Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Florence? Camping with your horse in Florence just got easier. With our help, you'll find the best Montana equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
The Charles Waters campground is paved asphalt with 26 campsites plus one double site, including 4 pull-through, one bicycle site, and one horse site; there is also one accessible site with electric hook-up. The campground also has water; accessible vault toilets; open meadow for activities and can accommodate RV's or trailers to 70 feet. __Please note that the bicycle site and horse site are reserved for those users until 6 p.m. daily after which time if no one is occupying them then they are considered available on a first come first served basis. __A campground host is available Memorial Day through Labor Day.Also associated with the Charles Waters Campground is the Bass Creek Recreation Area. This recreation area includes four picnic sites; an interpretive nature trail; fire ecology trail and numerous trailheads to hiking, biking and stock routes with access to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Larry Creek Group Site is located within the Bass Creek Recreation Area, this large overnight group site is available for reservation through Recreation.gov. __The gate will close to the Larry Creek Group Site on Dec. 1.__For more information please contact the Stevensville Ranger District at (406) 777-5461.
Ekstrom's Stage Station is a collection of historic log buildings reassembled along Montana’s famous Rock Creek, functioning today as a full-service campground. The campground is situated in a large grassy meadow surrounded by tall pine trees. The campground offers water & electric sites, full hookups, as well as tent sites for campers who prefer “roughing it.” For those who forgot their tents, we also have an historic school house and rustic log cabins for rent. For registered campers, there is a bath house with hot showers and we have a laundromat. Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed pending renovations required by the county.
$40 - $100 / night
$35 - $40 / night
The Bear Creek Pass Trailhead has numerous trails to access that all lead into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The most heavily used is the #613 trail which leads to the bear lakes and accesses trail #128 to Fish Lake. Facilities include a vault toilet, hitching rails, and dispersed camping.
Accessed by FS Road 297, this wide, ATV friendly trail provides access to Fish Lake. The dispersed campsites are only reached via the trail on stock, on foot or ATV transport.
This wooded picnic area is located near Rock Creek next to the East Fork Reservoir.
$50 - $75 / night
Guide
This is a great location along the Clark Fork river. Staff was very friendly. Sites were well maintained and sufficient.
Cons: Interstate noise and the occasional train whistle would keep me from using the facility for nothing more than an overnight stop.
Traveler
We decided to stop in the Bitterroot Valley and the Charles Waters CG for our needs. Clean, treed space with the creek running behind. Extremely peaceful and just what we needed after a super long, hot day. Quiet campground. We did need to change sites as Site 4 had a very large and active red/black ant nest next to the fire ring and picnic table.
We got in around 6pm on a Sunday night. There were multiple sites still open.
GuideSpent several one nighter’s here. Quiet and beautiful. Lots and f trail for hiking. Close enough to Missoula or the other communities in the bitterroot valley.
Guide
$42 for fire pit and picnic table! No privacy between the spots. That said, it’s a very beautiful setting with big trees, and very quiet. Nice playground for the kids . Showers and bathrooms looked like they had been clean to, but overall were in need of a deep cleaning. The shower curtains were on the toilet stalls… Not sure how you keep those clean thoroughly.
Restaurant was really nice and tasty. Nice people. But they are only open till 230 even though their website says they are open for dinner. I was hoping to stay one more day because it was so peaceful but we needed to get going on our trip.
TravelerThis is definitely 1 of the top 5 in the area even as a usfs camp ground and price. Sites are well spaced, plenty of privacy and greenery, tons of nature, sound of a run off river coming down through the camp, there is a camp host on site as well as paved road and restrooms as well as water fountains. There is tons of trails for hiking, horse back and driving as well as tons of stream access only down fall is not really for fishing.
GuideWe pulled in and the kids where so excited!! Wonderful people helped us to our spot, we are t up camp, kids went to the playground & then we went down to the restaurant for dinner! Everything was wonderful!
We had the best thunderstorm with hail that night as well…best night ever!!
TravelerThis is a National Forest campground about 25 miles from Missoula. The bathrooms are vaulted toilets and they were spacious and VERY clean. Our site was HUGE and so beautiful. Bass Creek was maybe 50 yards from the camper and is so clear! Fishing wouldn't be great at that location, as the creek is fairly shallow. The parking spot for the camper was super level asphalt, and plenty Ling enough for our 33.5' fifth wheel. Due to lower branches on the drive through the campground, we wouldn't recommend higher profile rigs. Ours sits at 13', and we felt that anything much taller than that might have clearance issues. There's a group spot for 12-20 people, as well as a spot for bicycle camping. There are some amazing trails for hiking, biking, and also horses. We really enjoyed this area!
GuideSpent an overnight here. Very clean and updated. Close proximity to trials and hywy 93.
