe during our stay and plentiful," shares Jen about Cottonwood Creek.
Short trail options: Look for campgrounds with accessible hiking. "If you're staying overnight, campgrounds are located right next to the trailheads and offer tables, campfire rings, and well-water," notes Sean H. about Lost Creek State Park's family-friendly setup.
Privacy considerations: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. "The sites are large and private and somewhat level but many will require leveling. The first 7 sites are asking the entrance road and are exposed. Hold out for the loop at the end of the road for nicer sites," advises Lisa K.
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: Many campgrounds restrict larger vehicles. "The sites are short, officially 23ft max, but there were several there would easily accommodate our 28 foot rig," notes Lisa K. about Lost Creek State Park Campground.
Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. "Many of the sites are short, officially 23ft max, but there were several there would easily accommodate our 28 foot rig. The sites are large and private and somewhat level but many will require leveling," shares an RVer about Lost Creek State Park Campground.
Cell service availability: Coverage varies by location. "The other big plus is that there is a cell phone tower right above the campground so you have excellent cell phone service," notes Will M. about Cromwell Dixon, making it suitable for those needing to stay connected while horse camping.
