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Best Tent Camping near Missoula, MT

512 Reviews

Lolo National Forest surrounding Missoula, Montana offers diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Blue Mountain Forest Road 365 provides free dispersed tent camping approximately 5 miles west of town, while Kreis Pond Campground near Huson features seven tent campsites circling a small mountain lake. The Earl Tennant Campground in Lolo National Forest provides a minimal tent-only camping experience with historical significance, operating seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites east of Missoula offer primitive tent camping with established fire rings but no facilities.

Most tent campgrounds in the Missoula area feature basic amenities with varying road conditions. Kreis Pond requires navigating several miles of dusty, washboard gravel roads but rewards campers with well-spaced sites and clean vault toilets. Blue Mountain dispersed camping requires traveling at least 5 miles down Forest Road 365, with camping allowed west of the road at unmarked turnouts. Tent campers should bring their own water, as most sites lack potable sources. Bear activity is common throughout the region, particularly at Kreis Pond where visitors have reported seeing bear prints. Campers should properly secure food and be prepared for primitive conditions at most locations. Spring access to some areas may be limited due to snowmelt or flooding conditions.

Tent-only sites provide distinct advantages for those seeking solitude in natural settings. According to reviews, Blue Mountain dispersed camping "can get busy during the day but is quiet at night," making it popular with local tent campers seeking quick escapes. At Kreis Pond, one camper noted the area is "wooded and sites are along the lake," providing a peaceful setting despite occasional crowding during summer weekends. The Earl Tennant Campground offers what one visitor described as a "super minimal campground for tents only" with a small bridge crossing the river. Backcountry tent camping opportunities extend beyond established sites, with primitive tent locations available throughout Lolo National Forest for those willing to venture further from roads and facilities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Missoula, Montana (31)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Missoula, MT

11 Photos of 31 Missoula Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Missoula, MT

512 Reviews of 31 Missoula Campgrounds

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Browns Lake

    Want to catch trout, go to Browns Lake FAS Campground

    Browns Lake Fishing Access Site Campground is located on the 459 acre Browns Lake. This fishing access campground has 14 sites all with metal fire rings and picnic tables. The site is serviced by two vault toilets. This is a dry campground so bring water. This is also a trash-in trash-out campground. The campground is fairly exposed and tends to be windy during the summer. We visited in early June and were amazed by all the birds in the area. The real draw for this campground is the fishing. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks stocks this lake with over 50,000 rainbow trout per year….that's right 50,000. The lake is known for large rainbow trout and 10 pounders in the spring are apparently not a fish story. The lake also has Brook Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Longnose suckers. So grab your tent and fishing pole, because with 50,000 trout being added every year a trout dinner has to be on the menu.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Dalles

    Camp and fish at the Dalles Campground

    The Dalles Campground is a nice pleasant campground with 10 sites along Rock Creek.  Situated in a mature lodge pole pine forest all the site have plenty of shade.  All sites have picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Site has a water hand pump and ADA vault toilet.  Site 1 was interesting as you have to walk up an embankment to reach the site, which makes it not visible from the campground road.  A bear proof locker is available for food storage.  Being along Rock Creek gives those who wish to fish access to the blue ribbon stream with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  Cost is $6 per night.  All the sites are nicely spread apart.  The road to Dalles campground is not recommended for RVs of trailers as it get pretty bumpy after the pavement ends,  this only get worse the further you travel down the road, but is doable if you drive very slow.

