Best Campgrounds near Dillon, MT
Campgrounds near Dillon, Montana range from established RV parks with full hookups to primitive sites along rivers and reservoirs. The area includes Southside RV Park and Countryside RV Park within city limits, offering cabin accommodations and RV sites with amenities like showers and electric hookups. Several miles south, Clark Canyon Reservoir provides multiple camping areas with picnic shelters and fishing access. Beaverhead National Forest lands surround the region, with both developed campgrounds and dispersed camping options. Bannack State Park, site of Montana's first territorial capital, offers historical camping experiences at Vigilante Campground with tent, RV, and cabin options.
Road conditions and seasonal considerations vary significantly throughout the region. Most developed campgrounds near Dillon operate from spring through fall, with some like Countryside RV Park remaining open year-round. Clark Canyon Reservoir campgrounds offer free camping for up to 14 days, while state park sites charge different rates for residents ($18) and non-residents ($28). Many forest service roads become difficult to navigate during spring runoff or after heavy rainfall. Cell service is generally reliable near town but becomes spotty in more remote forest areas. A visitor noted: "Just empty your tanks and fill up on water, food and supplies in Dillon. Heavily shaded. Bring a generator to charge your bank."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly at sites along the Beaverhead River and Clark Canyon Reservoir. Several campgrounds feature covered picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though most lack drinking water or hookups. The ghost town at Bannack State Park provides a unique historical backdrop for campers. "This campground is a quaint low-use campground. There are 4 tent sites with 2 vault toilets. There is no water, so bring your own," wrote one camper about East Creek Campground. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with many reviewers mentioning bird watching at reservoir sites. Summer temperatures can be hot, making shaded sites particularly desirable, while mosquitoes are commonly mentioned as an issue in riverside locations during warmer months.
