Best Campgrounds near Lima, MT
Camping options around Lima, Montana range from developed campgrounds to remote wilderness sites across the Beaverhead National Forest. East Creek Campground, located approximately 40 minutes south of Dillon and 15 miles north of the Montana/Idaho border, features four tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The Mountain View Motel and RV Park in Lima provides electric hookups, showers, and a sanitary dump station for RVs. Beaverhead National Forest contains several camping areas including Price Creek Campground, which accommodates tents, RVs, and glamping setups. Stoddard Creek Campground in nearby Idaho offers additional options with both reserved and non-reserved sites.
Access to camping areas varies significantly by season, with many campgrounds operating only between May and October. The region experiences significant elevation changes that affect temperatures and accessibility. East Creek Campground requires navigation of 6-7 miles of dirt roads through private properties. Price Creek Campground remains open from June to September, while Stoddard Creek generally operates from late May through September. Winter access is limited across most sites, with many facilities closed during colder months. Cell service is unreliable in remote areas, particularly within the national forest. A review noted: "We had the place to ourselves. We heard Elk and Northern Saw-whet owls. There is no cell service here and starlink struggled."
Campers consistently highlight the natural setting and relative solitude available at campgrounds in the region. The Lima Peaks provide scenic backdrops for East Creek Campground, which one visitor described as having "the whole valley to myself" with "simple access from Lima, well maintained and primo location." Sites at Stoddard Creek Campground are characterized by spacious, level areas suitable for both tents and RVs, with several visitors commenting on the exceptionally clean facilities. "The sites are large and level, easily accessible for even large RVs," noted one review of Price Creek Campground. Bear activity has been reported in the area, with camp hosts occasionally warning visitors about wildlife presence. Water availability varies by location, with some campgrounds offering pumps or spigots while others require visitors to bring their own water supply.
