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Best Tent Camping near Lolo, MT

522 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent campsites near Lolo, Montana range from established Forest Service campgrounds to dispersed backcountry sites. Blue Mountain Forest Road 365 offers primitive tent camping opportunities approximately 5 miles from the main road, while Earl Tennant Campground in Lolo National Forest provides a more established tent-only experience with basic amenities. Kreis Pond Campground, though requiring travel on several miles of dusty gravel roads, offers peaceful tent sites surrounding a small mountain pond.

Most tent sites in the Lolo area have limited amenities and require self-sufficiency. Blue Mountain dispersed camping areas lack toilets or water sources, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out waste. A review noted, "We had to drive about 45 minutes up the mountain on the 365 road to find a secluded spot." Many established tent campgrounds like Earl Tennant feature vault toilets but no drinking water. During summer months, forest roads can become dusty and washboarded, with high-clearance vehicles recommended for accessing remote tent sites. Bear activity is common throughout the region, making proper food storage essential.

Tent campers can expect varying levels of privacy and natural settings throughout the Lolo area. Sites at Kreis Pond Campground provide pond-side camping with good separation between the seven designated tent sites. One visitor described it as "truly enjoyable with well-spaced campsites all around the pond." Backcountry tent sites along Blue Mountain Road offer more seclusion but come with occasional disturbance from passing vehicles. During peak summer weekends, established tent campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with water access. For tent campers seeking maximum solitude, weekday visits or exploring farther along forest roads typically yields quieter primitive camping experiences. Fall brings cooler temperatures but generally fewer crowds at tent sites throughout the region.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lolo, Montana (34)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lolo, MT

7 Photos of 34 Lolo Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Lolo, MT

522 Reviews of 34 Lolo Campgrounds

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Dalles

    Camp and fish at the Dalles Campground

    The Dalles Campground is a nice pleasant campground with 10 sites along Rock Creek.  Situated in a mature lodge pole pine forest all the site have plenty of shade.  All sites have picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Site has a water hand pump and ADA vault toilet.  Site 1 was interesting as you have to walk up an embankment to reach the site, which makes it not visible from the campground road.  A bear proof locker is available for food storage.  Being along Rock Creek gives those who wish to fish access to the blue ribbon stream with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  Cost is $6 per night.  All the sites are nicely spread apart.  The road to Dalles campground is not recommended for RVs of trailers as it get pretty bumpy after the pavement ends,  this only get worse the further you travel down the road, but is doable if you drive very slow.

  • s
    May. 25, 2025

    Quartz Flats Campground

    convenient & quaint

    Pulled off i-90 for a stop, plenty of campsites available. Able to reserve online thru recreation.gov as well as first come first serve. saw maybe 4 other cars. Only downside is proximity to freeway and loud train. Would go off multiple times throughout the night waking us up every time. Well maintained, plenty of restrooms they were closed though but a bear box and dumpster were available for trash/food storage.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Harrys Flat

    Nice campground on Rock Creek

    Harry's Flat campground is a great campground along Rock Creek, set in a huge old growth ponderosa pine forest.  The sites are large, especially the ones bordering right up to Rock Creek. The campground has 15 campsites each with Picnic tables and metal fire rings.  The campground has vault toilets and a few bear lockers for food storage, water is available.  Not all the campsites were available during my visit as about 1/2 the campground was closed due to damage during the heavy spring and early summer rains.  This is a great spot for people interested in doing some fishing, as Rock Creek is a blue ribbon stream, with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  Cost is $6 per night, first come first served.

  • J
    Apr. 15, 2021

    Thibodeau

    Thibodeau Rapids

    Great place to stay. First come first stay 8 day max stay. Vault toilets, picnic table, sites are spread out. $18 dollars per day

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

    Upsata Lake

    Flat grassy camping on a small lake

    Upsata Fishing Access campground is located four miles north of Montana Highway 200.  This is a pleasant small five site campground.   All five sites are next to each other on a flat grassy area which appears to be regularly maintained.  Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.  One vault toilet serves the site.  No water or trash service.  The fishing access has a small parking area for vehicles and boat trailers, boat ramp is gravel.  Only one other site was occupied on our visit, but that was on a Sunday evening.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2019

