Hillary F.
Guide
GuideLost Moose Meadows Campground
Clean and Beautiful
Lovely place to stay. Super friendly and nice facilities.
Camping near Elliston, MT
142 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Dispersed camping options dot the landscape around Elliston, Montana, with several designated areas along Forest Road 314 and the Little Blackfoot River. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest manages multiple camping zones in this mountainous region, including established sites like Cromwell Dixon Campground and Kading Campground. Tent camping, RV sites, and forest cabins are available throughout the area, with the most developed facilities found at Bernie & Sharon's Riverfront RV Park in nearby Garrison. The remote, forested settings provide varied terrain with proximity to rivers and hiking trails, making this area popular for visitors seeking both developed campgrounds and primitive camping experiences.
Road conditions can present challenges for accessing some of the more remote camping areas, particularly after rain or during shoulder seasons. "Up a forest service road, so four-wheel-drive came in handy. A bit muddy," noted one camper about dispersed sites near Elliston. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with many closing after Labor Day and reopening around Memorial Day. Elevation at sites like Cromwell Dixon provides cooler temperatures even during summer heat waves, with one visitor reporting temperatures approximately 10 degrees cooler than in the valleys below. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with stronger signals at higher elevations near communication towers but limited to no coverage in river valleys and forested areas. Water availability is inconsistent at dispersed sites, requiring visitors to bring their own or filter from nearby streams.
The Little Blackfoot River provides a scenic backdrop for several camping areas, with three designated dispersed sites marked by the Forest Service along its banks. A visitor commented that "this was a pretty spot on the river with quite a few sites and a day use area," though noted that "access to the river was a bit tight." Sites with river access typically receive higher ratings, with campers particularly valuing the combination of fishing opportunities and secluded camping. Forest thinning has occurred at several campgrounds due to pine beetle damage, creating more open settings at locations like Cromwell Dixon Campground. This provides unobstructed views for stargazing but reduces shade coverage during hot summer days. Most campgrounds in the region maintain a rustic character with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables but minimal additional amenities.
Best Campgrounds near Elliston (142)
1. Cromwell Dixon Campground
"Close to the Continental Divide trail, which we briefly hiked. Beautiful trail. Campsites had tables and plenty of shade."
"p { margin-bottom: 0.1in; line-height: 115%; } Cromwell Dixon Campground is a nice Forest Service Campground located on the Continental Divide's McDonald Pass."
2. Elliston Dispersed Camping on Forest Road 314
"The access when you turn off at Elliston is not clearly marked but there is only one road that turns off there so its not too difficult to get on the right road."
"Up a forest service road, so four-wheel-drive came in handy. A bit muddy. There are a variety of sites available, some are easier to access than others."
3. Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
"Moose Creek campground is located along the newly paved Remini Road. This 9 site campground is scheduled to increase to $15 per night. "
"Hiking trail right by the cabin, even found some huckleberry nearby."
4. Bernie & Sharons Riverfront RV Park
"The layout is pretty condensed so I was quite close to my neighbor. Campground was quiet, some road noise outside. An excellent option to break up a drive on I-90."
"The playgrounds are fun for the kiddos and the river walk is super close. There is lots of shade available from the trees, but our site was full sun."
5. Kading Campground
"It’s well worth the drive and potholes. Large sites lots of space in between sites too. We had #5 with a short path to the water. Stating one night but I think we’ll stay two. Happy camping!"
"Kaden Campground is a Helena National Forest Campground just about at the end of the road, the trail head for Blackfeet Meadows Trail is just a short distance past the campground. "
from $10 / night
Check Availability6. Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite
"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. "
7. Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3
"Easy access to the creek for fishing. great little fire pit."
"Was nice being close to the creek and there was lots of fallen trees we used for firewood. Quiet spot with a small amount of traffic on the road."
8. Park Lake Campground
"Helena National Forest's Park Lake Campground sits next to the beautiful Park Lake. A day use areas sits along the east side of the lake."
"Our favorite nearby campground that's for enough away to get everyone to unplug. Peaceful mountain lake with no motors allowed on the water. Fish, kayak, paddle board, and swim."
