Several campgrounds near Virginia City, Montana offer tent sites for visitors who prefer primitive camping experiences over RV setups. Ruby Valley Campground in Alder accommodates tent campers with spacious sites adjacent to water features. Campers note the restrooms and showers are a short walk from tent areas. Madison River Campground provides tent camping opportunities with mountain views and river access, though sites fill quickly during summer months. Sportsman Lodge in Melrose features a dedicated area for car and tent camping on well-maintained grassy grounds. Tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions typical of Montana's high elevation areas, with overnight temperatures often dropping significantly even in summer.
What to do
Float the Madison River: Madison River Campground provides access to popular floating, fishing, and tubing activities. "Great place to stay and enjoy floating, fishing, and tubing. There is a loop campground on the West side of the river, as well as some spots along the road on the East side," notes one Madison River Campground visitor.
Visit historic sites: The region surrounding Virginia City offers numerous historical attractions. "Close proximity to Virginia and Nevada cities," mentions a camper at Ruby Valley Campground and RV Park. Another visitor adds, "There isn't much in this corner of the world that isn't nearby. Just off I-15, it's near Lewis and Clark sites, Bozeman Trail's destination Virginia City."
Fly fishing: The area is renowned for trout fishing opportunities. A Sportsman Lodge visitor observed, "This area is popular for fly fishing and the Sportsman Lodge is a 7 minute walk from the fishing access on the river." Melrose attracts dedicated anglers who return annually: "When I was in the office there were people reserving for next year - they come fly fishing here every September."
What campers like
Proximity to town services: Campers appreciate locations that provide easy access to local amenities. "Located in the neighborhood near campus you can walk to restaurants and the cute downtown area," notes a visitor at Southside RV Park. Another camper mentions, "The town is close to the RV park, we could really easily bike to the grocery store and some local restaurants."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many reviews highlight campground cleanliness as a key factor. "Very clean inside and out," reports a camper at Ruby Valley. At Southside RV Park, a visitor observed, "Bathrooms and showers super clean. DVD's to borrow." Another mentioned, "Bathrooms and showers are very clean with a good amount of hooks to hang your towels and clothes on."
Peaceful settings: Campers value quiet locations away from busy areas. "Quiet and peaceful night," notes a visitor to Beaverhead River RV Park. A Countryside RV Park camper mentioned its "Quiet and great views" with "very spacious park well kept and great views of the surrounding countryside."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: RV camping near Virginia City, Montana ranges from spacious to compact layouts. "The sites are good sized and easy to pull through," reports a visitor at Countryside RV Park. Conversely, at other parks, "Campsites are tight, not much room between campers, just enough."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant weather variations. "This location is beautiful but can be very windy. We were there on a very windy night," notes a Countryside camper. Others mention that "mountain passes can present challenges" during inclement weather.
Reservation recommendations: Availability tightens during peak seasons. "Get reservations to assure a site," advises a Southside RV Park visitor. For Madison River Campground, a camper suggests, "highly recommend a reservation being this is a very busy national park campground."
Train and highway noise: Some campgrounds experience periodic noise disruptions. "Train track near by... oh well," mentions one Southside visitor. Another camper noted, "It is about a mile or two from the interstate which is convenient but you can occasionally hear a large truck pass by."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreational features: Families appreciate dedicated spaces for children. "The kids loved the playground and tons of open grass space and swings throughout, and they also have a pond that you can even fish in on site at the back of the property," reports a visitor at Cardwell General Store and Campground.
Consider parks with entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide additional amenities. "There are movies to check out, no cost, in the office," mentions a Southside RV Park camper. Another visitor appreciated that "DVD's to borrow" were available.
Check for stargazing opportunities: Montana's clear skies offer excellent nighttime viewing. "The open skies and no city lights make for great stargazing," notes a camper at Sportsman Lodge. Another mentioned enjoying "Starry Night" views at an Ennis RV location.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection matters: Experienced RVers recommend considering site configurations carefully. "All sites are back in, but they are reasonably wide and very long," explains a visitor to Sportsman Lodge. Another camper suggests, "The water and electric only sites in the back (spots 28 to 36) of the park are long and spread out. I recommend if you can go without having sewer connection."
Check hook-up specifics before booking: RV campers should verify utilities when reserving. "I did not realize that I booked partial hookups!" shares a Cardwell visitor. At Beaverhead River RV Park, a camper notes, "I did not see any 50 amp, only 30 amp. The openings for dumping are a couple of inches below ground level."
Internet connectivity varies: Reliable connectivity is important to many RVers. "The free wifi is really strong!" reports a Sportsman Lodge visitor. At Ennis RV Village, a camper noted, "The wifi works very well, at least at our site near the office," while others mention "During our stay the wifi was pretty horrible."
