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Best Tent Camping near Clinton, MT

517 Reviews

Clinton, Montana offers several tent camping options in the surrounding Lolo National Forest area. Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites provide primitive tent camping opportunities along pull-off areas with stone fire pits. Blue Mountain Forest Road 365 offers dispersed tent camping beyond a marked point approximately five miles up the forest road, with some sites providing sunset views and relative seclusion. Harry's Flat Campground near Clinton provides established tent sites, though portions may flood during spring runoff.

Most dispersed tent camping areas near Clinton have no amenities, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies including water. Fire rings are present at some sites, particularly along Garnet Range Road, but fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Tent campers should prepare for dusty, washboard forest roads that may require high clearance vehicles. The Blue Mountain area specifically requires drivers to travel several miles in before reaching designated camping zones. Vault toilets are available at established sites like Corricks River Bend, but most dispersed areas have no toilet facilities. Cell service varies significantly, with Verizon showing approximately two bars in the Garnet Road area but spotty coverage elsewhere.

Tent campers can enjoy relative privacy at dispersed sites, though Blue Mountain receives day-use traffic from hikers and mountain bikers. Higher elevation tent sites offer cooler temperatures and views, while riverside locations provide water access. According to one visitor, "We drove about 45 minutes up the mountain on the 365 road and found a very secluded camping spot with an absolute beautiful view." Campgrounds along rivers like Corricks River Bend offer spacious riverside tent sites, though they fill quickly during peak season. Most tent sites are surrounded by forest, providing natural shade and windbreaks, though some sites may be exposed to road dust. Campers should be prepared for occasional wildlife encounters and changing weather conditions, especially at higher elevations.

Best Tent Sites Near Clinton, Montana (29)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Clinton, MT

517 Reviews of 29 Clinton Campgrounds

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2022

    Philipsburg Bay Campground

    Camp and Fish on Georgetown lake.

    Philipsburg Bay Campground is a beautiful large campground right on the shore of Georgetown lake.  This 69 site campground sits among large pine trees with campsites nicely spread apart.  The large trees give you plenty of shade throughout the day.  This paved campground is split up into three loops, two of which are first come first served, the other can be reserved.  The area also has a day use area and boat launch.  Cost is $15 per night.  Campground has trash service, and water is available during the summer season.  I visited in November so no water for me.  Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring.  Several vault toilets are located in each loop.  Bear lockers are spread out through out the campground for food storage.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Browns Lake

    Want to catch trout, go to Browns Lake FAS Campground

    Browns Lake Fishing Access Site Campground is located on the 459 acre Browns Lake. This fishing access campground has 14 sites all with metal fire rings and picnic tables. The site is serviced by two vault toilets. This is a dry campground so bring water. This is also a trash-in trash-out campground. The campground is fairly exposed and tends to be windy during the summer. We visited in early June and were amazed by all the birds in the area. The real draw for this campground is the fishing. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks stocks this lake with over 50,000 rainbow trout per year….that's right 50,000. The lake is known for large rainbow trout and 10 pounders in the spring are apparently not a fish story. The lake also has Brook Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Longnose suckers. So grab your tent and fishing pole, because with 50,000 trout being added every year a trout dinner has to be on the menu.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Dalles

    Camp and fish at the Dalles Campground

    The Dalles Campground is a nice pleasant campground with 10 sites along Rock Creek.  Situated in a mature lodge pole pine forest all the site have plenty of shade.  All sites have picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Site has a water hand pump and ADA vault toilet.  Site 1 was interesting as you have to walk up an embankment to reach the site, which makes it not visible from the campground road.  A bear proof locker is available for food storage.  Being along Rock Creek gives those who wish to fish access to the blue ribbon stream with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  Cost is $6 per night.  All the sites are nicely spread apart.  The road to Dalles campground is not recommended for RVs of trailers as it get pretty bumpy after the pavement ends,  this only get worse the further you travel down the road, but is doable if you drive very slow.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Racetrack Campground

