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Best Dispersed Camping near Three Forks, MT

61 Reviews

Dispersed camping options surround Three Forks, Montana, with several free primitive sites on public lands. Copper City BLM offers open spaces suitable for tent camping with mountain views. South Fork Brackett Creek provides secluded sites approximately 20-30 minutes from Bozeman with established fire rings at most locations. Hyalite Canyon Dispersed sites along Forest Service Road 1046 accommodate both tents and RVs. Confederate Dispersed Camping Area near Canyon Ferry Lake features lakeside camping with vault toilets. According to reviews, Homestake Pass Dispersed is "super easy to find, right off the highway" and serves as a convenient overnight stop.

Most dispersed sites in the area require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal to nonexistent. No drinking water is available at these locations; campers must bring all water supplies. Fire regulations vary by site and season, with established fire rings present at some locations. Several campers noted wildlife encounters, including black bears at South Fork Brackett Creek, necessitating proper food storage. Road conditions range from easily accessible to challenging. Cottonwood Reservoir Dispersed Camping requires high-clearance vehicles, with reviews describing "extremely rugged/uneven roads full of large holes." Olson Creek access involves "single-lane cobblestone roads" that can be difficult even for trucks.

Weather conditions vary significantly by elevation and season. Summer brings warm days and cool nights, while spring and fall temperatures can drop below freezing. Cell service is inconsistent but present at many sites. Campers report good Verizon coverage at Confederate Dispersed Area and Homestake Pass. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. The standard stay limit is 14 days within a 30-day period on most public lands, though enforcement varies by location.

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Serenity Sheep Farm Stay

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Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

1 hr 14 min away

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Three Forks, Montana (21)

    1. Copper City BLM

    4 Reviews
    Three Forks, MT
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 533-7600

    "Lots of open space and locations to pull out--beautiful views as well! To access this place we went towards Copper City Trail Head, and drove by the entrance onto BLM lands."

    "No shade, no bathrooms, but most have man made fire pits."

    2. Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046

    12 Reviews
    Gallatin Gateway, MT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 522-2520

    "Definitely busier than I expected, especially with the condition of the road; we had multiple cars coming down the road we were on and then they would turn around and come back but it wasn’t obnoxious."

    "Dispersed camping all along a pass through the canyon. Very remote and private. I drove up the mountain a ways and found a perfect spot to set up ."

    3. Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Belgrade, MT
    29 miles

    "There is a Meadow about 4 miles in front of the highway that has at least 3 dispersed sites. I went to the one furthest from the dirt road and had nice shade and privacy here."

    "This is an amazing camp spot that is almost almost to the top of the trail to fairy Lake campground. There’s an established firing, and there’s room for multiple vehicles."

    4. South Fork Brackett Creek Dispersed Site

    5 Reviews
    Bozeman, MT
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-6701

    "I went a little further up the mountain than the coordinates (about 5 miles) and found a spot off the road (4wd highly recommended, no big rigs)."

    "Gorgeous campsite only 20ish min from the outskirts of Bozeman. Stopped in for 1 night passing through on a bigger road trip and couldn’t be luckier with this location. Fire rings at all campsites."

    5. Homestake Pass Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Butte, MT
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-3900

    "There’s a big area that had a dozen RVs & tents, but it was late & we wanted space so we followed a rough dirt road 1/2 a mile to find a spot in the trees."

    "The dispersed camping is super easy to find, and it's right off the highway! It was perfect for a quick spot to camp on our way home to Colorado instead of getting a hotel room."

    6. Olson Creek Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Bozeman, MT
    34 miles
    Website

    "There are a few more pull-offs (again, no privacy and right off the Forest Road) if you drive on down toward Skunk Rd, but road gets rougher (high clearance and/or 4WD fine) from especially if it has recently"

    "It mentions private property but I think that’s the areas off the road. A few trucks with Mtn. bikes drove past at dusk but after that it was peaceful and a nice solitary overnight spot."

