Top Free Dispersed Camping near Helena, MT

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Helena, look no further. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Montana camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Helena, MT (14)

Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Helena

29 Reviews of 14 Helena Campgrounds


  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    Sep. 22, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Bridge closed, no access!

    The road to this location is closed, the bridge is out. There is no access.

  • Rachel S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Confederate Disperse Camping Area
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    Great spot for the night

    Stayed here twice in early August about a week apart. Any car should be able to get down the road to the campsites. A bit buggy but free. Pit toilet available.

  • Renee G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Classic blm camping

    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. Also, note that this place seems common for mountain bikers and trail bikers, so you'll likely run into a few of those. Also also, this place is DRY--so be sure to bring your own water (but on the plus side, no bugs!!)

  • Alex C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    Jul. 14, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Open range

    Plenty of pull out sites with some scattered man made fire rings. Secluded quiet and great views

  • Azaali J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3

    Great little spot

    We didn’t stay at this exact site as it was taken but there one more dispersed site about a mile or so down the road.

    Was nice being close to the creek and there was lots of fallen trees we used for firewood.

    Quiet spot with a small amount of traffic on the road.

    Didn’t see any wildlife but the horseflies were a bit out of control this time of the year.

  • Ashley M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Summer Biking

    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.

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Pretty but creepy

    It is easy to get to and very nice views. We did have a creepy experience. Three trucks drove by our spot and parked just staring at us and would leave. They did this 3 times before we decided to pack up and go elsewhere. Also saw a bunch of bear poop. I wouldn’t feel comfortable going back.

  • Andrew H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    May. 14, 2024

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Great to do an overnight - off the highway stop

    The spot was close to the highway - lots of potential spots - some “locals” who seem to live out there and run generators 24/7 - we had no problem and got a good night sleep to carry on our journey.

    There are MTB OHV and walking trails nearby.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Scott Reservoir Dispersed
    Jul. 22, 2023

    Scott Reservoir Dispersed

    Great Secluded Reservoir

    Great place to camp for overlooking the reservoir. Ran into one local taking pictures but left soon after. About 4-5 rock fire rings fairly close together. I had the entire place to myself on a Thursday night. Some bugs but not too bad. Road going around to the other side of the reservoir is gated and closed now.

  • Austin R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Confederate Disperse Camping Area
    Jun. 16, 2023

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    Mostly quiet / Overall a good stay

    Pulled in early on a Friday and it was already filling up. Stayed 1 week and was by myself for most of it besides the weekend. I did come back at one point during a storm to find a bunch of teenagers parked right next to my camper and when it stopped raining they started doing donuts and messing around. Also, the fire pit was full of garbage when I got there. Overall it was a great stay, especially since it was free. The reception was good, the road just leading to the camping spots was a little bumpy

  • Ashley C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Scott Reservoir Dispersed
    Oct. 8, 2022

    Scott Reservoir Dispersed

    A nice view of the reservoir

    Came up here in a whim one night and got lucky! No one else camped up there so it was peacful. You're right by the water with. Great mountain view, couldn't ask for more.

    There were just a few cars driving back down the mountain in the evening. But no one bothered.

    There's a nice hand full of spots you could pull up in a car, maybe two spots your could fit a small trailer in. About four or five fire rings in the immediate area. I wouldn't be surprised in there were more spots in the area or the other side of the reservoir.

    Pretty easy to get to from Helena. Just take Rimini road all the way up, past the town, past private property. At some point I took a right onto Goulds.

    Not the best roads but I got up there fine with my 2015 Outback just fine.

  • Sophia H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    Sep. 12, 2022

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Easy to get to

    It’s easy to get to and there aren’t bad potholes. No problem getting there without 4 wheel drive. I was able to find a pretty private campground by going a little further then the initial parking area.

  • r
    Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    Sep. 1, 2022

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Great spot

    We pulled in for the night on a whim. Nice spot, the road was a little wash boarded. Just made a quick stop off the highway. Nice and quiet.

  • Ann A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    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.

  • Avery S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    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.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite
    Nov. 29, 2021

    Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite

    Beautiful spot

    This was a pretty spot on the river with quite a few sites and a day use area. Access to the river was a bit tight through the day use area. A small amount of road noise could be heard and the vault toilet was clean. Overall a great place.

