Best Dispersed Camping near Clinton, MT
The landscape surrounding Clinton, Montana features predominantly dispersed camping options across Bureau of Land Management and Lolo National Forest lands. Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping, located just minutes from Interstate 90, provides several primitive sites with established fire rings and level parking areas for overnight stays. The historic Garnet Ghost Town area offers unique dispersed camping opportunities from May through December, with the added cultural experience of Montana's best-preserved mining town. Additional backcountry options extend into the surrounding mountains at locations like Lake Elsina, Boulder Lake, and Bass Lake, requiring various hiking distances and elevation gains to access these remote alpine settings.
Road conditions and vehicle requirements vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Rock Creek, "Not for low clearance vehicles... we struggled with the two narrow bridges with tight turns in our travel trailer and then there's a large flood way dip in the road that you can bottom out on." Most dispersed sites lack amenities, though some areas like Garnet Ghost Town provide basic facilities such as vault toilets and drinking water. Seasonal considerations are important, as spring runoff can make creek crossings impassable, while summer brings hot temperatures to exposed sites and potential fire restrictions. Winter access to higher elevations is limited to snowshoe or ski travel.
Campers consistently highlight the privacy and natural beauty available at sites throughout the area. The Petty Creek sites receive particularly positive reviews for convenience and accessibility, with one visitor noting, "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." Cell service varies widely, with spotty coverage in most locations. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, though visitors should be prepared for mosquitoes during summer months and practice proper food storage in bear country. Fishing access points along creeks and rivers are frequently mentioned as highlights, particularly at Rock Creek and along the Blackfoot River.