    7. Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground

    1 Review
    Norris, MT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 682-4253

    8. Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    10 Reviews
    Canyon Ferry Lake, MT
    42 miles

    "Canyon Ferry has great dispersed camping all around it. The specific site we stayed at was right next to the beach. Great views and right down from a pit toilet."

    "Pit toilet available."

    9. Battle Ridge Dispersed

    1 Review
    Wilsall, MT
    33 miles

    10. Pipestone Trailhead Camp

    1 Review
    Whitehall, MT
    33 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Three Forks, MT

29 Photos of 21 Three Forks Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Three Forks, MT

61 Reviews of 21 Three Forks Campgrounds

  • Marasha L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Olson Creek Dispersed

    Really a 4.5 star spot

    Beautiful space with views and birdsongs aplenty. Spaces are small and right off the road, but for a free night not far from I-94 with solitude and nature, it’s fantastic. There are a few more pull-offs (again, no privacy and right off the Forest Road) if you drive on down toward Skunk Rd, but road gets rougher (high clearance and/or 4WD fine) from especially if it has recently rained. Those spots were also all taken. Went about a 1/2 mile beyond the GPS coordinates for spot with wee bit more space but the pull-off with these exact coordinates ended up getting claimed by an RV at some point in the night—this road gets solid use in the summer—saw at least a dozen vehicles in the 14 hours here.

  • owen T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 29, 2024

    Cottonwood Reservoir Dispersed Camping

    Cottonwood reservoir wilsall montana

    Cottonwood Reseravoir DNRC land section.  accessible for overnight camping under DNRC rules.  The reservoir has Yellowstone cutthroat trout and white suckers.  No wifi, no trash, no bathrooms. Completely wild. Stars at night amazing. All kinds of waterfowl passing seasonal. No amenities.

  • Ann A.
    Aug. 14, 2022

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Popular, spacious

    There’s a big area that had a dozen RVs & tents, but it was late & we wanted space so we followed a rough dirt road 1/2 a mile to find a spot in the trees. The Homestake Trailhead down the road has a bathroom. We did have a weird experience: a truck camped near us with two people who openly watched us the entire morning & followed us to the trailhead before driving on.

  • Kimberly L.
    Aug. 2, 2022

    South Fork Brackett Creek Dispersed Site

    Gorgeous mountain views

    I went a little further up the mountain than the coordinates (about 5 miles) and found a spot off the road (4wd highly recommended, no big rigs). The mountains were pink and purple at sunrise, awesome views! I went for a little walk in the woods and saw a black bear (keep your food and trash stored safe!) No amenities of course but most sites have a fire ring already there. It's about 20-30 minutes outside of Bozeman, MT. Happy camping!

  • Erik W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2024

    Olson Creek Dispersed

    No trespassing signs everywhere

    Not to mention the single-lane cobblestone road, I have a truck and was bouncing up and down the whole way! I didn't find one area big enough to set up camp. I definitely would NOT recommend this spot

  • James C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

    On the road to Fairy Lake

    There is a Meadow about 4 miles in front of the highway that has at least 3 dispersed sites. I went to the one furthest from the dirt road and had nice shade and privacy here. I went all the way to the dispersed campsite above Fairy Lake. I felt it was adequate but the 2 remaining sites were full sun and the trailhead right below the CG was packed (approx. 30 vehicles)

  • Jenny&Tobias P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Cottonwood Reservoir Dispersed Camping

    Overnight at a lake with mountain view

    A few sites, close toe Hyw 89 through a Texas gate. We camped for a night and it's a beautiful space with stunning views and a reservoir right at the spots. No fire rings a little bit a rough road 4x4 and higher clearance recommended. Better no enter with big rigs or trailer. But a beautiful place to spend time.

  • Avery S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2022

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Great quick spot!

