Best Equestrian Camping near Missoula, MT

None of the campgrounds in the provided data specifically feature dedicated horse corrals or horse-specific amenities. While several campgrounds near Missoula accommodate various camping styles, the data does not indicate specialized equestrian facilities like horse stalls, corrals, or equine-specific areas. Most campgrounds show "NO horse-corral" in their features list, indicating they lack dedicated equestrian infrastructure.

The Owl Creek Packer Camp, located near Bigfork, provides access for tent and RV camping with toilet facilities and trash service. Despite its name suggesting potential for pack animals, the data does not confirm specific horse accommodations. Campgrounds like Charles Waters and Out Post allow for both tent and RV camping but similarly lack horse-specific amenities according to their feature lists. Trail access varies by location, with some campgrounds offering connections to nearby recreational areas.

Visitors planning to camp with horses near Missoula should contact campgrounds directly to inquire about horse policies, as many properties may allow horses without offering dedicated facilities. The Lolo National Forest and Bitterroot National Forest areas potentially offer dispersed camping options where horses might be permitted with proper Leave No Trace practices. When camping with horses in areas without dedicated equestrian facilities, campers typically need to bring portable corrals or highlines and manage feed storage and manure disposal responsibly.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Missoula, Montana (10)

    1. Charles Waters Campground

    20 Reviews
    Florence, MT
    21 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Lots and f trail for hiking. Close enough to Missoula or the other communities in the bitterroot valley."

    2. Out Post Campground

    2 Reviews
    Frenchtown, MT
    9 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
    19 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
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 825-9950

    $35 - $40 / night

    "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."

    "They made sure we had a shady pull through near our friends staying in a cabin and even provided a shuttle up and down the river so we could tube!"

    5. Holland Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Condon, MT
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-7924

    $22 - $250 / night

    "The hike to the waterfall is beautiful, and swimming and snorkeling in this lake are wonderful due to the clarity and purity."

    "This is one of my favorite spots in Montana. The lake itself is gorgeous, and the camping spots are beautiful. There's even one site on the island, if you brought a canoe or kayak, as we did!"

    6. Lake Elsina - Dispersed

    1 Review
    Seeley Lake, MT
    30 miles
    Website

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

    9. Owl Creek Packer Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Condon, MT
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 837-7500

    $20 / night

    10. Old Barn Studios

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

    $50 - $75 / night

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Missoula, MT

2 Photos of 10 Missoula Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Missoula, MT

56 Reviews of 10 Missoula Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • C
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Holland Lake Campground

    Great camping, swimming, paddling, hiking, views

    We love this campground! The views are gorgeous, the sites big, the pit toilets clean, and the people friendly. At the lodge(and the campground now, too, I believe) you can rent kayaks and/or paddle boards. The hike to the waterfall is beautiful, and swimming and snorkeling in this lake are wonderful due to the clarity and purity. One can also take a fun hike all around the lake in four or five hours(but be sure to bring bug spray) and walk over to see the horses in the adjacent horse campground. Why it didn’t earn five stars: the road to the campgrounds are gravel and heavily trafficked, which means that it can get pretty dusty, creating a blanket of dust over the lake if a busy weekend. Also, because the vast majority of users are kayakers and paddle boarders, the lake’s shape and smaller size mean that it can be a challenge for motorized users to keep distance from them. Overall, a lovely, natural lake.

  • J
    Sep. 17, 2019

    Bearmouth RV Park

    Nice family run park

    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.

  • Steve O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2023

    Charles Waters Campground

    Perfect location

    Spent several one nighter’s here. Quiet and beautiful. Lots and f trail for hiking. Close enough to Missoula or the other communities in the bitterroot valley.

  • Reames C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Bearmouth RV Park

    Awesome set up and hosts, plus a mobile dump station

    Sharon and her partner do an incredible job running this place. They made sure we had a shady pull through near our friends staying in a cabin and even provided a shuttle up and down the river so we could tube! Not the best fishing along the campground but still had some luck with brown trout. They offer a “honey pot” mobile dump station where they come pump your sewage, sometimes offering a free dump for stays of a week or longer. We loved it here and it’s not too far from some awesome attractions like garnet ghost town or rock creek fishing and even Missoula for a night out. I genuinely plan to return with friends some day!

  • 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.

  • 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!


Guide to Missoula

Equestrian camping options near Missoula, Montana provide access to the region's extensive trail systems including parts of the Lolo National Forest and Bitterroot National Forest. The area sits at elevations between 3,200 and 7,000 feet with summer temperatures typically ranging from 45°F nights to 85°F days. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this mountainous region, with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months.

What to do

Hike to scenic waterfalls: At Holland Lake Campground, trails lead directly to Holland Falls. "The hike to the Holland Falls is short but totally worth it! Clean lake perfect for swimming and paddleboarding," notes Talia H. The trail is suitable for beginners but requires caution near the falls.

