Best Tent Camping near Divide, MT

Tent campsites around Divide, Montana feature a mix of primitive sites and established campgrounds along the Big Hole River. The Beaverhead National Forest provides tent-friendly options including Pettengill Campground with basic amenities, while fishing access sites like Brownes Bridge and Salmon Fly offer tent spots directly adjacent to prime fishing waters. The Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area provides a trailhead but is better suited for hiking than overnight tent camping.

Most tent campgrounds provide metal fire rings and picnic tables but lack drinking water and trash service. Vault toilets are available at most established sites, with Brownes Bridge and Salmon Fly both offering this basic amenity. Sites typically feature dirt or gravel pads with grassy areas for tent setup. Many campgrounds charge modest fees, with Salmon Fly costing $12 with a valid fishing license or $18 without. The East Bank Recreation Site offers free tent camping with bear-proof food storage. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply throughout the area as trash service is virtually non-existent.

Tent campers benefit from the relative seclusion of sites spread among large cottonwood trees, particularly at Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site. Many locations provide direct river access for fishing and cooling off during summer months. Campgrounds near Interstate 15 experience some road noise, though tree cover helps buffer the sound. A visitor noted that Brownes Bridge offers "small but private sites right on the river" with only five spots total, making for a quiet experience. Tent campers should prepare for variable weather conditions, as higher-elevation sites can experience snow even during official summer months, particularly in the Pioneer Mountains area.

Best Tent Sites Near Divide, Montana (31)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Divide, MT

377 Reviews of 31 Divide Campgrounds


  • Todd M.
    Oct. 10, 2020

    Grasshopper Campground and Picnic Area

    Grasshopper Campground Ko

    This is a nice smaller forest service campground adjacent to grasshopper creek. A great spot to stay if exploring the Pioneer Mountains.

    There are 7-8 spaces, most suitable for a trailer or van. We were tent camping as were others. There are vault toilets and the ubiquitous forest service green potable water pumps/drinking fountains.

    There are no dumpsters so have to pack trash out. There are campground hosts but they don’t have firewood for sale, so either need to bring or be prepared to do quite a bit of hunting for wood. The area around the campground is picked pretty clean of good firewood.

    This is bear country and there are food storage boxes located throughout the campground for shared use. I expect the presence of bears is also why they don’t have any dumpsters on site.

    The campground sits at approximately 7000 feet and by late summer gets near freezing temps overnight. Bring your fall/winter sleeping bag if tent camping here in late August or late Spring!

    Just a few minutes up the road from the campground is Elkhorn Hot Springs where you can pay a few bucks to use the rustic pool and hot springs.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2022

    Philipsburg Bay Campground

    Camp and Fish on Georgetown lake.

    Philipsburg Bay Campground is a beautiful large campground right on the shore of Georgetown lake.  This 69 site campground sits among large pine trees with campsites nicely spread apart.  The large trees give you plenty of shade throughout the day.  This paved campground is split up into three loops, two of which are first come first served, the other can be reserved.  The area also has a day use area and boat launch.  Cost is $15 per night.  Campground has trash service, and water is available during the summer season.  I visited in November so no water for me.  Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring.  Several vault toilets are located in each loop.  Bear lockers are spread out through out the campground for food storage.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 8, 2020

    Salmon Fly

    Beautiful small campground on the Big Hole River

    Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site is a beautiful small campground along the Big Hole River. The site has six campsites all nice spread apart from each other, and a decent size day use area. Sites have gravel parking pads, metal fire rings and picnic tables, along with nice grass areas to set up a tent. The fishing access site is with in walking distance to the small town of Melrose. The site has one vault toilet. No water or trash service is available. The site has a concrete boat launch, but be warned that Montana FWP has posted that the water is shallow for larger boats. The campground is nice and quiet, far enough from the Interstate to not really hear the road traffic, there also is a lightly used rail line near by, but did not notice any train noise while at the site. Cost to camp is$12 with a valid MT fishing license,$18 with out, if you are over the age of 62 then those rates drop to$6 or$9 a night.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Orofino Campground

