Camping sites near De Borgia, Montana range from densely forested national forest campgrounds to riverside dispersed sites. Located along the Montana-Idaho border at approximately 3,000 feet elevation, the area experiences warm summer days with cool nights and heavy winter snowfall. Fall camping brings vibrant foliage but requires warmer sleeping gear as temperatures frequently drop below freezing at night.
What to do
Riverside relaxation: The Clark Fork River provides swimming and fishing opportunities at Peninsula Recreation Area. "Beautiful site right next to the river," notes one camper. Dispersed sites along the water offer privacy and natural surroundings without developed facilities.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature on-site nature trails. At Cabin City Campground, campers can explore the interpretive trail. As one visitor describes, "Beautiful creek and nature walk, with a self-guided tour, telling about the history of the area (logging and mining)."
Golf nearby: Campers staying at Thompson Falls can access the local golf course. "If you play golf, you MUST go to the golf course just down the road. It is fantastic," reports one reviewer who stayed at Thompson Falls State Park.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites. One visitor to Cabin City Campground shared, "Great spacing on the campsites. Loved it here. Every other spot is reservable. We had fun watching the chipmunks."
Free camping with amenities: The 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground provides free camping with electric hookups. "Great free camping spot for an overnight stay. Far enough from the interstate to eliminate most road noise. 7 sites have free electrical hookups," notes one camper.
Water access: Many campers appreciate the river and creek access. A visitor to Peninsula Recreation Area reported, "Beautiful and secluded spot. No amenities other than a fire ring. Beautiful site right next to the river."
What you should know
Wildlife precautions: Bears are active in the region. At Little Joe Campground, one camper reported, "Woke up at 2am to the sound of a bear foraging on the other side of the bank. It never came to the camp side of the water, but way too close for comfort."
Train noise: Several campgrounds near the Clark Fork River have nearby train tracks. A visitor to Sloway Campground noted, "The I-90 highway runs fairly close to the campground & the noise can be distracting at times. The bigger noise maker is the train that runs on the other side of the Clark Fork River."
Seasonal access: Most forest service roads become impassable during winter months. The camping season generally runs from late May through September, with some sites like Thompson Falls State Park operating from April 1 to October 10.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Thompson Falls State Park offers family-friendly water access. "The Clark Fork through this area is beautiful and our camp site was right next to a semi protected bay that was perfect for our young kids to wade in," reports one visitor.
Recreation facilities: For families seeking more structured activities, Nugget RV Resort offers numerous amenities. "Great place to stay if you're in the St. Regis area. You don't have to leave the campground if you don't want to with tons of great activities," writes one reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to observe wildlife safely. At Cabin City Campground, one camper shared, "We were pleasantly surprised at how nice this campground was. We chose it because of its proximity to the highway on our road trip through the area, but it was quiet and peaceful."
Tips from RVers
Free hookups: RVers appreciate the free electrical hookups at 50,000 Silver Dollar. "We stopped here on our way out of Montana. A winter storm rolled in and made the pass impassable. This is a FREE RV park with electric hookups…having electricity was a lifesaver," one RVer reported.
Site selection: When choosing a site at Peninsula Recreation Area, one RVer advises, "The train passed through several times in the night, so choose a site further in from the main road."
Length limitations: RV sites vary in size across the area. At Cabin City Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Nice, densely forested campground with lots of sites long enough for our 31ft travel trailer and crew cab pick up."
