Tent campsites near Saltese, Montana sit among the rugged terrain of northern Idaho and western Montana, typically at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 feet. The camping season generally runs from late May through September, with higher elevation sites often inaccessible until mid-June due to lingering snow. Many primitive sites in this region feature direct creek or lake access, offering natural cooling during summer months when daytime temperatures can exceed 85°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct access to productive trout waters. At Little North Fork Campground, campers can catch cutthroat and rainbow trout in the adjacent stream. One visitor notes, "Not many places to camp, but great fishing for cutthroats and rainbows. Takes a while to drive in, but well worth it once you are there!"
Cave exploration: The area contains unique geological features accessible from certain campsites. Near Marble Creek Campground, visitors can explore a man-made cave that tunnels through an entire mountain. As one camper explains, "Just miles from the camp, there is an old man-built cave that makes its way through the entire mountain. You can drop family members off, let them walk through the exciting damp, dark cave, and pick them up on the other side."
Trail hiking: Forest trails provide various difficulty levels for day hikes. Gold Rush Campground offers direct access to multiple hiking routes. A camper reports, "Great trail for hiking and exploring. This camp is not heavily used so you could possibly get the place to yourself."
What campers like
Alpine lake access: Several campgrounds offer lake proximity as their primary attraction. Lake Elsie Campground provides direct lakeside camping at higher elevation. One visitor shares, "We stay here often. Easy to drive up to. Any vehicle will do. Dirt road to the top where you will find a lovely little lake with 4-5 camp spots surrounding it. We always catch lots of brooke and rainbow trout and wild life is everywhere!"
Primitive seclusion: Many campers appreciate the limited development and rustic nature of sites. As a Telichpah Campground visitor noted, "We wanted a place to tent camp as close to the Pearson, Idaho end of the Hiawatha Bike Trail as possible. This little (5 camping sites) primitive campground suited our needs perfectly. It was clean, no frills, had a well-maintained vault toilet, and there was even a small creek for pleasant background sleeping sounds."
Room between sites: Tent campers frequently mention appreciating the spacing between designated camping areas. Copper King receives praise for its layout: "There are five sites with generous spacing. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a privy and one bear box in the middle of the circle."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires navigating unpaved forest roads of varying quality. For Lake Elsie, a camper warns: "The road up is rough, potholes, it does get better about halfway up. Expect at least 30 minutes to get up after you hit the gravel, and that's pushing it pretty hard."
Bear activity: Black bears frequent many camping areas, requiring proper food storage. One Lake Elsie camper cautions: "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart."
Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds become inaccessible during winter and spring. For Lake Elsie, a regular visitor notes: "The road sometimes still has a good foot of snow until about Mid-June, so beware."
Facility limitations: Most tent campsites near Saltese, Montana have minimal facilities. A Telichpah Campground visitor points out: "Do note that one sign en route the campground refers to it by it's former name, North Fork Joe Campground. That confused us a little. Also, please note that we didn't see a pump or other water source in the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Some campgrounds offer safe swimming or paddling options. At Lake Elsie, visitors report: "There is a beautiful alpine lake, which is obviously cold spring water. But, you can get away with taking a dip in the summer season!"
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer chances to observe native wildlife. Packsaddle Campground provides access to nature areas: "If you hike (or ride) on the local trails you find beautiful scenery."
Off-season timing: Families often find better experiences outside peak periods. A Lake Elsie visitor recommends: "I recommend going in the off season" after noting that "Due to the number of people, ATVs, dirt bikes, nearby shooting range, etc it was just much more noisy in the busy season."
Amenity planning: Facilities vary significantly between sites. One camper at Lake Elsie notes: "The pit toilet was completely out of toilet paper (which we anticipated)," suggesting families should bring their own supplies.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most campsites near Saltese accommodate smaller RVs only. As one visitor to Copper King noted: "This campground doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping."
Road clearance concerns: Access roads to many campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. A Lake Elsie camper warns: "ROAD IS NARROW, WINDY, AND STEEP. not at all trailer or big rig friendly."
Alternative parking options: Some campers suggest strategies for accessing difficult sites. For Lake Elsie, one visitor suggests: "You'll want to bring good cars because the road gets pretty primitive," indicating that RVers might consider parking at lower elevations and using a second vehicle to access the site.