9. Indian Creek RV Campground
"On our way to Yellowstone and it was getting late in the day, seen signs for the Old Montana Prison and decided that would be a fun stop."
"wheelchair it will be very difficult to access the bath house or laundry facilities as there is no ramp to get you over the concrete platform the building is on, and there is a 2-4 inch lip from the gravel drive"
10. Moose Creek Cabin
"An outhouse is outside. A nice metal fire ring is available with two picnic tables. Fire wood is supplied during the winter months. Wood stove is in the living room area to heat the cabin. "
"It’s a great cabin it’s super close to the road it has two bedrooms they both have 2 beds a double and a single bed."
from $50 - $65 / night
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Drive Time
- 26 min from Helena, MT
- 1 hr 14 min from Missoula, MT
- 1 hr 38 min from Great Falls, MT
- 1 hr 50 min from Bozeman, MT
Recent Camping Photos near Elliston, MT
126 Photos of 142 Elliston Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Elliston Dispersed Camping on Forest Road 314
Cromwell Dixon Campground
Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite
Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
Park Lake Campground
Basin Canyon
Whitehouse
Merry Widow Health Mine CampK
Galena Gulch
Hooper Park
Aspen Grove Group Use Area (helena-lewis and Clark Nf, Mt)
Black Sandy State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Elliston, MT
622 Reviews of 142 Elliston Campgrounds
Steve M.
LegendIndian Road Campground
Good for one night but too close to town and the highway
Simple Campground with clean Vault toilet but no other facilities. 1 mi from town and right next to highway so not much to see or do there except camp for the night
- Hillary F.Guide
Flint Creek Campground
Small sites, Hwy noise, but the creek is close !
Pets are allowed on leash. Be bear aware . Has 2 vault toilets and fresh water. Easy access to hey 1 .
- Steve M.Legend
Hellgate Campground
Serene and quiet Campground right on the shores of the lake
Not a ton of privacy between campsites but very well maintained with clean toilets and showers and garbage facilities but no water
Brian C.
RangerGrey Sandy Campground
We Left a Night Early and Didn't Ask for the Money Back
SUMMARY
We booked Grey Sandy on Hauser Lake and pulled our fifth wheel into a site directly across from the office. Shared water, shared fire pit, and enough dust to season a steak. The site was nowhere near level and tight enough that backing in felt like a timed event. Bathrooms were average. The camp store was average. The park itself is run down. Older long-term rigs, no visible upkeep, and the clear impression that nobody has invested a dollar here in a long time. We don't lock camper doors at a campground. We locked them here. We left a night early and did not ask for a refund.
**WHAT I LIKED
**The hosts. Genuinely kind people who seemed to actually care about the guests, which is more than the property can say for itself. The male host walked over and fired up the fire pit for the kids and us, and that was hands down the best part of the stay. The fire pit itself, once it was lit. The only nice feature in the park. Bathrooms and the store were average. At this campground, average counts as a win.**WHAT I DISLIKED:
**Extremely tight site. Not level. Dirt and dust everywhere. Shared water and a shared fire pit. Dirt road in with steady traffic, so the dust never had a chance to settle. The lake is a long way off. If you are booking this for Hauser Lake access, look elsewhere. Overall condition of the park. Rough-looking campers parked long-term and no sign of maintenance or pride of ownership. The photos on the website do not match what you pull into. Go in with your expectations adjusted. We canceled a reservation in June when our camper broke down and never received our refund.**WILL I STAY HERE AGAIN?
**Not the way it sits today. We left a night early and walked away from the money, which tells you exactly where we landed. That said, the campground has changed hands, and I know the new owner. There is real potential here. Level the sites, control the dust, clean up the long-term rigs, and update the photos so they match the property. Do that, and this becomes a solid Hauser Lake stop. I will check back in a season. As of this trip, it is a hard pass.- Steve M.Legend
Goose Bay Marina and Campground
Very nice Campground and Marina but no privacy at all
Ramadas, picnic tables, fire pits, water and garbage and showers and clean toilets and a camp store that sells gasoline and propane and basic items along with ice.
