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Best Tent Camping near Lincoln, MT

391 Reviews

Primitive tent camping opportunities around Lincoln, Montana include several fishing access sites along rivers and lakes in the surrounding national forests. Big Nelson Complex offers a small campground with six tent sites including walk-in options that require parking in a designated area and accessing sites by stairs. River Junction and Lichen Cliff are other established fishing access sites that accommodate tents with basic amenities and access to water recreation.

Most tent campgrounds in the Lincoln area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but lack drinking water, trash service, and other amenities. Campers should pack in all necessary supplies and plan to pack out their trash. Surface conditions vary, with many sites offering dirt or gravel pads that may be uneven or limited in size. A visitor to Big Nelson noted that "this is a tiny cramped campground" with only "enough room for a small tent next to the picnic table" at some sites. Montana fishing access sites generally charge fees ($12 for residents, $18 for non-residents) for overnight camping.

Areas farther from town provide quieter experiences for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts. Little Blackfoot River offers dispersed camping with primitive sites along the water. According to one camper, it's "a nice large flat right next to the creek with plenty of room for multiple tents" and features "a large rock fire ring and the big bonus of having a picnic table." Tent campers particularly appreciate sites near water bodies like Upsata Lake, which provides flat grassy camping areas in a maintained setting. Most tent campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, especially those with water access for fishing or swimming. Early fall brings cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for tent camping near Lincoln with its mix of established sites and more remote backcountry options.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lincoln, Montana (28)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lincoln, MT

2 Photos of 28 Lincoln Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Lincoln, MT

391 Reviews of 28 Lincoln Campgrounds

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2019

    Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    Ranger review of Wenzel's Windy Pass Mummy 0° Sleeping bag and Holter Dam C

    Holter Dam Campground Review

    Holter Dam Campground at Holter Dam Recreation site is a BLM 15 site campground located just below Holter Dam. All 15 sites at the campground feature covered picnic tables with a fire ring. All the sites sit along the edge of a very large parking area. 13 of the sites have plenty of room for tents on a nice flat grassy area. Two sites are close together and have limited room for tents. The campground has a double vault toilet with numerous water faucets, and dumpsters. A second vault toilet can be found at the boat ramp area just a short distance from the campground. An ADA campsite sits right in front of the vault toilets. The concrete pad for the ADA site extends to and surrounds the fire ring allowing wheelchairs to get as close to the fire as they want. Campsites run $10 an night (½ price for senior and access pass holders). Keep an eye out on the surrounding hills around the campground for Big Horn Sheep. While staying at the campground we saw 5 sheep on the hill next to the campground entrance.

    Ranger review of the Wenzel Windy Pass Mummy 0° Sleeping bag

    I was quiet pleased with the Windy Pass 0° Mummy sleeping bag. The bag is roomy, giving you room to turn around in the bags with out needing to have to bag turn with you. On the bags stuff sack it says it is a cold weather bag 0-20 degrees. I slept warm all night with the temps dropping into the low 30's with it raining all night (snow was on the ground on the hills above us). I was quiet pleased with the amount of padding the bag provided during the night as my sleeping pad failed to hold air, but I was still able to sleep comfortably on the hard ground. I got up several times during the night and each time I was able to warm back up in just a few minutes after getting back in to the bag. It will be interesting to test it out next winter in colder weather to see if it meets its temperature claims. I weighted the bag, and at 4 pounds 10 ounces, you might not be taking this one out on a backpacking trip, but for the front country camping you can't go wrong with this warm bag, specially for the price of $45.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Browns Lake

    Want to catch trout, go to Browns Lake FAS Campground

    Browns Lake Fishing Access Site Campground is located on the 459 acre Browns Lake. This fishing access campground has 14 sites all with metal fire rings and picnic tables. The site is serviced by two vault toilets. This is a dry campground so bring water. This is also a trash-in trash-out campground. The campground is fairly exposed and tends to be windy during the summer. We visited in early June and were amazed by all the birds in the area. The real draw for this campground is the fishing. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks stocks this lake with over 50,000 rainbow trout per year….that's right 50,000. The lake is known for large rainbow trout and 10 pounders in the spring are apparently not a fish story. The lake also has Brook Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Longnose suckers. So grab your tent and fishing pole, because with 50,000 trout being added every year a trout dinner has to be on the menu.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2018

    Copper Creek Campground

    Quiet Mt. Campground & Ranger review of the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail SG

    Cooper Creek Campground is a nice quiet campground in the Helena National Forest. Cooper Creek Campground offers 20 sites with metal fire rings and concrete picnic tables, and has three vault toilets and potable Water is available from a hand pump. For those who like to fish, the campground is along Cooper Creek and Snowbird lake is just across the road from the campground. Like to hike, the trailhead for Snowbank Creek/Sucker Creek trail is just across the road next to Snowbird lake. The trailhead has plenty of parking space and a Vault Toilet. Like bears, good, this is grizzly bear country so Food Storage Order is in effect. You will have to store your food in your vehicle as storage lockers are not available. Campground does have trash service. Cost in 2018 was $8 a night put this is planned to go up to $15 next year, but still well worth the price.