    Monture Creek

    Quiet camp with good fishing

    Monture Creek Fishing Access site is a nice small campground/fishing access site with five campsites. Two just off of Hwy 200 and three more back away from the highway. Monture Creek has good trout fishing with the creek being only about 100 feet from the campsites. One vault toilet serves the fishing access and camping area. Each campsite has a picnic table and metal fire ring. Sites 1, 2 and 3 sit far enough back that the large pine trees do a pretty good job of blocking most of the highway noise. Like all the fishing access sites with camping in the state, the nightly rate is based on if you have a fishing license and are a Montana resident or not. This is a trash-in, trash-out site and no water is available so come prepared.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Quartz Flat Campground

    Ranger Review: Acai Berry Liquid IV At Quartz Flat Campground

    CLICK HERE for FULL Ranger Review Video

    When traveling through Montana there is a portion of the state which suddenly opens up in such an inviting way as the National Forest and Mountains start to give you the first glimpse of the upcoming PNW environment.   Tall trees welcome you and on a cool fall day the crisp air produces  a beautiful fog over the mountains.

    Campground Review:

    As I entered into this section of the 2 million acre LOLO National Forest I initially pulled into a rest area to make lunch only to realize that the exit point for the rest area was actually also the shared entry point for the Quartz Flat Campground.

    The immediate sense of comfort abounded as large campsites became visible as I drove down the entry and the opening of the 2 loops welcomed me in with open arms.   Sites were well shaded and had ample ground to spread out and get comfortable for a stay from a day to 14 days at only $10 a night or $5 for those with the Senior Access pass.

    I was very surprised when I noticed that Loop C was designed for smaller RVs, Vans and Tent campers and Loop A was designed for larger units which required pull through entry.    There was attention to detail for any possible traveler, something which commonly is not considered in design of National Forest campsites.

    But far beyond the size this started to reveal to me that it was not your typical campsite on National Forest land for many other reasons.    There were both vault toilets and flush toilets at the location scattered throughout camp and drinking water spigots available at central points.

    For tent campers the forest bed offered a lush and soft pad for set up and with sites being quite large there was a tranquility which came from camping here.  All sites were equipped with fire rings and tables but a select few were the location of bear boxes.    After leaving Yellowstone where each site had a bear box this was bit confusing to me as to why there were limited bear boxes but this did not deter me.

    Additionally there is a dump station and trash collection at the Loop C entry point, very uncommon for these type of sites.   There also was a trail which began on the C Loop and traversed 1/2 a mile with information available at the main road with free brochures.

    Departing this loop, I thought I had seen it all, but boy was I wrong!!  There was an entire other campground on the opposite side of the highway, accessible by a tunnel which passed under the highway itself.  This campground near mirrored that of the A & C Loops however appeared a bit closer to the highway.

    TIPS:

    • If you are visiting this campground make sure you bring everything with you, there is no store nearby for a quick stop.

    • Check dates of closure for this campground.   When I arrived there were signs posted at the pay kiosk of closure beginning September 16th.    

    For More Information About LOLO National Forest CLICK HERE

    Product Review:

    Upon occasion I am given the opportunity as a Dyrt Ranger to try out some amazing new products along my adventures.   For this trip I was able to try out the Acai Berry Liquid IV, a unique product which offers hydration multiplication for those who are needing a little pick me up.

    How Does It Work?

    Hydration multipliers work in a very interesting way.   Through adding a concentrated amount of electrolytes to your regular water they are able to make a single water hydrate your body as much as 3 waters of the same size.     The CTT technology used by Liquid IV is unique to the brand  and allows glucose and sodium to move differently in the body.  

    In simple terms, if you don't drink enough water regularly, if you add Liquid IV to your intake, it allows your body to feel like it actually is getting enough water.

    How Do I Use It?

    Use is simple!! Servings are prepackaged and can be added to water of any temperature.    Simply tear the top, scissors not needed, and pour then shake!  I personally like adding it to hot tea in addition to plain water for a little punch of flavor.

    How Does It Taste?

    The Acai Berry flavor is a light flavor additive which allows you a subtle punch of flavor,   Unlike many drink additives it does not have a chalky taste and when it is fully dissolved you have no textural discrepancy from a standard water.   It just tastes like something other than water...lol

    Does It Really Work?

    I have been trying Liquid IV for a few weeks and have noticed a definite difference when using it versos not using it.    The product allows your body to not feel the signs of fatigue on a strenuous hike and allows you to stay hydrated, preventing muscle cramps, profuse sweating and heat related fatigue.

    When using on a standard day of light activity your body just feels more energized, despite not being an energy supplement.    

