Best Dispersed Camping near Harrison, MT

Several dispersed camping areas exist near Harrison, Montana, primarily on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service. Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground, Copper City BLM, and Homestake Pass Dispersed represent the main free camping options in this region. These primitive sites accommodate both tent and RV camping without designated facilities or reservations. Most locations sit within driving distance of Harrison, with some sites positioned along forest roads and others near water features like Ruby Reservoir.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary considerably in quality and condition. Many require navigation on dirt or gravel surfaces that may become difficult after rain or during spring runoff. Homestake Pass Dispersed provides relatively easy access with roads suitable for most vehicles, while other areas may require high-clearance vehicles. Most sites lack drinking water, trash collection, and restroom facilities. Fire regulations apply seasonally, with restrictions common during dry summer months. A 16-day camping limit is enforced at many locations, particularly at Ruby Reservoir and other BLM areas.

The dispersed campsites near Harrison provide opportunities for wildlife viewing, mountain biking, and hiking. At Homestake Pass, "there are MTB, OHV and walking trails nearby," according to one visitor. Campers at Ruby Reservoir note the opportunity for garnet hunting along the shoreline. Cell service varies substantially between locations, with some areas providing reliable coverage while others remain disconnected. Visitor experiences range widely based on timing and location. One camper at Homestake Pass reported, "As a single female tent camping I felt very safe here. One morning a bunch of cows came through my site, which was amazing." Some areas become popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts, particularly on weekends, creating occasional noise concerns.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Harrison, Montana (20)

    1. Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground

    1 Review
    Norris, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 682-4253

    2. Copper City BLM

    4 Reviews
    Three Forks, MT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 533-7600

    "Lots of open space and locations to pull out--beautiful views as well! To access this place we went towards Copper City Trail Head, and drove by the entrance onto BLM lands."

    "No shade, no bathrooms, but most have man made fire pits."

    3. Homestake Pass Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Butte, MT
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-3900

    "There’s a big area that had a dozen RVs & tents, but it was late & we wanted space so we followed a rough dirt road 1/2 a mile to find a spot in the trees."

    "The dispersed camping is super easy to find, and it's right off the highway! It was perfect for a quick spot to camp on our way home to Colorado instead of getting a hotel room."

    4. Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046

    14 Reviews
    Gallatin Gateway, MT
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 522-2520

    "Definitely busier than I expected, especially with the condition of the road; we had multiple cars coming down the road we were on and then they would turn around and come back but it wasn’t obnoxious."

    "Dispersed camping all along a pass through the canyon. Very remote and private. I drove up the mountain a ways and found a perfect spot to set up ."

    6. Maiden Rock Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    Divide, MT
    46 miles

    "The spot is close to the freeway, but far enough that you won’t hear any of the noise so it’s perfect if you are on a road trip. :) There are some train tracks that run by it, but I didn’t notice if"

    "Picnic benches, tent camping spots, rv spots! We might have been lucky but no mosquitos! It’s across the bridge in case you can’t find it from google maps :)"

    8. Ruby Reservoir Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Virginia City, MT
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-8000

    "Be prepared for steep inclines in some situations. While it was quiet people wise, I’m pretty sure you can hear the dam because we had rumbling noise that woke both of us up."

    "You can bring campers, motorhomes, or tent camp like we did! There is a bathroom available as well! Lots of neat agates in the parking lot! I highly recommend this area! This was our view each morning"

    9. Homestake Lake Camp

    1 Review
    Butte, MT
    34 miles

    "This campsite is right off the exit, but not very noisy. There were several other campers and RVs and trucks there. Even just parts of cars."

    10. South Fork Brackett Creek Dispersed Site

    6 Reviews
    Bozeman, MT
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-6701

    "I went a little further up the mountain than the coordinates (about 5 miles) and found a spot off the road (4wd highly recommended, no big rigs)."

    "Gorgeous campsite only 20ish min from the outskirts of Bozeman. Stopped in for 1 night passing through on a bigger road trip and couldn’t be luckier with this location. Fire rings at all campsites."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Harrison, MT

70 Reviews of 20 Harrison Campgrounds


  • Maddie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Maiden Rock Dispersed

    BEST SPOT YET

    Hands down the best spot I’ve found on this app so far!!

    Literally was talking to myself as I pulled up making weird noises because I was in so much awe at how beautiful the spot was! The sunsets here are amazing or at least the night I stayed was!

