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Best Dispersed Camping near Charlo, MT

74 Reviews

Dispersed camping locations surround Charlo, Montana, with several primitive sites scattered through nearby forests and along waterways. The Lolo National Forest provides free dispersed camping opportunities at sites like Blair Flats along the Swan River and Lucifer Lake in more remote wilderness terrain. Lake Elsina and Lake Marshall offer additional dispersed camping in forested settings. These areas typically lack developed facilities and operate on a first-come, first-served basis with stays permitted for up to 14 days. Most sites are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and require proper waste disposal and adherence to fire regulations.

Access to these camping areas varies considerably, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles while others demand hiking or backpacking to reach. Blair Flats features a gravel logging road leading to three designated river-access sites with fire rings, a vault toilet, and bear boxes for food storage. More remote options like Lucifer Lake require steep hiking on unmaintained trails and a nonresident reservation conservation permit. Many areas have no drinking water available, and campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, particularly in drought conditions.

The dispersed camping experience near Charlo offers varied terrain and solitude with proximity to alpine lakes, rivers, and mountain views. One camper noted that Blair Flats provides "secluded, peaceful and free" camping with "woodsy spots in tons of beautiful pines and conifers." Sites at Lake Marshall were described as "one of our families all time favorites if you can get there early enough to get a spot." Wildlife encounters are possible, with reviews mentioning potential grizzly bear activity during certain seasons. Weather conditions can change rapidly in mountainous areas, and mosquitoes are reported as abundant at several sites, particularly Lake Elsina which one visitor called "mosquito infested" despite its "breathtaking" scenery.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Charlo, Montana (22)

    1. Lucifer Lake Wilderness Backcountry

    1 Review
    St. Ignatius, MT
    14 miles
    Website

    "Nonresident reservation conservation permit required, available at fwp.mt.gov Accessed by mission falls trailhead, trail is steep and unmaintained after you reach the waterfall."

    2. Blair Flats

    14 Reviews
    Flathead National Forest, MT
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 758-5208

    "Also was a place for a tent by the river and two other dispersed sites, again suited for overnight, as there are no facilities."

    "Lovely little campsite next to the water. A little buggy but not too bad. Campsites we’re clean, had a fire pit and nice flat tent area, pit toilet on site too which was a nice surprise."

    3. Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Alberton, MT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 626-5201

    "The GPS coordinates listed on the map are spot on, and the turn-off comes up quickly. There look to be 4 spots. I used the one right by the road turn off."

    "3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there."

    4. Muchwater Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Paradise, MT
    33 miles

    "A nice free spot right off the highway. Has a pit toilet, almost no bugs, nice pine tree shade, good dirt roads. Some trees are very sappy so be wary if setting up a hammock"

    "Stunning views, several sites to choose from, some have access to the river. The road conditions are wonderful—towed a 20 ft trailer. Some spots are more open to use Starlink."

    5. Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Paradise, MT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3750

    "Dispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout. We stayed mid week during August."

    "Main dirt road is well maintained but narrow and curves up the mountain. Lots of spots if you keep on going, but some offshoots are steep and rocky."

    6. Muchwater Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Paradise, MT
    33 miles
    Website

    "Lovely dispersed camping area. Very pretty. We stayed for a night and were in good company."

    "A couple of times they rolled thru at 2am but all the positives outweigh getting woken up a few times.  Very easy access, two pit toilets in the camping area."

    7. Lake Elsina - Dispersed

    1 Review
    Seeley Lake, MT
    26 miles
    Website

    "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."

    8. Lake Marshall

    1 Review
    Seeley Lake, MT
    27 miles
    Website

    "Only 1 site on the lake shore, 2-3 other sites scattered along the road in not as ideal but not that far. Great hiking just a little drive away along an old forest service road."

    9. rainbow lake State Park campground

    1 Review
    Hot Springs, MT
    28 miles

    "The path to get to these spots is kinda tight. Our car was hitting branches. There are some along the road, but if you drive further down there are more spots and a bathroom."

    10. rainbow lake Montana State campground

    1 Review
    Hot Springs, MT
    28 miles

    "The access road was very small and difficult to find near a corner of the highway. Once we found it it was small and had limited with due to Big trees. It's fairly steep down to the river."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Charlo, MT

48 Photos of 22 Charlo Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Charlo, MT

74 Reviews of 22 Charlo Campgrounds

  • Truly W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    No bugs, good shade, right off highway

    A nice free spot right off the highway. Has a pit toilet, almost no bugs, nice pine tree shade, good dirt roads. Some trees are very sappy so be wary if setting up a hammock

  • Joshua C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Josh S.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Quiet open site on the river

    Dispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout.

    We stayed mid week during August. Stayed in a medium sized site on the river. Small steep slope to the water.