  • s
    May. 25, 2025

    Quartz Flats Campground

    convenient & quaint

    Pulled off i-90 for a stop, plenty of campsites available. Able to reserve online thru recreation.gov as well as first come first serve. saw maybe 4 other cars. Only downside is proximity to freeway and loud train. Would go off multiple times throughout the night waking us up every time. Well maintained, plenty of restrooms they were closed though but a bear box and dumpster were available for trash/food storage.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2020

    Harrys Flat

    Nice campground on Rock Creek

    Harry's Flat campground is a great campground along Rock Creek, set in a huge old growth ponderosa pine forest.  The sites are large, especially the ones bordering right up to Rock Creek. The campground has 15 campsites each with Picnic tables and metal fire rings.  The campground has vault toilets and a few bear lockers for food storage, water is available.  Not all the campsites were available during my visit as about 1/2 the campground was closed due to damage during the heavy spring and early summer rains.  This is a great spot for people interested in doing some fishing, as Rock Creek is a blue ribbon stream, with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout.  Cost is $6 per night, first come first served.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    Upsata Lake

    Flat grassy camping on a small lake

    Upsata Fishing Access campground is located four miles north of Montana Highway 200.  This is a pleasant small five site campground.   All five sites are next to each other on a flat grassy area which appears to be regularly maintained.  Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.  One vault toilet serves the site.  No water or trash service.  The fishing access has a small parking area for vehicles and boat trailers, boat ramp is gravel.  Only one other site was occupied on our visit, but that was on a Sunday evening.

  • J
    Apr. 15, 2021

    Thibodeau

    Thibodeau Rapids

    Great place to stay. First come first stay 8 day max stay. Vault toilets, picnic table, sites are spread out. $18 dollars per day

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2019

    Monture Creek

    Quiet camp with good fishing

    Monture Creek Fishing Access site is a nice small campground/fishing access site with five campsites. Two just off of Hwy 200 and three more back away from the highway. Monture Creek has good trout fishing with the creek being only about 100 feet from the campsites. One vault toilet serves the fishing access and camping area. Each campsite has a picnic table and metal fire ring. Sites 1, 2 and 3 sit far enough back that the large pine trees do a pretty good job of blocking most of the highway noise. Like all the fishing access sites with camping in the state, the nightly rate is based on if you have a fishing license and are a Montana resident or not. This is a trash-in, trash-out site and no water is available so come prepared.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Quartz Flat Campground

    Ranger Review: Acai Berry Liquid IV At Quartz Flat Campground

    CLICK HERE for FULL Ranger Review Video

    When traveling through Montana there is a portion of the state which suddenly opens up in such an inviting way as the National Forest and Mountains start to give you the first glimpse of the upcoming PNW environment.   Tall trees welcome you and on a cool fall day the crisp air produces  a beautiful fog over the mountains.

    Campground Review:

    As I entered into this section of the 2 million acre LOLO National Forest I initially pulled into a rest area to make lunch only to realize that the exit point for the rest area was actually also the shared entry point for the Quartz Flat Campground.

    The immediate sense of comfort abounded as large campsites became visible as I drove down the entry and the opening of the 2 loops welcomed me in with open arms.   Sites were well shaded and had ample ground to spread out and get comfortable for a stay from a day to 14 days at only $10 a night or $5 for those with the Senior Access pass.

    I was very surprised when I noticed that Loop C was designed for smaller RVs, Vans and Tent campers and Loop A was designed for larger units which required pull through entry.    There was attention to detail for any possible traveler, something which commonly is not considered in design of National Forest campsites.

    But far beyond the size this started to reveal to me that it was not your typical campsite on National Forest land for many other reasons.    There were both vault toilets and flush toilets at the location scattered throughout camp and drinking water spigots available at central points.

    For tent campers the forest bed offered a lush and soft pad for set up and with sites being quite large there was a tranquility which came from camping here.  All sites were equipped with fire rings and tables but a select few were the location of bear boxes.    After leaving Yellowstone where each site had a bear box this was bit confusing to me as to why there were limited bear boxes but this did not deter me.

    Additionally there is a dump station and trash collection at the Loop C entry point, very uncommon for these type of sites.   There also was a trail which began on the C Loop and traversed 1/2 a mile with information available at the main road with free brochures.

    Departing this loop, I thought I had seen it all, but boy was I wrong!!  There was an entire other campground on the opposite side of the highway, accessible by a tunnel which passed under the highway itself.  This campground near mirrored that of the A & C Loops however appeared a bit closer to the highway.

    TIPS:

    • If you are visiting this campground make sure you bring everything with you, there is no store nearby for a quick stop.

