Tent camping near Lincoln, Montana offers primitive sites scattered across national forest lands at elevations ranging from 4,400 to 5,600 feet. Sites near rivers and creeks provide cooling options during summer when daytime temperatures typically reach 75-85°F, dropping to 40-50°F overnight. Road access varies significantly with dirt and gravel forest roads commonly requiring high clearance vehicles after rain events.
What to do
Fish nearby lakes: Upsata Lake provides access to bass, pike and perch fishing from shore or boat. "Bass, Pike and Perch to pluck for days," notes one camper who found the medium-sized lake excellent for fishing despite its popularity.
Visit waterfalls: The areas surrounding Lincoln feature several waterfall hikes with accessible camping. Near Double Falls Campground, visitors can view cascades just a short walk from camp. According to a visitor, it has "a very nice water fall worth the stop for sure," located just a few hundred yards above the camping area.
Float the Missouri: Multiple fishing access sites serve as launch points for river trips. The Missouri River corridor offers multi-day floating opportunities with camping allowed at designated sites along the way. Bring appropriate watercraft and safety equipment for changing river conditions.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: River Junction offers "peaceful wooded site with the confluence of the Blackfoot and North Fork Blackfoot. Several sites right along the river," according to one reviewer who had the entire campground to themselves during a Friday night in early August.
Cool water access: Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite provides streamside camping with natural swimming areas. One camper notes, "The River (more of a creek at this point) has a nice spot if you need to cool off from the summer heat."
Solitude: Many Lincoln area campgrounds remain uncrowded, particularly on weekdays. Bean Lake sees minimal traffic despite its fishing opportunities, with one visitor noting, "If you plan to fish Bean Lake, the odds are high you'll have the lake to yourself. Few people ever bother to visit this remote lake."
What you should know
Fee structure varies: Montana fishing access sites generally charge overnight fees based on residency status. At Clearwater Crossing, "if you have a fishing licence in Montana it's $12. If not, $18" for overnight stays.
Site spacing and layout: Many campgrounds feature closely grouped sites. At Upsata Lake, all five sites are "next to each other on a flat grassy area which appears to be regularly maintained," which may not appeal to campers seeking privacy.
Road conditions: Access roads can become problematic, especially after rain. Double Falls Campground becomes particularly challenging when wet, with one visitor warning, "When wet things get muddy, and the roads in the campground get bad. We were able to drive down to one site, but had some difficulty getting back up to the main road."
Tips for camping with families
Look for day-use amenities: Little Log Campground offers additional recreational facilities nearby. "A short distance from the campground and across the street is the day use area for the recreation area, where fishing appears to be good as we saw several large fish taken out of the lake in a short period of time."
Select sites with adequate tent space: Site dimensions vary considerably between campgrounds. Some sites provide minimal flat areas, as noted at Little Log where "flat locations to put a tent are limited due to the slope of the ground in the campground, but each site does have a flat area for a tent, however it may be hard to find room for more than one tent."
Plan for limited amenities: Bring sufficient water and supplies, as most sites lack services. At Wolf Creek Bridge, despite recent upgrades including paved access and new vault toilets, the "site still has no water or trash service."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for smaller rigs: Wolf Creek Bridge provides limited space but can accommodate modest setups. One visitor notes it has "Small boat ramp site 4 spaces for small campers" with "No hookups."
Road clearance considerations: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. River Junction's road conditions present challenges, with one camper noting "The road back to the campground would be tough for trailers, I think."
Parking logistics: Some campgrounds require separate parking. At Lichen Cliff, camping involves "a large pullout from the road" that's essentially "a parking spot" rather than a traditional campsite, making it more suitable for small self-contained units than large rigs.
