Camping spots near Drummond, Montana allow visitors to experience the western Montana landscape along the Clark Fork River corridor at elevations ranging from 3,900 to 4,500 feet. The area features mixed forest and grassland terrain with typical summer temperatures reaching 80-85°F during peak camping season. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, closing during winter when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing access points: Town of Drummond Campground provides convenient fishing opportunities with direct river access. "Short quick camp. Clean sites. Next to river access," notes Jennifer P., highlighting the campground's proximity to water.
Ghost town exploration: Visit the historic mining settlement near Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping. "Interesting and informative, though half of the buildings are locked upright. You can really interesting artifacts through the windows," explains Phillip R. The ghost town offers a glimpse into Montana's mining past through preserved structures.
Recreational facilities: Family activities abound at Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground with on-site amenities. "There is a basketball court, sand volleyball court, horse shoes and a playground. There's also a beautiful creek running along the campground with beautiful Mountain views," reports a camper named Mitch.
What campers like
Riverside campsites: Many campsites feature direct water access along the Clark Fork. A camper at Bearmouth RV Park shared: "Beautiful views here along the Clark Fork River with lots of things to do in the nearby area including visiting the Garnet Ghost town, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Butte and Missoula."
Budget-friendly options: Affordable camping can be found with basic facilities. "Best $10 campsites imaginable. I have always enjoyed able to roll up and there was an available site. Good for traders up to 23ft and even has water and power sites," explains Clayton H. about Town of Drummond Campground.
Nearby attractions: The location provides access to multiple Montana destinations. "The area contains a mix of established campgrounds with hookups, primitive sites, and rental cabins, with most facilities positioned near the Clark Fork River corridor," notes one reviewer, highlighting the variety of camping experiences available.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience regular train traffic. "We showed up LATE and left early because we were just passing through. There didn't seem to be designated camping spots but it wasn't bad at all......... except for the train that came through every few hours!" warns Amanda N. about her stay at Town of Drummond Campground.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience occasional water advisories. At Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground, a camper reported: "Staff provided jugs of water due to the water boil notice, but we would have preferred a discount from the $53 charge for our no water / no electric site."
Seasonal availability: Most camping facilities operate on a limited schedule. Campgrounds around Drummond typically close during winter months, with Boulder Creek Lodge operating from May 1 to November 21, offering a slightly longer season than most area campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature facilities for children. At Bernie & Sharons Riverfront RV Park, one camper noted: "Enjoyed our stay as a stopover on way south to Big Sky. Large grounds, well maintained with green grass for the kid to run in."
Indoor recreation options: For days with poor weather, look for campgrounds with covered facilities. "After we ate, we went down stairs to the game room and played pool, table soccer and checkers for about 4 hours," shares Aaron L. about Boulder Creek Lodge.
Swimming spots: During summer months, area lakes provide cooling options. At Philipsburg Bay Campground, a reviewer mentioned: "Next to a Great Lake, lots of space & wooded tree area! We enjoyed a great campfire & only stayed one night but it was great & would have stayed longer if we weren't moving on."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electrical service varies significantly between campgrounds. "Smooth check in with attention to detail about our site. They also gave us some great recommendations of local businesses and attractions," reports Gail E. about Boulder Creek Lodge.
Space considerations: Site sizes and configurations differ throughout the area. One RVer at Bernie & Sharons Riverfront RV Park shared: "We were greeted at the entrance by 2 gentlemen that showered up on golf carts, showed us our way to our site and even guide us when backing to our site."
Big rig access: Some campgrounds accommodate larger RVs better than others. "Very nice place to stay. Very affordable, clean and well kept. The wiring held up great, ran both AC's at the same time with no issues," reports a camper at Bernie & Sharons Riverfront RV Park, noting the reliable electrical service.