Top Free Dispersed Camping near Lolo National Forest

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Lolo National Forest? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Montana camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Lolo National Forest, MT (21)

Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Lolo National Forest

47 Reviews of 21 Lolo National Forest Campgrounds


  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 26, 2024

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Great spot (1 night stay)

    Loved this spot. Toyota Tundra pulling a 14' trailer. We were able to back into site (flat !) and do a 180° turn ok to exit. We stayed one night 9/23/24 and had the place to ourselves. Nice rock fire pits.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Easy, peaceful and beautiful

    So gorgeous! Tent camped along the river! Very spaced out campsites, nice for lots of privacy and quiet! Signs to be aware of bear country but took precautions. Rock fire pits at each site. Super easy for quick stop road tripping (0.5 miles off main road)! Stayed in early September on a road trip to Glacier, was able to find our site decently well in the dark! Verizon cell service 3-4 bars! Loved it!

    The west is the only safe way to enter onto the road to the campsites. On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from the west).

  • Ben H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed
    Sep. 7, 2024

    Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

    Dusty dirt road

    This area allows disperse camping Beyond a certain point (there is a small sign). There is a map provided at the road trailhead. However it is confusing since I believe the map is upside down. On my drive up I did not see any established distributed campsites. However there are some turn offs that you could park at. This area would probably not be ideal for RVs. Four wheel drive does not seem to be a requirement. I ended up camping at a turnoff and walked a bit off the road to set up my hammock. The road was not very busy I did hear an occasional car pass by. Good views and decently private. I was able to get Verizon signal at my campsite. However driving up signal was spotty

  • Josh S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Quiet open site on the river

    Dispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout.

    We stayed mid week during August. Stayed in a medium sized site on the river. Small steep slope to the water.

    Pros:
    Plenty of space, both large and small sites. Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites. 3 bars Tmobile. Some sites on the water with a short steep slope down. 12 miles to gas station. Beautiful views.

    Cons: No pit toilets (edit: another camper said they are at the end of the campground) No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)

    Overall we loved this spot. Being ok the water in a mostly private setting with such amazing views is our goal. Little bit of road noise but hardly noticeable over the wind in the trees.

    Sites were clean but well used, so thank you to all the campers that took care of this place!

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Amazing quiet and private spot!

    What a great spot! 3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there. Someone else pulled in around 9 but the sites were separated by enough trees we could barely tell they were there. Felt very private, and the stars were fantastic! Creek bed runs right next to the back site, but it was completely dried up in late July.

  • Tricia S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    Aug. 2, 2024

    Clark Fork River

    Fantastic!

    The further you drive on the road the closer you can get to the river! There are some pit toilets too! Absolutely beautiful!

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 25, 2024

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Small but good stop

    Right off the road and easy to get to. I only saw 2 spots and the other was occupied. Both had fire rings but we were in a fire restriction. I got the site closest to the road and it was not so bad, I was camping in my car anyway. The spot seemed pretty level. The trees were gorgeous. Not bad for a free spot.

  • Bobby J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Awesome stay

    This was a great stay right on the river with night sites and a vault toilet. Only issues I had was the train across the river runs throughout the night and it sounds like it’s coming right through your tent

  • Joshua C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Informal Dispersed Campsite at Fish Creek Properties Montana State Park
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Informal Dispersed Campsite at Fish Creek Properties Montana State Park

    Big Spot adjacent to the road, Good if in a pinch

    Sign says camping permitted to 14 days in a 30 day period. Adjacent to dirt road with a few trees in between. Not the most private but a good option if you need a place for the night if the nearby campsite is full. No amenities. T-mobile cell service is good here.

    River access just at the entry of the turn in. Could easily pull a big rig in but may have a hard time turning it around as there is not a pull through. There is a concrete slab that is level and about 12'x25' in size  which could be good for a trailer or van without having to do much for leveling. Many vehicles/tents could fit here in the dirt area but would likely be comfortable for a single group rather than multiple camp groups.

  • Joshua C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Pine Campground
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Big Pine Campground

    Great camp spot, limited space

    Maybe 6-7 spots for cars/trucks/vans. We fit our 170 sprinter no problem and would work for half the sites. Sign says no trailers where all the camp spots are and I would agree as there is no turn around room or ways to back in.

    Sites looked clean and was very quiet while we were here for a Sunday night.

    T-mobile 5G UC signal from campgrounds. Day use area has wide open sky to recharge if needed. Camp spots are shaded by trees. River access is along camp spots and also near day use area. No trails from campsite so pretty limited in exploration options, just more a beautiful place to stop for a night or 2.

  • John F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Muchwater Montana

    Muchwater has earned a top spot for my camping areas. There’s a river nearby that’s great for fishing or swimming. The campgrounds has fire pits ready to go and well maintained. There’s plenty of space between you and your neighbor. And it’s dog friendly. Oh and the hiking is pretty good too.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    a beautiful place to stay on the river

    stayed in site 1 first campsite on your right-hand side, big rig friendly plenty of room for our set up 70+ ft RV and trailer short walk to the river. quiet, clean and plenty of space between camps. it was cool to see and hear the trains go by.  will definitely be back.

