Primitive camping near Conner, Montana provides access to the Bitterroot National Forest's rugged terrain, with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 feet across the region. Road conditions deteriorate significantly during spring snowmelt and after heavy rainfall, with forest service routes typically opening by late May. Visitors can expect sharp temperature drops at night, even during summer months when daytime temperatures often exceed 85°F.
What to do
Fishing access points: Rock Creek Dry Campsites offers direct access to trout fishing opportunities along a mountain stream. "Gorgeous area deep back on rock creek. Probably 10 plus miles. Pass campgrounds with toilets. Individual campsites with fire rings and access to great fishing," notes camper Tim H.
Mountain hiking: The Continental Divide Trail passes near Upper Seymour Lake Dispersed Camping, providing access to numerous day hiking routes of varying difficulty. "Tons of great hiking in this area as it is close to the Continental Divide Trail. A lot of it definitely involves going up the sides of mountains, but if you're day-hiking and not carrying a heavy backpacking pack, they're not that hard," reports Quinn Z.
Wildlife observation: Morning and evening hours provide optimal wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the forest. Bring binoculars and maintain at least 100 yards distance from any bears encountered. The area contains both black and grizzly bears, with higher density at higher elevations.
What campers like
Quiet creek-side sites: The dispersed areas along forest roads provide natural sound barriers with rushing water. "Camp is easy to get to. Gravel road for about 2 miles but it's pretty smooth. The view is gorgeous. Trees, mountains, and a nice sized river that cuts through. Good size sites and fire pits as well," writes Haley S. about Lost Horse Dispersed Campground.
Alpine lake scenery: The backcountry lakes surrounded by mountains provide dramatic landscapes for those willing to hike in. "The area is BEAUTIFUL. The lake is stunning, and sits nestled right up against some pretty dramatic mountains. Lots of trees and dispersed camping sites throughout," explains a camper about Upper Seymour Lake.
Seclusion from crowds: Sites further from main access roads provide greater privacy, particularly during weekdays. Campers report midweek visits in June and September offer the best combination of favorable weather and minimal competition for sites.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Bear activity is present throughout the area, particularly at higher elevations. "BRING BEAR SPRAY. HANG YOUR FOOD. This is grizzly country and we saw a LOT of signs of them. Fresh droppings. Fresh prints in the snow after the blizzard," warns a camper about Flower Lake Dispersed Camping. Store all scented items securely.
Road conditions: Forest service roads deteriorate significantly after 3-4 miles. "The last 2.3 miles of the drive was on a fairly rough, but very manageable, forest road. (Mostly washboard and a few holes)," reports Opus 15 about Lost Horse area. High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for accessing most sites.
Visitor impacts: Some areas suffer from improper waste disposal. "A ton of dispersed sites right near the creek, but poorly taken care of by campers. We encountered more trash here than we've ever seen camping before," reports Kelsey W. Pack out all trash and use proper waste disposal methods.
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility considerations: Choose sites closer to main roads for easier access with children. "Pretty small and basic campground. I counted what I think was 9 sites? There are no numbered sites, just designated fire rings to indicate the different sites I suppose," notes Evan H. about Bobcat Gulch, which offers simpler access than backcountry options.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring layered clothing and rain gear even for summer trips. Temperature drops of 30+ degrees between day and night are common, with afternoon thunderstorms occurring frequently in July and August.
Water safety: Creek and river currents can be dangerously swift, especially during spring runoff (May-June). Children should always be supervised near water, with designated swimming areas inspected for hazards before use.
Tips from RVers
Limited turning radius: Forest roads narrow significantly after first few miles, with limited turnaround spots for larger vehicles. Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller trailers under 20 feet, but few can handle larger RVs.
Limited level parking: Prepare for uneven terrain at most sites. "We grabbed a nice big spot right next to Lost Horse Creek late Friday afternoon. Another RV came into the area later in the evening and crowded us a little bit but we still had plenty of room to spread out," notes a visitor to Lost Horse Dispersed Campground. Bring leveling blocks and scout sites before attempting to park larger vehicles.
Noise consideration: Traffic patterns on forest roads can affect site selection. "The road in is BUSY. We have camped at a number of dispersed locations over the years and this was BY FAR the busiest forest road we have seen," reports a camper about the Lost Horse area, suggesting campers seeking quiet select sites away from main thoroughfares.
