Dispersed camping near Drummond, Montana attracts outdoor enthusiasts seeking more secluded alternatives to developed campgrounds. Located in the Garnet Mountain Range at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet, this area experiences cool nights even during summer months with temperatures often dropping below 50°F after sunset. Most forest service roads accessing these sites remain closed until mid-May due to snowmelt conditions, with limited cell service throughout the region.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Little Blackfoot River offers accessible fishing spots for campers staying at Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite. According to one visitor, "Easy to find, road isn't too rough, no service with t mobile, nice little fire ring. Definitely recommend getting there a little earlier to get the good spots."
Ghost town exploration: Camp near historic mining areas and explore Montana's gold rush history. "Camping is dispersed and a little eerie. This ghost town is complete with still stocked shops, empty hotels with beds left in and slowly aging buildings. It is an interesting look at the mining industry in Montana," notes one camper who visited Garnet Ghost Town.
Mountain biking trails: Blue Mountain area offers extensive trail networks accessible from nearby dispersed sites. As one reviewer mentions, "Blue Mountain is a great place to recreate! Very dog friendly and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camping is allowed west of road 365."
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Several dispersed sites offer direct creek access for cooling off during summer months. At 3rd Forest Service Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite, one camper noted, "Easy access to the creek for fishing. great little fire pit."
Secluded mountain views: Driving further up forest service roads often rewards campers with increased privacy. One visitor to Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 shared, "We drove about 45 minutes up the mountain on the 365 road, and found a very secluded camping spot with absolute beautiful view. We hardly saw anyone on the way up but the road is very narrow."
Established fire rings: Most popular dispersed sites feature stone fire rings, making campfires safer and more convenient. "This is a nice large flat right next to the creek with plenty of room for multiple tents or RVs. The site has a large rock fire ring and the big bonus of having a picnic table," reports a camper who stayed at Little Blackfoot River.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many sites requires navigating rough forest roads. One visitor to Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 warned, "Road is absolutely clapped out going up for like ten miles. Wouldn't recommend a rv or trailer unless you don't mind washboards. I got a flat tire going up so be careful of sharp rocks."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. A camper at Placid Creek Pull Off described it as "Open. Near creek. No amenities aside from outhouse. Rough dirt entrance. 4-5 semi designated parking spaces. More if you were cozy. Not recommended for low clearance or large vehicles."
Camping restrictions: Some areas near attractions prohibit camping despite appearing suitable. Multiple reviewers clarified this about Garnet Ghost Town, with one stating, "This location is not a campsite as it is within the 1/2 mile zone. It is marked with no camping sign."
Tips for camping with families
Access to shallow water: Families appreciate sites with gentle water access for children. One reviewer of Little Blackfoot River noted, "This was a pretty spot on the river with quite a few sites and a day use area. Access to the river was a bit tight through the day use area."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences for children. A visitor to Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping shared, "During the winter two of the cabins (the larger of which is the old saloon) are available to rent through the forest service. Most of my recent trips have been during the winter months, where the town is only accessible by ski, snow shoe or feet."
Firewood availability: Plan to gather wood upon arrival at most sites. At Little Blackfoot River campsite, a reviewer mentioned, "A short trail goes up a small hill and leads to an area with lots of fallen trees which can be cut for firewood if fire restrictions are not in place."
Tips from RVers
Turn-around space: Check site reviews for information about maneuvering larger vehicles. A visitor to Racetrack Dispersed Campsite noted, "Came in with our 28' travel trailer and had ample room for turning around etc."
Narrow bridges: Several Rock Creek area sites require navigating tight turns over bridges. One RVer advised, "Not for low clearance vehicles, it's not far off the highway but we struggled with the two narrow bridges with tight turns in our travel trailer and then there's a large flood way dip in the road that you can bottom out on."
Entrance challenges: Some sites have difficult entry points requiring advanced backing skills. A camper at 3rd Forest Service Little Blackfoot River shared, "I will say if you have a long trailer it is a difficult spot to get into as you have to back your trailer down it and then when you're done, you have to back your trailer back up into a brush area in order to get back on the road. Not recommended if your trailer skills are minimal."
