Tent camping options in the Martinsdale area of Montana include several primitive sites throughout the Little Belt Mountains section of Lewis and Clark National Forest. Camping area 6393A offers a solitary tent site with a picnic table and fire ring where Whitetail Creek meets Spring Creek. Whitetail Camp Campground, located 12 miles north of Highway 12, provides both established tent sites with picnic tables and metal fire rings, plus dispersed camping opportunities in an open meadow area. Most sites are available seasonally from May through November.
Most tent campgrounds near Martinsdale have minimal amenities and require campers to be self-sufficient. The Forest Service designated sites typically include fire rings and occasionally picnic tables, but lack drinking water, trash service, and modern restroom facilities. Whitetail Camp does offer a vault toilet, while more remote areas like Camping area 6393A have no facilities whatsoever. Access roads to many sites are rough in places, with high-clearance vehicles recommended for reaching more remote tent camping locations. The standard stay limit in Lewis and Clark National Forest is 16 days, and all sites operate on a trash-in, trash-out policy.
Tent campers in the Martinsdale region experience a genuine wilderness setting with opportunities for solitude. Many sites are positioned along creeks or in meadows surrounded by forest, providing natural shade and proximity to water for filtering. The higher elevation tent sites in the Little Belt Mountains offer cooler temperatures during summer months. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area. Dispersed camping areas provide flexibility for tent placement, though established sites often have more level ground for comfortable setup. A review on The Dyrt noted, "The camping area is completely flat. Two additional rock fire rings are in the area. The area has plenty of room for your vehicle and tent at the picnic table site."
"5 big spots with rings, 1 pull through. 4 or five day spots on the other side of road, you could tent camp in. 2 hole fwp outhouse. Small creek River runs through one side. Not far from town."
"The first section is easy to find, the second is just around the bend on the main road on a road to the right which has three more sites. "
"Took the Judith River Backcountry Scenic Drive in a Jeep, camped here. Nice and shady, simple primitive sites. Lovely setting. Lots of boat activity at this site. Tons of animals great and small."
"If you want to hammock there are a couple trees behind the cabin that would work but it’s kind of away from everyone if they’re hanging out up front."
"Huge, open space, great views, hiking, and privacy. Stayed in our rv this time, but the cabin is spacious and well appointed. Too bad they doubled the rates. Maybe making a reservation will be easier?"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $65 / night
TravelerThe complimentary parking, fishing access, picnic facilities, and fire pits are notable amenities. The abundance of local wildlife, particularly deer, provides a pleasant atmosphere. Although temperatures were quite low on October 16, 2026, this environment currently remains quiet and exclusive, with only two guests on-site.
ScoutCamping late September in a truck camper, found it quite comfortable and adequate. Post-logging, (reportedly due to tree disease) the new growth is up to around 12' tall. There a nice brook babbling and some of the sites are along it. Sites are well separated and clean, as is the toilet. Parking sites are mostly quite level. There is a $15 camping fee. Only one other site was occupied. Road noises are fairly distant and tolerable. No T-Mobile coverage.
ScoutThere’s not many spots and there were about 5 groups already here. Not much privacy but very pretty my the river.
GuideNobody should be concerned about making it down the 5.6 mile gravel road. We took our 36’ motorhome and tow vehicle - no issues. We stayed for about 10 days. It was so quiet. Except for the weekend, we had the place to ourselves. I can’t even explain how beautiful the scenery is. We even enjoyed the cows day and night! We took several trips deeper into the woods to explore with our Jeep. Now that section was rough - but fun. We were surprised by the lack of wild animals. We saw two deer one morning and that was it. But the cows made up for it. You won’t regret staying here!!
ScoutTwo campers there the night we stayed. We were in an RV so we didn’t use the provided bathrooms. Peaceful and serene with great opportunities for fishing or being alone.
ScoutFriendly, immaculate, perfect along the Boulder River!
ScoutCame in off the road without reservations they had creek space available. Green grass variety of rigs are here. There’s a nice playground for the children and plenty of space to walk. Your dogs has full hook ups on the pricier side, but with the money.
ScoutA few easy access spots next to the river and are relatively flat. Plenty more space further into the parking lot for bigger rigs. $10 pp for a conservation pass from what I could read online. We weren't hunting or fishing. Long drop toilet clean enough. Boat ramp available for river access.
