Tent campsites near Harrison, Montana range from primitive sites at the base of rocky plateaus to developed camping along clear mountain lakes. The area sits at elevations between 4,700 and 9,000 feet, with summer temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F during the day and dropping to 40-45°F at night. Most dispersed sites don't have cell service, so downloading offline maps is recommended.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Copper City BLM land offers excellent access to dedicated biking routes. "Great spot right on parts of the trail! It's open and you can see miles in each direction. No shade, no bathrooms, but most have man made fire pits," notes Ashley M. about Copper City BLM.
Cliff jumping: First lake at Spanish Lakes features a natural cliff jump. "There is a ~ 40 ft cliff you can jump off of into the super deep water," says Lucille W. about the Spanish Lakes area, where campers can cool off during hot summer days.
Fishing access: Madison River fishing is available near Varney Bridge. "Very Rudimentary... you're right on the river looking out on Varney bridge on a river loaded with massive browns and bows," explains Micah O. The $5/night camping at Varney Bridge puts anglers right on prime fishing water.
Summiting peaks: Several mountains near camping areas offer hiking opportunities. A camper at Spanish Lakes notes, "Apparently you can summit the nearby mountains and reached a higher lake called Beehive. My friends went and said they enjoyed it."
What campers like
Unique farm setting: Tent camping alongside farm animals provides a different experience. "We loved staying here. The kids enjoyed the animals. There is a nice fire pit that made for a gathering spot for the other few campers," writes Chula R. about Serenity Sheep Farm Stay.
Alpine lake campsites: High-elevation lakes offer pristine environments. "You'll have stunning views of the mountains, rivers, and pines on your hike in... Once arriving at the top; you'll find a stunning array of crystal lakes, snow melts, and glistening cliffs," says Ruby W. about Spanish Lakes.
Privacy between sites: Revenue Flats provides separation between campers. "The sites were roomy and private on a high plateau with beautiful views," notes Lisa A. Many campers appreciate the distance between sites that allows for quiet evenings.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies provide excellent viewing. "Pulled up to this spot and camped under the most beautiful night sky I've ever seen," mentions Lucille W. about Revenue Flats.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. "Road in was no beuno for the Honda Civic. She barely made it up and couldn't make it all the way back to some of the climbing spots," warns Lucille W. about Revenue Flats.
Bridge closures: Always check access points before traveling. "The road to this location is closed, the bridge is out. There is no access," reports Hunter about Copper City BLM in a recent review.
Bear safety requirements: This is grizzly territory with active bears. "For sure there is 1 grizzly that's pretty big. He checked out our truck tent," warns Jonathan A. about Fairy Lake Campground. "1 bear box for the whole camp ground so be prepared to store food in car or tree."
Water crossings: Some trails require fording streams. "You cross over some beautiful bridges over roaring streams. Couple streams didn't have bridges so we had to lose our boots for those crossings," explains Lucille W. about the trail to Spanish Lakes.
Tips for camping with families
Farm animal experiences: Kids enjoy watching livestock at certain sites. "We loved this place nestled in the valley about 30 minutes outside of Bozeman. Not only did we have spectacular views of the mountains but we loved seeing the farm animals (cows, sheep, llama, chickens)," shares Tanya A. about Serenity Sheep Farm Stay.
Wildlife watching opportunities: Multiple camping areas offer wildlife viewing. "Quiet. Lots of birds, rabbits and a cow moose and calf," reports Robert W. about Varney Bridge. Mountain goats are also common at higher elevation sites.
Boat launching observations: Kids can watch river activity at fishing access sites. "There are usually quite a few fishermen loading and unloading their boats throughout the day, which can be fun for the younger kids to watch," notes J W. about Varney Bridge.
Stream play areas: Shallow creeks provide natural entertainment. "There was a perfect little creek that my 5yo fully enjoyed for a few days," shares Heather F. about camping near Fairy Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site length limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. "We drove a F450 with triple slide truck camper and made it ok. Also saw a 2 wheel drive 30 foot class C motorhome that made it but would not recommend anything larger," advises Lisa A. about Revenue Flats.
Washboard road warnings: Prepare for rough access roads. "We talked w multiple campers who had things broken in their rigs coming up the road," cautions Elizabeth W. about one campground's approach road.
Campsite positioning: Finding level spots can be challenging. "Riverfront site - a little tight for camper and truck but worked," notes Elizabeth W. about Varney Bridge camping. Consider bringing leveling blocks for all tent campsites near Harrison, Montana.
Road width concerns: Some forest service roads are narrow with limited passing areas. "The 6-mile unmaintained road to get to the campground is definitely rough. The warnings are justified—it's bumpy, rocky, and slow going," explains Sayler O. about accessing Fairy Lake Campground.