    The dispersed camping is super easy to find, and it's right off the highway! It was perfect for a quick spot to camp on our way home to Colorado instead of getting a hotel room.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    RV disperse camping on Canyon Ferry Lake

    You almost don't realize that this area open to camping and would drive right by if it were not for a plywood sign just after crossing a cattle guard. The plywood has just a few signs on it, one listing the number of nights you can camp for. The others are the camping rules, travel restrictions and notice that spot must be occupied at night. This camping area is a mile north of Confederate Campground. When you look back up the road leading to the camping area you can notice a vault toilet in the distance. It is over a½ mile to this vault toilet down a two track road. One flat grassy camping spot can be found about half way to the toilet. This grassy spot is your best bet if you have a tent with out a crowd. The spot is on the shore of the lake with just a few young willows between you and the water. The remainder of the camping appears to happen just after the ADA vault toilet.  A few more grassy spots are possible near the vault toilet, then there is a narrow section of gravel beach on which RV's turn in to a parking area. The RV's line up one right behind the other on this beach as this is the only real level place to park. No other services besides the ADA vault toilet is available so come prepared. The area has no picnic tables and any fire rings are on the beach made by previous visitors. The site does not have a boat ramp, but the gravel shore would make it easy to launch one.

Guide to Three Forks

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Three Forks, Montana, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for adventurers seeking solitude and scenic views.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Three Forks, Montana

  • Bring your own water, as many spots like Copper City BLM do not provide drinking water or other amenities.
  • Be prepared for a dry environment; sites such as Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping are known for their open spaces and beautiful views but lack shade and facilities.
  • Always check access routes before heading out, as some areas may have road closures, like the situation reported at Copper City BLM.

Dispersed campers should check out Meadow Creek

  • This area is well-suited for smaller campers and offers beautiful scenery, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy outdoor activities like OHV and horseback riding at Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground.
  • With its free access and no permit requirements, Meadow Creek Dispersed Campground allows for a hassle-free camping experience.
  • The area features several pull-out sites with fire rings, providing a cozy atmosphere for evening campfires.

Scenic views and outdoor activities at Hyalite Canyon

  • Located near Bozeman, Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046 offers easy access to hiking trails and stunning mountain views.
  • This spot is popular among campers with RVs and tents, making it a versatile choice for different camping styles.
  • Visitors have noted the peaceful environment and the opportunity to disconnect from technology, as cell service is limited in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Three Forks, Montana?

Several dispersed camping options exist near Three Forks. Goose Bay BLM offers numerous spots for camping near the reservoir with decent privacy and shade. The sites can accommodate big rigs up to 50 feet long. For mountain views, Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping provides sites in a meadow about 4 miles from the highway with nice shade and privacy, plus additional sites near Fairy Lake itself. Other options include Cottonwood Reservoir (accessible via Highway 89, but requires 4x4 vehicles), Canyon Ferry Lake area (with both dispersed and developed options), and Homestake Pass (right off the highway, making it convenient for overnight stops).

What amenities are available at Three Forks dispersed camping areas?

Amenities at dispersed camping areas near Three Forks vary widely. Homestake Pass Dispersed has minimal facilities, but the nearby Homestake Trailhead offers a bathroom. At Canyon Ferry Lake Dispersed Camping Area, the adjacent developed campground provides full hookups, dry camping, a small store, dump station, propane exchange, showers, drinking water, and a boat ramp. Most truly dispersed sites are primitive with no amenities—Cottonwood Reservoir has no WiFi, trash service, or bathrooms, offering a completely wild experience. Some areas like Goose Bay BLM include basic amenities such as vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. Cell service is generally limited or nonexistent in remote dispersed camping locations.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Three Forks area?

Dispersed camping regulations in the Three Forks area typically include a 14-day stay limit, as enforced at Goose Bay BLM. When camping at Cottonwood Reservoir Dispersed Camping, you must follow DNRC (Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) land rules, as it's on state-managed land. Always practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and waste. Bear safety is important in the region—proper food and trash storage is essential, particularly in mountain areas like South Fork Brackett Creek where bear sightings have been reported. Campfires may be restricted seasonally, especially during fire danger periods, so check current fire restrictions before your trip.

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