    A Ranger review of the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail SG / Soft Ground.

    I really like these shoe, but when I first pulled them out the box I wasn't sure. My first experience with these shoes was a little hard, hard as in, these shoes were hard to get in to. I though I was going to have to send these back, but I finally got them on. These shoe need to be broke in as they are very snug around the ankle. Luckily the shoes get easier to put on as you wear them, but still a bit of a challenge. That snug fit at the top of the shoe has its advantage, you don't get debris in your shoe as there is no room for anything to make its way into the shoe.

    I was concerned at first that these shoes would not provide enough protection from rocks, but after taking them out on the trail my mind was changed. I was able to hike a rocky trail easily and comfortably, I even purposely stepped on loose rocks to see how it would feel. While I could feel the rocks, the shoe was tough enough to protect my feet, even the front of the shoe has enough material to protect your toes if you stub your toe on a rock.

    A few things to note when you take the shoes out of the box, be sure to put the inserts in the shoes. I missed them at first and wore the shoes for several days before noticing them. While they are slim, those inserts made the shoes so much more comfortable. The shoes have elastic laces, but also come with a set of traditional laces, but the shoes fit so well I could probably go without the laces at all.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Deerlodge National Forest Orofino Campground

    Solitude in Montana

    Orofino campground is a small campground with 11 sites, but it also has a second half across the road which has two large family/group camps and a Day Use area with a large pavilion.  The sites are not numbered.  The Campground has a vault toilet.  The two family sites each have their own vault toilets, the day use site shares two vault toilets with one of the family sites.  This campground appears to get little use and little maintenance.  The vault toilets are quite old wooden structures, but in good shape.  The campground area has several sites where finding a level spot for a tent is difficult.  One hand pump is available for water and is located on the campground section.  Each family site had 6+ picnic tables and firer rings with a few BBQ grills.  All the sites in the campground have picnic tables but a couple do not have fire rings.  The campground has plenty of shade from its large trees, fewer trees in the family areas but still some good tree cover.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Orofino Campground

    Mountain Solitude in Montana

    Orofino Campground is a small campground with 11 sites, but it also has a second half across the road which has two large family/group camps and a Day Use area with a large pavilion. The sites are not numbered. The Campground has a vault toilet. The two family sites each have their own vault toilets, the day use site shares two vault toilets with one of the family sites. This campground appears to get little use and little maintenance. The vault toilets are quite old wooden structures, but in good shape. The campground area has several sites where finding a level spot for a tent is difficult. One hand pump is available for water and is located on the campground section. Each family site had 6+ picnic tables and firer rings with a few BBQ grills. All the sites in the campground have picnic tables but a couple do not have fire rings. The campground has plenty of shade from its large trees, fewer trees in the family areas but still some good tree cover.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2021

    Racetrack Campground

    Hidden gem in the mountains

    Racetrack campground is a hidden gem of a campground tucked just in side the Forest Service boundary.  This 13 site campground has large roomy sites well spread out from each other.  Plenty of level ground to place a tent(s) at every site.  Two vault toilets serve this campground.  Each site has a metal fire ring (first sit is a rock ring) and picnic table.  Water is provided from a hand pump.  No trash service so be prepared.  A few of $15 is planned to go in to effect in 2022.  Campground sits in very large mature evergreens along a small creek.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2019

    Departure Point Campground

    Parking Lot Camping

    Departure Point campground is basically camping in a parking lot. Four "campsites" are lined parking spots in a large paved area with a picnic table and fire ring at the end of the parking spot. The four spots are right next to each other. If you want to set up a tent you will be setting it up on the pavement. The area has two vault toilets, running water and trash service. Down below the camping area is a nice day use area with four picnic tables three of which are covered and right on the edge of the lake. Camping is not allowed in the day use area along the lake. So if you want to tent camp you will want to head to one of the other BLM campgrounds on the lake.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2019

    Little Log Campground

    Ranger Review of Mountain House Lasagna and Little Log Tent Only Campground

    Little Log campground is a small 10 site tent only campground in the Log Gulch Recreation Area on Holter Lake. Located just past the larger Log Gulch campground this small campground sites in a gully above the lake. 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. Most of the choices for tent placement are at the end of the parking pad next the the picnic table and fire ring. The campground cost $15 per night, has trash service, running water and a double vault toilet. Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring. 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. Registration for campsites is located in the day use area on the side of the road as you enter the recreation area.

