Dispersed camping near Charlo, Montana offers primitive sites surrounded by the Mission Mountains at elevations from 3,200 to 8,000 feet. The area receives moderate rainfall year-round, with late summer bringing drier conditions suitable for backcountry camping. Forest roads throughout the Lolo National Forest provide access to numerous undeveloped campsites with varying degrees of isolation and amenities.
What to do
Fishing access points: Head to Blair Flats where the Swan River provides fishing opportunities. "Fishing is great, right out your door is the river! The water is cold and fast in May," notes one camper. The site includes three designated spots with river access.
Hiking to alpine lakes: For serious hikers, Lucifer Lake offers a challenging backcountry experience. "Accessed by mission falls trailhead, trail is steep and unmaintained after you reach the waterfall. Steep, rugged country with little evidence of people. Amazing fishing, great views. Short hikes to other high mountain lakes," reports one visitor who rated it 5 stars.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple sites offer opportunities to observe native Montana wildlife. At Muchwater Recreation Area, one camper mentioned "a young lonely moose crossing the river and sleeping in the camp at night during my stay." River corridors are particularly good for wildlife spotting during morning and evening hours.
What campers like
River access: Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping provides sites near water. A camper noted it has "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."
Privacy between sites: At Lolo National Forest Recreation Area, campers appreciate the space between sites. "Dispersed camping at the 'Peninsula' Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout... Plenty of space, both large and small sites. Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites," according to one reviewer.
Vault toilets: Some free sites include basic facilities. One camper at Muchwater Recreation Area mentioned, "Very easy access, two pit toilets in the camping area. Plenty of spots to pick from and not very busy during our stay."
What you should know
Weather and bug considerations: Summer brings mosquitoes to many sites. Lake Elsina is described by one camper as "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."
Fire restrictions: During summer drought conditions, fire bans are common. Check with Lolo National Forest offices for current restrictions before camping. Some sites have established stone fire rings, but many areas require portable fire containers or prohibit fires entirely during high-risk periods.
Wildlife precautions: Muchwater Campground visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper observed "There was a young lonely moose crossing the river and sleeping in the camp at night during my stay." Bear boxes are available at some sites like Blair Flats, where one reviewer noted "There is a Vault toilet and bear box for food storage."
Tips for camping with families
Road access considerations: For families with young children, choosing sites with reasonable road access is important. At Blair Flats, "The road is rough, but has room at the end for a boat ramp, campsites, toilet and an overflow camping field that can accommodate several low fuss campers," according to one reviewer.
Safest swimming areas: River sites can have dangerous currents. One visitor to Blair Flats warned that "The water is cold and fast in May." Choose sites with gentle access to water for safer family swimming.
Sites with facilities: Rainbow Lake Montana offers more amenities than most dispersed sites. "Once we reach the bottom we drove through some nicely spaced campsites with picnic tables and fire grates. There's also a concrete vaulted pit toilet," mentions one visitor who rated it 4 stars.
Tips from RVers
Site access and sizing: For larger rigs, check reviews for access information. At Petty Creek Road, one RVer warned "We have a 27 foot RV towed with a truck that has a 8ft bed. Initially we missed the turn and had nowhere to turn around since this is on the side of a mountain."
Leveling considerations: Finding level sites can be challenging. At Muchwater Recreation Area, a camper noted "ATT & Verizon service work well. Sites very unlevel," which is important information for RV campers requiring stabilization.
Rig length limitations: Blair Flats accommodates medium-sized RVs according to one camper who reported, "Fit our Class C 30' motorhome in site 1 perfectly." Lolo National Forest Recreation Area has "Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites," making these better options for RVers than the steeper, more primitive sites.