    Hidden gem in the mountains

    Racetrack campground is a hidden gem of a campground tucked just in side the Forest Service boundary.  This 13 site campground has large roomy sites well spread out from each other.  Plenty of level ground to place a tent(s) at every site.  Two vault toilets serve this campground.  Each site has a metal fire ring (first sit is a rock ring) and picnic table.  Water is provided from a hand pump.  No trash service so be prepared.  A few of $15 is planned to go in to effect in 2022.  Campground sits in very large mature evergreens along a small creek.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Harrys Flat

    Nice campground on Rock Creek

    Harry's Flat campground is a great campground along Rock Creek, set in a huge old growth ponderosa pine forest.  The sites are large, especially the ones bordering right up to Rock Creek. The campground has 15 campsites each with Picnic tables and metal fire rings.  The campground has vault toilets and a few bear lockers for food storage, water is available.  Not all the campsites were available during my visit as about 1/2 the campground was closed due to damage during the heavy spring and early summer rains.  This is a great spot for people interested in doing some fishing, as Rock Creek is a blue ribbon stream, with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  Cost is $6 per night, first come first served.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Copper Creek Campground

    Peaceful with a friendly host

    This has to be one of the most peaceful campgrounds I’ve even been to. It’s 10 miles off the main road so there is no street noise to speak of. But watch out for the cows as you drive in, they aren’t too fond of sharing the road. Only 8 sites with a host at one of them, you don’t have many neighbors. I was not able to camp here as it was totally full and according to the host, was going to stay that way for the week. He said it stays quiet except when a family with kids show up. He also said the fishing was pretty good in Copper Creek. The vault toilet was clean (his least favorite job), he will split a log or two if you ask real nice like, and there are two bear boxes for the 8 sites to share (he said most don’t bother to use them). The water pump delivers good clean spring water from the well. Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring. If you want solitude and quiet, this is the place to camp!

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2019

    Big Nelson Complex

    Big Nelson not big no no no it is small very small.

    Big Nelson Campground is anything but big. This is a tiny cramped campground. I found 6 campsites, but the Forest Service website list this campground as having four. With the exception of site three, all the other sites require you to park in a parking area. Site 3 was the first site I noticed on arriving at the campground and was located to the left of the parking area. Sites 4, 5 and 6 require parking in the parking area and walking down a set of stairs to access. Sites 4, 5, and 6 can only be accessed from the stairs, driving down the road to the boat launch will only get you to the boat launch. Site 4 is on the left at the bottom of the stairs. Site 4 is tiny, it is a picnic table next to a metal fire ring, if you want to pitch a tent at site four you would need to do it next to the fire ring and skip making a fire or pitch it in a small flat area above the picnic table near the parking area on the opposite side of the fence. Site four really doesn't have much room for a tent. Sites 5 and 6 are fairly roomy, especially when compared to site 4. Site 5 is on the right side of the stairs, plenty of room for a tent, nice view of the lake and has a metal fire ring and picnic table. Site 6 can be reached by walking through site 5 or from the boat launch road. You could unload your gear at site 6 right from your car, but would can not park next to site 6, you will need to drive back up to the camping area. Site 6 has plenty of room for a tent and also has a picnic table and metal fire ring. The campground has one small vault toilet and is at the beginning of the road to the boat ramp. The boat ramp isn't really a ramp, but the shore of the lake with a gradual entrance in to the water. Campsite 2 I found as I was leaving the area, it is just past the vault toilet as you leave. Campsite 2 requires a walk down a few stairs. It is a tight campsite with just enough room for a small tent next to the picnic table. A metal fire ring is on the opposite side of the picnic table. What I guess would be campsite 1 is further down the road and down below the road, I would not suggest using this site as it is a bit of a walk from the parking area, the road is two narrow to park here. Site 1 does not have a picnic table but does have a fire ring, odds are you won't even notice the site coming in or out. During my stay the campground did not have a fee, but the information sign indicates a fee may be coming next year. This is a dry campground, your only source of water is the lake so come prepared, this is also a trash-in trash-out site.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Upsata Lake

    Flat grassy camping on a small lake

    Upsata Fishing Access campground is located four miles north of Montana Highway 200.  This is a pleasant small five site campground.   All five sites are next to each other on a flat grassy area which appears to be regularly maintained.  Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.  One vault toilet serves the site.  No water or trash service.  The fishing access has a small parking area for vehicles and boat trailers, boat ramp is gravel.  Only one other site was occupied on our visit, but that was on a Sunday evening.

