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Best Tent Camping near Stanford, MT

117 Reviews

Tent campsites near Stanford, Montana range from primitive backcountry areas to established campgrounds in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Judith River State Wildlife Management Area offers shady primitive tent sites in a natural setting with boat access, while Kings Hill Campground provides designated tent sites at approximately 8,000 feet elevation with picnic tables and metal fire rings. Additional backcountry tent camping can be found throughout the Little Belt Mountains, where dispersed camping is permitted in many areas with proper site selection.

Most tent camping areas around Stanford feature basic amenities and require self-sufficiency. Several campgrounds including Kings Hill have vault toilets but no trash service, requiring campers to pack out all waste. Sites typically include fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Water availability varies significantly between locations – Kings Hill Campground provides drinking water, while most backcountry tent sites require bringing all water or filtering from streams. The terrain consists primarily of forested areas with uneven ground, and high clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote tent camping areas.

Established tent sites offer varying levels of solitude depending on location and season. According to one visitor, "Hay Canyon Campground is a free six site campsite in a narrow canyon among large mature trees." Tent campers often enjoy better access to secluded spots compared to RV users due to their ability to utilize smaller sites. The Little Belt Mountains provide excellent hiking opportunities directly from many tent campgrounds, with trails leading through diverse mountain terrain. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, especially in the Judith River area where one camper noted "tons of animals great and small." Free dispersed tent camping options like Whitetail Camp allow up to 16-day stays but require strict adherence to bear safety protocols, with all food items secured in vehicles since bear-proof storage lockers are not provided.

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Best Tent Sites Near Stanford, Montana (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Stanford, MT

4 Photos of 16 Stanford Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Stanford, MT

117 Reviews of 16 Stanford Campgrounds

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2019

    Camping area 6393A

    Camp in solitude

    Bumped in to this camping area while hunting recently. This Lewis and Clark National Forest designated camping location has one site, one site in that the location has one forest service concrete and wood picnic table and a rock fire ring. Stay limit is 16 days. The camping area is located where Whitetail Creek dumps into Spring Creek. The camping are is completely flat. Two additional rock fire rings are in the area. The area has plenty of room for your vehicle and tent at the picnic table site and the two additional fire rings, just no picnic tables for these two fire rings. If you camp here come prepared, this is a Trash-in Trash-out site, no water, no vault toilet. The road is a little rough in a few places on the way to this site, would recommend a high clearance vehicle to access this camping location.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2019

    Whitetail Camp

    Camp in the heart of the Little Belt Mountains

    Whitetail Camp Campground located 12 miles north of U.S. Hwy 12 on Spring Creek road in the Little Belt Mountains. The campground is part established campground and part disperse camping area. The campground is located on both sides of Spring Creek road. On the left side of the road is two sites with picnic tables and metal fire rings. On the right side the campground is an open meadow with a few designated sites and a lot of room for disperse camping. Noticed one campsite with picnic table and metal fire ring on the right side. The campground has a vault toilet but no water or trash service. Vault toilet was well stocked. This is a very popular campground during the hunting season. Their is no fee to stay at Whitetail Camp Campground, but you are limited to 16 day. This is a bear area so you will need to keep all your food items in your vehicle, bear lockers are not available

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Hay Canyon

    Hay "Free" Canyon Camping

    Hay Canyon Campground is a free six site (Forest service says 7) campsite in a narrow canyon among large mature trees.  This site is broken in to two sections with three sites each.  The first section is easy to find, the second is just around the bend on the main road on a road to the right which has three more sites.  The campground has picnic tables and metal fire rings at all the sites. A vault toilet serves the campground.  No water or trash service so come prepared.  The site nearest to the vault toilet is a amazingly large site, three picnic tables a large metal fire ring and the biggest BBQ grill I have ever seen in a campground.  Getting this site is just awesome even at the high price of nothing to camp here.  The second section of campsites do require a bit of a walk to get to the vault toilet but their is a faint trail short cutting the road walk.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2021

    Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP

    Large exposed campground on Reservoir

    Martinsdale Reservoir Fishing Access Site campground is a very large campground with out a ton of campsite which means they are well spread apart from each other.  Not all the sites are numbered, some have picnic table (a few of the numbered site did not have tables or fire rings). Some of the sites have metal fire rings, others rock fire rings and others had nothing.  All of the site are along the north shore of the lake (or are when the reservoir has more water in it) .  Numerous vault toilets are to be found.  No water and no trash collection so come prepared.  The problem with this campground is it has no trees so you are at the mercy of the sun and wind.  The wind, it really blow through the area, every time I have visited this site I have found it to windy to attempt to fish.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Ackley Lake State Park Campground

    Camping and fishing oasis in central Montana

    Ackley Lake State Park campground has no camping fees for Montana residents, for nonresidents the cost is$24 per night. The campground has two vault toilets, but no running water or trash service. While visiting I counted 26 metal fire rings at the campground. Most of those fire rings had picnic tables, but not all of them. Their are 15 numbered campsites with metal fire rings with a cement picnic table with a lean-to to block the wind and provide a little shade. The numbered sites sit along the shore of the lake allowing you to fish from your campsite. The state park also has 2 boat ramps and a seasonal boat dock.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Judith Landing

    Great campsite along the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument

    Nice campground with lots of room. Very clean Vault Toilet. Fire rings and picnic tables available. One downside is that their is not a good location to land a canoe at the campground, need to use the boat launch 2-3 tenths of a mile further down river. No water available. dumpsters are available.

