If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Lima, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Lima's most popular destinations.
The Timber Creek Campground has 12 camp units in a wooded setting, with two creeks flowing on either side of it. Two faucets provide potable water in the summer months. There is also one accessible vault toilet, a horse hitch rail and unloading ramp. Nearby areas of interest include Mill Creek Lake, and Timber Creek ATV trail.
The upper campground has 6 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, and also has vault toilets and potable water. Fishing nearby in Hawley Creek, and in the reservoir. The Hawley Creek Trail is less than 2 miles long, but is rather difficult, gaining over 1000 feet in elevation over the distance. Motorized vehicles (ATVs, motorcycles), are allowed on the trail, but not off trail. There is a spur trail to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The trail opens up into grasslands toward the top. Please pack out your trash.
The lower campground has 4 sites and also has potable water. Fishing in Hawley Creek, and in the reservoir. The Hawley Creek Trail is less than 2 miles long, but is rather difficult, gaining over 1000 feet in elevation over the distance. Motorized vehicles (ATVs, motorcycles), are allowed on the trail, but not off trail. There is a spur trail to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The trail opens up into grasslands toward the top.
10 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings on Big Eightmile Creek. Several dirt roads and trails in the area are open to hiking and mountain biking. Travel up Eighmile Creek Canyon, up Dairy Creek Canyon, or to the historic Blue Jay Mine. Never go into abandoned mine shafts!
Guide
East Creek Campground is a quaint low-use campground. There are 4 tent sites with 2 vault toilets. There is no water, so bring your own. 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). There are 6-7 miles of dirt roads through private properties to get to the campground.
Guide
2 great back in sites tucked into the trees with fire rings and tables. Other areas are a parking lot. Multiple tent sites. Bathroom was clean and stocked with tp. Hand pump water was broken in the camping area. Day use area has functioning water pump, but no way to drive to it. Great place to fish.
Traveler
Me and my wife were looking to get away for a weekend and this place was just what we needed. We Tent Camp and we had people RV camp on either side of us and never heard them the whole time. The area is very woodsy and very pretty. The campsite was very developed and taken care of. The bathrooms were extremely Nice !!! They didn’t even smell bad ! Lol. We took a walk around the camp grounds and we saw many others do the same. We stayed at campsite 005. At all the campsites there was fire pits and big picnic tables. This is a spot we highly recommend.
Legend
Coordinartes: 44.16547,-112.90392. Beautiful views. Large dirt and gravel site, right along side to Skull Canyon Road, about a mile from ID Hwy 28. Canyon walls on each side. Rough narrow rocky track to the site from the highway; recommend high clearance. High humps on this track. Small rock fire ring. Grass and sagebrush all around site. Some leveling may be required. Tent camping possible. Very peaceful; can hardly hear road noise from highway. The only vehicle that drove by was a national forest truck. No cell service. There are several boondocking sites, some with vault toilets nearby, along Hwy 28 in the Birch Creek Recreation Area.
Traveler
It’s a long uphill drive on a narrow road to get there but it’s worth it! Each camp site is nice with plenty of space, fire pit and tent site. We took our chances on a Wednesday night in mid August and got lucky. Two sites were still open. With the drive and location we were surprised how many people were there but it was still very quiet and peaceful. The lake is beautiful and would be fun to kayak or paddle board on. We did some hiking up the trails to look over the campsite and the lake but did not take the full trail. Bathrooms were very clean and well stocked.
Legend
A beautiful combination of the mountains and Big Sky of Montana! This reservoir is quite large and even has a cool little island in the middle of it that you can cliff dive from when the waters are high enough! There are boat docks, day-use areas, and campgrounds spread all around the reservoir. The campground we featured in this review was an RV only site (because why would you tent camp there) that was right next to the Lewis & Clark Day-use area that has a giant canoe and flag pole. It is an extended stay RV site with the option for paying for weeks if you plan on spending a good chunk of your summer here.
Right along the road on the dam there is a sign showing you that you're halfway between the equator and the north pole! Also nearby is the cute, cozy town of Dillon, where you can venture into the 1st Patagonia and Great Harvest stores in the world! If you're here around Labor Day they also have a great rodeo and parade and the Patagonia Store has HUGE discounts!
GuideJust a few miles out of the small town Lima Montana, this campground sits nestled in the mountains with a beautiful view and very few visitors.
There is a gravel road, which was well kept when we went. We made it fine in our sedan.
The are supposedly 4 sites, but we only noticed 3. We aren't a Friday night up there and we the only ones at the campsite.
There are 2 vault toilets. 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.
The picnic tables are solid and nice. The camp fire rings also come with grills.
Overall, even without running water, we were prepared and had a great, quite, and beautiful stay at East Creek.
Legend
If you like history, ghost towns and camping then Bannack State Park is for you. Bannack Montana was the 1st Territorial Capital of Montana. The Ghost town allows you a look at how settlers and miners leaved in the early day of Montana. See the 1st Territorial Governors Manson (ok, small cabin). Almost all of building you can enter. The best times to visit is when reenactments are happening at the park. The state park has two small campgrounds, Vigilante Campground with 15 sites and one Tipi site. One of the sites at the Vigilante site is only for bikers. Vigilante campsites can be reserved. The other campground is Road Agent Campground. Road Agent has 8 sites. Both sites have Vault Toilets, water and trash bins.
