Dispersed camping near Philipsburg, Montana provides primitive overnight options in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Lolo National Forests at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. The area experiences wide temperature swings even in summer, with nighttime lows frequently dipping below 40°F at higher elevations. Most sites lack formal boundaries or markers, requiring campers to identify suitable pullouts along forest service roads.
What to do
Fishing access points: Multiple sites along the Little Blackfoot River offer direct water access for trout fishing. At Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite, one camper noted "A short trail leads to the river, but does require a little bit of scrambling. The River (more of a creek at this point) has a nice spot if you need to cool off from the summer heat."
Mountain hiking: Flower Lake requires significant effort but rewards with remote alpine scenery. The trail climbs approximately 1,500 feet over 7 miles. According to a visitor at Upper Seymour Lake Dispersed Camping, "Tons of great hiking in this area as it is close to the Continental Divide Trail. A lot of it definitely involves going up the sides of mountains, but if you're day-hiking and not carrying a heavy backpacking pack, they're not that hard."
Ghost town exploration: Visit historic mining structures within driving distance of dispersed sites. The preserved buildings at Garnet Ghost Town showcase Montana's mining heritage. One camper mentioned, "This ghost town is complete with still stocked shops, empty hotels with beds left in and slowly aging buildings. It is an interesting look at the mining industry in Montana."
What campers like
Solitude at high elevations: The Upper Seymour Lake area offers minimal crowds despite its scenic setting. A visitor reported, "When we went through, there were people camping, but not too many. Once we went beyond this camp area, we didn't see a soul."
Creek-side camping: Rock Creek Dry Campsites provide water access with established sites. As one camper described, "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The mountains surrounding Philipsburg contain significant wildlife populations requiring proper precautions. For example, at Flower Lake Dispersed Camping, campers should "bring bear spray" and "hang food" as "this is grizzly country."
Winter access to cabins: Some areas offer unique winter accommodations. During winter months at Garnet Ghost Town, "two of the cabins (the larger of which is the old saloon) are available to rent through the forest service."
What you should know
Road condition variability: Many access roads deteriorate significantly after rain or snow. The route to Racetrack Dispersed Campsite presents challenges, as one camper warned: "Road in was 100% washboard, but the campsite was decent. Had to traverse a lot of private property to access it, and the locals do not appear to be friendly."
Elevation and temperature fluctuations: Summer days can reach 90°F while nights drop below 40°F at higher elevations. Pack layers and cold-weather sleeping gear. A camper at Flower Lake reported, "Given we were running three-season tents, that night was bitter cold (the water bottle in my tent next to me was frozen the next morning)."
Fire restrictions: Regulations vary by location and season. Check with local ranger districts before planning to have a campfire. Not all sites allow fires year-round.
Limited turnaround space: Some sites have minimal room for vehicle maneuvering. A camper at Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite #3 noted that "if you have a long trailer it is a difficult spot to get into as you have to back your trailer down it and then when you're done, you have to back your trailer back up into a brush area in order to get back on the road."
Tips for camping with families
Popular vs. remote sites: Assess your family's comfort with isolation. Lost Horse Dispersed Campground offers more developed facilities but experiences higher traffic. One visitor observed, "The road in is BUSY. We have camped at a number of dispersed locations over the years and this was BY FAR the busiest forest road we have seen."
Water safety planning: Streams and lakes near dispersed sites lack lifeguards or safety equipment. Children need constant supervision near water features.
Weather preparedness: Mountain storms can develop quickly. Pack extra clothing and shelter options. A camper at Flower Lake experienced unexpected conditions: "We got slammed with a blizzard that lasted all of the second day and night. We were expecting snow that day, but this was more than we were imagining."
Bathroom considerations: Most sites lack toilet facilities. Bring portable toilets or waste disposal bags for children. However, Lost Horse Dispersed Campground does provide toilets, as one camper noted when complaining about improper disposal elsewhere: "We also found human poop and used toilet paper in multiple spots, even though there IS a toilet provided here!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Arrive early to secure level spots with adequate clearance. A visitor to Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites advised: "There are multiple spots to pull off from Garnet Range Rd, and there are spots with a stone firepit along them."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies widely across dispersed sites. Garnet Road Dispersed Campsites offer "Verizon has around 2 bars," while many other areas have no service.
Bridge safety assessment: Carefully evaluate crossings before attempting with heavy rigs. A camper at Rock Creek noted: "We would have felt really uncomfortable crossing even the first bridge, which had a bit out of its concrete edge, as though it had been hit by an elephant-sized tumbling boulder."
Travel trailer challenges: Some sites require advanced backing skills. One camper at Racetrack Dispersed Campsite reported successfully navigating with "our 28' travel trailer and had ample room for turning around etc."
