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.

Best Camping Sites Near Lima, Montana (66)

    1. East Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Lima, MT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-3900

    "Awesome campground with simple access from Lima, well maintained and primo location. Couldn’t get the hand pump well to draw any water but creek access at the base of the CG area is easy."

    "East Creek is located 40 min south of Dillon, MT near Lima (15 miles north of the Montana/Idaho state line just off I-15)."

    2. Mountain View Motel and RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Lima, MT
    0 miles
    +1 (406) 276-3535

    4. Stoddard Creek Campground

    18 Reviews
    Spencer, ID
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 270-0094

    $17 - $125 / night

    "The fire pit was also located in this area but safely away from the table. The green meadows, surrounding trees, and excellent maintenance made this a beautiful campground."

    "Walking up road we had access to a number of trails some of which are for UTVs but were not busy while we were there. LOTS of RV groups up the road."

    5. Beaverhead Campground

    13 Reviews
    Dillon, MT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-6472

    "It seems like the entire west side of the campground where it meets the water could be used as a boat ramp and offers nice easy access to the reservoir for any age! "

    "Dog friendly, clean pit toilets, manual water pump, and beautiful sunrise/sunset over the lake. Only a few people stopped for a Saturday evening which was surprising."

    6. Beaverhead National Forest Price Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Spencer, ID
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-3900

    "No cell phone service with Verizon but very close to lots of great parks and trails."

    "It is also close to Coolidge ghost town if you want to check it out. That is ultimately what brought up out this way and what a neat place to hike!"

    7. Clark Canyon Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Dillon, MT
    28 miles
    Website

    "Just south of Dillon, Montana on the west side of the highway is the Clark Canyon Reservoir. Free camping up to 14 nights. Everyone gets there own picnic table under a shelter and a firepit."

    "It’s right off the highway, on the reservoir, and pretty quiet. Most sites are open and can get very hot. Some sites have picnic shelters, some just tables. Not a lot of trees."

    8. Antone Cabin

    1 Review
    Lima, MT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 682-4253

    $45 / night

    "We took a walk around in the surrounding hills, saw tons of cows and what was definitely a grizzly."

    9. Stoddard Creek Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Spencer, ID
    23 miles

    "Well maintained gravel road giving easy access to great camping."

    10. Lewis & Clark Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dillon, MT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-6472

    "You can pretty much choose your favorite spot around the whole reservoir and just park and set up camp. Weather was nice mid August and no mosquitos which was a big plus for me!"

    "There are numerous campgrounds around the reservoir; pick your favorite based on what you want to do!"

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Recent Reviews near Lima, MT

149 Reviews of 66 Lima Campgrounds


  • Tyler M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Beaverhead Campground

    Great fee campsite

    Several campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Also several pit toilets. Got to see a beautiful sunset over the water/

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Countryside RV Park

    Country side

    Friendly and clean. I would have no issue staying here again if I was back in the area.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Birch Creek Camp on Eight Mile Canyon Road

    Nice spots by the river.

    Had LOTS of spots right next to the river . Some close to bathrooms. Water available at. Orth entrance. Free but asks for a donation.

  • RETIRED R.
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Beaverhead Campground

    Well maintained

    They have a covered concrete pad that you pull up next to and enjoy the view of the water at the dam.

  • S
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Beaverhead Campground

    Great free camping spot!

    There was so much room for tents, rigs, cars, and boat trailers. Dog friendly, clean pit toilets, manual water pump, and beautiful sunrise/sunset over the lake. Only a few people stopped for a Saturday evening which was surprising. Only downside is hearing semis or loud vehicles stop at the rest lot right next to the camp.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Clark Canyon Reservoir, Dillion Montana

    Clark Canyon Reservoir

    Stayed at Beaverhead River Campground on the north end of lake. One of several campgrounds around the lake. Compost toilets, fire rings and large rv parking level and clean spots. Best of all, All free

  • Shawna V.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Right Turn Clyde RV Park

    Great spot

    The owner is so nice and very accommodating. This is a fairly new park. Level spots with concrete areas. Each site has their own large outdoor trash bin that they come and empty twice a week. I have nothing but nice things to say about the park and if Im ever in Dillon again, this is where I'll be staying.

  • Tevon S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Hap Hawkins Campground

    Awesome location

    There is an awesome spot on a hill here, fires allowed in designated spots. No other people on a Monday

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Beaverhead Campground

    Site with a view !this campground is great! We are only passing through , but I definitely would come back! We have a private site with amazing views ! You can still hear the freeway noise from this campground.

    We arrived Saturday night and found a nice spot.


Guide to Lima

Lima, Montana camping areas feature elevations ranging from 6,300 to 7,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations even during summer months. The surrounding Beaverhead National Forest encompasses over 1.8 million acres of public land where campers encounter wildlife including elk, moose, and occasionally bears. Overnight temperatures can drop below freezing as late as June and as early as September.

What to do

Hiking near Coolidge Ghost Town: Visitors staying at Beaverhead National Forest Price Creek Campground can explore nearby historical sites. "It is also close to Coolidge ghost town if you want to check it out. That is ultimately what brought up out this way and what a neat place to hike!" notes Kristi D.

