Tent camping near Whitehall, Montana provides access to several established and dispersed sites in the surrounding mountains and river valleys. Pipestone RV Park & Campground offers hike-in tent sites year-round with toilet facilities but no drinking water. Nearby Copper City BLM land provides free dispersed tent camping with walk-in access and fire rings scattered throughout the area. For a more established experience, Beaverhead National Forest Mill Creek Campground, located near Sheridan, offers tent-only sites with amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and vault toilets during its operating season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Most tent campgrounds in the Whitehall area have basic facilities with varying levels of amenities. Gravel or dirt tent pads are common, with metal fire rings provided at established sites. Vault toilets are available at most developed campgrounds, though drinking water is limited to select locations like Mill Creek Campground. Dispersed camping areas typically lack facilities entirely, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. Bear activity is present throughout the region, particularly in the Tobacco Root Mountains, where food storage in vehicles or bear-proof lockers is essential. Summer temperatures can be hot during the day but cool significantly at night, especially at higher elevations.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Whitehall offers solitude and scenic mountain views. According to reviews, Revenue Flats provides "the most beautiful night sky" for tent campers, though the access road can be challenging for low-clearance vehicles. At Copper City BLM, campers note the "secluded, quiet" atmosphere with "plenty of pull-out sites with scattered man-made fire rings." Pipestone Campground receives praise for its quiet, dispersed setting where "it was easy to set up" and visitors "only saw two other sets of people." For tent campers seeking water access, fishing access sites along the Big Hole River offer tent camping with riverside views, though these sites can be more exposed with limited shade.
"We were trying to break up our Montana Drive and found this campground for the first time. It’s well laid out and sites are spaced appropriately. Every site has its own fire ring and landscaping."
"It was easy to set up, only saw two other sets of people."
from $40 - $80 / night
"This as an adorable camp site, way off the beaten trail but the road to it is maintained."
"This campsite is right off the exit, but not very noisy. There were several other campers and RVs and trucks there. Even just parts of cars."
"Not restrooms or services but tons of little designated pull outs and fire rings. Very open and little shade during the day. Tons of super fun climbing!"
"This area has a lot to offer within a 15 min drive from wherever you camp. There are a lot of people that use this and there are a lot of parties."
"Plenty of pull out sites with some scattered man made fire rings. Secluded quiet and great views"
"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."
"The campground features 2 double vault toilets and two hand pump wells for water. This is a well shaded campground due to the large fir and pine trees."
"The sprinter all wheel drive negotiated the trail easily from the trailhead up. We found an open meadow of sagebrush. Beautiful sunrise. One bar AT&T signal."
"Sites have gravel parking pads, metal fire rings and picnic tables, along with nice grass areas to set up a tent. The fishing access site is with in walking distance to the small town of Melrose."
"We had plenty of space to set up our tent and we felt comfortable leaving it set up to eat at one of the local spots in the nearby town (~15 min away)."
"We're so happy to have this experienced host on our platform. This is a working farm and there are only 2 sites available. You will have plenty of peace and privacy."
from $30 / night
"Brownes Island Fishing Access Site is located 6 miles south of Melrose on the Big Hole River. This nice little Fishing Access/Campground has five campsite sitting under large cottonwood trees."
"It’s a small campground (5 spots) with picnic tables and fire rings at each spot and a vault toilet. Right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge."
TravelerBy the interstate, $10 to camp. Takes cash, check or there is a kiosk for cards. Definitely interstate noise and gun shots in the distance, but great for one night stay. You can back in right by the river. Our travel trailer was 27ft and we chose site #3, it was easy to back into to.
TravelerWe camped one night in a tent in site #12. Luckily it was a cool evening because the scent of the vault toilet wafted over our site off and on. Can't imagine being here on a hot humid day in the summer. I'm sure this campground is fine for overnight if you are self contained in an RV. Good if you don't want to be too far off the Interstate but also don't want the traffic noise.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for an overnight stop while rolling through southwestern Montana on Interstate 15 or Interstate 90, the Butte KOA Journey serves its purpose as a functional travel hub. It is far from a luxury resort destination, but if you need a safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible place to park your rig for the night, it gets the job done.
Campground Grounds & Amenities
It is best to set expectations before pulling in—this is a very basic, older KOA:
Location & Highway Access
Must-See Local Stop: The Berkeley Pit Tour
If you stay here, do not leave town without visiting the Berkeley Pit.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Butte KOA Journey won't win awards for landscaping, but its budget-friendly rate, safe atmosphere, and prime interstate convenience make it a viable 3-star overnight rest stop. Pair it with a half-hour visit to the Berkeley Pit to get an authentic taste of Montana's copper history before hitting the highway again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 out of 5 Stars)
GuideWe are here in October and we are getting snow I love it. Only 3 other campers here. .the dogs just run. Getting about 6 inches of snow. Going to hike some trails tomorrow. We have AT&T and there is cell service but we also have Starlink. No water this time of year and there is only 1 pit toilet...across the campground. It would not be a place I would stay in summer....no trees I'm not a fan of seeing all the campers. Looks like pretty decent gravel sites. We do have electric. The rangers are very nice.