  • Laura D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Amazing camping

    This place is incredible! Wish we came sooner. Stunning views, several sites to choose from, some have access to the river. The road conditions are wonderful—towed a 20 ft trailer. Some spots are more open to use Starlink. Highly recommend this site. There are a few bathrooms which are very clean

  • s
    Camper-submitted photo from Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 6, 2024

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    beautiful spot by the creek

    super easy to get to! just exit off I90 onto Petty Creek Road and go straight for a mile or two. not totally isolated, the site is not too far from the road but not the interstate, so there is a bit of noise but not frequently. service is spotty, verizon and at&t had only 1 bar. found some random bones, saw some deer, and lots of bugs. small area with a few places to park, thankfully nobody was there when we were but could be fun for a group!

  • Maui F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    May. 29, 2024

    Clark Fork River

    Clark River peninsula

    Great spot there’s three to the right off train bridge and a lot on the left side of it I pulled into first on from left. Had 3-4 bars of Verizon cell service.

  • Terri F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Placid Creek Pull Off
    May. 22, 2024

    Placid Creek Pull Off

    Primative but usable

    Open. Near creek. No amenities aside from outhouse. Rough dirt entrance. 4-5 semi designated parking spaces. More if you were cozy. Not recommended for low clearance or large vehicles

  • John F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    May. 12, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Peacefulness by the river

    This is by far one of my favorite camping spots. Dispersed. Pet friendly. Quiet. Plenty of space between you and other campers. A river right by you. What more could you want? Oh and it’s right by a hot springs resort, in case you want to take a dip while you’re camping.

  • Andy C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Blackfoot River Dispersed - BLM
    Feb. 25, 2024

    Lower Blackfoot River Dispersed - BLM

    Closed - but new options available

    The dispersed campground near the start of Johnsrud Rd (Mile Marker 28 on Hwy 200) has been removed. However, 2 new campgrounds have been added, and the entire road is now paved making RV accessibility much easier. 

    The three campgrounds are as follows: 

    Thibodeau Campground- 5 mi in

    Corrick River Bend - 11 mi in

    Ninemile Prarie- 13 mi. in

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Oct. 12, 2023

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Great spot close to town

    Stayed here on our way through headed back to Bozeman, Great spot with plenty of room for activities campers, tents, hammocks, and friends. Lots of room for multiple campers. Verizon and Atnt had service the whole time, close to Highway, and railroad so not super quite spot. But overall great overnight pullover spot!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Clark Fork River

    Clark Fork River

    Beautiful secluded site with view of the river. Easily can fit multiple rigs. I have xfinity mobile and had 3-4 bars the whole time.



Guide to Lolo National Forest

Camping near Lolo National Forest, Montana, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. Many campers enjoy the nature walks, with one reviewer mentioning, "Our kids loved the nature walk/hike at the entrance to the campground" at Cabin City Campground.
  • Fishing: The rivers and lakes in the area are great for fishing. A visitor at Sloway Campground noted, "While my hubby flyfishes, I float on the Clark Fork."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Big Pine Campground said, "Such a beautiful campsite... clean bathroom, quiet!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Jim & Mary's RV Park mentioned, "Everything was clean including the picnic table."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. One visitor at Nugget RV Resort said, "Great customer service! Helped us set up, talked with us."
  • Privacy: Campers enjoy the spacious sites. A review for Cabin City Campground highlighted, "Great spacing on the campsites. Loved it here."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are near busy roads or train tracks. A camper at Sloway Campground warned, "If you don’t like train and highway noise, stay far away!"
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Granite Peak RV Resort noted, "Definitely not a spot that caters to our normal priorities."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A reviewer at Big Pine Campground mentioned, "First come first serve and free with a pit toilet."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One family at Whitefish-Kalispell North KOA enjoyed, "Lots of fun for the kids with mini golf, bikes, paddle boats."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A parent at Missoula KOA Holiday shared, "My kids were absolutely terrified at this point," after a negative experience with staff.
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained during downtime. A visitor at Jim & Mary's RV Park appreciated the "clean bathrooms and laundry facilities," which can help during longer stays.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Granite Peak RV Resort mentioned, "The length was pretty short... maneuvering to park the truck."
  • Use a GPS for Directions: Some campgrounds can be tricky to find. A visitor at Nugget RV Resort noted, "We followed our RV GPS to the CG that is near I-90, but far enough away that you don’t hear highway noise."
  • Look for Amenities: Check for laundry and shower facilities. A camper at Jim & Mary's RV Park said, "Hot showers and clean bathroom."

Camping near Lolo National Forest, Montana, offers a variety of experiences, from quiet retreats to family-friendly adventures. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lolo National Forest?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lolo National Forest is Muchwater Recreation Area with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Lolo National Forest?

    TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Lolo National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.