    Mountain Solitude in Montana

    Orofino Campground is a small campground with 11 sites, but it also has a second half across the road which has two large family/group camps and a Day Use area with a large pavilion. The sites are not numbered. The Campground has a vault toilet. The two family sites each have their own vault toilets, the day use site shares two vault toilets with one of the family sites. This campground appears to get little use and little maintenance. The vault toilets are quite old wooden structures, but in good shape. The campground area has several sites where finding a level spot for a tent is difficult. One hand pump is available for water and is located on the campground section. Each family site had 6+ picnic tables and firer rings with a few BBQ grills. All the sites in the campground have picnic tables but a couple do not have fire rings. The campground has plenty of shade from its large trees, fewer trees in the family areas but still some good tree cover.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Deerlodge National Forest Orofino Campground

    Solitude in Montana

    Orofino campground is a small campground with 11 sites, but it also has a second half across the road which has two large family/group camps and a Day Use area with a large pavilion.  The sites are not numbered.  The Campground has a vault toilet.  The two family sites each have their own vault toilets, the day use site shares two vault toilets with one of the family sites.  This campground appears to get little use and little maintenance.  The vault toilets are quite old wooden structures, but in good shape.  The campground area has several sites where finding a level spot for a tent is difficult.  One hand pump is available for water and is located on the campground section.  Each family site had 6+ picnic tables and firer rings with a few BBQ grills.  All the sites in the campground have picnic tables but a couple do not have fire rings.  The campground has plenty of shade from its large trees, fewer trees in the family areas but still some good tree cover.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Racetrack Campground

    Hidden gem in the mountains

    Racetrack campground is a hidden gem of a campground tucked just in side the Forest Service boundary.  This 13 site campground has large roomy sites well spread out from each other.  Plenty of level ground to place a tent(s) at every site.  Two vault toilets serve this campground.  Each site has a metal fire ring (first sit is a rock ring) and picnic table.  Water is provided from a hand pump.  No trash service so be prepared.  A few of $15 is planned to go in to effect in 2022.  Campground sits in very large mature evergreens along a small creek.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Copper Creek Campground

    Peaceful with a friendly host

    This has to be one of the most peaceful campgrounds I’ve even been to. It’s 10 miles off the main road so there is no street noise to speak of. But watch out for the cows as you drive in, they aren’t too fond of sharing the road. Only 8 sites with a host at one of them, you don’t have many neighbors. I was not able to camp here as it was totally full and according to the host, was going to stay that way for the week. He said it stays quiet except when a family with kids show up. He also said the fishing was pretty good in Copper Creek. The vault toilet was clean (his least favorite job), he will split a log or two if you ask real nice like, and there are two bear boxes for the 8 sites to share (he said most don’t bother to use them). The water pump delivers good clean spring water from the well. Every site has a picnic table and a fire ring. If you want solitude and quiet, this is the place to camp!

  • TMB
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park — Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

    A SW Montana Favorite

    Great park and campground popular with locals for a quick getaway, and ideal for travelers between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.  Yes, it is on a bench above a river valley and below higher sage and juniper covered foothills.  It can be windy, and it can be hot and sunny in the summer.  Locals find it a great early and late season destination for these reasons.  The trails also dry out/stay dry early and late making it a hiking and mountain biking destination when the higher mountains are snowy or muddy.

    The campground itself has great facilities, and manicured lawns (good since this is rattlesnake country), but little to no natural shade.  Clean restrooms and clean vault toilets.  Small visitor center at the highway entrance and second visitor center for the cave entrance at the top of the mountain (foothill).  Summer brings intermittent ranger programs. I reserved a star for wind and lack of shade, otherwise it’s great camping.

    P.S. spotty cell coverage!

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Galena Gulch

    Nice free BLM campground right off I-15

    Galena Gulch Campground is a free nicely maintained BLM campground just off of interstate 15 south of Boulder Montana. This campground has 10 sites all with metal fire rings and picnic tables. Two ADA accessible vault toilets serve the campground. This is a trash-in trash-out campground. Be sure to bring your own water as there is no water at this campground. Most sites sit along the Boulder River. Camping is limited to 14 days. This is a busy campground despite it not being listed on the BLM's website and their being no indication from the interstate that the campground is present. The main drawbacks of this campground is the noise from I-15 and how busy the campground is. The sites are nicely spread out giving you plenty of room. The entire campground has nice grass covering and is well maintained making finding a good spot for your tent an easy choir.


