Best Tent Camping near Glen, MT
Tent campgrounds in the Glen, Montana region offer several options located along the Big Hole River and throughout the surrounding Beaverhead National Forest. Notable locations include Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site with five tent campsites under large cottonwood trees approximately 6 miles south of Melrose, and Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site which features six well-spaced tent sites along the Big Hole River within walking distance to Melrose.
Most tent sites in the Glen area feature dirt or gravel parking pads with metal fire rings and picnic tables. Vault toilets are common at established campgrounds, but drinking water is rarely available—only Grasshopper Campground and Pigeon Creek provide water via hand pumps during their operating season from approximately June through September. Campers should bring their own water and pack out all trash as most sites lack garbage service. Bear-resistant food storage is necessary at some locations like Mill Creek Campground, where food lockers are provided due to grizzly bear activity in the region.
Tent campers appreciate the shade provided by the mature cottonwood trees at river access sites, which help buffer highway and occasional railroad noise. "It's a small campground with picnic tables and fire rings at each spot and a vault toilet. Right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge," noted one visitor about Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site. Areas farther from Interstate 15, such as Pigeon Creek and Grasshopper Campground, offer more seclusion for backcountry tent camping experiences. Many tent campsites provide direct access to fishing opportunities, with numerous sites positioned within sight of the Big Hole River. Several campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with fees ranging from free at some fishing access sites to approximately $12-18 per night at others, with discounts often available for Montana residents with fishing licenses.