ScoutNice for overnight stop cose to I90 sites are tight trails and Butte visitor center next to campground
ScoutGated road at this location, maybe still good from other starting point but no viable sites coming from Rimini that I saw. Road gets a bit rough, did find a rough roadside spot for the night but for the 8-9 mile drive in on dirt roads definitely not worthwhile.
ScoutThe camp has changed names to Clark’s Den. It is a small site on the edge of town. It is well maintained meeting all our needs. Laundry room and bathrooms are very clean. They even provide a complimentary towel and bath mat. Owner was very nice and accommodating. Surprisingly quite. I would recommend if you are touring the area. It would be a good home base.
RangerWe had it mostly to ourselves and It’s so lovely and remote. Can’t hear highway noise, lots of beautiful views and an accessible creek to the front and side of all camp sites. Easy to get into Butte (30 mins) and even like the nearby restaurant (15 mins) called The Hitchin Post!
ScoutThis place was beautiful. We enjoyed our 1 evening and night here. No fresh water, but in the town of Butte you can fill up at a casino/ gas station on Harrison Ave
Tent camping near Whitehall, Montana takes place at elevations ranging from 4,300 to 8,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature swings between day and night even in summer months. The region sits at the confluence of several mountain ranges including the Tobacco Roots and Highland Mountains, where dispersed camping options typically outnumber established campgrounds. Most sites require campers to pack out all waste as trash services are limited throughout the area.
Rock climbing access: Revenue Flats offers multiple climbing areas with various difficulty levels just a short hike from campsites. One visitor notes it has "tons of super fun climbing" while another mentions "if you climb up to the Fishbowl, it is worth it!"
Mountain biking trails: Copper City BLM provides direct access to mountain biking networks. A camper reports the area is "right on parts of the trail" and mentions that it's "common for mountain bikers and trail bikers, so you'll likely run into a few of those."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points along the Big Hole River provide excellent fishing. At Brownes Bridge Fishing Access Site, campers enjoy being "right on the river with big trees and a view of the Browne Bridge" with a "dirt boat ramp just down stream from Brownes Bridge."
Wide-open stargazing: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. At Revenue Flats, one camper "pulled up to this spot and camped under the most beautiful night sky I've ever seen" while another was "rewarded with picturesque spots nestled in the rocks."
Quiet seclusion: Salmon Fly provides peaceful riverside camping with "six campsites all nice spread apart from each other" where "the campground is nice and quiet, far enough from the Interstate to not really hear the road traffic."
Access to hot springs: Several campgrounds serve as good base camps for visiting nearby hot springs. One camper at Revenue Flats shared that "in the morning we went down to Norris hot springs and over to Ennis for pizza and beer. Pretty ideal way to spend the weekend!"
Vehicle recommendations: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Revenue Flats, campers advise "you need a reliable car/truck to get the campground" and "the road in was no beuno for the Honda Civic."
Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal or no amenities. Copper City BLM has "no shade, no bathrooms" and "this place is DRY—so be sure to bring your own water."
Temperature variations: Prepare for significant temperature changes. Homestake Lake Camp provides "hidden sites that afford some shade" which becomes important as summer daytime temperatures often exceed 85°F before dropping into the 40s overnight.
Farm experiences: Serenity Sheep Farm Stay offers a unique camping experience with animals. Families report "the kids enjoyed the animals" and appreciate that it has "a nice fire pit that made for a gathering spot for the other few campers."
Accessible fishing spots: Several fishing access sites accommodate family camping. Salmon Fly has "great sites" that are "clean and right on the river" with "a concrete boat launch" making water access easier for children.
Navigation challenges: Plan routes carefully before traveling. When visiting Pigeon Creek, one camper warns "Google will take you up a private road if you come from the East, keep going three miles past the Cedar Hills Road turn to hit Fish Creek Road."
Site length limitations: Many fishing access sites have limited space. At Salmon Fly, a camper with a 29-foot RV noted the sites are "a little short on the length but okay for our 29'."
Road conditions: Access roads to many dispersed sites require caution. A camper at Homestake Lake Camp noted it's "right off the exit, but not very noisy" and "there were several other campers and RVs and trucks there."
Larger rig accessibility: Some forest service roads can accommodate bigger rigs with careful driving. At Revenue Flats, a camper reported "we drove a F450 with triple slide truck camper and made it ok" but warned they "would not recommend anything larger."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Whitehall, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Whitehall, MT is Pipestone RV Park & Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Whitehall, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Whitehall, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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