Dispersed camping near Sula, Montana offers self-reliant outdoor experiences in the Bitterroot National Forest. Most primitive sites sit at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet, with seasonal access typically restricted from late spring through early fall due to mountain snow conditions. Forest Service roads throughout the area provide access to numerous undeveloped campsites where visitors must pack in essential supplies and pack out all waste.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rock Creek Dry Campsites provides excellent angling access. "Individual campsites with fire rings and access to great fishing," notes one visitor who traveled deep into the Rock Creek drainage.
Mountain hiking: The Continental Divide Trail passes near Upper Seymour Lake Dispersed Camping, offering day hiking options from established campsites. "Tons of great hiking in this area as it is close to the Continental Divide Trail. A lot of it definitely involves going up the sides of mountains," reports one hiker who explored the area.
Wildlife observation: Maintain appropriate distance and carry bear spray when camping in this region. The Seymour Lake area shows consistent bear activity. "This is grizzly country and we saw a LOT of signs of them. Fresh droppings. Fresh prints in the snow after the blizzard," reports one camper who took proper precautions.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Riverside sites offer natural water features and pleasant ambient sounds. "Trees, mountains, and a nice sized river that cuts through. Good size sites and fire pits as well," describes one camper at Lost Horse Dispersed Campground.
Solitude in remote locations: For those willing to travel further on forest roads, quieter camping experiences await. "Gorgeous area deep back on rock creek. Probably 10 plus miles. Pass campgrounds with toilets," shares a visitor who found seclusion beyond developed areas.
Accessibility of some areas: Bobcat Gulch provides more accessible primitive camping when other areas are full. "Pretty small and basic campground. I counted what I think was 9 sites? There are no numbered sites, just designated fire rings to indicate the different sites I suppose," notes a camper who found available sites even on a Saturday night.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Forest roads deteriorate with distance and elevation. "The last 2.3 miles of the drive was on a fairly rough, but very manageable, forest road. (Mostly washboard and a few holes)," reports one camper describing the approach to Lost Horse.
Seasonal crowd patterns: Certain areas experience high traffic during summer months. "We have camped at a number of dispersed locations over the years and this was BY FAR the busiest forest road we have seen," notes a visitor regarding Lost Horse Road.
Proper waste disposal: Pack out all trash and use provided facilities where available. "FREE and pretty quiet for the Saturday night I stayed - 4 open spots at 8:30pm. Only downside is it's rather close to the highway and you can hear cars driving by pretty regularly," explains a Bobcat Gulch visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection considerations: Choose established sites with natural boundaries for child safety. "Camp is easy to get to. Gravel road for about 2 miles but it's pretty smooth. The view is gorgeous," notes one family who found suitable camping at Lost Horse.
Water safety precautions: Creek and lake access points require supervision. Filter all water from natural sources before consumption, as no potable water exists at these primitive sites.
Pack-in requirements: Flower Lake Dispersed Camping requires substantial hiking but rewards with private camping. "The trek is pretty damn tough if you aim to do it in one go, like we did. It's about 7 miles to Upper Seymour Lake...which isn't too strenuous, but then you have to cut over a pass to get to Flower Lake," shares a backpacker who made the journey with family members.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Standard campervans and smaller RVs navigate better than large rigs on forest roads. Most sites accommodate vehicles under 25 feet in length.
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as primitive sites lack graded surfaces. Natural clearings typically have uneven terrain requiring adjustment for comfortable camping.
Highway proximity option: For RVs requiring easier access, consider sites closer to main roads. "One large accessible pit toilet is available. Most sites back up to the river which is pretty nice," notes a visitor to Bobcat Gulch who appreciated the proximity to Highway 93 while still enjoying river access.