Fish in mountain lakes: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access. "Great backcountry airstrip. Easy to catch cutthroat and solitude," says William S. about Fish Lake Trailhead. The area's lakes and streams support populations of cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout.

Tube down rivers: Some campgrounds facilitate river recreation. "They even provided a shuttle up and down the river so we could tube!" reports Reames C. Bring personal flotation devices and check water conditions before tubing, as currents can be strong during spring runoff.

What campers like

Spacious sites with privacy: Campers frequently mention site layout as a key factor. "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," notes Annie C. Most sites have ample room for tents, vehicles, and outdoor setups.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse wildlife. "Keep an eye out for bears. We saw a black bear across the road from the campground," warns Sara D. at Holland Lake Campground. Practicing proper food storage is essential for safety.

Clean facilities: Many campsites maintain well-kept amenities despite remote locations. "The bathrooms were clean, as well as the sites," reports Thomas C. Vault toilets are standard at most established campgrounds, with some offering additional water spigots and trash collection.

What you should know

Bear safety is critical: Both black and grizzly bears frequent the area. "There are both black and grizzly bears that frequent this area daily, so be very careful with your food, and bear aware when hiking. My last stay was only 2 nights, and I ran into two bears, one that strolled right by my trailer," cautions Carmen H. Carry bear spray and properly store all food and scented items.

Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal throughout the region. "The closest cell service is just outside of Seeley Lake," mentions Sara D. Download maps and campground information before traveling to remote areas.

Seasonal challenges: Each season brings different conditions. "Mosquitoes were pretty bad in early July," notes Carl H. Mosquito repellent is essential during summer months, while shoulder seasons require preparation for variable temperatures.

Water notices occasionally in effect: Some campgrounds experience water quality issues. At Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground, Andrea B. reports: "Staff provided jugs of water due to the water boil notice, but we would have preferred a discount from the $53 charge for our no water / no electric site."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Select campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a big field next to the river that was great for kids to run around in," shares hanaa about Bearmouth RV Park. Similarly, Ekstrom's Stage Station offers "a sweet playground, really cute buildings, and a little walk down to Rock Creek."

Short hiking trails: Look for campgrounds with beginner-friendly paths. "Our daughter braved a chilly swim and there were lots of dirt roads and little trails for the strider bikes," says Sara D. These shorter trails provide accessible outdoor experiences for younger children.

Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "Interstate noise and the occasional train whistle would keep me from using the facility for nothing more than an overnight stop," notes Tadd B. For longer family stays, select campgrounds further from major roadways.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger vehicles: RV access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are close-ish together but very private because of the tree cover. The creekside sites are especially lovely," advises Jess W. about Charles Waters Campground. Many campgrounds have a limited number of sites suitable for larger rigs.

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain. "Campground is clean, sites are well spaced, parking pads are pretty flat and big," notes steve D., though other reviews mention slope issues. Bring leveling blocks and stabilizers, especially for longer vehicles.

Paved access considerations: Road quality affects the camping experience. "Paved roads, large sites, (sloped, not level) very friendly hosts, water spigots throughout, pit toilets, cement picnic tables," describes MT Nesters 4. Paved access makes travel easier during inclement weather but doesn't guarantee level sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find horse camping areas near Missoula, Montana?

For horse camping near Missoula, Charles Waters Campground is an excellent option located about 25 miles from the city. This National Forest campground offers spacious sites with plenty of room for horse trailers and access to numerous trails for riding. Another great choice is Owl Creek Packer Camp, which is specifically designed for equestrian use with dedicated facilities for horses. The camp features reservable sites and is big-rig friendly, making it ideal for horse trailers. Both locations provide access to Montana's stunning wilderness areas and trail systems perfect for exploring on horseback.

What amenities are available at horse campgrounds in Missoula, MT?

Horse campgrounds around Missoula typically offer essential amenities to accommodate both riders and their horses. Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground provides easy access from I-90, an on-site restaurant, clean shower facilities, and laundry services, though sites can be tight for larger rigs with horse trailers. Bearmouth RV Park offers pull-through sites with shade, river access, and helpful staff who can provide information about local riding trails. Most horse-friendly campgrounds in the area feature vault toilets, water sources, and enough space for trailer parking. Some provide corrals or hitching posts, while others require portable corrals or high-lines for containing horses overnight.

When is the best season for horse camping around Missoula?

The optimal season for horse camping around Missoula is late spring through early fall (mid-May to September). Holland Lake Campground offers gorgeous views and access to beautiful riding trails during summer months when the weather is most reliable. Summer temperatures are typically comfortable for both horses and riders. Lazy D C Bar Ranch is accessible during this prime season as well. Fall brings spectacular changing colors but cooler temperatures. Spring can be muddy on many trails, making footing difficult for horses. Winter conditions generally make horse camping impractical due to snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that affect both trail conditions and camping comfort.