Campgrounds near Pinesdale, Montana sit in the Bitterroot Valley at around 4,000 feet elevation, bordered by the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and Sapphire Range to the east. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer brings warmer days typically reaching 80-90°F. Cell service varies throughout the valley, with stronger signals near towns and limited coverage in canyon areas.
What to do
Fishing access points: Multiple campgrounds provide direct water access for trout fishing. At Blodgett Campground, one visitor mentioned "Good fishing for small trout" while another noted it offers "Great wild trout fly-fishing." The free campground sits 6 miles from the main road with a hiking trail right next to the river.
Hot springs relaxation: Located across Highway 12, the hot springs near Lolo Hot Springs Campground provide natural mineral baths. "The Hot Springs are $15 and worth the relaxation. This is old Montana so don't expect fancy, but unique," explains one visitor. The facility features an indoor group tub and outdoor pool, with the campground offering water and electricity hookups.
Family recreation options: Various campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. According to a visitor, Granite Peak RV Resort offers "Nice amenities (mini golf, horse shoes, pool, dog park), close enough to town." The resort operates from May through mid-October with a convenience store on-site and grass at certain sites.
What campers like
Game rooms and indoor activities: For rainy days or evening entertainment, Boulder Creek Lodge offers extensive indoor recreation. One family reported: "After we ate, we went down stairs to the game room and played pool, table soccer and checkers for about 4 hours." The lodge provides RV sites, cabins, teepees and covered wagons.
Creek-side camping: Waterfront sites prove popular throughout the region. A visitor to Lolo Hot Springs RV Park explained: "If you get a spot right on the creek it would be super nice, it's very quiet here and you can hear the water." The campground includes both RV sites and tent camping areas near the water.
Landscaping and maintenance: Several rv campgrounds near Pinesdale, Montana receive praise for their upkeep. At Jim & Mary's RV Park, a visitor noted: "This RV park is serene and beautiful. Whoever takes care of the grounds is meticulous and has two green thumbs." Another described it as having "beautifully maintained RV Park. Good WiFi and close to great fishing."
What you should know
Limited site availability: Many smaller campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Blodgett Campground has "Only five sites so come early to this free Campground. You're allowed to stay 14 days," according to one camper. The campground includes vault toilets and picnic tables but no hookups.
Seasonal considerations: Most rv campgrounds around Pinesdale operate seasonally. Granite Peak RV Resort runs from "May 1 - Oct 15" according to their listing information. One visitor noted finding "locations that are open in the fall/winter season" can be difficult, adding that "Jellystone was one of two possible locations to stay at beginning of October."
Shower facilities vary: Quality of facilities differs between campgrounds. At Boulder Creek Lodge, a visitor mentioned "Huge clean shower stalls" in the downstairs bathroom area. However, another camper at Granite Peak noted "SUPER SUPER low water pressure, I mean I'd be surprised if it wasn't more than 1/4 gallon a minute."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor alternatives: Consider campgrounds with indoor options for inclement weather. A visitor to Boulder Creek Lodge mentioned their family spent four hours in the game room playing "pool, table soccer and checkers," making it their "family favorite" during a month-long trip.
Family-focused activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's entertainment. A camper at Jim & Mary's RV Park recommended "heading out to gem mountain for some Montana sapphire hunting. Fun day trip, and was great for the kids."
Noise considerations: Be aware of potential noise sources when selecting sites. One visitor at Jim & Mary's RV Park mentioned "the train close by that was very squeaky as it went by. But I never heard it during the night," while another noted "There's plenty of spaces far from the road that i am sure wouldn't hear this at all."
Tips from RVers
Variable site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some rv campgrounds in Pinesdale, Montana and surrounding areas. At Lolo Hot Springs RV Park, a visitor noted their spot was "great with 50 amps" and they "pulled up and was surprised by how serene the setting was."
Reservation timing: Plan ahead, especially for weekend stays. A visitor at Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park shared they "were in the area to fly fish and just needed a basic place to park our RV with power," finding the facility "clean and nice" with friendly staff.
Facilities access: Check campground maps for hookup placement. At Granite Peak RV Resort, a camper mentioned needing "about 20 foot of sewer hose to reach the sewer drain," indicating the importance of having adequate hose length for connections.