    Lewis and Clark's May 28, 1805 marker is a few hundred feet from the Visitor Assistant station.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 22, 2018

    Spring Creek Campground

    Nice small campground & Ranger review of Ethnotek Premji 20 Liter Day Pack

    Spring Creek Campground is a small campground along spring creek in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The campground sits is a small canyon making this a potentially good campground to avoid the summer heat, which also means a colder camp in the spring and fall. Spring Creek campground has 10 campsite sitting along the creek among mature fir and pine trees, all sites have picnic tables and metal fire rings. The campground has two vault toilets and one hand pump for water. A trailhead is located in the campground and is for a spur on a 15-mile multiple-use trail. Like bears, then your in luck, bears may frequent the area so a mandatory food storage order is in affect. You'll need to keep all food in approved containers or stored in your vehicle as no food lockers are available. It is reported that Brook Trout can be caught in the creek. Want a little more excitement, the campground is subject to flash flooding so keep tabs on the weather as heavy rains at the site or upstream can result in flash flooding. If the creek starts to suddenly rise be prepared to move.

    A ranger review of Ethnotek Premji 20 Liter. Travel Day pack. This is an excellent day pack. Just the right size for a full day out on the trails. The Premji 20 Liter has plenty of room for all the gear you will need for a full day in the wilderness. One of the things I like best about the Premji 20 Liter is the side zipper which allows you to easily gain access to items at the bottom of the pack without having to take everything out. A small pocket at the top of the pack is great for holding granola bars or other small snacks or objects. Another small pocket on the back has holders for pens/pencils, your cell phone and other items such as a note book or maps. The pack has two external pockets, one which is a mesh pocket. Both of these will fit water bottles such as a Lifestraw Go, or Camelbak chute. Two sets of double side straps allow you to strap additional items like a jacket to the outside of the pack. The shoulder straps are comfortable even after a full day of hiking. The pack has plenty of padding which means no gear poking you in the back. The only thing I would add to this pack is a chest strap, but this is just because I like having chest straps on my packs. Overall a great pack for a day on the trail.

  • Alex K.
    Aug. 25, 2019

    Thain Creek

    Legit.

    This place is pretty neat. 12 permanent campsites each with a fire ring and picnic table. Potable water and vault toilets are also available on site. We stayed for a weekend and had the place to ourselves. Easy access to plenty of hiking and decent fishing. Definitely worth checking out.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2018

    Richardson Campground

    Small oh-hum campground

    I was not impressed with Richardson Campground. This campground has three sites. Be sure to pay attend to the sign at the beginning of the campground "NO TURN AROUND" this sign is correct. Once you get past the second campsite their will not be room to turn around if you have a trailer. A signal vehicle can turn around a tree at the third campsite, but if someone is camped in the third site you may not be able to even do that. The three campsites sit along a small creek. The first site has a picnic table, metal fire ring and a BBQ grill. Sites 2 and 3 both have a picnic table and metal fire ring. The campground has a single Outhouse, not a vault toilet, this is a small wooden outhouse. At the entrance to the campground is a trailhead and a horse corral, an added bonus if you bring horses. Horses are not allowed in the campground. This campground is a "Pack-in, Pack-out" campground with no water.

Guide to Stanford

Nestled in the heart of Montana, Stanford offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility in nature.

Tips for tent camping near Stanford

  • For a unique experience, consider camping at Hay Canyon, where you can enjoy free sites surrounded by mature trees and picnic tables.
  • If you're seeking a primitive setting, Judith River State WMA provides a lovely backdrop with plenty of wildlife and shady spots, perfect for a peaceful retreat.
  • Be prepared for a bear area at Whitetail Camp, where you can camp for free but must keep food secured in your vehicle.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $25

  • Camping at Hay Canyon is free, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • At Kings Hill Campground, you can expect a small fee for a well-reviewed site with amenities like drinking water and picnic tables.
  • Camp Rotary offers a more developed camping experience with a fee, featuring cabins and tent spaces, ideal for groups or families.

Local attractions to explore while camping

  • While staying at Lamb Creek Campground, take advantage of the nearby hiking trails that showcase the stunning Lewis and Clark National Forest.
  • The scenic views from Snowy Mountain Range are perfect for photography and wildlife watching, making it a great day trip from your campsite.
  • Enjoy the tranquil waters and boat activities at Judith River State WMA, where you can also spot various wildlife during your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stanford, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stanford, MT is Judith River State WMA with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Stanford, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Stanford, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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