Dispersed tent camping near Townsend, Montana offers opportunities on both Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands. The region sits at approximately 4,000 feet elevation in the Elkhorn Mountains with temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to 85°F in summer months. Camping conditions vary significantly by season, with many dispersed sites accessible only during summer and early fall due to snow and mud conditions on forest roads.
What to do
Hiking to alpine lakes: At Fairy Lake Campground, campers can access trails around the lake and up to nearby peaks. "The lake has a small trail to walk around. The road to get to the trailhead and campground was slow going and really just a logging route- would recommend something with good clearance and ideally 4WD," notes Anthony B.
Mountain biking: Copper City BLM area features dedicated mountain bike trails. "Great spot right on parts of the trial! It's open and you can see miles in each direction. No shade, no bathrooms, but most have man made fire pits," reports Ashley M.
Wildlife viewing: The mountain areas provide opportunities to spot diverse wildlife. "You'll be buried deep in the woods near Bridger bowl. I camped at the trailhead for Lower South Brackett trail. It was 28° or less overnight and there is a pretty dusting of snow on the ground when I woke," shares VanRumschpringa V. from South Fork Brackett Creek Dispersed Site.
Fishing access: Several sites offer fishing opportunities in reservoirs and streams. "Caught a couple of big rainbow trout off the dock. Fish were jumping out of the water all night long and throughout the day which was pretty cool," explains erik R. at Spokane Bay Campground.
What campers like
Secluded locations: Many campers appreciate the remote feeling of dispersed sites. "I towed my small camper up the mountain fairly easily, although this is by far the roughest road I've encountered so far. Not for the faint of heart! There is sun, shade, a fire ring and 3 other neighboring sites," reports Ariana N. about Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping.
Scenic mountain views: The Bridger and Elkhorn mountain ranges provide dramatic backdrops. "Gorgeous campsite only 20ish min from the outskirts of Bozeman. Fire rings at all campsites. Very quite road. Level ground for car camping," notes Jenna B. about South Fork Brackett Creek.
Night sky viewing: Low light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "Had a fire ring, but no other amenities. Could hear some of the louder vehicles traveling through the valley at night time, but otherwise super quiet. Awesome view of the Northern Lights too!" shares Tristan S.
Established fire rings: Even at dispersed sites, previous visitors often create fire rings. "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," notes John H.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. "The 6-mile unmaintained road to get to the campground is definitely rough. The warnings are justified—it's bumpy, rocky, and slow going. That said, I made it up just fine in my rear-wheel-drive Ranger," explains Sayler O. about Toston Dam Campground.
Bear safety: Both black and grizzly bears inhabit the region. "No bugs, no bear scat nearby, some traffic but still private," notes Ariana N., though other campers report bear encounters requiring proper food storage.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. "This place is DRY--so be sure to bring your own water (but on the plus side, no bugs!!)," warns Renee G. about Copper City BLM.
Seasonal closures: Forest Service roads may close during winter and spring. "Was unable to get to this site as the road in was closed due to logging. Had a Tángeres parked at the turn off from the main road," reports Callie B.
Tips for camping with families
Farm experiences: Some private camping options offer unique experiences for children. "We loved this place nestled in the valley about 30 minutes outside of Bozeman. Not only did we have spectacular views of the mountains but we loved seeing the farm animals (cows, sheep, llama, chickens)," shares Tanya A. about Serenity Sheep Farm Stay.
Water play opportunities: Creeks and lakes provide natural recreation. "There was a perfect little creek that my 5yo fully enjoyed for a few days," mentions Heather F. about camping near Fairy Lake.
Site selection for shade: Summer temperatures can reach the 80s, making shade important. "I went to the one furthest from the dirt road and had nice shade and privacy here," advises James C. about finding spots along the road to Fairy Lake.
Easy access spots: For families with young children, consider sites closer to main roads. "We stayed at the first pull off a few minutes off the main road. This site was easily accessible, right off the main road, close to town and close to some hikes," recommends TexasRed.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Townsend have limited space for larger rigs. "I saw a couple sprinter vans coming up but no other RV's. There are a handful of spots to camp on the way up the mountain but I found one about 1/4 mile before the campground," shares Ariana N. about the road to Richardson Campground.
Turn-around space: Many forest roads lack adequate turn-around space for trailers. "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," warns Dexter I.
Leveling challenges: Forest roads typically have uneven terrain. "Level ground for car camping," notes Jenna B. about South Fork Brackett Creek, one of the few areas with naturally level spots.
