Missoula camping areas sit at elevations ranging from 3,200 feet in the valley to over 7,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F during July and August, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures with occasional thunderstorms. The camping season generally runs from late April through mid-October, with most primitive sites closing after the first significant snowfall.
What to do
Riverside activities: Chief Looking Glass Campground provides direct access to a flat water river with two entry points ideal for tubing and paddling. "There is a beautiful flat water river with two access points and locals tube and paddle here," notes Dave S., who appreciated the "very peaceful" atmosphere during their three-day stay.
Disc golf and yard games: Square Dance Center and Campground offers activities throughout their pine-scented grounds. "They have games available for free (horseshoes, cornhole, frisbee golf, and more)," mentions Kari L., who appreciated the well-maintained recreational areas despite "spotty" wifi service.
Mini golf: Granite Peak RV Resort includes a mini-golf course among its family amenities. "They had a mini golf course that I wanted to play at, but had no time," says Brandon H., who stayed in October when fewer campgrounds remain open in the area.
Nature trails: Beavertail Hill State Park Campground offers hiking paths near a beaver pond. "The nature trail was fun and bathrooms were excellent. Very clean," reports Derek S., who also appreciated the "firewood vending machine" and electric hookups.
What campers like
Riverside camping: The flat, easily accessible sites at Chief Looking Glass Campground accommodate various camping styles. "There are tent sites, back-in sites, and pull through sites. Our site was on the river though separated by a thin strip of woods," writes Dave S., noting that "at night we could hear coyotes."
Private, wooded sites: Jim & Mary's RV Park provides well-spaced sites with natural separation. "Sites are grassy with flowers and sprinklers. Sites are all level with gravel," notes Susan V., who returned to the park specifically because "we thought it was such a beautiful place."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the bathroom maintenance at Missoula area campgrounds. "The bathhouse is immaculate and the showers are like you wish you had at home," writes Lisa K. about Yellowrock Campground, adding that "the sites are large, private, shaded, and well maintained."
Affordable pricing: Lolo Creek Campground offers free camping with basic amenities. "Easy to pay, at the entrance you can pay in cash in an envelope," notes Martijn D., who found the wide campsites suitable for overnight stays despite being "next to very busy road with a lot of traffic."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Missoula sit close to active rail lines. At Beavertail Hill State Park, "there is a set of RR tracks that run along the freeway. There were 8-10 trains that went by daily... honking at the RR crossing," reports BarbDave B., though they still rated their experience highly.
Wildlife presence: Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping offers primitive sites where wildlife encounters are common. "Something is eating big game out here so lock up your food," warns Jacob R., who still found the free dispersed camping area "wayyy better than sleeping in a parking lot."
Site limitations: Missoula KOA Holiday has specific site requirements that can create challenges. "When being directed to our site I was asked to move over so our tires weren't near the grass... if I moved over my slide wouldn't open all the way due to the power box," reports Jennifer H., who found the site sizing problematic for her 27-foot Class C motorhome.
Seasonal closures: Many Missoula area campgrounds operate seasonally. Granite Peak RV Resort runs from May 1 to October 15, while others like Chief Looking Glass maintain fishing access year-round with limited winter maintenance.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Missoula KOA Holiday provides extensive children's amenities. "Playground, pool, mini golf, clean showers, restrooms and laundry! It was great!" enthuses Desiree D., who gave the campground a 5-star rating based on these family-friendly features.
Hot springs access: Lolo Creek Campground sits only 10 miles from commercial hot springs. "A commercial hot spring resort is within 10 miles and the Lolo Pass Visitor Center is 19 miles west," notes Kelli D., highlighting these nearby attractions for families seeking day trips.
Pet-specific areas: At pet-friendly campgrounds near Missoula, designated pet areas help maintain cleanliness. Jim & Mary's RV Park prohibits fires but compensates with "a nice green area behind sites" and a "really nice sports field," according to Janet H., making it suitable for active families with pets.
Wildlife viewing: For families interested in nature, Beavertail Hill State Park offers beaver pond observation opportunities. "We did a little exploring by the beaver pond and river. The staff was super friendly," shares Brad B., who visited with his family as tent campers.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Chief Looking Glass Campground lacks RV hookups but accommodates smaller rigs. "We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 17 (away from the river)," reports Ray & Terri F., noting adequate AT&T coverage with "2 bars of LTE and speeds up to 2 MB/s."
Dump station availability: Plan your dump station needs before arriving at campgrounds with limited facilities. At Turah RV Park, one camper noted: "We did not have reservations so got a last spot by dumpsters, water and power, no sewer. Dumping at their station in am, she came zooming down to ask if we needed help...but were charged $10 to dump."
Big rig considerations: For those with larger rigs, Jim & Mary's RV Park offers pull-through spots with adequate space. "Good amount of space between sites," writes Janet H., who paid "$50 for a back in" site with full hookups.
Solar capabilities: For boondocking RVers, Granite Peak RV Resort provides unobstructed solar access. "All sites are open to the sky," notes Matthew B., who found the location "worked well as a stop-off spot for laundry, showers, electric recharge, and water fill before continuing on."