  • J
    Apr. 15, 2021

    Thibodeau

    Thibodeau Rapids

    Great place to stay. First come first stay 8 day max stay. Vault toilets, picnic table, sites are spread out. $18 dollars per day

Guide to Clinton

Tent campsites near Clinton, Montana offer access to pristine forest settings within the Lolo National Forest. The surrounding areas range in elevation from 3,200 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse camping environments from riverside locations to mountain settings. Winter snowpack typically melts by late May at lower elevations, though higher sites may retain snow into June.

What to do

Fishing access: Upsata Lake campground provides direct access to a medium-sized lake about 4 miles down a dirt road. "Bass, Pike and Perch to pluck for days," notes camper AmiLinn Jean H. at Upsata Lake.

Mountain biking: The trail system around Clinton offers options for all skill levels. According to Celine K., "Blue Mountain is a great place to recreate! Very dog friendly and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking."

River recreation: Multiple campgrounds provide river access for swimming and floating. Julie L. from Corricks River Bend mentions, "The campgrounds are pretty spread out and most along the river. Our site (9) was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare."

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Many dispersed camping locations offer significant solitude. One camper at Placid Creek Pull Off reports, "Open. Near creek. No amenities aside from outhouse. Rough dirt entrance. 4-5 semi designated parking spaces. More if you were cozy."

Riverside sites: Waterfront tent camping remains popular in the Clinton area. Jen F. describes Corricks River Bend as having "Spacious sites, first come first serve. Lovely spots right along the river."

Lake access: Upsata Lake provides flat grassy camping beside a small lake. "This is a pleasant small five site campground. All five sites are next to each other on a flat grassy area which appears to be regularly maintained. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring," according to Dexter I.

What you should know

Road conditions: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. David B. warns about Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365, "Road is absolutely clapped out going up for like ten miles. Wouldn't recommend a rv or trailer unless you don't mind washboards. I got a flat tire going up so be careful of sharp rocks."

Seasonal flooding: Several camping areas experience high water in spring. Kelly notes about Harry's Flat Campground, "It gets really flooded out in the spring time. Sometimes half the site is closed for a while into the season until it dries up."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping requires complete self-sufficiency. Robert C. describes Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites: "There are multiple spots to pull off from Garnet Range Rd, and there are spots with a stone firepit along them. Verizon has around 2 bars, there's no toilets or running water."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose established campgrounds for easier access with children. "Upsata Fishing Access campground is located four miles north of Montana Highway 200. This is a pleasant small five site campground," reports Dexter I.

Wildlife awareness: Teach children about proper food storage and wildlife safety. The Clinton area has both black bears and occasional mountain lions.

Recreation options: Camp Paxson offers family-friendly amenities. Megan B. shares, "Some of my favorite summer memories are at this campground. Primitive cabins with electricity and bunk beds but nothing else. Dock to jump off of. Trails all over Seeley Lake."

Tips from RVers

Site availability: Arrive early to secure riverfront spots. "The campgrounds are pretty spread out and most along the river. Our site (9) was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare," notes Julie L.

Road accessibility: Many dispersed sites require cautious driving. Lady Phyre shares about Placid Creek Pull Off, "It's a clearing with a clean outhouse. It works for a night or two. It's not completely level but the road in is easy."

Alternative options: Small RVs can access most established campgrounds. Celine K. mentions about Corricks River Bend, "The road to get to this campsite is rough! Kind of neat to drive past the Paws Up resort and the campground is much more affordable!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clinton, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clinton, MT is Corricks River Bend with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Clinton, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Clinton, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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