    • Check dates of closure for this campground.   When I arrived there were signs posted at the pay kiosk of closure beginning September 16th.    

    For More Information About LOLO National Forest CLICK HERE

    Product Review:

    Upon occasion I am given the opportunity as a Dyrt Ranger to try out some amazing new products along my adventures.   For this trip I was able to try out the Acai Berry Liquid IV, a unique product which offers hydration multiplication for those who are needing a little pick me up.

    How Does It Work?

    Hydration multipliers work in a very interesting way.   Through adding a concentrated amount of electrolytes to your regular water they are able to make a single water hydrate your body as much as 3 waters of the same size.     The CTT technology used by Liquid IV is unique to the brand  and allows glucose and sodium to move differently in the body.  

    In simple terms, if you don't drink enough water regularly, if you add Liquid IV to your intake, it allows your body to feel like it actually is getting enough water.

    How Do I Use It?

    Use is simple!! Servings are prepackaged and can be added to water of any temperature.    Simply tear the top, scissors not needed, and pour then shake!  I personally like adding it to hot tea in addition to plain water for a little punch of flavor.

    How Does It Taste?

    The Acai Berry flavor is a light flavor additive which allows you a subtle punch of flavor,   Unlike many drink additives it does not have a chalky taste and when it is fully dissolved you have no textural discrepancy from a standard water.   It just tastes like something other than water...lol

    Does It Really Work?

    I have been trying Liquid IV for a few weeks and have noticed a definite difference when using it versos not using it.    The product allows your body to not feel the signs of fatigue on a strenuous hike and allows you to stay hydrated, preventing muscle cramps, profuse sweating and heat related fatigue.

    When using on a standard day of light activity your body just feels more energized, despite not being an energy supplement.    

    I would recommend using this product for your day to day, especially if you struggle with consuming the recommended amount of water regularly.   For those who participate in strenuous athletic activity this is a game changer much better than Gatorade or Powerade.

  • Shay F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2018

    Lee Creek Campground

    Quick Stop, Very Pleasant

    Unplanned road trip from Seattle to Glacier NP. I had planned on staying in Missoula for the night, or at least camping close. It was terribly hot, around 100 degrees at 8pm. We started heading south from Missoula into Lolo Ntl Forest towards Idaho. Every campground we came across was full. Almost to Idaho, we pulled into this lovely place. We pulled into the upper (left) side. There were not many folks camping here, but the right or lower side was full. It was quiet, the vault toilet was clean and stocked. Our site was cut into a steep hill. Tent pad and table were level, but be careful heading the couple feet down to the car. The woods behind us gave me a little pause about bears and wildlife, but we were just fine. It was cool, shady, and quiet. A lovely last night to our trip before pushing back home.

    You won't find a more beautiful drive than Hwy 12 through Idaho! I wish I would have taken pictures but I must have been camera'd out after our time in Glacier.

Guide to Missoula

Tent campsites near Missoula, Montana sit at elevations ranging from 3,200 to 4,800 feet in the northern Rocky Mountains. The region features mixed conifer forests with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir predominant throughout camping areas. Road conditions to primitive sites often deteriorate after spring runoff, with several campgrounds requiring navigation of washboard gravel roads between May and September.

What to do

Fishing access: Petty Creek Fishing Access Site provides riverside camping with adequate boat launching facilities. According to Meredith, "There's realistically 4 parking spaces, 3 side by side and 1 on the opposite side near the vault toilet and single shared picnic table."

Mountain biking: Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed offers extensive trail networks. Ben H. notes, "I ended up camping at a turnoff and walked a bit off the road to set up my hammock. The road was not very busy I did hear an occasional car pass by."

Lake activities: Swimming and floating at Kreis Pond Campground provides summer recreation. Kirsten R. suggests, "Bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around. Neat, fun area especially with the Sleeping Woman hike so close."

What campers like

River proximity: Campers at Corricks River Bend value waterfront sites. Julie L. states, "The campgrounds are pretty spread out and most along the river. Our site (9) was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare."

