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.
There are many dispersed camping opportunities on the forest. For the best information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district offices.
15 dispersed campsites above the Clark Fork River with fire rings. Fishing, rafting, and swimming opportunities are nearby. No water or trash receptacles are available. Pack it in/Pack it out.
3600-foot elevation. 5 sites near the west shore of Hungry Horse Reservoir. Fishing for trout and whitefish in the reservoir; access at Lost Johnny Point boat ramp. Pack it in, pack it out. Lakeview campsite Campsite picnic area Campsite fire-ring
There are many dispersed camping opportunities on the forest. For the best information on dispersed camping opportunities, please contact the ranger district offices.
Free Dispersed Campsites along the northern part of Hungry Horse Resevoir.
Legend
The GPS coordinates for this place are slightly off. Look for Hungry Horse Rd and follow it 4 miles until you reach the Hungry Horse Reservoir Dam. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere along the road after the dam.
Plenty of places to pull off, the road goes for miles. There are also many established state campgrounds along the road. The sites that I saw were nothing fancy, some with fire rings and some not. I read about some places that are nicer if you take the fire roads that branch off the main road, but I came in late and just used a pull-off. I'd recommend going to the Ranger station located in Hungry Horse and ask for some dispersed camping information (The area is very large).
No services, pack in, pack out. No reliable service for Verizon.
Legend
Lovely dispersed camping area. Very pretty. We stayed for a night and were in good company. By the end of the day each site was filled and there were several folks driving through still looking for sites.
They’re spaced out well from one another giving all campers lots of privacy. Very wooded with paths down to the water. We hung out on a hammock most of the day but it rained throughout the night and into the next day so I wasn’t able to snag any good photos.
We small camper trailers, tents, single cots, and full RVs in this campground. Our site and seemingly most sites could have supported a 50 footer.
Although a popular spot, it wasn’t loud and we didn’t really interact with other campers.
There is a single vault toilet but no hookups. It’s dispersed camping. No water source beyond the river.
Great spot, highly recommend. I would try to get there early to grab a spot (first come first serve.) We went late September and every spot ended up filled.
ATT & Verizon service work well. Sites very unlevel
Guide
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.
Traveler
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!
Traveler
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.
GuideThis is a good spot for smaller rv’s or tents but any spot I seen for rv larger than 30’ was taken or really not available. Some paid for camping spots but they were full, after dragging my 38’ rv up the road I wished that they had signs at the bottom noting all the paid for sites were full. Otherwise narrow road and no cell services.
TravelerThis 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
TravelerPulled off, quickly found decent dispersed site. A bit buggy, no mosquitoes though. Great night sleep until OHVers came screaming through early
Traveler
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.
ScoutLovely little campsite next to the water. A little buggy but not too bad. Campsites we’re clean, had a fire pit and nice flat tent area, pit toilet on site too which was a nice surprise.
ScoutMost sites have river access. This is bear country so plan accordingly. No water available. Pack in, pack out. The road is somewhat close and train tracks across the river. Not really secluded but nice for a night or two.
TravelerIf your lucky, you'll get one of three epic campsites right on the river at the end of a mile gravel logging road. The road is rough, but has room at the end for a boat ramp, campsites, toilet and an overflow camping field that can accommodate several low fuss campers. Look for the sign "Blair Flats" for access.
Travelerstayed 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.
GuideThis campsite was a really good find. The road to get in wasn’t bad for our low clearance vehicle. Other reviews on here said there are only three spots. We didn’t see all three because the first one was open and we took it. Large grassy area with a fire pit. Be prepared for a colder night because of your proximity to the water. The only negative thing about this campsite were the masses of mosquitoes and other bugs.
ScoutSo 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).
TravelerBeautiful camping just south of Swan Lake campground. Free 16 day limit. Three sites available.
LegendThis 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-3 sites, all were full for the weekend. -1 clean vault toilet -woodsy spot in tons of beautiful pines and conifers -boat ramp and river access -free -fire rings
Guide
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:
Cons:
RangerAwesome lakento hike into, best accessed during summer after snow has melted. Trail that descends the steep grade down to the lake is not horse friendly, difficult for those who struggle with steep terrain.
Numerous primitive campsites around west shore of lake, old growth grove at base of cliff is fun to explore. Burned remains of Boulder Lookout sits at the top of the cliff overlooking the lake. Awesome views to take in. There was a pair of loons mesting at the lake when we visited a few years ago.
RangerI stayed here back in May. Decent stretch of campsites nestled between the road and the river. Toilets and firepits available. Some sites are closer to the road and you can hear the cars, others are right up against the river. It was pretty popular when I was there so I had a spot at the end that was both near the road and the river. Irrespective of road or river, be ready to hear the trains rolling through in the night. The track is just on the other side of the river and they are loud. I like the sound of trains, but if you're noise-sensitive, this might not be the campground for you.
Lots of smaller downed trees when I was there. Still fresh, so not ideal firewood, but we still gave it a go.
Nothing all that special, but definitely works and costs zero. Can't argue with that.
GuideWe loved our time here at Muchwater. As people have mentioned before the only real drawback is the trains on the other side of the river. During our 12 day stay her we averaged about 6-10 per day. A couple of times they rolled thru at 2am but all the positives outweigh getting woken up a few times.
Very easy access, two pit toilets in the camping area. Plenty of spots to pick from and not very busy during our stay. State route 135 currently has construction just outside the campground so there are often cars backed up for as long as 20minutes at a time. You get a little road noise but nothing that is too bad. I imagine when the construction is finished you won't even hear the road.
Couple items to mention if you are planning to stay for a while. It has been pretty difficult to find potable water in the area. The"free spring" just south of Paradise has been turned off as of August 2022 and locals say it is unlikely to be turned back on. Closest gas is down in St. Regis(about 15 minute drive). Closest Grocery is in Plains(about 20 minute drive).
No Verizon or Tmobile but had a nice spot on the river that gave us great Starlink service.
We have also done a video review for our Youtube Channel if you want to check it out. https://youtu.be/ZmWOcAWBiHg
TravelerPros: 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.
GuideSolid 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.
GuideNice spot by the river
RangerNonresident reservation conservation permit required, available at fwp.mt.gov
Accessed by mission falls trailhead, trail is steep and unmaintained after you reach the waterfall. Steep, rugged country with little evidence of people. Amazing fishing, great views. Short hikes to other high mountain lakes. Be wary of Grizzlies in late July/August during moth hatch!!*
Guide
One of our families all time favorites if you can get there early enough to get a spot! Only 1 site on the lake shore, 2-3 other sites scattered along the road in not as ideal but not that far. Great hiking just a little drive away along an old forest service road.
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.
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?
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