Best Dispersed Camping near Trout Creek, MT

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Trout Creek, MT (20)

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Showing results 1-10 of 20 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Trout Creek

50 Reviews of 20 Trout Creek Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed
    Oct. 21, 2024

    Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed

    Great location near the Hiawatha trail

    This is primitive off grid camping. No services, no water, no tables, just a bathroom in a field with a few campsites around it near the creek. Great location to stay if you're doing the Hiawatha trail and want to camp in the area. The busses picking up hiawatha trail users go right by the campground multiple times a day in the summer.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bull Run Access Dispersed
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    great spot except the hunters

    We were glad we read the reviews for directions & info about spots — like others mentioned, the best spot is a big grassy area amongst the trees (continue past the first circular parking area). However, the entire area has sportsman access, so we listened to gun shots most of the day… not exactly the peaceful nature vibe we were hoping for. Would likely come back, but pray it’s a day of no hunters

  • Steve G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bull Run Access Dispersed
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Calm Breeze and Amazing Sunset!

    Stopped at the little restaurant and got a fantastic meal after being on the road all day then headed past all the massive houses to end up in such a gorgeous location. This is one of my favorite spots now!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Easy, peaceful and beautiful

    So gorgeous! Tent camped along the river! Very spaced out campsites, nice for lots of privacy and quiet! Signs to be aware of bear country but took precautions. Rock fire pits at each site. Super easy for quick stop road tripping (0.5 miles off main road)! Stayed in early September on a road trip to Glacier, was able to find our site decently well in the dark! Verizon cell service 3-4 bars! Loved it!

    The west is the only safe way to enter onto the road to the campsites. On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from the west).

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site on St. Joe River Rd
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Dispersed Site on St. Joe River Rd

    Free spot right by the river

    Found this great little riverside spot while checking out the paid campgrounds along St Joe River. Saw several similar sites that were already taken. This one has a small boat launch and several fire pits. Camping is prohibited from spring to mid July. Not the best spot for swimming due to the current in this section of the river but good enough to wade in and cool off anyway. We slept in a tent and loved the river sounds. There were some mosquitoes but with bugspray it was fine.

  • Kaitlin K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bull Run Access Dispersed
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Buggy but Beautiful

    We were able to get our fifth wheel (40ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall) in and out easy! Lots of spaces and places to turn around. After crossing the bike path, take the first right onto the dirt road at the sportsmans access sign (parallel to the small paved parking lot.) Like another said, the best spot is past the first circular area. Keep going down the road and you’ll see a big shady area in the trees. (You can go further along to two more sites more suited for smaller pop-up campers, tents, or vans.) Close to the water so of course, there were some bugs: lots of bees and mosquitoes.

  • Josh S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Quiet open site on the river

    Dispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout.

    We stayed mid week during August. Stayed in a medium sized site on the river. Small steep slope to the water.

    Pros:
    Plenty of space, both large and small sites. Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites. 3 bars Tmobile. Some sites on the water with a short steep slope down. 12 miles to gas station. Beautiful views.

    Cons: No pit toilets (edit: another camper said they are at the end of the campground) No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)

    Overall we loved this spot. Being ok the water in a mostly private setting with such amazing views is our goal. Little bit of road noise but hardly noticeable over the wind in the trees.

    Sites were clean but well used, so thank you to all the campers that took care of this place!

  • Tricia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    Aug. 2, 2024

    Clark Fork River

    Fantastic!

    The further you drive on the road the closer you can get to the river! There are some pit toilets too! Absolutely beautiful!

  • Bobby J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Awesome stay

    This was a great stay right on the river with night sites and a vault toilet. Only issues I had was the train across the river runs throughout the night and it sounds like it’s coming right through your tent

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bull Run Access Dispersed
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Beautiful area with mosques

    Just stopped for one night but I enjoyed the rest. Pretty spot close to the lake, but the mosquitoes are abundant! I had my door opened for just a few minutes and had to kill like 20 before I could sleep.

  • John F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Muchwater Montana

    Muchwater has earned a top spot for my camping areas. There’s a river nearby that’s great for fishing or swimming. The campgrounds has fire pits ready to go and well maintained. There’s plenty of space between you and your neighbor. And it’s dog friendly. Oh and the hiking is pretty good too.

  • rThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    a beautiful place to stay on the river

    stayed in site 1 first campsite on your right-hand side, big rig friendly plenty of room for our set up 70+ ft RV and trailer short walk to the river. quiet, clean and plenty of space between camps. it was cool to see and hear the trains go by.  will definitely be back.

