Hamilton sits at 3,570 feet elevation in the Bitterroot Valley, with access to over 1.6 million acres of Bitterroot National Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F to 85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most campsites in the region close by late October due to snowfall at higher elevations, though some valley locations offer year-round camping options.
What to do
Blue-ribbon fishing access: At Anglers Roost Campground, fishing spots are abundant along the Bitterroot River. "This is not a fancy campground but we loved it. It's on the Bitterroot River with the Bitterroot Mtns behind you and the Sapphire in front," notes a visitor. The campground covers 15 acres with a quarter-mile of riverfront access.
Hot springs soaking: Relax in mineral pools at Lolo Hot Springs, located 35 miles northwest of Hamilton. Water temperatures range from 86°F in the outdoor pool to 106°F in the enclosed mineral bath. "We took a hot soak in the 106 degree enclosed mineral bath/pool area and rotated to the 86 degree pool outside. Kids and families all seemed to stay in the pool area while adults in the mineral bath area," explains one visitor to Lolo Hot Springs RV Park & Campground.
Mini-golf and recreation: Several campgrounds offer on-site activities beyond hiking. Missoula KOA provides "playground, pool, mini golf, clean showers, restrooms and laundry," according to one camper. Camp Sula features "free put-put golf, horseshoes, tetherball and a small well stocked fishing pond with benches to watch the action."
What campers like
River proximity: Many campsites sit directly along water access points. At Powell Campground, "the site was large, contained a picnic table and fire pit with cooking grate, and had plenty of trees for hammocking. The campground is bordered on one side by the Lochsa River and the other side by the Powell Ranger station and Lochsa Lodge."
Privacy between sites: Philipsburg Bay Campground earns praise for its spacious layout. "This campground has many sites shaded by lodgepole pines. The sites are far enough apart and angled to give a nice sense of privacy," notes one reviewer. Another mentions, "The spots are spacious and quiet. It's really clean and the camp hosts were nice."
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping near Hamilton, Montana provides a comfortable middle ground between tent camping and cabins. Beavertail Hill State Park features tipis that campers describe as "a lot of fun to sleep in." The park's river trail creates a scenic hiking opportunity directly from your yurt camping site.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds near Hamilton operate from late May through early October. "We bought our trailer a couple miles away, since we drove from Washington we wanted to stay in our new to us trailer. We called they were very friendly and got us a beautiful site by the river," notes a camper at Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to their proximity to highways. Lee Creek Campground sits near Highway 12, where "the 70mph highway is a stone's throw away and every passing car seems pretty impossibly loud." Railroad tracks also run near some campgrounds, causing occasional noise disruptions.
Bear safety: Food storage regulations are strictly enforced throughout the region. At Lee Creek Campground, campers are instructed to "make sure to pack any food in bear proof containers or a hard sided vehicle." Bear activity increases in late summer when berries ripen at higher elevations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground, families appreciate that "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."
River access safety: Monitor children near water, especially during spring runoff when rivers run high and fast. At Camp Sula, the "small well stocked fishing pond with benches" offers safer water interaction than the swifter Bitterroot River.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting local wildlife. The National Bison Range is approximately 40 minutes from Hamilton. One camper suggests, "If you have a couple days here I would suggest a 40 minute drive to the National Bison Range. The kids will love it!"
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Beavertail Hill State Park Campground provides electric hookups, though specifics vary by loop. "There are two loops of campsites tent and RV pull in or back in camping with electricity that can accommodate up to a 45 ft camper," notes a visitor to the area.
Solar limitations in forested sites: At Philipsburg Bay Campground, "every site we saw was in the pines. Great for shade, terrible if you rely on solar. Electric hookups are available, but there are only one or two sites in the whole campground with them."
Limited dump stations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. One camper at Ekstrom's Stage Station noted "dump station is nice," while others mentioned some campgrounds lack this facility entirely. Several campgrounds operate with water restrictions during drier months, so filling tanks before arrival is recommended.