  • Josh B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Confederate Disperse Camping Area
    Aug. 19, 2021

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    Beautiful but a ton of people

    Great place to camp right along the water for tents, RTTs, or campers. The problem is there were a ton of people. I arrived on a Thursday with only one other person camping within 100 yards of me. By Saturday, there were 12 different campers packed in like sardine along the same 100 yard stretch. Loose dogs were running all over and generators were running all night. If you don't mind the crowd, it's a great place to camp and enjoy the water

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3

    Roomy disperse site with easy river access

    This is the 3rd and final disperse site that the Helena National Forest has marked along the little Blackfoot River.  It is nice to be sure that you are on public land when in an area checker boarded with private land.  This is a large flat camping area with plenty of room for tents and several RV's.  Site has a large rock fire ring, and the river is only a few short flat feet away.  Plenty of wood can be found for making a fire.  Site is near the road, but very little traffic comes this way as you are almost at the roads end.  Water can be easily filtered from the river (more like a creek at this point)

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Blackfoot River 2nd Disperse Campsite
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Little Blackfoot River 2nd Disperse Campsite

    Small disperse campsite along the Little Blackfoot RIver

    This is the second disperse camping sit along the Little Blackfoot River that has been marked as a disperse campsite by the Helena National Forest.  It is nice having these sits marked by the Forest Service as their are several parcels of private land along the road.  This site is small with only one small level area for a tent of mid sized RV.  The site has a large rock fire ring in the center.  Their is no easy trail access to the river.  Plenty of down trees in the area for firewood if you have a way to cut them, their is also plenty of small stuff that can be easily collected for a fire.   Site is right next to the road, but road noise should be little to none as a few curves will slow vehicles down and their isn't much more road left until the campground and trailhead at the end of the road.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite
    Jul. 30, 2021

    Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite

    Big Roomy Disperse campsite along the little Blackfood River

    Bumped in to this disperse campsite while heading out for a hike.  This is one of three disperse campsite along the Little Blackfoot River in the Helena National Forest that have been marked by the Forest Service as a disperse camping area. This is a nice large flat right next to the creek with plenty of room for multiple tents or RVs.  The site has a large rock fire ring and the big bonus of having a picnic table.  A short trail leads to the river, but does require a little bit of scrambling.  The River (more of a creek at this point) has a nice spot if you need to cool off from the summer heat.  Another short trail goes up a small hill and leads to an area with lots of fallen trees which can be cut for firewood if fire restrictions are not in place.  The only bad thing about this disperse site is that it is right next to the road.

  • Jessa
    Camper-submitted photo from Confederate Disperse Camping Area
    May. 1, 2021

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    Confederate Dispersed Camping

    Canyon Ferry has great dispersed camping all around it. The specific site we stayed at was right next to the beach. Great views and right down from a pit toilet.



Guide to Helena

Camping near Helena, MT, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just relaxing by the water, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One reviewer at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground mentioned, "The campground is right next to a large boat launch for anyone getting on the water."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. A visitor at Cromwell Dixon Campground noted, "You can turn right off the highway and easily access dispersed camping around the site."
  • Swimming: Enjoy the water at places like Black Sandy State Park Campground. One camper said, "All the sites are on the water. Nice swim area."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Court Sheriff Campground highlights, "The lake is right against the sites and makes for a beautiful place to stay."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A visitor at Hellgate Campground mentioned, "The camp host was amazing and works really hard to keep the sites in tip-top shape."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment. One reviewer at Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping said, "I felt so secluded here on a Sunday night."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds lack certain facilities. A camper at Black Sandy State Park Campground pointed out, "You must already have water or get it at the dump station at the entrance."
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busier crowds on weekends. A visitor at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground noted, "Our Saturday departure was delayed by FWP boat inspection at the entrance and a long line was inbound."
  • Bugs: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in warmer months. A camper at Confederate Campground mentioned, "The mosquitoes were absolutely bloodthirsty and aggressive."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with easy access to water and activities. A reviewer at White Sandy Campground said, "Beautiful big widely spaced sites. Excellent beach area."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor toys. A visitor at Cromwell Dixon Campground suggested, "If you don't fish or boat/kayak/SUP, relaxation would be the next most popular thing to do."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone fueled for fun. A camper at Court Sheriff Campground noted, "Great campground with a mix of sites and day use."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Black Sandy State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites are really tight to get into with a larger rig."
  • Bring Water Containers: Some sites don’t have water hookups. A camper at Hellgate Campground advised, "You must use a bucket or jug for water at the campsites."
  • Be Ready for Generators: Many sites may have campers using generators. A visitor at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground noted, "None have electrical service so there are lots of generators."

Camping near Helena, MT, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Helena, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Helena, MT is Confederate Disperse Camping Area with a 3.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Helena, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.