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Best Equestrian Camping near Lolo, MT

40 Reviews

Charles Waters Campground provides equestrian facilities in the Bitterroot Valley near Lolo, Montana. The campground features well-maintained horse trails across from the camping area, with ample parking for horse trailers. Sites are paved and spacious enough to accommodate equestrian needs. Vault toilets and water spigots are available throughout the grounds. Campground hosts maintain clean facilities during the May 1 to November 1 season. The nearby Bass Creek provides natural water access for horses. Sites are first-come, first-served at $10-15 per night, with no reservations available. Regular camp users note the large, level parking pads and proximity to equestrian trails make this location popular among horse owners.

The Bass Creek Trail System connects directly to Charles Waters Campground, offering multiple riding routes suitable for day trips. Riders can access wilderness areas with minimal elevation gain on well-maintained paths. The trails accommodate both beginner and experienced equestrians, with some routes suitable for multi-day backcountry trips. Trailhead access is convenient with designated areas for trailer parking. Seasonal considerations include spring runoff affecting creek crossings from May through early June. The surrounding Bitterroot National Forest provides additional riding opportunities with connecting trails. Horse-friendly accommodations include tent and RV sites with enough space for portable corrals. Users consistently mention the clean campground and good trail maintenance make this location ideal for equestrian camping trips.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Lolo, Montana (9)

    1. Charles Waters Campground

    21 Reviews
    Florence, MT
    14 miles
    Website

    "Nice campground built to accommodate horse trailers. There are big day use parking/staging areas for trailers. The main campground was closed for winter."

    "There is tons of trails for hiking, horse back and driving as well as tons of stream access only down fall is not really for fishing."

    2. Out Post Campground

    2 Reviews
    Frenchtown, MT
    14 miles

    "And it’s a huge bonus to be outside and enjoying greasy air. The grounds were very close to the highway and easy to access."

    3. Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Clinton, MT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 825-3183

    $40 - $100 / night

    "Beautiful location, classic Montana with trees mountains and rivers! Great restaurant on site. Campsites are the reason for not giving 5 stars. Very tight and not great space for maneuverability."

    "There is a basketball court, sand volleyball court, horse shoes and a playground. There’s also a beautiful creek running along the campground with beautiful Mountain views."

    4. Bearmouth RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Drummond, MT
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 825-9950

    $35 - $40 / night

    "This campsite is pristine, next to a beautiful river, mountains all around. There is a good amount of space between RV campsites, all of which have water and electric."

    "Beautiful views here along the Clark Fork River with lots of things to do in the nearby area including visiting the Garnet Ghost town, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Butte and Missoula."

    5. Lake Elsina - Dispersed

    1 Review
    Seeley Lake, MT
    38 miles
    Website

    "If you can stand the hordes of mosquitos and constant trail of hikers coming through the area hiking to Lake Dinah."

    6. Fish Lake Trailhead

    1 Review
    Superior, MT
    43 miles
    Website

    7. Bear Creek Pass Campground

    1 Review
    Darby, MT
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 821-3913

    8. Lazy D C Bar Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    St. Ignatius, MT
    36 miles
    Website

    9. Old Barn Studios

    Be the first to review!
    Hamilton, MT
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 270-2628

    $50 - $75 / night

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Lolo, MT

2 Photos of 9 Lolo Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lolo, MT

40 Reviews of 9 Lolo Campgrounds

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2020

    Bear Creek Pass Campground

    Semi-official dispersed camping at Bear Creek Pass

    Bear Creek Pass Campground is semi-official dispersed camping at Bear Creek Pass, the location of two trail heads. I surveyed the site during a hike but did not stay over night. 

    There are two trail heads, about 1/2 mile apart. Between is a turn off for the“campground” which is little more than a pull out and a turn around. I didn’t see tent sites off the road. A little further on is a large parking area with vault toilet. A little beyond that a small parking area near the second trail head. Between these two is the one place that did look like a camp site. There was one fire ring and vegetation had been pressed down. 

    There are facilities for horses: several hitching posts and a loading ramp. These don’t look like they have been used for a while. We did see signs that horses were up here recently but the area is little impacted by horse use. 

    The area is in open pine forest with meadows. There is a stream flowing near by. 

    I would certainly sleep in my vehicle over night here or set up a tent. You can overnight here before starting on a hike from one of the trail heads. However, this site has little to recommend itself as a destination for an extended stay or overflow if nearby Schumaker is full.

  • Byron F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2025

    Charles Waters Campground

    Bass Creek

    Nice campground built to accommodate horse trailers. There are big day use parking/staging areas for trailers. The main campground was closed for winter. There were 2 other van campers using some day use spots to overnight. The day use spots have a picnic table, fire ring and level site parking so they work just fine for a quick overnight. There are a couple of “horse trailer camping” spots outside the locked gate that were accessible. Signage indicates that if not taken by 6pm by a horse trailer that others campers may use the spot. I’m just passing through quickly and don’t intend to stay for multiple nights so I was not picky. It’s flat and clean and beautiful by moonlight.

