Dispersed camping near Milltown, Montana offers free sites within Lolo National Forest and surrounding BLM lands. Most sites sit at elevations between 3,400-5,800 feet, creating dramatic temperature changes from day to night even in summer months. The area features numerous creek-side pull-offs and mountain sites accessible via forest service roads of varying conditions.
What to do
Fly fishing access points: Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping offers excellent fishing opportunities just minutes from I-90. A camper noted, "Fishing in the river available down the street about a mile away."
Ghost town exploration: Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping provides access to one of Montana's best-preserved mining settlements. "Learn rich history of pioneer days of Montana and visit cabins among the town," writes one visitor. The ghost town includes "still stocked shops, empty hotels with beds left in and slowly aging buildings."
Mountain biking trails: The Blue Mountain area offers extensive trail networks for cyclists. A camper at Blue Mountain Road mentions, "Very dog friendly and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Camping is allowed west of road 365."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Peterson Lake Dispersed campground sits "in a nice secluded valley heading into Bitteroot-Selway wilderness." The trail gains "around 1700ft in elevation before dropping down around 800ft into the first lake."
Wildlife viewing: Lake Elsina - Dispersed provides opportunities to spot various animals despite challenging conditions. One camper described it as "Rugged, mosquito infested, breathtaking" and "absolutely gorgeous undeveloped area!"
Star gazing: Multiple sites offer excellent night sky viewing opportunities away from city lights. A Petty Creek Road camper shared, "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!"
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. At Rock Creek Dry Campsites, you'll find "gorgeous area deep back on rock creek. Probably 10 plus miles. Pass campgrounds with toilets. Individual campsites with fire rings and access to great fishing."
Bridge conditions: Several creek crossings have damaged infrastructure. A Rock Creek visitor warned, "Not for low clearance vehicles, it's not far off the highway but we struggled with the two narrow bridges with tight turns in our travel trailer and then there's a large flood way dip in the road that you can bottom out on."
Cell service: Coverage varies dramatically throughout the area. At Blue Mountain, a camper reported, "I was able to get Verizon signal at my campsite. However driving up signal was spotty."
Tips for camping with families
Short hike options: Boulder Lake offers day trip potential for families. A visitor noted it's an "awesome lake to hike into, best accessed during summer after snow has melted." However, be aware that the "trail that descends the steep grade down to the lake is not horse friendly, difficult for those who struggle with steep terrain."
Safety precautions: Secure food properly as wildlife activity is common. One camper at Petty Creek warned, "Something is eating big game out here so lock up your food."
Primitive facilities: Placid Creek Pull Off provides minimal amenities suitable for families seeking basic facilities. A visitor described it as "a clearing with a clean outhouse. It works for a night or two. It's not completely level but the road in is easy."
Tips from RVers
Turn radius challenges: Forest roads often have limited turnaround spaces. A Petty Creek Road camper with a larger rig advised, "Initially we missed the turn and had nowhere to turn around since this is on the side of a mountain... We have a 27 foot RV towed with a truck that has a 8ft bed."
Site selection: Smaller rigs fare better at most dispersed sites. At Petty Creek, a camper noted, "We are parked in the front, I wouldn't recommend parking a 20ft plus rig in the back site."
Road conditions: Be prepared for rough travel. One Blue Mountain visitor reported, "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."