    The camping spots are somewhat close together so that’s good to keep in mind.

    But omg, the spot is insane. The mosquitoes were not bad at all. The spot feels like a perfect little oasis.

    The spot is close to the freeway, but far enough that you won’t hear any of the noise so it’s perfect if you are on a road trip. :)

    There are some train tracks that run by it, but I didn’t notice if the train was noisy or going by as I was car camping!

    Getting to the spot - you will get off the main road and drive through some dirt roads and past some private property. At the end of one of the roads you’ll see a small bridge you’ll drive over and the camping spots are maybe 30 seconds past the bridge.

    Also an incredible spot to fish!

  • Marasha L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Olson Creek Dispersed

    Really a 4.5 star spot

    Beautiful space with views and birdsongs aplenty. Spaces are small and right off the road, but for a free night not far from I-94 with solitude and nature, it’s fantastic. There are a few more pull-offs (again, no privacy and right off the Forest Road) if you drive on down toward Skunk Rd, but road gets rougher (high clearance and/or 4WD fine) from especially if it has recently rained. Those spots were also all taken. Went about a 1/2 mile beyond the GPS coordinates for spot with wee bit more space but the pull-off with these exact coordinates ended up getting claimed by an RV at some point in the night—this road gets solid use in the summer—saw at least a dozen vehicles in the 14 hours here.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2018

    Ruby Reservoir Recreation Area

    Primitive campground on the Ruby Reservoir

    The BLM's Ruby Reservoir is a disperse camping area. The only facilities at this campground is a double vault toilet. There is no signage on the highway to indicated the campground. After passing the dam look for the first paved turn with a stop sign on the right side of the road, this is your turn, the pavement will stop after a couple hundred feet. Lots of campsite can be found by following the web of roads once the pavement ends. Off road travel is not allowed. Their are no metal fire rings, all the fire rings in the area are made of rocks. Being a primitive camping area this is a trash-in-trash-out site, and you will need to bring your own water. This is a nice area, and I have camped here several times during hunting season. The fishing is decent as well. If you want to find garnets just head to the lake shore and start digging. Small ones can be found on the surface, bring a shovel and dig deeper if you want something decent. If you use a gold pan shake the gravel around for several minutes then flip the pan is the easiest way to find them as the garnets are heavy and will settle to the bottom of the pan. Site is free with a 16 day stay limit.

  • Ann A.
    Aug. 14, 2022

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Popular, spacious

    There’s a big area that had a dozen RVs & tents, but it was late & we wanted space so we followed a rough dirt road 1/2 a mile to find a spot in the trees. The Homestake Trailhead down the road has a bathroom. We did have a weird experience: a truck camped near us with two people who openly watched us the entire morning & followed us to the trailhead before driving on.

  • Kimberly L.
    Aug. 2, 2022

    South Fork Brackett Creek Dispersed Site

    Gorgeous mountain views

    I went a little further up the mountain than the coordinates (about 5 miles) and found a spot off the road (4wd highly recommended, no big rigs). The mountains were pink and purple at sunrise, awesome views! I went for a little walk in the woods and saw a black bear (keep your food and trash stored safe!) No amenities of course but most sites have a fire ring already there. It's about 20-30 minutes outside of Bozeman, MT. Happy camping!

  • Erik W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2024

    Olson Creek Dispersed

    No trespassing signs everywhere

    Not to mention the single-lane cobblestone road, I have a truck and was bouncing up and down the whole way! I didn't find one area big enough to set up camp. I definitely would NOT recommend this spot

  • James C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

    On the road to Fairy Lake

    There is a Meadow about 4 miles in front of the highway that has at least 3 dispersed sites. I went to the one furthest from the dirt road and had nice shade and privacy here. I went all the way to the dispersed campsite above Fairy Lake. I felt it was adequate but the 2 remaining sites were full sun and the trailhead right below the CG was packed (approx. 30 vehicles)

  • Tee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2023

    Humbug Spires Trailhead Basecamp

    Total hidden gem!

    Only 3 miles from the highway, this campsite is at the end of a well maintained, slightly rutted gravel road. It’s wide enough for trailers.

    Along the road, there are a handful of pull offs that are big enough for an RV to pull into.

    The coordinates bring you to an open gravel lot with nice clean pit toilets. There’s a creek nearby. Big beautiful rocks, some shade, pretty epic views on the way in. Beautiful!

