Dillon, Montana sits at an elevation of 5,098 feet in the Beaverhead Valley, surrounded by several mountain ranges including the Pioneer Mountains to the east. Summers typically see daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s°F, while winter temperatures often drop well below freezing. The camping season generally runs from April through October, with some RV facilities remaining open year-round for visitors exploring the area's abundant fishing opportunities.
What to do
Fishing access points: Clark Canyon Recreation Area provides excellent fishing opportunities with easy reservoir access. As one visitor noted, "Beautiful lake! Perfect for boating and kayaking. There is a designated camping area that looked to have electric hook ups, further into the canyon are more dispersed sites." The area allows up to 14 days of free camping.
Historic towns exploration: Located just 28 miles from Ruby Valley Campground and RV Park, Virginia City and Nevada City offer preserved gold rush history. One camper shared, "Close proximity to Virginia and Nevada cities. Obviously a former KOA with all the accompanying amenities, but slightly lower price."
Hot springs visits: Several natural hot springs are within driving distance of Dillon's RV parks. A visitor at Ennis RV Village mentioned, "Lots to do nearby: hot pots, Virginia City, Nevada City. Rich history with gold boom in the 1940s. Good restaurants nearby."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many RV sites near Dillon, Montana feature generous spacing between camping spots. At Southside RV Park, a camper appreciated that "The sites are spacious and level. Get reservations to assure a site. Pull throughs or backins."
Mountain views: The surrounding landscapes provide scenic backdrops at most campgrounds. One review of Countryside RV Park noted, "Beautiful location with mountains all around. Great place to stopover driving thru. Potentially Windy."
Walking distance to amenities: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to restaurants and services. A visitor at Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park mentioned, "The Hitchin' Post restaurant is next to the campground. There is even a gate in the fence so you don't have to walk around to the road."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Wind can be significant in this high-elevation valley. A camper at Countryside RV Park experienced challenging conditions: "This location is beautiful but can be very windy. We were there on a very windy night."
Seasonal water limitations: Some RV parks have seasonal restrictions on water hookups. At Countryside RV Park, a visitor in April found that "Water was available but not yet turned on so we could not hook up. Electric was fine."
Business schedule awareness: Many local businesses operate on limited schedules, particularly in shoulder seasons. As noted at Ennis RV Village, "Many businesses close midweek, either Tuesday or Wednesday or both."
Campground maintenance varies: Site conditions can differ significantly between campgrounds. At Beaver Head RV Park & Campground, one camper observed, "Plan on dirt in your camper because the grounds are not well kept and the gravel pads need a refresh."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. A visitor noted that Beaver Head RV Park & Campground has a "Nice playground if you have kids. Trees are nice in high summer."
Swimming opportunities: Clark Canyon Recreation Area provides water recreation options. One camper shared it has a "small sandy beach for swimming, boat ramp, clean toilet, drinking water, fire pit, a shelter style cabin."
Entertainment options: Some parks provide additional recreational amenities. A visitor at Beaverhead River RV Park mentioned "Lots of activities. Large dog park. Propane, laundry, store."
Educational opportunities: The area's rich history offers learning experiences for children. Near Sportsman Lodge, a camper noted the "Easy walk to the river for fly fishing access. That seems to be the main activity in this very small town of Melrose."
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: RVers should confirm site dimensions before booking. At Right Turn Clyde RV Park, a visitor found "Level spots with concrete areas. Each site has their own large outdoor trash bin that they come and empty twice a week."
Dump station setups: Some facilities have unusual dump station configurations. One RVer at Beaverhead River RV Park warned, "The openings for dumping are a couple of inches below ground level and the kind you just point the hose down and put a few rocks over to hold it down."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies between campgrounds. A visitor to Ennis RV Village reported, "The wifi works very well, at least at our site near the office."
Cell service information: Mobile coverage is generally available but varies by location and carrier. At Clark Canyon Recreation Area, a camper confirmed, "I had great cell coverage with Verizon."