    Pros:
    Plenty of space, both large and small sites. Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites. 3 bars Tmobile. Some sites on the water with a short steep slope down. 12 miles to gas station. Beautiful views.

    Cons: No pit toilets (edit: another camper said they are at the end of the campground) No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)

    Overall we loved this spot. Being ok the water in a mostly private setting with such amazing views is our goal. Little bit of road noise but hardly noticeable over the wind in the trees.

    Sites were clean but well used, so thank you to all the campers that took care of this place!

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Muchwater Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area

    It’s okay, don’t believe the hype

    Easy to get to. Can park a decent size rv in some spots and group camp in s couple. There are only a few spots thought.

    You have to “walk down” a steep drop to access the river. When it’s high don’t try or say goodbye. Train runs often across the river and will disrupt your night unless you live in Montana then you’re already used to it. The toilets are stocked but not cleaned regularly. There was a you g lonely moose crossing the river and sleeping in the camp at night during my stay. If you’re not from Montana expect those that are to be unfriendly, that’s a thing here. Fire pits are a joke and burn band are common

    Details: Free up to 14 days No water or trash Easy 15 min drive to St Regis, supplies and tourists traps aplenty Expect people to just ignore you as they walk right through your site to access the river Sheep can be seen across the river sometimes Pics are better than reality Uncomfortable atmosphere

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    This is an okay place, don’t believe the hype

    Easy to get to. Can park a decent size rv in some spots and group camp in s couple. There are only a few spots thought.

    You have to “walk down” a steep drop to access the river. When it’s high don’t try or say goodbye. Train runs often across the river and will disrupt your night unless you live in Montana then you’re already used to it. The toilets are stocked but not cleaned regularly. There was a you g lonely moose crossing the river and sleeping in the camp at night during my stay. If you’re not from Montana expect those that are to be unfriendly, that’s a thing here. Fire pits are a joke and burn band are common

    Details: Free up to 14 days No water or trash Easy 15 min drive to St Regis, supplies and tourists traps aplenty Expect people to just ignore you as they walk right through your site to access the river Sheep can be seen across the river sometimes Pics are better than reality Uncomfortable atmosphere

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Very nice

    Main dirt road is well maintained but narrow and curves up the mountain. Lots of spots if you keep on going, but some offshoots are steep and rocky. We took the second right offshoot and got an awesome view with plenty space to spread out. We car camp in a Wagoneer

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Easy, peaceful and beautiful

    So gorgeous! Tent camped along the river! Very spaced out campsites, nice for lots of privacy and quiet! Signs to be aware of bear country but took precautions. Rock fire pits at each site. Super easy for quick stop road tripping (0.5 miles off main road)! Stayed in early September on a road trip to Glacier, was able to find our site decently well in the dark! Verizon cell service 3-4 bars! Loved it!

    The west is the only safe way to enter onto the road to the campsites. On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from the west).

  • SpentBrassOffroad B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Simple In & Out

    Great little spot to hold over for the night. The GPS coordinates listed on the map are spot on, and the turn-off comes up quickly. There look to be 4 spots. I used the one right by the road turn off. There was another person who had a travel trailer in another. It's close to the highway and just over the river in Lolo forest lands. Only stayed one night, but the guy in the camper says he's been there for weeks, and nobody has bothered him.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Amazing quiet and private spot!

    What a great spot! 3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there. Someone else pulled in around 9 but the sites were separated by enough trees we could barely tell they were there. Felt very private, and the stars were fantastic! Creek bed runs right next to the back site, but it was completely dried up in late July.

Guide to Charlo

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Charlo, Montana, where nature's tranquility awaits. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these spots offer a perfect escape for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Amazing Alpine Lakes for Dispersed Campers

  • The Lucifer Lake Wilderness Backcountry is accessible via a steep, rugged trail, rewarding hikers with breathtaking views and excellent fishing opportunities.
  • For those seeking a more accessible option, Lake Marshall features a beautiful crescent lake with limited sites, making it a favorite for families who arrive early to secure a spot.
  • If you're up for a challenge, the hike to Boulder Lake Backcountry Site offers primitive campsites and stunning vistas, perfect for exploring the old growth groves nearby.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Charlo, Montana

  • Be prepared for a rugged experience at Lake Elsina - Dispersed, where the beauty of the undeveloped area comes with a few pesky mosquitoes.
  • At Muchwater Recreation Area, enjoy spacious sites along the river, but be aware of the train noise that can disrupt the peaceful atmosphere.
  • For a quieter experience, consider Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping, which offers a serene environment with minimal traffic and well-spaced sites.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Scenic River Access

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Charlo, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Charlo, MT is Lucifer Lake Wilderness Backcountry with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Charlo, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Charlo, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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