Belt Creek on Hughesville Road offers rustic camping near Geyser, Montana in the foothills of the Little Belt Mountains. The area sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby towns. Sites are distributed along a 7-mile stretch of gravel road following Belt Creek, creating numerous opportunities for primitive camping without designated boundaries or site numbers.
What to do
Fishing access: Multiple spots along Belt Creek provide good trout fishing opportunities. "Amazing time here. Many spots... Views are amazing and the place is great," notes a camper at Belt Creek on Hughesville Road.
Wildlife observation: The area supports deer, elk, and various bird species. "Wild life wild flowers and large pull off areas that are well groomed. I can't understand why this place is not visited more often!" reports a visitor to Belt Creek.
Explore historic sites: Nearby ghost towns and abandoned mining operations can be found within short driving distance. At Dispersed site 9210, a camper noted, "This is at the site of the former Indian Hills Campground which was decommissioned a few years ago. All of the campground was removed on the opposite side of the creek."
What campers like
Creek proximity: Most sites offer direct water access for cooling off during summer. "You can park right on the stream there are fire rings and man is it quiet! Cute little homestead town as you pull up to the road and the road is well maintained!" shares one Belt Creek visitor.
Established fire rings: Most sites come with existing fire rings despite the primitive nature. "The road was in great shape and we found a nice spot a few miles back and right next to the creek," reports a camper at Slaughter River Boat Camp.
Natural shade: Large trees provide coverage at many sites. A camper at Dispersed site 9210 mentioned, "Both sites are quite nice and sit among very large trees and along side the creek."
What you should know
Trash management: Pack-out requirements are strictly enforced. "My only two complaints is people leave their trash. So pack out what you bring in," notes a visitor to Belt Creek.
Capacity fluctuations: Weekends can become crowded quickly. "We arrived at about 5 on a Friday night and a lot of the spots where taken. Traffic kept rolling until about 9 of people looking for spots. So if you want to stay on a Friday get there early," advises a Belt Creek camper.
Side road options: Haymaker Dispersed Camping Area offers additional primitive camping when main areas fill up. "There are alot of spots with roads though them with multiple spread out sites," explains one Belt Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Toilet preparations: No facilities mean bringing portable options. At Slaughter River, a camper warns, "The worst part of this campsite is the two outhouses... Also the toilets have no toilet paper so BRING YOUR OWN!!!"
Creek safety: Belt Creek can run high and fast during spring runoff. "Fishing is good though, and at night you can catch catfish!" notes a camper at Slaughter River Developed Boat Camp.
Variable conditions: Weather can change rapidly at higher elevations. "The forest service left the first two sites for disperse camping. You can find the site by turning at the sign for forest road 9210, which goes for only a couple hundred feet to the two camp sites," advises a visitor to Dispersed site 9210.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: While accessible, interior roads may have rough sections. "The road was in great shape and we found a nice spot a few miles back and right next to the creek. There are several campsites along the road," reports a Belt Creek camper.
Limited turnaround areas: Larger rigs should scout ahead before committing to narrow side roads. "We were there mid-week in September and I was surprised at how many other campers were there, but there were still several sites that were available," notes another Belt Creek visitor.
Ground leveling: Bring leveling blocks as most sites are not graded flat. "This place is off the beaten path but aren't all the best spots?" mentions a Belt Creek on Hughesville Road camper.
