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Best Dispersed Camping near Stevensville, MT

46 Reviews

Primitive camping options surround Stevensville in western Montana's Bitterroot National Forest. Bass Lake and Peterson Lake offer hike-in backcountry camping approximately 5-7 miles from trailheads, with elevation gains of 1700-3000 feet. Blue Mountain Forest Road 365 provides drive-in access to free sites about 5 miles from the main road, though reviews indicate the dirt road has significant washboard sections and sharp rocks that may cause flat tires. Most areas permit fires when restrictions aren't in place and allow pets.

Lost Horse Creek area provides numerous dispersed sites with creek access and vault toilets. The road is described as rough but manageable, with approximately 2.3 miles of forest road access. One camper shared, "A ton of dispersed sites right near the creek," though noting it "can get a little tight with campers in peak season." Rock Creek offers several free primitive camping options with good fishing access, though bridges may be narrow with tight turns challenging for trailers. Most dispersed sites in the region lack facilities beyond occasional vault toilets, so campers must pack out all waste and bring sufficient water.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Stevensville, Montana (20)

    1. Bass Lake Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Florence, MT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 777-5461

    "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."

    2. Peterson Lake Dispersed

    1 Review
    Florence, MT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 777-5461

    "About 5 miles one way to Peterson lake, anither 1 and 2 miles to Duffy and Holloway lakes above Peterson. Nice secluded valley heading into Bitteroot-Selway wilderness."

    3. Rock Creek Dry Campsites

    1 Review
    Stevensville, MT
    15 miles

    "Individual campsites with fire rings and access to great fishing."

    4. Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Lolo, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3814

    "This area allows disperse camping Beyond a certain point (there is a small sign). There is a map provided at the road trailhead. However it is confusing since I believe the map is upside down."

    "I got a flat tire going up so be careful of sharp rocks. The pin is at just a pull off on the side of the road. Drive another mile or so until a corner then take a trail on the side."

    5. Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

    6 Reviews
    Clinton, MT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3814

    "first dispersed camping spot for Lolo from the entry road for this Forest Service land entry."

    6. Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Alberton, MT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 626-5201

    "The GPS coordinates listed on the map are spot on, and the turn-off comes up quickly. There look to be 4 spots. I used the one right by the road turn off."

    "3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there."

    7. Lost Horse Dispersed Campground

    5 Reviews
    Darby, MT
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 363-7100

    "This is my favorite area for dispersed camping in the area. Lost Horse creek is beautiful. Can get a little tight with campers in peak season."

    "Wonderful location near the river. Not too many people"

    8. Skookum Lake Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Florence, MT
    16 miles

    9. Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Drummond, MT
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3914

    "Many states out west allow dispersed camping on select public lands owned by the Bureau of Land management."

    "Camping is dispersed and a little eerie. This ghost town is complete with still stocked shops, empty hotels with beds left in and slowly aging buildings."

    10. Skalkaho Rye Road

    Be the first to review!
    Hamilton, MT
    25 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Stevensville, MT

14 Photos of 20 Stevensville Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Stevensville, MT

46 Reviews of 20 Stevensville Campgrounds

  • H
    Oct. 1, 2017

    Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

    Mining ghost town for day or overnight

    Many states out west allow dispersed camping on select public lands owned by the Bureau of Land management. You need to pick up a map of exactly where you’re allowed to camp (there are no facilities, obviously). You can also rent “cabins” which are buildings from before the building became ghosted (but have been updated). Even if you don’t want to camp you can tour the town and have a surreal afternoon imagining what it’d be like to be a miner back in the day.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

    dispersed camping

    first dispersed camping spot for Lolo from the entry road for this Forest Service land entry. Just cross the bridge, and be careful of high water (signs stating it's impassable 100 yards past the photo of the bridge when high water.) The grey area is public land the white square at the end of the road is private property by the map legend. 

    maps attached are screenshots from the National Forest Service online map as of Sept. 8th, 2023.

    The dots show where dispersed camping is allowed for this spot.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    4 or 5 dispersed sites along Chaffin Creek road

    Pleasant and next to creek

    Being only a very short distance from the main road, the dirt access road is smooth though it has scattered potholes and is through a country residential area. Once you pass the private properties, you enter into the forest and drive fairly close to a creek. There are numerous pull outs along the road with a few of them only a few steps away from the creek. Verizon is one bar. It is primitive camping at its best, no services but a fabulous place to spend a night or two. The road had more traffic on it than I expected, but there were no problems. The sites were all clean, and a few had fire pits. Just passed the second (actual) cattle guard which is where the private property seems to end, you'll find a cluster of sites that are well isolated - I went beyond that to a very nice pull out as I wanted to be a little further from the private property.

  • Joshua C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Informal Dispersed Campsite at Fish Creek Properties Montana State Park

    Big Spot adjacent to the road, Good if in a pinch

    Sign says camping permitted to 14 days in a 30 day period. Adjacent to dirt road with a few trees in between. Not the most private but a good option if you need a place for the night if the nearby campsite is full. No amenities. T-mobile cell service is good here.

    River access just at the entry of the turn in. Could easily pull a big rig in but may have a hard time turning it around as there is not a pull through. There is a concrete slab that is level and about 12'x25' in size  which could be good for a trailer or van without having to do much for leveling. Many vehicles/tents could fit here in the dirt area but would likely be comfortable for a single group rather than multiple camp groups.