Seclusion options: Drive further up Blue Mountain Forest Road for less crowded camping. Ady reports, "We drove about 45 minutes up the mountain on the 365 road, and found a very secluded camping spot with an absolute beautiful view. We hardly saw anyone on the way up but the road is very narrow."

Wildlife viewing: Multiple tent sites around Missoula provide animal watching opportunities. Robert C. mentions at Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites, "There are multiple spots to pull off from Garnet Range Rd, and there are spots with a stone firepit along them."

What you should know

Seasonal flooding: Harry's Flat Campground experiences significant spring flooding. Kelly warns, "It gets really flooded out in the spring time. Sometimes half the site is closed for a while into the season until it dries out."

Road conditions: Access to many primitive tent campsites requires driving rough forest roads. David B. cautions about Blue Mountain, "Road is absolutely clapped out going up for like ten miles. Wouldn't recommend an rv or trailer unless you don't mind washboards. I got a flat tire going up so be careful of sharp rocks."

Navigation challenges: GPS directions can be unreliable. Kristin H. reports about Kreis Pond, "Honestly I never made it to this campsite because my GPS couldn't figure out how to get me there without going on private property."

Tips for camping with families

Cabin alternatives: The Holmestead - Dry Cabin offers comfortable sleeping arrangements with nearby water features. Carolyn H. shares, "This cabin is so lovely, my dogs had a blast playing in the stream. I was happy to have a big real bed!"

Spacing considerations: Look for campgrounds with well-separated sites. Tom N. recommends Kreis Pond: "7 well spaced campsites all around the pond. Truly enjoyable stay. Clean toilet facilities."

Property boundaries: Be aware of land ownership in the Ninemile area. Megan K. advises, "My only complaint is we felt awkward hiking around in case we were accidentally crossing into private land, when exploring the Lolo National Forest."

Tips from RVers

Limited accessibility: Most dispersed tent campsites near Missoula aren't suitable for larger vehicles. Leonidas R. notes about Blue Mountain, "Not the best in terms of views, but worth the drive to get out of the city. You will have the occasional driver coming up and dust you a bit, but if you can get past that, it's a nice area to set up camp."

Group facility options: Camp Paxson accommodates larger groups needing multiple structures. Megan B. describes, "Primitive cabins with electricity and bunk beds but nothing else. Dock to jump off of. Trails all over Seely lake. An area with benches surrounding the fire and a stage."

Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies significantly between tent sites. At Blue Mountain dispersed camping, Ben H. reports, "I was able to get Verizon signal at my campsite. However driving up signal was spotty."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free tent camping available in Missoula?

Yes, free dispersed camping is available near Missoula. Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed offers free camping beyond a designated point (marked by a small sign). You'll need to drive in at least 5 miles to set up camp. While not offering spectacular views, it's convenient for getting out of the city. Another option is Upsata Lake, which offers primitive camping with minimal fees. Always check current regulations as some fishing access sites may have small fees for non-fishing license holders.

Where are the best tent campgrounds near Missoula, Montana?

For quality tent camping near Missoula, Kreis Pond Campground offers a serene lakeside experience with wooded sites and good swimming. It's small (about 5 spots) but peaceful, though it can get crowded during summer weekends. Another excellent option is River Junction, a peaceful wooded site at the confluence of the Blackfoot and North Fork Blackfoot rivers. It features several riverside sites, a toilet, and a shared bear box among approximately 8 sites. Both locations provide beautiful natural settings and are within reasonable driving distance from Missoula.

What are the best tent camping areas in Western Montana near Missoula?

Western Montana around Missoula offers excellent tent camping opportunities. Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site provides a beautiful backcountry experience about 6 miles into a hiking loop. This dispersed site lets you set up your tent anywhere reasonable around the stunning lake. For something more accessible, Corricks River Bend provides riverside camping with picnic tables and vault toilets, though the access road is rough. The site is great for river floating and offers a quiet atmosphere. Both locations showcase Western Montana's pristine natural beauty with different levels of accessibility.

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