Best Campgrounds near Martinsdale, MT

Camping areas around Martinsdale, Montana provide a range of options spanning from established campgrounds to primitive sites. The Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP offers waterfront camping with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, situated on the north shore of the reservoir. Spring Creek Campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, with access to drinking water and toilet facilities. Several other developed campgrounds within driving distance include Chief Joseph City Park in Harlowton and Richardson Campground near White Sulphur Springs, offering varying levels of amenities.

Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly across the region's campground options. Many sites are accessible via drive-in routes, though some roads may require careful navigation. The Martinsdale Reservoir area experiences significant wind patterns that can affect the camping experience, particularly for fishing enthusiasts. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, with many open from late spring through fall, typically Memorial Day to October or early December. Limited tree cover in some areas means exposure to sun and wind. A review noted, "The problem with this campground is it has no trees so you are at the mercy of the sun and wind. The wind, it really blows through the area, every time I have visited this site I have found it too windy to attempt to fish."

The camping experience in the Martinsdale area features notable contrasts between developed and primitive sites. Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors, with several campgrounds offering lake or reservoir access. Sites are generally well-spaced, providing privacy between campers, though amenities remain basic across most locations. Many areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than reservation systems. Pricing varies, with some locations offering free camping while others charge modest fees ranging from $5-$18 depending on residency and fishing license status. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, stargazing opportunities rank highly among campers' experiences, with one visitor commenting on a nearby reservoir: "With no light pollution here, on a clear night like ours, the stars were simply astounding."

Best Camping Sites Near Martinsdale, Montana (67)

    1. Spring Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    12 miles
    Website

    "Regardless we were able to find a great water front site a good distance away from anyone else. Close to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park."

    "Very nice quiet campground.Located by the shore of large lake. I thimk there were 12 or so sites available, each has table, fire ring and bear box."

    2. Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP

    2 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    3. Spring Creek

    3 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    12 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "You need to drive up a narrow paved road then a wider graded gravel road then make a sharp turn down to the right. Sites aren’t big but we did see some hunters in a small trailer."

    4. Chief Joseph City Park

    9 Reviews
    Shawmut, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 632-5523

    $20 / night

    "A very nice small town town campground east of Montana’s front range. Several level pull-through RV sites with electricity. Dumpster and water hydrant near by in the campground."

    "Really well maintained grounds, level gravel sites, fairgrounds close by."

    5. Camping area 6393A

    1 Review
    Martinsdale, MT
    14 miles

    6. Grasshopper

    4 Reviews
    White Sulphur Springs, MT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 547-3361

    "Some are not well situated for parking a camper, but it didn’t seem to crowded and we had our choice of spots early evening on a Friday."

    "As you enter this campground you find a trail head to the left and then a picnic area to the right. The campsites start right after the first of two vault toilets for the campground."

    7. Whitetail Camp

    2 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 566-2292

    8. Halfmoon Campground

    11 Reviews
    Melville, MT
    29 miles
    Website

    "I arrived around 1pm on a Friday and there were only two spots remaining. I grabbed spot #8, it certainly is not the most desirable but it was a spot nonetheless."

    "The scenery surrounding the campground is breathtaking: sharp peaks that rise upwards of 7,000 ft in elevation, crystal clear mountain streams rushing down the mountain sides, waterfall after waterfall"

    9. Richardson Campground

    2 Reviews
    White Sulphur Springs, MT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 547-3361
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Recent Reviews near Martinsdale, MT

212 Reviews of 67 Martinsdale Campgrounds


  • h
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Chief Joseph Campground

    Basic but nice and quiet

    This campground is on the edge of Harlowton. A small town that has very adequate basic services. The campground is in the city park / rodeo grounds. Very quiet. Clean. If you have dogs go out the south entrance where the is a rails to trails walkway. Nice for human and k-nines alike. Only electric at the sites. But there is a dump station Anna potable water spigot. Our kind of campground. Only draw back would be when the Rodeo is in progress. It would be one hopping place then. We have stayed here in July and first of October. Beautiful and pleasant both times.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    I towed my small camper up the mountain fairly easily, although this is by far the roughest road I’ve encountered so far. Not for the faint of heart! I saw a couple sprinter vans coming up but no other RV’s. There are a handful of spots to camp on the way up the mountain but I found one about 1/4 mile before the campground. There is sun, shade, a fire ring and 3 other neighboring sites. 2 of those sites aren’t very accessible by car but this site is big enough for multiple vehicles. It’s also walking distance to the Fairy Lake trailhead and to the lake itself, which is very popular on the weekends. Would absolutely stay here again. No bugs, no bear scat nearby, some traffic but still private.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Battle Ridge Campground

    Great for tents

    We found this spot to be lovely but don’t go up the mountain if you have an rv. We ended up at the dead end and we had to back down our 30 foot rv down the mountain. Lots of people living at this spot in the late fall so be aware of that. Cool spot but not big rig friendly passed the main turn in area.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Otter Creek Fishing Access Site

    Overnight stop

    Permit required if you look hard enough to notice. Pit toilet, no water, no electric, rock fire rings, several spots to set up, boat ramp. I was just passing through and needed a place to sleep for the night. It's a nice little spot with some great scenery. When I stayed, there were about 4 others there as well, all scattered about. It was quiet except for the train horn that woke me from my slumber a couple of times throughout the night. Nice little spot. Would stay again despite the train.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Fairy Lake Campground

    Gorgeous Mountains and Crystal Clear Water

    The drive up is very rough, most vehicles I saw were Toyotas and Subarus. 4 Wheel drive is recommended, however I took my Ram Promaster 3500 Campervan up to the top where the campground is. The campground is a little higher up than the lake, but the Mountain View’s are worth not having a campsite directly on the water. There is a stream that runs through a few sites tho. Anyway it was beautiful and plenty of space between other sites, but there were people there all weekend long. The weekdays we were basically alone at the campground.

