Best Dispersed Camping near Rexford, MT

Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the Kootenai National Forest near Rexford, Montana, with several primitive sites located along rivers, lakes, and forest service roads. The area features multiple free camping locations including Theriault Lakes Horse Camp, Stillwater River, Bull Lake, and Red Meadow Lake. These sites typically have minimal or no facilities and follow standard U.S. Forest Service dispersed camping regulations, allowing visitors to camp in undeveloped areas away from designated campgrounds.

Road access varies significantly between sites, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles. The Stillwater River site, located about a mile from the highway, has a narrow access track suitable for truck camping, vans, and small trailers under 13 feet. Bull Lake offers two access roads, with the second providing more space and a boat launch. Most dispersed sites in the region permit camping for up to 14 days. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and proper food storage is essential as this is bear country. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Red Meadow Lake and Stillwater Lake, but most sites have no amenities.

The dispersed camping areas around Rexford provide excellent opportunities for fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing. Bull Lake remains relatively quiet even during peak season, with one visitor noting it was "stocked with fish" and had "a pair of white swans on the lake when I was there but no one else around." Red Meadow Lake offers a particularly scenic experience at 5,500 feet elevation with limited competition for sites. According to a review, it has "only a few camping spots, very remote and peaceful." Stillwater Lake provides easy access to multiple water bodies, including Hole in the Wall and Finger Lake. Campers should be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly near water sources during summer months, and should expect limited or no cell service in most areas.