Legend
Camp at Bannack State Park, site of Montana's 1st Territorial Capital. Road Agent Campground is one of two campground at Bannack State Park. Bannack state park is a nice state park, see how the early settlers lived in this old mining town and former Montana Capital. Road Agent Campground has eight campsites with one vault toilet. Campsite sits among mature cottonwoods. Prices are a little steep, $18 for residents, $28 for non-residents.
Guide
South of dillon montana. Where Sacagawea met her brother Cameawhait, with Lewis and Clark. Many many spots. Some are covered tables boating and fishing. Free 14 days
GuideThis campground has pull through and back in RV sites as well as group sites and tent. It is wooded with some trails to explore. Dumpsters, pit toilets and potable water are available. The camp host was very helpful and friendly. For $13.00 per night, you can't beat it!
RangerThis campground is located at the base of sheep mountain, with a gorgeous view of the steep walls and a beautiful lake. We went when the campground was not officially open yet - still tons of snow - but I slept in my truck tent and the dogs had a fantastic time!
RangerBannack lies in a remote corner of Montana, but there is much to see and do at the Bannack State Park. The Bannack ghost town is extensive and well-preserved. They offer tours, gold panning and more. Great family stop on a road trip. Very interesting.
Guide
This is a great place in Montana. Easy access. Right outside Dillon MT. We stayed here one night and then the the Lewis and Clark Limestone Cavern tour. It is about an hour. Camp ground is super clean and all the sites are very easy to access. Very nice hosts.
Scout
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. The sites are far apart and flat. The mountains are right here! Full of snow and it can be windy but it’s a nice quick stopover as we head south.
LegendRight off the interstate is the Montana equivalent of a rest area. This rest area includes a picnic area a bridge over a stream where you canfly fish, and zone short sport climbing routes to have fun on! It is close to Dillon home of the first Patagonia store and Great Harvest Bakery. If you're around here for Labor Day definitely check out the Patagonia Outlet for amazing deals!!!
RangerBannack is a ghost town that has been designated as a MT State Park. The 1860s mining town's buildings have been stabilized but not restored. It's fascinating. The adjacent campground would be handy but is $28 for those who are not Montana residents. The sites are closely spaced but do offer a few large cottonwoods for shade. A creek runs through the campground, and all was well maintained.
LegendVigilante campground at Bannack State Park is perfect for those who like ghost towns. The Campground has 16 sites, one site is just for those arriving by bike. A tipi is available for $30 a night for Montana residents or $42 for non-residents. Sites are a little pricey starting at $18 for residents $28 for non-residents. Kids visiting the park can work on a Jr. Ranger program. Great time to visit is when they have volunteers dressed in period clothing. You can go in to and check out just about every building in the town. The state park has a second campground, Road Agent, near this one.
Legend
We've stopped here in the past but this was the first time we've seen the area so green! It is a great pit stop or last minute spot right along the interstate going towards Dillon, MT. There are plenty of spaces to pull up your RV or to toss a tent into the big open grass yard. The north side isnt very shaded but close to the amenities and the south side has plenty of cottonwood trees to hang out under. Nearby is a great river to fish in and the Native American site known as Rattlesnake Rock that looms over the river and park to the east. There are some good albeit "spicy" sport and trad routes on the rock but as the name implies keep an eye out for snakes! Nearby is the large Clark Canyon Reservoir where you can cool off and do some exhilarating cliff diving as long as the reservoir pool is high.
GuideWe pulled in and paid our $5 senior rate before I realized we were in a reservable spot. I checked with the host who was awesome and said no worries, it hadn’t been reserved so we were fine. It was beautiful there but the weather was nasty. 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. If you are headed to West Yellowstone there is an absolutely beautiful drive on a dirt road by taking the Fort Henry bypass. We had a lot of mud due to the weather but made it fine in our Mercedes Coachmen.
ScoutI was very please with the campground. It was very clean and the campground host was very friendly. I will definitely go again.
GuideThe host Todd was very friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve seen in a campground, and not smelly either 😁
GuideRight off freeway but noise is very faint. There is a dirt bike + 4 wheeler track for day use. There is not as much noise as I expected from that. There are some sites farther away. The pit toilets are clean but there is only one per loop. The sites are clean and nicely spaced out. Camp hosts are on site and active. Suggest making reservation. There are trash containers and water by toilets. Lots of A loop have level, long back in sites.
GuideWe arrived after season and no one was here. Sites are spaced out but you can still see throughout the grounds. Plenty of hiking and exploring around for kids and adults.
Sites are nice and level with steel picnic tables and fire rings with grill grates. At each site is also a stand to place a charcoal grill or blackstone on.
ScoutWonderful quiet campsite. Close to Highway 15. Perfect for an overnight but easily a multi night stay.
GuideBeautiful campground just off of I-15. Campground was very quiet and surprisingly green for August. Campground was very neat and clean.
ScoutDidn’t make a reservation but got a great spot on top of the hill. Spacious camp sites and clean nature toilets.
Tent camping near Lima, Montana, offers a serene escape into nature, with several well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lima, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lima, MT is West Cameahwait Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Lima, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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