- Steve M.Legend
Confederate Disperse Camping Area
Not many places and not much privacy but beautiful views and great lake access
Fairly long road to get to the campground and last mile and a half is a bit rutted but can still be managed by your average vehicle. Not much shade and only three or four spots but right on the beach and a beautiful calm Lagoon right at the campsite
- Steve M.Legend
Goose Bay BLM
Tons of spots with lots of Lake access
Clean Vault toilets and lots of room even for very large rigs. Not a ton of privacy as most sites are open but lots of access to the lake and water available at the marina 2 mi away
- Steve M.Legend
Canyon Ferry Lake Dispersed Camping Area
Plenty of spaces but zero shade or wind cover
Next to the Goose Bay dispersed camping area, if that's full this is an option but there is no shade whatsoever and it is just a big open field although every spot has a view of the lake
Guide to Elliston
The Elliston, Montana area features a mix of both established campgrounds and dispersed camping options primarily within Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Cromwell Dixon Campground, situated on the Continental Divide at McDonald Pass, offers 15 developed sites with picnic tables, drinking water, and vault toilets. For those seeking more primitive experiences, several dispersed camping areas exist along Forest Road 314 and the Little Blackfoot River. Accommodations range from tent and RV sites to rentable forest service cabins like Moose Creek Cabin and Kading Cabin. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through early fall.
Road conditions in the dispersed camping areas require careful consideration, with several sites accessible only via forest service roads that may be muddy or closed seasonally. "Up a forest service road, so four-wheel-drive came in handy. A bit muddy," one camper noted about the Forest Road 314 dispersed sites. Weather at higher elevations can be significantly cooler than in the valleys, making campgrounds like Cromwell Dixon a popular summer destination when valley temperatures climb into the 90s. Most dispersed sites lack amenities like toilets or water, requiring visitors to pack in supplies and pack out waste. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near established campgrounds and diminished connectivity in more remote locations.
Campers frequently mention the Little Blackfoot River as a highlight of the region, with three designated dispersed sites offering varying degrees of river access. These sites include established fire rings and some have picnic tables. A visitor commented that there was "easy access to the creek for fishing" at one of the Little Blackfoot River dispersed sites. Several reviews note the presence of train noise for sites closer to the main roads, while deeper forest sites offer more solitude. Kading Campground, located at the end of Little Blackfoot Road, receives consistently high ratings for its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to hiking trails. Most campgrounds in this area have been cleared of beetle-killed trees in recent years, resulting in more open, less shaded sites but offering excellent views of the surrounding landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Elliston campground?
What amenities are available at Elliston campground?
Campgrounds near Elliston offer varying amenities depending on location. Deerlodge National Forest Lowland Campground provides 11 sites, vault toilets, and a day use area, though there's no cell service for those seeking to disconnect. Black Sandy State Park Campground offers electrical hookups, toilets, and lakeside camping with boat docking facilities. Most area campgrounds feature basic amenities like vault toilets and fire rings, with some providing additional facilities such as picnic areas, fishing access, and water sources depending on the specific location.
Where is the Elliston campground located and how do I access it?
Where is the Elliston campground located and how do I access it?
The Elliston area in Montana offers multiple camping options in the surrounding region. Indian Road Campground is located just outside of Townsend, Montana near the Missouri River, with easy access from the nearby highway. For those seeking camping options closer to Elliston, Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite provides drive-in access with free camping opportunities. Many campgrounds in this scenic region of Montana are accessible via major highways and forest service roads, though conditions may vary seasonally.
How much does it cost to stay at Elliston campground?
How much does it cost to stay at Elliston campground?
Camping costs in the Elliston area vary by location and amenities. Goose Bay Marina and Campground offers a primitive camping area that is free to use with vault toilets and fire rings at dispersed sites. For those seeking RV accommodations, 2 Bar Lazy H RV Campground west of Butte provides developed sites with restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities at standard RV park rates. Many national forest and BLM sites in the region typically charge $5-15 per night, while state parks may range from $15-28 depending on amenities and hookups available.
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