Best Dispersed Camping near Polson, MT

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Polson, look no further. Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Polson, MT (18)

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Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Polson

48 Reviews of 18 Polson Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Easy, peaceful and beautiful

    So gorgeous! Tent camped along the river! Very spaced out campsites, nice for lots of privacy and quiet! Signs to be aware of bear country but took precautions. Rock fire pits at each site. Super easy for quick stop road tripping (0.5 miles off main road)! Stayed in early September on a road trip to Glacier, was able to find our site decently well in the dark! Verizon cell service 3-4 bars! Loved it!

    The west is the only safe way to enter onto the road to the campsites. On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from the west).

  • Kaitlin K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from GooseHead Camping Area
    Sep. 5, 2024

    GooseHead Camping Area

    Good for the night

    This campsite was very accommodating for our rig (40ft long x 13.5ft tall) and the road in wasn’t too bad either. Plenty of space for lots of rigs and turning around.

    Pros:

    • the reservoir access and sun set views were really neat!

    Cons:

    • there were a few shady characters about with some weird tent set-ups (lawn mowers, abandoned bikes, and tarps) so we didn’t feel entirely safe leaving our stuff alone for a day trip.
  • Josh S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Quiet open site on the river

    Dispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout.

    We stayed mid week during August. Stayed in a medium sized site on the river. Small steep slope to the water.

    Pros:
    Plenty of space, both large and small sites. Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites. 3 bars Tmobile. Some sites on the water with a short steep slope down. 12 miles to gas station. Beautiful views.

    Cons: No pit toilets (edit: another camper said they are at the end of the campground) No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)

    Overall we loved this spot. Being ok the water in a mostly private setting with such amazing views is our goal. Little bit of road noise but hardly noticeable over the wind in the trees.

    Sites were clean but well used, so thank you to all the campers that took care of this place!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from GooseHead Camping Area
    Aug. 24, 2024

    GooseHead Camping Area

    Dispersed site

    Drove in on a Wednesday and found a site right on the water. A number of spots were occupied with campers/tents with no one there. Really peaceful spot in my experience and an unbeatable view. Rented SUPs from in town to enjoy on the reservoir.

    Pit toilet, well maintained, and walkable from all spots in the area.

  • Tricia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    Aug. 2, 2024

    Clark Fork River

    Fantastic!

    The further you drive on the road the closer you can get to the river! There are some pit toilets too! Absolutely beautiful!

  • Renee G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Flats
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Blair Flats

    Easy access!

    Solid place for camping. They have a few spots at the end of the road, and few places to pull off on the road. There's also a bear box at the end of the road.

  • Bobby J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Awesome stay

    This was a great stay right on the river with night sites and a vault toilet. Only issues I had was the train across the river runs throughout the night and it sounds like it’s coming right through your tent

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Flats
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Blair Flats

    Pretty Good, A Couple Negatives

    Pros: Was a decent site, nice fire pit at #2. Great view of the river. Lots of trees but still get the sun peeking through and good sun bathing on the river bank.

    Cons: tree roots everywhere. Hard to find flat ground for a tent because of the roots. Gotta watch your step everywhere. Neighbors are VERY close, too close for my liking. If you don't whisper your neighbors will hear every word. Mosquitos were pretty bad. Might be a little lighter during another time of year. We were there mid-June. No wood left near the sites. If you're going to procure your own wood better be prepared to do a few hours of labor.

  • John F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Muchwater Montana

    Muchwater has earned a top spot for my camping areas. There’s a river nearby that’s great for fishing or swimming. The campgrounds has fire pits ready to go and well maintained. There’s plenty of space between you and your neighbor. And it’s dog friendly. Oh and the hiking is pretty good too.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    a beautiful place to stay on the river

    stayed in site 1 first campsite on your right-hand side, big rig friendly plenty of room for our set up 70+ ft RV and trailer short walk to the river. quiet, clean and plenty of space between camps. it was cool to see and hear the trains go by.  will definitely be back.

  • Laura D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Amazing camping

    This place is incredible! Wish we came sooner. Stunning views, several sites to choose from, some have access to the river. The road conditions are wonderful—towed a 20 ft trailer. Some spots are more open to use Starlink. Highly recommend this site. There are a few bathrooms which are very clean

  • David H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Flats
    May. 30, 2024

    Blair Flats

    Perfect spot

    This area is gorgeous. Right next to the swan river. 3 very nice camp spots, vault toilet and food storage. Could definitely see this being very heavy bear territory. No sign of them when we were there. 0 cell service on Verizon or AT&T

  • Maui F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    May. 29, 2024

    Clark Fork River

    Clark River peninsula

    Great spot there’s three to the right off train bridge and a lot on the left side of it I pulled into first on from left. Had 3-4 bars of Verizon cell service.

  • John F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    May. 12, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Peacefulness by the river

    This is by far one of my favorite camping spots. Dispersed. Pet friendly. Quiet. Plenty of space between you and other campers. A river right by you. What more could you want? Oh and it’s right by a hot springs resort, in case you want to take a dip while you’re camping.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Oct. 12, 2023

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Great spot close to town

    Stayed here on our way through headed back to Bozeman, Great spot with plenty of room for activities campers, tents, hammocks, and friends. Lots of room for multiple campers. Verizon and Atnt had service the whole time, close to Highway, and railroad so not super quite spot. But overall great overnight pullover spot!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Clark Fork River

    Clark Fork River

    Beautiful secluded site with view of the river. Easily can fit multiple rigs. I have xfinity mobile and had 3-4 bars the whole time.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blair Flats
    Aug. 20, 2023

    Blair Flats

    Nice for overnight by river

    3 FREE campsites to pull in at end of road. We had a 26 ft 5th wheel and had no problems fitting in. Also was a place for a tent by the river and two other dispersed sites, again suited for overnight, as there are no facilities. As we left there were more vehicles either fishing or leaving a vehicle for float pickup. Would stay overnight again.

  • Tee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Aug. 2, 2023

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Beautiful quiet and cozy!

    This is a wonderful camping area right off of quiet rt 56 along the Clark Fork river. I only saw one other van there. It’s a nicely maintained gravel road to the campsites and there are two tracks that give you access to the river. I didn’t get any Verizon service here, however.



Guide to Polson

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Polson, Montana, where nature meets tranquility. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Polson, Montana

  • Arrive early to secure a spot, especially at popular locations like Blair Flats, which offers several sites along the river.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; many areas, such as Lake Marshall, do not provide drinking water or firewood, so pack accordingly.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife, particularly in areas like Lucifer Lake Wilderness Backcountry, where bear sightings are common during certain seasons.

Fishing and swimming opportunities while free camping near Polson

  • The Clark Fork River is a fantastic spot for fishing enthusiasts, offering beautiful views and easy access to the water.
  • For a more secluded experience, check out Pyramid Lake Backcountry Primitive, where you can enjoy peaceful fishing and swimming in a stunning alpine setting.
  • Many dispersed sites, like Muchwater Recreation Area, provide direct access to rivers and lakes, making them ideal for a refreshing swim after a day of hiking.

Scenic hiking trails for dispersed campers near Polson

  • Explore the rugged terrain around Lake Elsina - Dispersed, where hiking trails lead to breathtaking views and serene landscapes.
  • The trails near Boulder Lake Backcountry Site offer a challenging hike with rewarding vistas, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure.
  • For a more leisurely hike, consider the paths around Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed, where you can enjoy the scenery while keeping an eye out for local wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Polson, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Polson, MT is Blair Flats with a 4.4-star rating from 10 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Polson, MT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Polson, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.