143 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Stevensville, Montana include both established campgrounds and dispersed sites throughout the surrounding Bitterroot Valley. Charles Waters Campground, located in the Bitterroot National Forest, offers paved campsites suitable for both tent and RV camping without hookups. The campground provides basic amenities including vault toilets, water spigots, and trash collection. Bass Lake Dispersed Camping offers free primitive camping experiences for those seeking more remote accommodations. Chief Looking Glass Campground near Florence provides fishing access and multiple site types with tent and RV camping opportunities along the Bitterroot River.
Access to these campgrounds varies with seasonal conditions, typically optimal from May through October when most facilities are fully operational. Charles Waters Campground costs approximately $10-15 per night, while Chief Looking Glass has fees around $18 for out-of-state visitors. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, making weekday arrivals recommended during peak summer months. Sites at popular locations like Charles Waters often fill by mid-afternoon, particularly on weekends. The region experiences significant mosquito activity near water sources during summer months. As one camper noted, "Peaceful and quiet, one of my favorite spots to camp during spring-fall. Good fishing, can float the river from Florence bridge to camp."
Campers frequently mention the peaceful environment and natural beauty throughout the Bitterroot Valley as highlights of their stay. Charles Waters receives praise for its spacious, wooded sites that provide privacy despite their proximity. The sound of Bass Creek flowing through the campground adds to the tranquil atmosphere. Sites situated along waterways tend to be most desirable, offering both recreation and ambient sounds. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, particularly the clean vault toilets and organized campground layouts. Several campgrounds feature hiking trail access, with connections to longer routes through the Bitterroot Mountains. One visitor reported, "Very nice campground, all sites paved but the sites can't be reserved. Whole campground is first come first served, so if it is a planned stop try to get there by noon."
"Traveling south in Montana and found this lovely little place. Trees, meadows and solitude. Just the way I like it"
"I like the sites on the far side of the loop as they are closer to the creek and away from the dusty road."
"We got a nice spot next to the river. It was really relaxing. There’s two pit toilets and 1 water pump near the entrance. It’s first come first serve."
"Entry fee is $12 per camp and gate closes to get back in at 10pm I have camped here multiple times by tent and always enjoyed my stay."
from $6 - $18 / night
Check Availability"Full hook-ups are available, and it's close to everything yet nestled in the forest."
"Can walk to the river. Two Porto ponies nearby. On main bathhouse. Cold washers. Medium 5G. $27/night"
from $27 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Great friendly and clean place to stay in Missoula Montana!"
"This KOA is conveniently located for a quick overnight stop. We were passing through Montana and needed a full hookup site to rest and recharge before another long day of driving."
from $75 - $192 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $75 / night
Check Availability"Right next to river with hiking trail. Good fishing for small trout. About 6 miles from main road."
"Easy Bitteroot hike and spectacular views all around and in the valley of where your hiking! Very common and popular hike so be prepared to see lots of people!"
"It was a short walk from our RV to a cool spot with chairs and a fire pit on the river. The park is quiet and the RV spots are generally pretty wide, all pull throughs. "
"Around 7 miles one way to the lake, only gain 3000ft over the course of the hike with around 1000ft of elevation gain in last mile."
"The sites are large, especially the ones bordering right up to Rock Creek. The campground has 15 campsites each with Picnic tables and metal fire rings. "
"This small campground is located right along Rock Creek and only 16 miles off the interstate. Campsites are non reservable, but WOW....sites 2, 3, and 5 have direct Creek access."
GuideNice campground with ask necessary amenities. Hotsprings are across the road and cost $18 for adult. Tent site is $32 a night. Hwy12 is a bit busy but not bad. I was hoping to be nestled in the forest a bit more but this is nice for a night.
RangerNot very many sites. I believe there were 4 in the loop. You would be better served using some of the roadside dispersed sites on Rock Creek Rd
GuideThere is about 8 spots with some of them not good for tents. No spots good for hammocks. But if you are sleeping in your car it will be great.
GuideReally nice, has a camp host. 26 spots many vault toilets. Trees for hammock camping.
GuidePaved area with picnic tables. Vault toilet.
LegendWe chose this KOA for its proximity to downtown Missoula. There is an REI right around the corner. It is a very large campground but empty in early September. Our space is an “extra parking” space so nobody would be next to us if it were busy. Feels older but has the tent camping, cabins, pools, hot tubs one expects from a KOA Holiday. Bathrooms dated but clean. A bit smelly due to poor ventilation.
GuideNice little spot on the lower creek side. Clean toilet. Roadside noise quiets doe at night.
TravelerNew Management is excellent. Fire rings, clean bathroom, laundry, frisbee golf, river access.
GuidePets are allowed on leash. Be bear aware . Has 2 vault toilets and fresh water. Easy access to hey 1 .
Dispersed camping options near Stevensville, Montana include several backcountry sites along with established campgrounds throughout the Bitterroot National Forest. The area sits at elevations between 3,200-4,500 feet in the valley, with surrounding mountains reaching over 9,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F nights to 85°F days, while spring and fall can bring frost and occasional snow at higher elevations.