    I would recommend using this product for your day to day, especially if you struggle with consuming the recommended amount of water regularly.   For those who participate in strenuous athletic activity this is a game changer much better than Gatorade or Powerade.

  • Milagros A.
    Aug. 29, 2018

    Lolo Creek Campground

    Lolo Creek Campground Montana

    Despite how this site has it listed, the sign says Lolo Creek Campground . This is in Montana . https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lolo/recarea/?recid=10268

    This this is a well-maintained forest service Campground right on Highway 12 about 15 minutes. (20 miles) north of Lolo the town. There is an adjacent day-use picnic area with about 3 or 4 picnic tables pretty well separated and in the woods. I believe they each have a grill with them. If the campsite is full and you are self-contained, the parking lot maybe a good pull off spot.

    There are 17 camping sites about half are pull throughs. It is heavily forested and Lolo Creek is adjacent but not in the campground. However, two of the sites are very near the creek. Because it is beside Highway 12, you can hear the road noise but this quiets down substantially after dark. This also makes it super easy if you are traveling and need to pull off for the night.

    There are 3 Wells with potable water( lift the handle ) and 2 well-maintained and stocked pit toilets. Each site has a metal fire ring and a picnic table. Some sites have really nice areas for tents , others the tent might be a little bumpy! There is a campground host and a dumpster for trash. Bear proofing regulations are in effect.

    There Is No Reservations, no electricity. no services for RVs, no cell, and no firewood for sale.

    I stayed the maximum amount of time which is 16 days. Most of that time I could have had a fire if I wanted but the last few days there was a fire ban due to very dry conditions. I was there in August.

    The cost is $10 a night payable in cash or US Bank drawn checks. There is a $4 per night charge for a second vehicle at a site. This is for every night that you are there.

    There are a few nice but not necessarily Stellar hikes in the area. None originate near the campground, you must drive to them. The campground host was very helpful in directing us to these. Lolo Creek Campground was spared in the Lolo forest fire of 2017. However some areas slightly South between the campground and the town are burnt out. But the new growth of bright green framing the black trees imakes for some visually beautiful hiking.

    Lolo Creek itself is cold and I saw several guys fishing. If you can take the temperature it's a great wading Creek too!

    There isn't any cell service at the campground and I have Verizon. In fact, you lose cell service shortly north of Lolo.

    Up the road going north about three-quarters of a mile is Jack's Saloon. You have to drive about three-quarters of a mile back a very well-maintained dirt road. This is a bar , a restaurant with what looked like a very decent food even though I didn't have any , and music there one or two nights a week. The theme is lumberjacking and the bar is made out of a single giant log , many of the bar stools are carved out of single logs as well and there is a swinging log bar stool. There was a quite good blues band there the Saturday night I went. This bar was in the movie The Best Bar in America. This is your closest civilization if you want to get something to eat. Otherwise, you have to drive 15 or so minutes south to Lolo where there are several restaurants, a couple fast food places Quick Stop's, gasoline and a casino. Do try Florence coffee it's a drive-thru and yummy.

    There may be a restaurant at Lolo Hot Springs about 5 miles north on Highway 12, past Jack's. Lolo Hot Springs is a large complex with hot springs pool, many buildings, camping, and cabins and a sign that proclaims a cafe. I assume it's open to the public and not just guests, but I personally did not verify that. Their rates for anything are not listed on their website , neither is availability if you want to camp. You must call. I called two different times and left messages. they didn't return my call either time . I called a third time and got a person who answered my questions. It's more than triple the cost at staying Lolo Creek but then there's all the amenities too. There's another dance Campground on the other side Lolo Creek Campground that has about the same prices as the hot springs.

    Also, be careful, there is much wildlife along Highway 12, and I saw deer multiple times crossing the road at night. And though I didn't see any, between the campground and Jack's is a painted on the road moose Crossing.

