M
Michael 
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TravelerAspen Grove Campground
What a fantastic campground, right by the creek. Late October, no fee
Tent Camping near Garrison, MT
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Tent campsites near Garrison, Montana include several dispersed options in the surrounding Deerlodge National Forest. Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite offers primitive tent camping along a scenic waterway, while Scott Reservoir Dispersed provides lakeside tent sites with mountain views. Both locations are free and permit fires when restrictions aren't in place.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities with fire rings but limited services. Little Blackfoot River sites include the unusual benefit of picnic tables at a dispersed location, though the proximity to the road creates some noise. Scott Reservoir offers 4-5 rock fire rings in close proximity, with enough space for small vehicles but limited options for trailers. Neither location provides drinking water, toilets, or trash service, so campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Access roads can be challenging but generally passable in standard vehicles.
Walk-in tent sites at Scott Reservoir provide more seclusion than drive-up options. The reservoir setting attracts photographers and anglers, with several fire rings positioned to take advantage of water views. One visitor noted, "Great place to camp for overlooking the reservoir. I had the entire place to myself on a Thursday night." For those seeking more established facilities, Stuart Mill Bay offers tent camping with vault toilets and picnic tables, though it tends to fill quickly during peak season. Sites 1-7 provide more tree cover than the more exposed sites 8-16, which are better suited to RVs but still accommodate tents. A recent review mentioned that "This site is one of the best sites if you want a bit of privacy. As with the rest of the Georgetown Lake sites, there are a number of people, but you have many options to try and limit contact."
Best Tent Campgrounds near Garrison (24)
1. 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. "
"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"
2. Deerlodge National Forest Orofino Campground
3. Scott Reservoir Dispersed
"About 4-5 rock fire rings fairly close together. I had the entire place to myself on a Thursday night. Some bugs but not too bad."
"There were just a few cars driving back down the mountain in the evening. But no one bothered."
4. Stuart Mill Bay
"This state fishing access site campground has you right on the lake shore or very close to lake for easy fishing and boating access. "
"The campground and boat launches sit on a spit reaching out into Georgetown Lake. There are two boat launches, one for non motorized and one for motorized boats."
5. Deerlodge National Forest Ladysmith Campground
6. Ladysmith
7. River Junction
"Toilet and a single shared bear box among about 8 sites, although I was there Friday night in early August and was the only camper there. "
8. Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites
"Verizon has around 2 bars, there's no toilets or running water."
9. Warm Springs Campground
10. Corricks River Bend
"Kind of neat to drive past the Paws Up resort and the campground is much more affordable! The river is great to float and holds enough water into the fall."
"The outhouses are shared male/female. Nice place to camp."
Drive Time
- 44 min from Helena, MT
- 55 min from Missoula, MT
- 1 hr 48 min from Bozeman, MT
- 1 hr 56 min from Great Falls, MT
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Garrison, MT
3 Photos of 24 Garrison Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Garrison, MT
491 Reviews of 24 Garrison Campgrounds
Hayley F.TravelerGalena Gulch
Great for one night
By the interstate, $10 to camp. Takes cash, check or there is a kiosk for cards. Definitely interstate noise and gun shots in the distance, but great for one night stay. You can back in right by the river. Our travel trailer was 27ft and we chose site #3, it was easy to back into to.
Aaron S.
RangerButte KOA Journey
A No-Frills, Budget Stopover (Plus a Must-See Mining Tour!)
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for an overnight stop while rolling through southwestern Montana on Interstate 15 or Interstate 90, the Butte KOA Journey serves its purpose as a functional travel hub. It is far from a luxury resort destination, but if you need a safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible place to park your rig for the night, it gets the job done.
Campground Grounds & Amenities
It is best to set expectations before pulling in—this is a very basic, older KOA:
- The Grounds: The roads and driveways are dirt and gravel, which can get muddy after a rain. There is virtually no grass throughout the sites, so expect some dust or dirt around your rig.
- Facilities & Security: While there is nothing fancy about the park, it felt completely safe and quiet during our overnight stay. Staff members were very welcoming and friendly.
- The Value: The nightly rate was very reasonable, which makes up for the lack of upscale amenities. If you just need hookups, level ground, and a spot to catch some sleep without paying premium resort fees, the price matches what you get.
Location & Highway Access
- Easy In-and-Out: The standout practical benefit of this park is the convenience. It offers quick, hassle-free on-and-off access from the nearby interstate junction, which makes pulling in after a long driving day and departing the next morning straightforward.
- The Town Setting: Butte definitely shows signs of an old mining town that has struggled economically since its historic copper mining heydays, but it makes up for that with raw character and rugged Western history.
Must-See Local Stop: The Berkeley Pit Tour
If you stay here, do not leave town without visiting the Berkeley Pit.
- The Experience: It is an overwhelmingly massive open-pit copper mine that operated for decades and is now filled with heavily mineralized water. Known historically as part of"The Richest Hill on Earth," it offers a fascinating window into America’s industrial past.
- The Logistics: The viewing stand and tour setup—conveniently run right by the local chamber of commerce/visitors center—is inexpensive and only requires about 30 minutes of your time.
- Active Mining Nearby: While the Berkeley Pit is retired, active open-pit mining is still happening right next door (projected to continue through 2050!). If you have any interest in mining, geology, or gold and mineral prospecting, this quick detour is well worth your time.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Butte KOA Journey won't win awards for landscaping, but its budget-friendly rate, safe atmosphere, and prime interstate convenience make it a viable 3-star overnight rest stop. Pair it with a half-hour visit to the Berkeley Pit to get an authentic taste of Montana's copper history before hitting the highway again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 out of 5 Stars)
- Barb T.