    No cell service, unfortunately. Another con is that there’s another road that goes in further, but it’s narrow and eroded. I attempted it in my campervan, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth the hassle and parked in the open lot instead.

  • Avery S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2022

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Great quick spot!

    The dispersed camping is super easy to find, and it's right off the highway! It was perfect for a quick spot to camp on our way home to Colorado instead of getting a hotel room.


Guide to Harrison

Dispersed camping near Harrison, Montana primarily occurs on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service. Most rustic camping spots sit at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet, creating notable temperature fluctuations between day and night even in summer months. The region's proximity to the Madison River watershed influences both the landscape and camping conditions, with many sites offering access to fishing streams.

What to do

Garnet hunting at lakeshores: Ruby Reservoir Recreation Area offers unique opportunities for amateur rockhounds. "This campsite has loads to offer ~ there is access to the reservoir, of course, and along with this comes the garnets lining the shores. It is a perfect adventure for beginners, as all you need is a shovel and some screens to begin your search," notes one visitor to Ruby Reservoir Recreation Area.

Mountain biking near mining areas: The trail systems near abandoned mining operations provide distinctive riding experiences. At Copper City BLM, a camper reports, "Great spot right on parts of the trial! It's open and you can see miles in each direction. No shade, no bathrooms, but most have man made fire pits."

Wildlife observation: The diverse ecosystems support considerable wildlife viewing opportunities. "One morning a bunch of cows came through my site, which was amazing," reports a camper, though larger wildlife including bears also inhabit the region, requiring appropriate precautions.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many rustic camping areas near Harrison offer good separation between campsites. At Maiden Rock Dispersed, a visitor notes, "Sites are spaced nicely, brand new looking picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire rings. Put toilet right outside of camp."

Convenient highway access: Several camping areas provide quick access from major roads without sacrificing natural settings. "Only 5 min from highway on a smooth road, spacious with vistas and private. Best yet," reports one camper about convenient camping options.

Free camping with amenities: Some free dispersed sites offer unexpected amenities. "It's like actual campgrounds. Picnic tables, fire pits. Bathroom down the road," writes a camper at Maiden Rock Dispersed, adding, "The standard of sites are top notch and much better than most paid for campsites."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many primitive sites requires navigating unpaved roads of varying quality. At Olson Creek Dispersed, a visitor warns, "Not to mention the single-lane cobblestone road, I have a truck and was bouncing up and down the whole way!"

Bear activity requires precautions: Black bears frequent many camping areas near Harrison. "The only downside is as of September 1st 2025 a Bear might still be active in the area. It tried to get into our camper," reports a camper, adding, "Carry bear spray and you're probably fine!"

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies greatly between locations. At Homestake Lake Camp, one visitor notes, "I got 3-4 bars LTE of Verizon here!" while others report no service, particularly in canyon areas and lower elevations.

Seasonal gate closures: Winter and spring access may be restricted. "The gate was closed when we went. We were also in an RV that doesn't do great with snow so we were going out to turn around anyway," reports a camper attempting to access a site during shoulder season.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with established facilities: For family camping, sites with basic amenities reduce stress. "The vault toilets are in a good location for many of the spots, and some are in other driveways if you are self-contained," notes a visitor at Ruby Reservoir Recreation Area.

Prepare for temperature swings: The elevation creates notable day-night temperature differences. Pack additional layers even for summer camping trips, as nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F even in July and August.

Bring all water supplies: With no reliable water sources at most sites, families should transport adequate drinking water. At Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046, a visitor advises, "This place is amazingly beautiful! We stopped by twice over three weeks- both times only one other site occupied," but reminds campers that no water services exist.

Tips from RVers

Rig size limitations: Many Harrison area dispersed sites have constraints for larger vehicles. At Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground, a visitor notes, "Few sites, best suited for smaller campers. Beautiful area. OHV and horseback riding."

Limited level parking: Finding level sites challenges many RV campers. "Hardly any water campsites. Rattlesnakes by the bathrooms. Almost impossible to level a camper," reports one RVer at Ruby Reservoir Recreation Area.

Generator usage varies by location: Different camping areas have different rules or norms regarding generator use. "Several other campers running gens all day," notes a visitor about one location, indicating that generator use is permitted but may affect the camping experience for others seeking quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Harrison, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Harrison, MT is Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Harrison, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Harrison, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.