  • Laura D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Amazing camping

    This place is incredible! Wish we came sooner. Stunning views, several sites to choose from, some have access to the river. The road conditions are wonderful—towed a 20 ft trailer. Some spots are more open to use Starlink. Highly recommend this site. There are a few bathrooms which are very clean

  • Maui F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    May. 29, 2024

    Clark Fork River

    Clark River peninsula

    Great spot there’s three to the right off train bridge and a lot on the left side of it I pulled into first on from left. Had 3-4 bars of Verizon cell service.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bull Run Access Dispersed
    May. 17, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Very good camping

    Went with the family in mid May on a perfect weekend weather-wise. If you drive past the first couple grass campsites and continue on the narrow road with water on both sides, just off to the right is a single secluded campsite amongst the tree. The best site there imo. privacy, lots of trees so the site gets a good amount of shade but sun still pokes through, perfect. 

    Mosquitos weren't so bad that it affected us but we all had a few bites. My only knock on this site, which isn't much, is that you can see homes from the sites. What can I say I like to feel like I am far from everyone. 

    Good site to camp for a family.

  • John F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Muchwater Recreation Area
    May. 12, 2024

    Muchwater Recreation Area

    Peacefulness by the river

    This is by far one of my favorite camping spots. Dispersed. Pet friendly. Quiet. Plenty of space between you and other campers. A river right by you. What more could you want? Oh and it’s right by a hot springs resort, in case you want to take a dip while you’re camping.

  • Gisele S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rose Lake
    May. 11, 2024

    Rose Lake

    Weird place

    We didn't feel secure at this location, it was very removed from the main road, it was not looked after (grass was very high), and it seemed liked someone was living there permanently. Generally weird vibes.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area
    Oct. 12, 2023

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Great spot close to town

    Stayed here on our way through headed back to Bozeman, Great spot with plenty of room for activities campers, tents, hammocks, and friends. Lots of room for multiple campers. Verizon and Atnt had service the whole time, close to Highway, and railroad so not super quite spot. But overall great overnight pullover spot!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clark Fork River
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Clark Fork River

    Clark Fork River

    Beautiful secluded site with view of the river. Easily can fit multiple rigs. I have xfinity mobile and had 3-4 bars the whole time.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rose Lake
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Rose Lake

    Not many spaces

    I followed the road past the sportsman’s access sign as suggested by someone else. Turned left at the first corner, found one campsite and continued. The road turns into private land and I had to turn around. Camped at the first site. Wasn’t bad. Very open. Right near the water. Good gravel road. Only saw 2 other people while there. One stayed at the corner. Stayed one night. A deer walked right through camp.

  • Teresa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakes Divide Road
    Aug. 11, 2023

    Lakes Divide Road

    Definitely a place if needed

    It is a steep but well maintained forest road. There was one clear pull off early and it had someone in it. Wanted some privacy so I kept going. Someone had parked on the side of the road and went past that. Found a blocked entrance to a forest road about a mile in. Wasn't flat but not bad and off the road a bit with a place to walk the dog.

  • Tee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sheldon Mountain Trailhead Camp
    Aug. 5, 2023

    Sheldon Mountain Trailhead Camp

    Nice equestrian campground!

    It’s Saturday and no one is here but me. Picnic tables, metal fire rings with grills, vault toilets. Big pretty pine trees! I get one bar of Verizon service but it’s not very useful.



Guide to Trout Creek

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Trout Creek, Montana, where nature's tranquility meets adventure. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Scenic Trails for Dispersed Campers

  • The Engle Lake Dispersed Camping area features a challenging 3.5-mile trail that rewards hikers with breathtaking views of the Cabinet Mountains and the serene lake.
  • For a more relaxed experience, the Stevens Lakes Backcountry offers beautiful hiking paths leading to picturesque lakes, ideal for both tent and hammock camping.
  • If you're looking for a spot near the Hiawatha trail, the Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed provides a great base for exploring this popular biking route.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Trout Creek

  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the access to great fishing spots near the 2 Mile Turn Off Dispersed Camp, where you can enjoy a peaceful night under the stars.
  • Wildlife watchers can spot elk and moose while hiking the trails around Engle Lake Dispersed Camping, making it a fantastic location for nature photography.
  • The Sheldon Mountain Trailhead Camp is perfect for equestrian campers, offering ample space for horse trailers and access to scenic riding trails.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Trout Creek, Montana

  • Always store food properly to avoid attracting wildlife, especially in areas like Engle Lake Dispersed Camping, where grizzly bears have been spotted.
  • Bring a bear canister and place it at least 100-300 feet from your tent to ensure a safe camping experience in the backcountry.
  • Be prepared for primitive conditions at places like Oscar Miller Camping Area, where amenities are minimal, but the natural beauty is abundant.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Trout Creek, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Trout Creek, MT is Engle Lake Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Trout Creek, MT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Trout Creek, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.