Guide to Divide

Tent campsites near Divide, Montana offer primitive camping opportunities within the surrounding Beaverhead National Forest and along the Big Hole River. The area sits at elevations ranging from 5,600 to 6,200 feet, creating variable weather conditions throughout camping seasons. Most dispersed camping areas require pack-in, pack-out practices with limited services available at established sites.

What to do

Fishing access points: The Big Hole River provides premier fishing opportunities with multiple dedicated access sites. East Bank Rec Site maintains a dirt boat ramp with ample parking for anglers. According to Dexter I., the site offers "well spread out" camping spots where "each site has a gravel parking pad, picnic table and metal fire ring."

Crystal hunting: Visit Crystal Park while camping at Pettengill Campground. A camper notes, "Further up the byway be sure to visit Coolidge Ghost Town and dig for crystal at Crystal park." This unique geological attraction allows visitors to search for quartz crystals in designated digging areas.

Hiking trails: The area offers numerous hiking trails through diverse terrain. The Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area provides access to hiking paths, though David M. cautions about road conditions: "Road was rocky and rutted by water runoff. The sprinter all wheel drive negotiated the trail easily from the trailhead up."

What campers like

River proximity: Direct water access remains a major draw for tent campers. Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site receives high marks for its location, with Jessica E. noting it's "Right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge." Another camper describes the sites as "Small but Private, Right on the River."

Small, uncrowded campgrounds: Most tent sites in the region accommodate just a handful of campers. Salmon Fly features "six campsites all nice spread apart from each other, and a decent size day use area," according to Dexter I. Nathan adds that while the spots are "Close together," they're "clean and right on the river."

Natural buffer zones: Despite proximity to transportation corridors, many sites offer natural sound barriers. At Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site, a reviewer notes that "While this site is near the Interstate and a railroad the campground was still fairly quiet thanks to all the large cottonwood trees."

What you should know

Limited facilities: Prepare for minimal amenities at most tent sites. While vault toilets exist at most locations, water and trash services remain scarce. Pigeon Creek provides drinking water according to its amenities list, but most other sites require bringing your own supplies.

Access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation skills and appropriate vehicles. Hellrazor D. warns about Pigeon Creek: "Google will take you up a private road if you come from the East, keep going three miles past the Cedar Hills Road turn to hit Fish Creek Road."

Variable pricing structure: Cost structures differ between sites. East Bank Rec Site was reported as "$15 a night" by Maggie K., while Pettengill Campground offers sites at "$6 per night" according to Dexter I. Some locations include differential pricing based on fishing license status.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection considerations: Choose campgrounds based on specific needs. Jordan V. notes Pettengill Campground "offer[s] a large fire ring and picnic table. There is a large day use area and vault toilets as well," making it suitable for families needing defined spaces.

Food storage requirements: Jerry Creek Br Fish Access offers basic accommodations described by kaitlyn L. as "just a big boat parking lot for the river. Plus side it has an outhouse." Meanwhile, East Bank Rec Site provides "bear proof food storage" according to Maggie K., an essential safety feature for families.

Navigation planning: Some campgrounds require careful route planning. For Pigeon Creek, a camper notes it's "way off the beaten trail but the road to it is maintained," though they caution about following mapping applications and advise to "keep going three miles past the Cedar Hills Road turn."

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: RV campers should verify site dimensions before arrival. At Salmon Fly, Nathan mentions the sites are "A little short on the length but okay for our 29'," indicating potential challenges for larger rigs.

Surface considerations: Parking surfaces vary between campgrounds, affecting leveling and stabilization. According to Dexter I., Salmon Fly sites have "gravel parking pads," while Pettengill Campground features paved spots, as the "campground road and parking pads are all paved."

Self-contained camping: Some locations work better for self-sufficient RVers. Jerry Creek is described as suitable if "you were self contained and just looking to get off the 15 for the night then it would work for ya," though it lacks typical campground amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Divide, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Divide, MT is Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area with a 2-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Divide, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Divide, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.