GuideBeavertail Hill State Park Campground
Nice pretty quiet campground. Close to 90 but could not hear that much traffic. Did hear trains
It was lovely. I liked this campground its beautiful in the fall. Had a short 1 mile look hiking trail which was awsome for the dogs. No dump station and the water was turned off ...it is October so we expected it. It was nice and quiet and peaceful. Not much to do for the kiddos but good for old people lol.
- MMackenzie C.Traveler
Stuart Mill Bay
Beautiful, clean, and feels safe
Plenty of sites to pick, it seems that at least half of them are right on the water. Pit toilets available. Campground host is attentive but not invasive.
- LLarry H.
ScoutButte KOA Journey
Nice for Stop overnight stop
Nice for overnight stop cose to I90 sites are tight trails and Butte visitor center next to campground
Jesse N.ScoutScott Reservoir Dispersed
Unsuccessful from Rimini
Gated road at this location, maybe still good from other starting point but no viable sites coming from Rimini that I saw. Road gets a bit rough, did find a rough roadside spot for the night but for the 8-9 mile drive in on dirt roads definitely not worthwhile.
- EElizabeth W.Traveler
Black Sandy State Park Campground
Stay on the Lake
Stopped in overnight. Nice quiet spot on the lake. Toilets were very clean. Enjoyed the hike to the overlook. Hard to find what the off season prices were.
- TTeresa L B.Guide
Philipsburg Bay Campground
September Calling
Quiet, few campers, closes Oct. 1st with some campgrounds remaining open. Narrow asphalt roads in campground. Narrow asphalt pad fairly level. Lots of shade in this campground
Guide to Garrison
Dispersed camping near Garrison, Montana provides access to the Clark Fork River basin at elevations between 4,500-5,800 feet. The surrounding Deerlodge National Forest lands feature lodgepole pine and Douglas fir forests with seasonal temperature fluctuations. Summer nights remain cool even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, while early and late season camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The areas surrounding Garrison offer exceptional trout fishing. River Junction Fishing Access Site provides direct access to the confluence of the Blackfoot and North Fork Blackfoot Rivers. As James K. notes, "Peaceful wooded site with the confluence of the Blackfoot and North Fork Blackfoot. Several sites right along the river."
Photography at reservoirs: Scott Reservoir Dispersed camping area provides excellent photography opportunities with mountain backdrops. "Great place to camp for overlooking the reservoir. Ran into one local taking pictures but left soon after," reports Don S., who had the "entire place to myself on a Thursday night."
Mountain exploring: Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites offer access to mining history and mountain terrain. "There are multiple spots to pull off from Garnet Range Rd, and there are spots with a stone firepit along them," according to Robert C., who noted cell service with "Verizon has around 2 bars."
What campers like
River access: Corricks River Bend offers camping alongside flowing water. Julie L. reports, "The campgrounds are pretty spread out and most along the river. Our site (9) was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare."
Solitude during weekdays: Mid-week tent camping near Garrison often means having areas to yourself. Don S. experienced this at Scott Reservoir, noting, "I had the entire place to myself on a Thursday night. Some bugs but not too bad."
Spacious sites: Many dispersed areas offer generous spacing between sites. At Corricks River Bend, Jen F. appreciated the "Spacious sites, first come first serve. Lovely spots right along the river."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. Celine K. warns about Corricks River Bend: "The road to get to this campsite is rough! Kind of neat to drive past the Paws Up resort and the campground is much more affordable!"
Campground closures: Some formerly developed sites have been converted to dispersed camping. Dexter I. reports on Ladysmith Campground: "Ladysmith Campground is no longer a campground. After years of little use and then the pine beetle attack on the trees, the forest service cleared out the dead trees and everything else in the campground."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. The Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite is unusual in that it offers some infrastructure. Dexter I. notes it has "a large rock fire ring and the big bonus of having a picnic table."
Tips for camping with families
Reservoir access: Scott Reservoir provides safe water access for families. Ashley C. describes the experience: "Came up here in a whim one night and got lucky! No one else camped up there so it was peacful. You're right by the water with. Great mountain view, couldn't ask for more."
Swimming spots: Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite offers water play opportunities during summer months. Dexter I. notes, "A short trail leads to the river, but does require a little bit of scrambling. The River (more of a creek at this point) has a nice spot if you need to cool off from the summer heat."
Firewood gathering: Some sites allow for firewood collection when fire restrictions aren't in place. At Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite, "Another 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
Small trailer access: Most dispersed sites near Garrison accommodate small trailers or truck campers but have limitations. At Scott Reservoir, Ashley C. advises, "There's a nice hand full of spots you could pull up in a car, maybe two spots your could fit a small trailer in."
Level parking challenges: Finding level areas for larger vehicles can be difficult. James K. notes about River Junction Fishing Access Site: "The road back to the campground would be tough for trailers, I think."
Space variations: Site size varies significantly even within the same camping area. At Corricks River Bend, Julie L. found generous space: "Our site (9) was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare. there aren't many sites, and the price is $18 per night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Garrison, MT?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Garrison, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Garrison, MT is Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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tent camping near
Garrison, MT?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Garrison, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Garrison, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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