  • Mitch G.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Grasshopper

    Nice campground in the woods

    I don't know why the information for this campground says it's accessible by boat. The only water is the creek running through the grounds and unless your boat draws fewer than about 3 inches, you're gonna have a tough time.
    https://ludwigandgertie.blogspot.com/2024/09/weekend-in-castles.html

  • Kennon H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Spring Creek

    Nicely tucked away

    Used by many as a hunting and fishing camp. We found is as a great no frills camp. We enjoyed the hike up the mountain for some awesome views.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Crystal Lake Campground

    Crystal Lake in September

    Beautiful drive in. Road is gravel until you get to the National Forest then is paved but narrow. Take your time going up mountain and down. Camp sites are spaced out nice. Hiking trails. Lake looks pretty dry right now but it is beautiful up here. Potable water is available while we were here no electricity. 4 or 5 covered toilets throughout campground area.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Battle Ridge Campground

    Very close to bozeman, beautiful mountainous location, very quiet

    $10 a night with senior pass but it doesn't say the price without it so I think it's $10 for everyone. Well maintained quite level gravel sites with picnic tables and fire pits and several clean vault toilets. This is for self-contained campers as there is no garbage or water or firewood available.


Guide to Martinsdale

The Martinsdale, Montana area encompasses several established campgrounds within the Lewis and Clark National Forest and surrounding public lands. Campground options range from basic sites along Martinsdale Reservoir to more developed facilities like Spring Creek Campground. The region supports both tent and RV camping, with several locations providing primitive sites along waterways. Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP offers drive-in access for both tent and RV campers, while Spring Creek provides a more secluded experience with creek-side sites. Most campgrounds in this area maintain a rustic character with limited amenities and services.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with several campgrounds requiring travel on rough gravel or dirt roads. Spring Creek road leads to multiple camping areas including Whitetail Camp, located 12 miles north of U.S. Highway 12. Many sites operate seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through October or early December, with weather conditions determining actual closure dates. The area experiences significant winds, particularly at Martinsdale Reservoir where exposed campsites offer little protection from the elements. Campers should be prepared for potentially muddy conditions and limited facilities. A review noted that "Martinsdale Reservoir Fishing Access Site campground is a very large campground with sites well spread apart from each other. The problem with this campground is it has no trees so you are at the mercy of the sun and wind."

Waterfront access represents a common feature across multiple campgrounds in the Martinsdale area. Spring Creek Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its creek-side sites, with visitors appreciating the small canyon setting that provides shade and cooler temperatures in summer months. Wildlife viewing opportunities include potential bear encounters, requiring proper food storage at all locations. Fishing is available at several sites, with Spring Creek offering brook trout fishing. The more remote camping areas like Richardson Campground provide greater solitude but extremely limited facilities. A camper commented that Spring Creek has "10 sites with Spring Creek running through it. Our site backed up to the creek. You need to drive up a narrow paved road then a wider graded gravel road then make a sharp turn down to the right." Vault toilets are common at most established sites, but drinking water is limited to a few locations with hand pumps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping at Martinsdale Reservoir?

Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP offers camping directly at the reservoir with well-spaced sites. This fishing access site features a large campground area where sites are generously spread apart, though not all are numbered. For alternatives near Martinsdale, consider Deadmans Basin, another reservoir camping option that's convenient for travelers passing through the area. The fishing access sites provide basic accommodations for both tent and RV campers, with easy water access for fishing and boating activities.

What amenities are available at Martinsdale camping areas?

Camping areas around Martinsdale offer basic amenities. At Chief Joseph City Park, you'll find level pull-through RV sites with electricity, a dumpster, nearby water hydrant, and access to a large community playground. It allows stays up to 14 days. For a more rustic experience, Ackley Lake State Park Campground provides basic facilities in the Martinsdale vicinity. Most Martinsdale area sites have picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary by location. Expect limited services with some sites offering vault toilets but generally no hookups or running water beyond community spigots.

When is the best season for camping in Martinsdale, Montana?

The optimal camping season in Martinsdale runs from late spring through early fall (May-September). Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities at Crystal Lake Campground, where you'll find peaceful waters, clear lakes, and meadows filled with wildflowers. By October, areas like Dry Wolf become less crowded while still offering beautiful Montana scenery, though temperatures drop significantly. Fall camping at reservoirs like Deadmans Basin shows lower water levels. Winter brings harsh conditions making camping difficult, while spring can be wet with unpredictable weather. Summer remains the most reliable season with the fullest access to facilities and activities.