Tent camping near Corvallis, Montana centers primarily around the Bitterroot National Forest and Lolo National Forest areas. The region sits at elevations ranging from 3,500-7,000 feet with typical summer high temperatures reaching 80-85°F and nighttime lows dropping to 45-50°F. Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping access, with many forest roads becoming impassable during spring runoff and some campgrounds closing entirely during winter months.
What to do
Trout fishing at creeks: Gold Creek provides productive trout fishing opportunities with relatively light pressure compared to more popular Montana waterways. According to one visitor at Gold Creek Campground, the area is "perfect" for fishing with "not alot of people, gold creek is prime fishing for trout."
Mountain hiking: Access numerous trails from Blue Mountain, which serves as a local recreation hub. "Blue Mountain is a great place to recreate! Very dog friendly and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking," notes one camper about the Blue Mountain dispersed areas.
Hot springs exploration: Travel approximately 60 miles west to visit natural hot springs. "Jerry Johnson has totally unimproved, rustic hot springs. There is a short hike from the road at the pull-off back to a series of lovely hot springs," reports a visitor who enjoyed the natural thermal features.
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Many campers value the low usage of campgrounds in this area. A visitor at Gold Creek noted, "The site is nice. Only water source is the creek which is not easy to access. Note, it isn't really difficult, either."
Fall colors viewing: The changing leaves create spectacular scenery in early autumn. A camper at Jerry Johnson Campground shared, "I went during early October and the larches and deciduous trees were showing great fall colors."
Stellar views from higher elevation sites: Camping at greater distances up forest roads rewards visitors with better vistas. One camper who visited Crazy Creek Campground reported, "Right next to the creek, with another small branch cutting through the middle of the campground, the only thing I could hear was the water."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many dispersed sites requires navigating rough forest roads. One camper at Blue Mountain warned, "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 closures and maintenance: Some campgrounds close entirely during certain seasons or for maintenance. A reviewer noted about Jerry Johnson, "Closed for the 2022 season."
Limited established facilities: Most dispersed camping areas lack amenities. A visitor to Blue Mountain reported, "This area would probably not be ideal for RVs. Four wheel drive does not seem to be a requirement. I ended up camping at a turnoff and walked a bit off the road to set up my hammock."
Tips for camping with families
Consider developed sites for easier access: Families may prefer established campgrounds with basic facilities. A camper at Harry's Flat Campground observed, "It gets really flooded out in the spring time. Some times half the site is closed for a while into the season until it dries up. Good place to launch your boat though and when it is open it's great."
Watch for wildlife encounters: The area supports diverse wildlife including deer and coyotes. A visitor to Crazy Creek shared, "Be aware of your surroundings, we had a coyote visit us unexpectedly!"
Check water sources before arrival: Not all campgrounds have easily accessible water. At Gold Creek, a camper noted that "Only water source is the creek which is not easy to access."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters for levelness: Many campgrounds have uneven sites challenging for RVs. One camper at Crazy Creek Campground observed, "Sites were of different sizes (the parking pad curbs had lengths listed on them), and of differing amounts of levelness."
Prepare for primitive camping: Most sites lack RV-specific amenities. A camper at Blue Mountain noted, "On my drive up I did not see any established distributed campsites. However there are some turn offs that you could park at. This area would probably not be ideal for RVs."
Consider distance from highways: Some campgrounds offer quieter experiences despite highway proximity. A visitor to Jerry Johnson mentioned, "Some traffic noise, since it is very close to the highway, but the rod isn't very busy."