    This is a clean Campground and I was happy to stay there. I I can highly recommend this Campground if you can live without electricity and cell phone for the duration of your stay. And you're main activity is either leaving the campsite to go find something else to do, simply hanging out, or some trout fishing in the creek.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Norton

    Walk in tenting campground

    Norton campground is not for the RV crowd.  This 13 site campground has only designated parking areas, no pulling into a campsite.  Those camping will need to walk their gear a short distance to their camping location.  The campground is a single loop with all the campsites in the center of the loop.  Numbers painted on the picnic tables tell you which site you are in.  Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.  Some site are close to each other, most are nicely spread out.   This is not a location for RVs, they just won't fit, if you have anything bigger than a pickup truck with a camping in the bed then continue down the road, anything larger than a pickup or with a trail will not fit with out stealing parking availability for others.  Site has water and vault toilets.  The vault toilets are old and are not to ADA standards.  Cost is $6 per night, first come first served.  Beautiful Rock Creek, a blue ribbon stream, is near this campground. Fish Species include brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  The only downside to this campground is the private home right next to it.

Guide to Lolo

Tent camping options near Lolo, Montana sit at elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. Forest Service roads providing access to camping areas typically open in late May but can remain snow-covered at higher elevations until mid-June. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors bring all necessary supplies including drinking water.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Corricks River Bend, visitors can spot deer, eagles, and other wildlife along the Blackfoot River. "The campgrounds are pretty spread out and most along the river. Our site (9) was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare," notes camper Julie L.

Mountain biking access: Blue Mountain offers extensive trail networks for mountain bikers seeking primitive camping. "Blue Mountain is a great place to recreate! Very dog friendly and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camping is allowed west of road 365," explains Celine K.

Fishing opportunities: Anglers can access trout fishing at Gold Creek Campground during summer months. "Located in the remote forest is a perfect campground. Not alot of people, gold creek is prime fishing for trout," says camper Kat S. The creek maintains suitable water levels into fall.

What campers like

Remote pond camping: Kreis Pond Campground offers tranquil waterside sites. "Great secret camping spot. There's only about 5 spots and summer will be crowded when it's hot and awesome weather! Bring tubes to float around the water," recommends Kirsten R.

Hiking accessibility: Many campers appreciate Ninemile Area for its proximity to hiking trails, though navigation requires care. "My only complaint is we felt awkward hiking around in case we were accidentally crossing into private land, when exploring the Lolo National Forest," notes Megan K.

Riverside solitude: At Corricks River Bend, the spacing between sites allows for privacy. "The campsite had picnic tables and a vault toilet. Nice and quiet," reports Celine K., highlighting the peaceful setting along the Blackfoot River.

What you should know

Access road conditions: Many forest service roads require high-clearance vehicles. "Road is absolutely clapped out going up for like ten miles. Wouldn't recommend a rv or trailer unless you don't mind washboards. I got a flat tire going up so be careful of sharp rocks," warns David B. about Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365.

Limited amenities: Most sites require complete self-sufficiency. "The only water source is the creek which is not easy to access. Note, it isn't really difficult, either. Pit toilet was clean and well supplied," reports Will M. about Gold Creek Campground.

Temperature fluctuations: Even summer nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations. "Had a very nice time staying here. Very quiet, with some sites very dispersed from each other. It was very cold at night though. In the 30s at the end of June," warns A & B C. about Three Forks Ponds.

Tips for camping with families

Accessibility considerations: The Holmestead - Dry Cabin offers comfortable accommodations for families seeking a tent camping alternative. "This cabin is so lovely, my dogs had a blast playing in the stream. I was happy to have a big real bed!" shares Carolyn H.

Water recreation options: Kreis Pond Campground provides kid-friendly water activities. "Bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around. Neat, fun area especially with the Sleeping Woman hike so close," suggests Kirsten R.

Seasonal planning: Some camping areas experience seasonal closures or conditions. "It gets really flooded out in the spring time. Some times half the site is closed for a while into the season until it dries up. Good place to launch your boat though," notes Kelly about Harry's Flat Campground.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Lolo have limited space for larger vehicles. "We never made it to this campsite because my GPS couldn't figure out how to get me there without going on private property," reports Kristin H. about Kreis Pond Campground, highlighting navigation challenges for larger vehicles.

Road clearance requirements: Lolo National Forest Earl Tennant Campground requires careful navigation. "I almost missed the turn because it's not super well marked, but you'll see the sign for the forest service road and there's a little bridge across the river. It's a super minimal campground for tents only!" explains Juliana H.

Alternative options: RV campers seeking the best tent camping near Lolo, Montana might prefer established sites with better access. "If you're desperate enough... we needed a spot to break up an 800 mile journey... there's realistically 4 parking spaces, 3 side by side and 1 on the opposite side near the vault toilet," explains Meredith about Petty Creek FAS.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lolo, MT is Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed with a 3.7-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Lolo, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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