RangerThe small town of Harlowton has a grocery store and gas station and a couple of other stores and mechanic shops. The campground is right on the edge of town set down into a gully with a very nice rodeo arena next to it. Being in a gully protects from the Montana strong winds so it is a plus. We stayed two nights to rest up from our journey cross country. It is very clean and fairly spacious with a couple trees. I guess if it were full it would seem not so spacious but I think that is only when there is a rodeo. No restrooms, or sani dump that I’ve seen. So need to be self contained. It does have electric. There is supposed to be water but haven’t found that yet either. Over all it is a nice place to rest. At $23 per night for 30 amp. You can’t beat it!
Tent camping opportunities in Martinsdale, Montana extend beyond the Little Belt Mountains into several dispersed sites across the Shields River area and Castle Mountain Range. Most campgrounds sit between 5,000-6,500 feet elevation, creating significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. Wildlife considerations are particularly important during fall hunting season when campground usage peaks and bear activity increases.
Fishing access points: Richardson Campground provides direct creek access for anglers with three streamside sites perfect for fishing. According to camper Zeta S., "Great fishing, hiking, and wonderful overall experience! Saw tons of wildlife."
Horse camping: Hay Canyon features a trailhead with horse corrals at the entrance, though horses aren't permitted within the camping area itself. The campground splits into two sections with three sites each, offering options for equestrians planning trail rides.
Wildlife viewing: The Castle Mountain Range provides opportunities for wildlife spotting, particularly during early mornings. Campers should maintain appropriate food storage at all sites. Forest Lake Camping Area and surrounding spots offer multiple observation points for deer, elk and smaller mammals throughout spring and summer.
Solitary camping experience: Campers appreciate the isolation available at certain locations, especially during weekdays. One reviewer notes some campgrounds experienced wildfire damage: "Unfortunately, the area was extensively burned in the American Fork fire, fall 2021," reports Richard I. about Shields River Campground.
Large group accommodations: Hay Canyon Campground features an oversized site near the vault toilet with multiple tables and cooking facilities. "The site nearest to the vault toilet is amazingly large, three picnic tables a large metal fire ring and the biggest BBQ grill I have ever seen in a campground," notes Dexter I.
Natural water features: The junction of creeks at several sites creates both scenic value and practical water access. Several campgrounds position tent sites within hearing distance of running water, providing natural white noise for sleeping.
Bear safety requirements: Multiple campgrounds in the Martinsdale area require proper food storage. As noted by one camper at Whitetail Camp, "This is a bear area so you will need to keep all your food items in your vehicle, bear lockers are not available."
Vehicle limitations: Narrow access roads with poor turnaround options create challenges at some locations. "Pay attention to the sign at the beginning of the campground 'NO TURN AROUND' this sign is correct. Once you get past the second campsite there will not be room to turn around if you have a trailer," warns Dexter I. about Richardson Campground.
Seasonal closures: Most Martinsdale tent camping sites operate only between May and November. Jellison Place Campground and several others close completely during winter months due to snow accumulation and hazardous access conditions.
Campground section selection: Families should consider proximity to facilities when selecting sites. In Richardson Campground, the three campsites sit along a small creek, but bathroom facilities require planning: "The second section of campsites do require a bit of a walk to get to the vault toilet but there is a faint trail short cutting the road walk."
Meadow camping options: The dispersed camping area at Whitetail Camp provides an open meadow setting ideal for families who need space for multiple tents or activities. This setup allows parents to maintain better sight lines to children while still enjoying natural surroundings.
Water filtration needs: No drinking water is available at any tent camping locations near Martinsdale. Families must bring sufficient water or filtration equipment, especially when camping with children who typically require more frequent hydration.
Trailer access challenges: RVers should scout locations before attempting access with larger rigs. As one camper notes about Richardson Campground, "A single vehicle can turn around a tree at the third campsite, but if someone is camped in the third site you may not be able to even do that."
Vault toilet availability: Only a handful of campgrounds in the region offer vault toilets, which can be decisive factors for RV campers without onboard facilities. Whitetail Camp maintains well-stocked vault toilets according to camper reports, though most other dispersed sites have no facilities whatsoever.
Free camping alternatives: For budget-conscious RVers, the Martinsdale area offers several no-fee options. "Getting this site is just awesome even at the high price of nothing to camp here," notes one camper about Hay Canyon, highlighting the value proposition of dispersed camping in national forest areas around Martinsdale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Martinsdale, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Martinsdale, MT is Forest Lake Camping Area with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Martinsdale, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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