    Ranger Review of Mountain House's Lasagna with meat sauce freeze dried meal.

    Gave this Lasagna a tried and liked it. Did find that it seemed to need something to make it real good, and that would be a packet of Parmesan cheese, if they would include the Parmesan to put on the lasagna after cooking then this would be an awesome meal. Even with out the Parmesan this is a good meal. Following the instructions and stirring well resulted in a well hydrated hot meal. A little on the saucy side, but the texture of the noddles and meat are spot on. At 2.5 servings per bag this is perfect for two people, the meal was a little two much for just me to eat on my own. Can't wait to eat this again on my summer backpacking trips, but will be bringing a little Parmesan to put on it.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2019

    Big Nelson Complex

    Big Nelson not big no no no it is small very small.

    Big Nelson Campground is anything but big. This is a tiny cramped campground. I found 6 campsites, but the Forest Service website list this campground as having four. With the exception of site three, all the other sites require you to park in a parking area. Site 3 was the first site I noticed on arriving at the campground and was located to the left of the parking area. Sites 4, 5 and 6 require parking in the parking area and walking down a set of stairs to access. Sites 4, 5, and 6 can only be accessed from the stairs, driving down the road to the boat launch will only get you to the boat launch. Site 4 is on the left at the bottom of the stairs. Site 4 is tiny, it is a picnic table next to a metal fire ring, if you want to pitch a tent at site four you would need to do it next to the fire ring and skip making a fire or pitch it in a small flat area above the picnic table near the parking area on the opposite side of the fence. Site four really doesn't have much room for a tent. Sites 5 and 6 are fairly roomy, especially when compared to site 4. Site 5 is on the right side of the stairs, plenty of room for a tent, nice view of the lake and has a metal fire ring and picnic table. Site 6 can be reached by walking through site 5 or from the boat launch road. You could unload your gear at site 6 right from your car, but would can not park next to site 6, you will need to drive back up to the camping area. Site 6 has plenty of room for a tent and also has a picnic table and metal fire ring. The campground has one small vault toilet and is at the beginning of the road to the boat ramp. The boat ramp isn't really a ramp, but the shore of the lake with a gradual entrance in to the water. Campsite 2 I found as I was leaving the area, it is just past the vault toilet as you leave. Campsite 2 requires a walk down a few stairs. It is a tight campsite with just enough room for a small tent next to the picnic table. A metal fire ring is on the opposite side of the picnic table. What I guess would be campsite 1 is further down the road and down below the road, I would not suggest using this site as it is a bit of a walk from the parking area, the road is two narrow to park here. Site 1 does not have a picnic table but does have a fire ring, odds are you won't even notice the site coming in or out. During my stay the campground did not have a fee, but the information sign indicates a fee may be coming next year. This is a dry campground, your only source of water is the lake so come prepared, this is also a trash-in trash-out site.

Guide to Lincoln

Discover the beauty of tent camping near Lincoln, Montana, where stunning landscapes and serene environments await outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out River Junction

  • Enjoy a peaceful experience at River Junction, nestled among trees with sites right along the river.
  • This campground features a shared bear box and a vault toilet, making it a convenient spot for nature lovers.
  • The remote location ensures a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Upsata Lake

  • Upsata Lake offers five well-maintained sites with picnic tables and fire rings, ideal for cozy evenings.
  • A vault toilet is available, and the campground is located near a small parking area for easy access.
  • The flat grassy area provides a comfortable setting for pitching tents and enjoying the surrounding nature.

Explore local attractions near Indian Meadows Trailhead

  • The Indian Meadows Trailhead serves as a gateway to two scenic trails in the Helena National Forest, perfect for hiking enthusiasts.
  • Campers can enjoy picnic tables and metal fire rings, along with a vault toilet for convenience.
  • This area is free to camp, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious adventurers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lincoln, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lincoln, MT is Big Nelson Complex with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lincoln, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Lincoln, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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