Best Equestrian Camping near Frenchtown, MT

Holland Lake Campground accommodates horses in a dedicated area adjacent to the main camping loop. The campground features horse-friendly sites with ample space for trailers and direct access to multiple riding trails. Bass Creek at Charles Waters Campground offers equestrian access with spacious asphalt parking suitable for horse trailers up to 33.5 feet in length. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with vault toilets and drinking water available. The sites at Charles Waters are well-spaced with plenty of privacy and greenery, providing a natural setting for horses and riders. Trails for horseback riding connect directly to the campground, making it convenient for daily rides without trailering.

The Bitterroot Valley trail system connects riders to extensive backcountry routes from Charles Waters Campground. Forest roads extend to mountain viewpoints with designated picnic areas, offering scenic rest stops during longer rides. Holland Lake provides crystal-clear water access for horses and connects to waterfall hiking trails that accommodate equestrians. Riders can take a four to five-hour trail around Holland Lake, though bug spray is recommended during summer months. The campgrounds fill quickly during peak season, with Charles Waters typically reaching capacity by late afternoon even on weekdays. Both locations maintain clean facilities and provide water sources, though riders should verify seasonal availability before planning extended stays with horses.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Frenchtown, Montana (11)

    1. Out Post Campground

    2 Reviews
    Frenchtown, MT
    7 miles

    "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."

    2. Charles Waters Campground

    19 Reviews
    Florence, MT
    32 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Holland Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Condon, MT
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-7924

    $22 - $250 / night

    "The hike to the waterfall is beautiful, and swimming and snorkeling in this lake are wonderful due to the clarity and purity."

    "This is one of my favorite spots in Montana. The lake itself is gorgeous, and the camping spots are beautiful. There's even one site on the island, if you brought a canoe or kayak, as we did!"

    4. Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Paradise, MT
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3750

    "On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from"

    "Arrived very late in the dark on Friday night coming back from Canada, and found an amazing site next to the river which drowned out all surrounding noise."

    5. Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Clinton, MT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 825-3183

    $40 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    6. Sloway Campground

    13 Reviews
    Superior, MT
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 822-4233

    $15 / night

    "It’s right next to the river with a small boat launch."

    "You can hear some highway traffic and the train does com right up next to the river. Not too busy but we were there on a weekday."

    7. Lake Elsina - Dispersed

    1 Review
    Seeley Lake, MT
    29 miles
    Website

    "If you can stand the hordes of mosquitos and constant trail of hikers coming through the area hiking to Lake Dinah."

    9. Bearmouth RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Drummond, MT
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 825-9950

    $35 - $40 / night

    "This 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."

    "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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Frenchtown, MT

2 Photos of 11 Frenchtown Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Frenchtown, MT

78 Reviews of 11 Frenchtown Campgrounds


  • C
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Holland Lake Campground

    Great camping, swimming, paddling, hiking, views

    We love this campground! The views are gorgeous, the sites big, the pit toilets clean, and the people friendly. At the lodge(and the campground now, too, I believe) you can rent kayaks and/or paddle boards. The hike to the waterfall is beautiful, and swimming and snorkeling in this lake are wonderful due to the clarity and purity. One can also take a fun hike all around the lake in four or five hours(but be sure to bring bug spray) and walk over to see the horses in the adjacent horse campground. Why it didn’t earn five stars: the road to the campgrounds are gravel and heavily trafficked, which means that it can get pretty dusty, creating a blanket of dust over the lake if a busy weekend. Also, because the vast majority of users are kayakers and paddle boarders, the lake’s shape and smaller size mean that it can be a challenge for motorized users to keep distance from them. Overall, a lovely, natural lake.

  • Terrance R.
    May. 17, 2023

    Charles Waters Campground

    Great nature

    This 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.

  • T
    Jun. 20, 2022

    Charles Waters Campground

    Beautiful campground!

    This 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!

  • Jen F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Charles Waters Campground

    Clean,quiet,beautiful

    Traveling south in Montana and found this lovely little place. Trees, meadows and solitude. Just the way I like it

  • Mary Ellen H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground

    Convenient, gorgeous, snug and delicious!

    Easy 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.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2021

    Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground

    Great Stay

    We 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!

  • Anna B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2018

    Holland Lake Campground

    Gorgeous Camping

    This is one of my favorite spots in Montana. The lake itself is gorgeous, and the camping spots are beautiful. There's even one site on the island, if you brought a canoe or kayak, as we did! There's a short hike up to the waterfall and a longer hike to upper waterfalls. The water on the lake is crystal clear, and while motor boats are allowed, people appreciate the quiet a bit more. There are views in all directions, the camping is quiet, the sunsets are beautiful. There are mosquitoes, but they're not terrible, so bring some bug spray and you should be fine. As always, please practice LNT!

  • Megan K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Out Post Campground

    Great pit stop to Yellowstone

    We 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.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Charles Waters Campground

    Quiet camping in the Bitterroots.

    Nice 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).


Guide to Frenchtown

Horse camping in Montana offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and equestrian-friendly facilities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy the scenic trails at Charles Waters Campground, where you can ride through the beautiful Bitterroot National Forest.
  • Experience the rugged beauty of Lake Elsina - Dispersed, perfect for those who appreciate a more remote setting while riding.
  • Explore the diverse terrain at Sloway Campground, where you can float on the Clark Fork River after a day of horseback riding.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water hookups

  • Out Post Campground provides essential amenities such as water hookups and sanitary dump stations, ensuring a comfortable stay for equestrian campers.
  • At Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground, you’ll find electric hookups and a market nearby, making it convenient for those traveling with horses.
  • Holland Lake Campground offers a beautiful lakeside setting with ample space for horse camping, though it lacks electric hookups.

Equestrian campgrounds include spacious sites and natural beauty

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Frenchtown, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Frenchtown, MT is Out Post Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Frenchtown, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Frenchtown, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.