  • Reames C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

    Very sunny and exposed spots, unsure if legal, but great river access

    Not for low clearance vehicles, it’s not far off the highway but we struggled with the two narrow bridges with tight turns in our travel trailer and then there’s a large flood way dip in the road that you can bottom out on. Unsure if this was legal camping as there are no defined spots and limited pull offs. Felt like I was looking over my shoulder for a ranger. Most everything is exposed to direct sunlight so it gets HOT in the summer. Our AC did not even budge the temps sometimes. Good fishing access and a cool area to visit. We overnighted here a couple nights before going to ekstrom which is before this place when getting off the highway and has power and water for a recharge day.

  • Amanda L.
    Jun. 17, 2016

    Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping

    Wonderful Summer Camping and Winter Cabining

    Camping is dispersed and a little eerie. This ghost town is complete with still stocked shops, empty hotels with beds left in and slowly aging buildings. It is an interesting look at the mining industry in Montana. There are numerous interpretive signs and information about the building throughout the town and rangers on site during the summer months to answer questions. During the winter two of the cabins (the larger of which is the old saloon) are available to rent through the forest service. Most of my recent trips have been during the winter months, where the town is only accessible by ski, snow shoe or feet. Then it is silent and strange but heart breakingly beautiful.

  • SpentBrassOffroad B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Simple In & Out

    Great little spot to hold over for the night. The GPS coordinates listed on the map are spot on, and the turn-off comes up quickly. There look to be 4 spots. I used the one right by the road turn off. There was another person who had a travel trailer in another. It's close to the highway and just over the river in Lolo forest lands. Only stayed one night, but the guy in the camper says he's been there for weeks, and nobody has bothered him.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Amazing quiet and private spot!

    What a great spot! 3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there. Someone else pulled in around 9 but the sites were separated by enough trees we could barely tell they were there. Felt very private, and the stars were fantastic! Creek bed runs right next to the back site, but it was completely dried up in late July.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2025

    Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo

    Decrepit bridges, gorgeous

    We camp d down the road at Eckstrom’s but I walked down to check out the free spot, having chafed at spending $53 for no water/no electric. In a word, I was wrong to have pushed for heading to Rock Crerk— we would have felt really uncomfortable crossing even the first bridge, which had a bit out of it’s concrete edge, as though it had been hit by an elephant-sized tumbling boulder. On the upside, locals I ran into there love the fly-fishing at this site. If you have a passenger car, it’s passable— if you don’t mind rolling the dice.

Guide to Stevensville

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Stevensville, Montana, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these locations offer the perfect escape into the wilderness.

Dispersed campers should check out Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365

  • This area allows for dispersed camping beyond a certain point, providing a chance to enjoy the tranquility of nature. You can find more details about it here.
  • While the road may be dusty, it offers decent privacy and good views, making it a great choice for those looking to set up camp away from busy sites.
  • Keep in mind that there are no established campsites, so be prepared to find your own spot along the road.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Stevensville, Montana

  • Always check for local regulations, as some areas like Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo are designated for day use only, meaning overnight camping is not permitted.
  • Bring your own firewood, as many dispersed camping spots, including Bass Lake Dispersed Camping, do not provide this amenity.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Peterson Lake Dispersed has no drinking water or toilets, so plan accordingly.

Scenic hikes for dispersed campers

  • The hike to Bass Lake Dispersed Camping is about 7 miles one way, featuring beautiful mountain meadows and a nearby creek, perfect for those who enjoy a good trek.
  • For a more secluded experience, consider the trails leading to Peterson Lake Dispersed, which takes you through a picturesque valley and offers access to multiple lakes.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful spot, Lost Horse Dispersed Campground is known for its beautiful creek and surrounding nature, making it an ideal base for hiking adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Stevensville, MT?

Several dispersed camping options exist near Stevensville in the Bitterroot National Forest. Blue Mountain Forest Rd 365 - Dispersed offers dispersed camping opportunities beyond a designated point marked by signage, with a map available at the trailhead. For those willing to drive a bit further, Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping provides 3-4 spots about 5 minutes off the highway with fire rings and good tree coverage. Most dispersed sites in the area require no reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with typically a 14-day stay limit. Look for pull-offs along forest service roads where previous camping is evident from fire rings.

Are there any free camping areas near Stevensville with river access?

Yes, several free camping areas near Stevensville offer river access. Rock Creek Dispersed Spot - Lolo provides free camping with creek access, though be aware the bridges can be challenging for larger vehicles and trailers, especially during high water seasons. Some sites may require moderate clearance vehicles. Garnet Ghost Town Dispersed Camping offers free dispersed camping opportunities on BLM land with potential access to nearby water sources. When camping near rivers, remember to set up at least 100 feet from the water's edge to minimize environmental impact. These areas have no facilities, so come prepared with water purification methods and waste disposal plans.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Bitterroot National Forest near Stevensville?

In Bitterroot National Forest near Stevensville, dispersed camping is generally permitted with a 14-day stay limit within any 30-day period. Camp at least 100 feet from water sources, roads, and trails. At Informal Dispersed Campsite at Fish Creek Properties Montana State Park, signs clearly indicate these time restrictions. Pack out all trash and waste, as there are no amenities or facilities. Seasonal fire restrictions are common, particularly in summer and fall - always check current restrictions before lighting campfires. Many areas require camping in previously used sites with established fire rings. During hunting season, additional regulations may apply. Always verify current rules at ranger stations or on the Bitterroot National Forest website.

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