ScoutWe called the number on their sign when we arrived. It’s pretty shut down with no services but we dry camped. Owner was super nice and we were greeted warmly by her grandkids. They ran our dogs around and tired them out.
GuideWe stayed here for a night as we headed west. It offered everything we needed with a beautiful campground to boot. The laundry facilities were great. The showers were clean and hot. There was an adorable restaurant in the campground. Every single staff member we came across was so friendly. 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. WiFi sand cell service worked great. I would absolutely stay again!
Ranger
Easy little spot to set up for the night.
ScoutExtremely clean! Terrific staff!
TravelerEasy access from I-90. Beautiful location, classic Montana with trees mountains and rivers! Great restaurant on site. Campsites are the reason for not giving 5 stars. Very tight and not great space for maneuverability. Was not full so we were fine with a big rig. Had it been full would be a little uncomfortable.
GuideThis campsite is pristine, next to a beautiful river, mountains all around. There is a good amount of space between RV campsites, all of which have water and electric. There is a big field next to the river that was great for kids to run around in. This feels like more of a stop through campsite than one you’d stay for several days, and it’s perfect for that.
LegendNice little campground in the Bitterroot Valley. It seemed that there were as many dogs as people in the campground. Sites varied in size and shape and shade. I like the sites on the far side of the loop as they are closer to the creek and away from the dusty road. Water at the spigots was good, but I was a bit concerned that they were placed so close to the vault toilets. There are some pull through sites as well as back in, but since it’s first come, it’s luck of the draw in what you get. I got there around 2 on a Sunday and had 3 sites to pick from. All of the sites were full by 4pm. There are some nice hiking and horseback riding trails across the road, and there is a forest road that goes all the way to the top of the mountains with picnic tables to watch the sunset or sunrise (when the smoke doesn’t cloud the view).
RangerPaved level sites. Water and trash bins. Beautiful area lots of trails. First come first serve. Senior discount $7.50 a night.
TravelerMemorial day weekend 2021 fee $15 / night . Clean vault toilets...good well water lots of space between sites. Our only misfortune was Hotshot crews and Helicopters were practicing repelling all weekend in the forest around the campground.
GuideAbout a mile of rt 90. Camping is tight by fly fishing is very good. Freindly people with great food. Beautiful country.
RangerWe tried to get a AirBnb in this area but it was crazy expensive.
We made an overnight reservation for this spot and it was great to get our precaming game going.
They were kinda expensive but it totally beat paying the local costs for lodging. And it’s a huge bonus to be outside and enjoying greasy air.
The grounds were very close to the highway and easy to access.
ScoutWe stopped here for one night on our way to Olympic National Park and I’m so glad we did. The grounds are SO well maintained and the owners are super nice. There are cute flower beds all around and the cabins are adorable.
TravelerBear Creek Pass Campground is semi-official dispersed camping at Bear Creek Pass, the location of two trail heads. I surveyed the site during a hike but did not stay over night.
There are two trail heads, about 1/2 mile apart. Between is a turn off for the“campground” which is little more than a pull out and a turn around. I didn’t see tent sites off the road. A little further on is a large parking area with vault toilet. A little beyond that a small parking area near the second trail head. Between these two is the one place that did look like a camp site. There was one fire ring and vegetation had been pressed down.
There are facilities for horses: several hitching posts and a loading ramp. These don’t look like they have been used for a while. We did see signs that horses were up here recently but the area is little impacted by horse use.
The area is in open pine forest with meadows. There is a stream flowing near by.
I would certainly sleep in my vehicle over night here or set up a tent. You can overnight here before starting on a hike from one of the trail heads. However, this site has little to recommend itself as a destination for an extended stay or overflow if nearby Schumaker is full.
GuideNice campground $10 night, paved campground sites spaced apart nicely no water or power but for $10 expected. Close to towns for supplies, pit toilets clean eat hiking trail
TravelerPaves roads, large sites, (sloped, not level) very friendly hosts, water spigots throughout, pit toilets, cement picnic tables. We love the fact that you can hear the cascading water at the sites, peaceful. 16 day stay limit, $10 per night.
Guide
The river by the camp sites is absolutely beautiful. The lake at the top of the hill is a sight to be seen with the surrounding mountains. There are hiking trails and access to a massive wilderness area that has in excess of 40 separate lakes. Definitely recommended! To get this this portion of camp sites, as soon as you get to the dam you take a very hard right. It’s 180 degree turn to the right. I took a picture of the sign and road so you don’t miss it!
TravelerGreat for tent camping, there are several spots with trails leading to Bass Creek. Recreational area, picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms, and about 10 minutes from Florence MT.
ScoutBeautiful 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.
ScoutVery nice campground all sites paved but the sites can’t be reserved whole campground is a first come first served basis so if it is a planned stop try to get there by noon.
Horse camping in Montana offers a unique opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Florence, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Florence, MT is Charles Waters Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Florence, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Florence, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
