The Little Belt Mountains offer several dispersed camping options near Stanford, Montana, at elevations ranging from 4,500-7,000 feet. Campgrounds in this area typically operate from late May through September, though several remain open into fall. Winter access to higher-elevation sites often requires snowmobiles or snowshoes due to road closures.
What to do
Hike forest trails: Several hiking paths near Crystal Lake Campground provide access to alpine meadows and wildlife viewing areas. "The trail around the lake is a nice walk to see all the different views around it. The meadows were full of wildflowers in the summer. There's also a few more trails in the area that were very pretty," reports one camper.
Explore caves and fossil sites: The rugged limestone terrain around Logging Creek contains several natural caves and fossil beds accessible via short hikes. A visitor notes, "Not going to lie. I didn't know what to expect and white knuckled a but driving my little old motorhome down into this ground. This is a bit of a trek. TOTALLY worth it if you are up for the adventure though."
Water activities: Multiple creeks and reservoirs provide fishing and swimming opportunities, particularly at Newlan Creek Reservoir where sites offer direct water access. "Was able to get a spot right on the water late on a Saturday night. Quiet, fire rings tables and restrooms. Not much to complain about," reports one visitor.
What campers like
Affordable overnight stays: The Kiwanis Park in nearby Lewistown operates on donations, providing budget-friendly accommodations. "This place is awesome. I wish they had these all over the country. Nice parking, covered picnic tables, Grassy and some shade, nice bathrooms. Free but please donate what you can," notes one reviewer.
Secluded camping spots: Many visitors appreciate the privacy found at lower-use campgrounds. One camper at Jumping Creek Campground shared, "Great place to stay. We had the whole campground to ourselves. We stayed right next to the creek and had a very peaceful stay with beautiful scenery."
Wildlife viewing: The Little Belt Mountains support diverse wildlife populations. "Crystal Lake is a beautiful area, very much worth the drive. We had abundant wildlife sightings with multiple deer right at our campsite," reports a visitor to Crystal Lake Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds require travel on rough forest roads. At Logging Creek, a camper warns, "This is a bit of a trek. Not going to lie. I didn't know what to expect and white knuckled a bit driving my little old motorhome down into this ground."
Campground amenities change seasonally: Water availability and facility maintenance schedules differ throughout the season. A visitor to Grasshopper noted, "As you enter this campground you find a trail head to the left and then a picnic area to the right. At the beginning of the campground loop, right behind the registration box you will find the hand pump for the campground."
Yurt camping near Stanford, Montana: Yurt accommodations at Logging Creek provide electrical hookups but require advance reservations. Sites fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration: Children enjoy wading and exploring the shallow creek waters. One Grasshopper camper mentioned, "Met a group of friends here for two nights in early June. Nice creek through campground with small pools and fallen logs to cross on."
Avoid holiday weekends: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels during peak periods. A Logging Creek visitor warned, "I hope we just had an off weekend cause it wasn't a very pleasant stay. Teens and young adults came and went frequently throughout the evening and night and were loud (arguing, revving engines at 2am)."
Tick prevention: The forested areas support active tick populations in spring and early summer. "Beautiful little campground with a creek running through. About 10 sites. Definitely bear country and be very cautious about ticks. Make sure to store food properly," advises a Jumping Creek visitor.
Tips from RVers
Road width concerns: Several access roads to higher campgrounds have narrow sections. "Crystal Lake is a beautiful area, very much worth the drive. There is a lot of gravel and one lane roads going in with a few sketchy spots where you are looking straight down off the side."
Limited turnaround space: Many campground loops have tight turns challenging for larger vehicles. A visitor to Newlan Creek observed, "It is hard to find a site as you have to drive through the loops of sites which have trees and some tight corners for those larger rigs."
Alternative yurt camping: For those seeking more comfortable accommodations than tent camping, consider the yurt options at Logging Creek as an alternative to traditional RV setups when exploring the Stanford, Montana region.