  • Terrance R.
    May. 17, 2023

    Charles Waters Campground

    Great nature

    This is definitely 1 of the top 5 in the area even as a usfs camp ground and price. Sites are well spaced, plenty of privacy and greenery, tons of nature, sound of a run off river coming down through the camp, there is a camp host on site as well as paved road and restrooms as well as water fountains. There is tons of trails for hiking, horse back and driving as well as tons of stream access only down fall is not really for fishing.

  • T
    Jun. 20, 2022

    Charles Waters Campground

    Beautiful campground!

    This is a National Forest campground about 25 miles from Missoula. The bathrooms are vaulted toilets and they were spacious and VERY clean. Our site was HUGE and so beautiful. Bass Creek was maybe 50 yards from the camper and is so clear! Fishing wouldn't be great at that location, as the creek is fairly shallow. The parking spot for the camper was super level asphalt, and plenty Ling enough for our 33.5' fifth wheel. Due to lower branches on the drive through the campground, we wouldn't recommend higher profile rigs. Ours sits at 13', and we felt that anything much taller than that might have clearance issues. There's a group spot for 12-20 people, as well as a spot for bicycle camping. There are some amazing trails for hiking, biking, and also horses. We really enjoyed this area!

  • Jen F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Charles Waters Campground

    Clean,quiet,beautiful

    Traveling south in Montana and found this lovely little place. Trees, meadows and solitude. Just the way I like it

  • Mary Ellen H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground

    Convenient, gorgeous, snug and delicious!

    Easy access from I-90. Beautiful location, classic Montana with trees mountains and rivers! Great restaurant on site. Campsites are the reason for not giving 5 stars. Very tight and not great space for maneuverability. Was not full so we were fine with a big rig. Had it been full would be a little uncomfortable.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2021

    Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground

    Great Stay

    We stayed here for a night as we headed west. It offered everything we needed with a beautiful campground to boot. The laundry facilities were great. The showers were clean and hot. There was an adorable restaurant in the campground. Every single staff member we came across was so friendly. There is a basketball court, sand volleyball court, horse shoes and a playground. There’s also a beautiful creek running along the campground with beautiful Mountain views. WiFi sand cell service worked great. I would absolutely stay again!

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Charles Waters Campground

    Quiet camping in the Bitterroots.

    Nice little campground in the Bitterroot Valley. It seemed that there were as many dogs as people in the campground. Sites varied in size and shape and shade. I like the sites on the far side of the loop as they are closer to the creek and away from the dusty road. Water at the spigots was good, but I was a bit concerned that they were placed so close to the vault toilets. There are some pull through sites as well as back in, but since it’s first come, it’s luck of the draw in what you get. I got there around 2 on a Sunday and had 3 sites to pick from. All of the sites were full by 4pm. There are some nice hiking and horseback riding trails across the road, and there is a forest road that goes all the way to the top of the mountains with picnic tables to watch the sunset or sunrise (when the smoke doesn’t cloud the view).

  • Megan K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2020

    Out Post Campground

    Great pit stop to Yellowstone

    We tried to get a AirBnb in this area but it was crazy expensive.

    We made an overnight reservation for this spot and it was great to get our precaming game going.

    They were kinda expensive but it totally beat paying the local costs for lodging. And it’s a huge bonus to be outside and enjoying greasy air.

    The grounds were very close to the highway and easy to access.

Guide to Lolo

Charles Waters Campground offers trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding in the Bitterroot Valley area. The campground provides paved, level sites with clean vault toilets and water spigots throughout. Located approximately 25 miles from Missoula, the campground features wooded sites with Bass Creek running nearby. Trails accessible from the campground accommodate horses with adequate space for larger rigs. Sites vary in size and shape with both pull-through and back-in options available on a first-come, first-served basis for $10-15 per night. The campground typically fills by mid-afternoon during peak season. Campground data and reviews near Lolo, Montana is regularly updated on The Dyrt.

The Bass Creek trail system connects riders to multiple routes suitable for day rides. Parking areas accommodate horse trailers with sufficient room for loading and unloading. The surrounding Bitterroot National Forest offers extensive riding opportunities with trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. Most equestrian-friendly sites in the area operate seasonally from approximately May through November, with Charles Waters Campground typically open May 1 to November 1. Trail riders report varying conditions throughout the season with spring offering greener meadows and fall providing cooler temperatures for horses. Sites nearest to the creek provide easier water access for horses, though riders should confirm current trail conditions before planning extended rides as seasonal closures may affect accessibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lolo, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lolo, MT is Charles Waters Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lolo, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Lolo, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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