Fishing at Clark Canyon Reservoir: The reservoir provides excellent fishing opportunities with multiple shore access points. "Beautiful lake! Perfect for boating and kayaking. There is a designated camping area that looked to have electric hook ups, further into the canyon are more dispersed sites," reports Angela G. about Clark Canyon Recreation Area.

Wildlife viewing: The Lima area offers exceptional wildlife watching opportunities during early morning and evening hours. "We had the place to ourselves. We heard Elk and Northern Saw-whet owls. There is no cell service here and starlink struggled," reported a camper about their experience at Stoddard Creek.

What campers like

Shelter structures: Many campsites around Lima feature covered picnic areas that protect from sun and rain. At Clark Canyon Recreation Area, "Sites had their own covered picnic areas and fire pits," according to Angela G., while another camper noted "picnic tables are in a shelter for each camping space, vault toilets are clean, there is garbage cans available, and pump up water."

Exceptional cleanliness: Campground facilities receive consistent maintenance throughout the season. "The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a campground, and not smelly either 😁," reported Linda G. about Stoddard Creek Campground. Another camper at the same location mentioned "Exceptionally clean pit toilet complete with mat, clean smelling(and close by)."

Site spacing and privacy: Campsites generally offer good separation between neighbors. "We Tent Camp and we had people RV camp on either side of us and never heard them the whole time," noted David C. about his experience at Stoddard Creek Campground, while another camper described "The sites are large and level with vault toilets."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may be challenging. At Antone Cabin, "It took us a very long time to get to the cabin, and the forest road in was several miles of ruts and herds of cows blocking the road. It took triple the time we expected to arrive," according to Kristin.

Wildlife safety: Bears are active in the area, requiring proper food storage. A camper at Stoddard Creek Campground reported, "Friendly host stopped by and warned of bear presence earlier in the season."

Weather variability: Extreme weather changes can occur quickly in this high-elevation region. "It snowed and we actually had frost on the windows the next morning so we didn't get to explore since we were only there for the night," noted one camper about their May visit to Stoddard Creek Campground.

Water availability: Water access varies significantly between sites. For East Creek Campground, a camper noted "It looks like there was a pump for water, but it was either broken, or I just don't know how to use it. Be sure to bring water."

Tips for camping with families

Accessible swimming areas: Some locations offer kid-friendly water access. At Beaverhead Campground, "Nice view of the lake! Nice campground, very open & spacious sitting on the shore of the lake," according to Shane H., who also noted it was "very very quiet."

Educational opportunities: The Lewis and Clark historical sites provide learning experiences for children. One camper mentioned that near Clark Canyon Reservoir, "Right along the road on the dam there is a sign showing you that you're halfway between the equator and the north pole!"

Best times for children: Mid-summer offers more stable weather conditions for family camping. A visitor in October noted, "This campground is technically closed in the winter. We arrived late April and most of the snow had melted."

Accessible facilities: Some campgrounds offer more family-friendly amenities. "You can stay in this great campground which has clean toilet, drinking water, fire pit, a shelter style cabin, boat ramp, small sandy beach for swimming, and beautiful water/lake view, plus handicap accessible for 14 days," reported Alex T. about Clark Canyon Recreation Area.

Tips from RVers

Level sites: Many campgrounds offer suitable terrain for larger rigs. At Mountain View Motel and RV Park, "Beautiful setting, walking distance to supplies, easy on/off highway," according to Jennifer H. Another visitor to Stoddard Creek Dispersed Camping noted "Well maintained gravel road giving easy access to great camping."

Hookup availability: Full services are limited but available at select locations. "Only RV location with hookups around the lake. Make sure to call in advance after October as they close for the season," advised a camper about Lewis & Clark Campground.

Road hazards: Some access routes present challenges for larger vehicles. One RV camper warned, "Note the hwy 2 heading west towards La Hood might be a little hazardous with jetting out rocks against a large trailer."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fishing regulations at Lima Reservoir in Montana?

Lima Reservoir follows Montana's standard fishing regulations, with specific limits for trout species. A valid Montana fishing license is required for anglers 12 and older. Daily catch limits typically include 5 trout per day with only 1 over 18 inches. The reservoir is known for rainbow and brown trout fishing opportunities. For updated regulations, check with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before your trip. Clark Canyon Recreation Area and Lewis & Clark Campground offer convenient access points for fishing the nearby reservoirs with similar regulations.

Are there camping facilities available at Lima Reservoir, Montana?

Yes, camping facilities are available near Lima Reservoir. East Creek Campground is located just a few miles from Lima with 4 tent sites and vault toilets, though you'll need to bring your own water. The campground offers beautiful mountain views and is accessible via a well-maintained gravel road. For RV campers, Countryside RV Park provides full amenities with easy access from I-15. Both options serve as excellent base camps for exploring Lima Reservoir and the surrounding areas.

What's the best time of year to visit Lima Reservoir in Montana?

The best time to visit Lima Reservoir is late spring through early fall (May-September), when weather conditions are most favorable. Summer months offer warm temperatures ideal for water activities, while late spring provides good fishing opportunities as water levels rise. Fall brings beautiful colors and fewer crowds. Be prepared for Montana's variable mountain weather regardless of season. Vigilante Campground at nearby Bannack State Park and Barretts Park make excellent base camps during the prime visiting season, though winter access becomes limited due to snow.