Hiking trails access: Charles Waters Campground connects to several mountain trails including access to Bass Creek trails. "Great for tent camping, there are several spots with trails leading to Bass Creek. Recreational area, picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms, and about 10 minutes from Florence MT," notes Rene S. about Charles Waters Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Rock Creek provides excellent trout fishing conditions within a short drive from Stevensville. "This is a great spot for people interested in doing some fishing, as Rock Creek is a blue ribbon stream, with brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout," reports Dexter I. about Harrys Flat.
Mountain views: The Blodgett Canyon area offers remarkable granite mountain vistas from campsites. "Only five sites so come early to this free Campground. You're allowed to stay 14 days. Clean sites, vault toilet, BEAUTIFUL granite mountains on both sides that made for a perfect evening," shares Genie C. about her experience at Blodgett Campground.
Creek-side sites: Many campers prefer spots adjacent to water features for ambient sounds and recreation. "I like the sites on the far side of the loop as they are closer to the creek and away from the dusty road. Water at the spigots was good, but I was a bit concerned that they were placed so close to the vault toilets," explains Annie C. about Charles Waters Campground.
Seclusion despite proximity: Many campgrounds maintain privacy between sites through natural features. "Plenty of open sites M-Th, even during the summer. Sites are close-ish together but very private because of the tree cover. The creekside sites are especially lovely," writes Jess W. about their stay.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the larger sites available at many Bitterroot Valley campgrounds. "This small campground is located right along Rock Creek and only 16 miles off the interstate. Campsites are non reservable, but WOW...sites 2, 3, and 5 have direct Creek access. Listening to the water at night was amazing," reports Lisa M. about Harrys Flat.
Seasonal timing: Most campgrounds in the Stevensville area operate between May and October with varying opening dates. "Very nice place to go for a quick overnight camping trip. The bathrooms were clean, as well as the sites. The only down side was the the trash services weren't ready yet, so make sure to pack it out if you're there in early may," advises Thomas C.
Arrival planning: Popular sites fill quickly, particularly in peak season. "I got there around 2 on a Sunday and had 3 sites to pick from. All of the sites were full by 4pm," notes Annie C. regarding campsite availability at Chief Looking Glass Campground.
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads that limit vehicle types. "It's 16 miles off the interstate. The first 11 is tough pavement and the last 5 is rough gravel, all of it narrow so be careful. The spots are $15 a piece self service so not bad," warns Chris N. about Harrys Flat access.
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water sources, especially during summer months. "This camp ground is pretty nice. There are some spots that are right on the creek and more that are a little ways away from the water. Unfortunately when we went there were mosquitoes everywhere! Make sure you bring bug spray," cautions Mackenzie F.
Swimming spots: Look for campgrounds with shallow water access for children. "This is a pretty quiet fishing campground. In fact, if you have a fishing license it's cheaper to stay here than if you don't. The river/creek is pretty flat and low in mid July, but I guess there are fish as there were plenty of fishermen here," observes Annie C. about Chief Looking Glass Campground.
Activities beyond camping: Some sites offer additional recreational amenities for children. "Great spot! This is a pretty standard campsite- there are only 5 sites though, so it can fill easily. Amenities include a pit toilet, fire rings (be careful!!!) and picnic tables. Hiking is an must! The canyon overlook is stunning," recommends Celine K. about Blodgett Campground.
Established campgrounds with amenities: Families often prefer campgrounds with more facilities. "Playground, pool, mini golf, clean showers, restrooms and laundry! It was great!" reports Desiree D. about Missoula KOA Holiday.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven parking pads. "Paves roads, large sites, (sloped, not level) very friendly hosts, water spigots throughout, pit toilets, cement picnic tables. We love the fact that you can hear the cascading water at the sites, peaceful. 16 day stay limit, $10 per night," notes MT Nesters 4.
Length restrictions: Some forest service roads limit access for larger vehicles. "Most of the sites better suited for tents. This stretch has a number of small campgrounds. The road is narrow, so large RVs or travel trailers are not recommended," warns Lisa M. regarding camping near Rock Creek.
Water and utility access: Many campgrounds near Stevensville lack hookups. "Nice campground. No water or electric but paved sites," mentions Robin F. about facilities at Charles Waters Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Charles Waters Campground near Stevensville?
While specific Charles Waters Campground information is limited, nearby Gird Point Campground in the Bitterroot National Forest offers a gorgeous Montana camping experience with stunning mountain views. For comparison of typical Forest Service campgrounds in the area, Lolo Creek Campground provides basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables. Most national forest campgrounds in this region feature vault toilets, potable water (seasonal), picnic tables, and fire rings. Expect a rustic experience with no hookups, limited or no cell service, and beautiful natural surroundings. Always check with the Bitterroot National Forest office for current amenities and seasonal availability.
Where can I find camping near Stevensville, MT?
Several excellent camping options exist near Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley. Blodgett Campground offers drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities in a beautiful forest setting. For riverside camping, Chief Looking Glass Campground provides relaxing spots along the water with basic amenities including pit toilets and a water pump. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Other nearby options include Larry Creek Group Campground for larger gatherings and Bass Lake for dispersed camping. The Bitterroot National Forest surrounding Stevensville features numerous campgrounds with varying levels of development, most offering access to hiking trails, fishing, and mountain views.
What camping is available near Stevensville, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Stevensville, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 143 campgrounds and RV parks near Stevensville, MT and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Stevensville, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Stevensville, MT is Charles Waters Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Stevensville, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Stevensville, MT.
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