Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Wisdom, MT is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Wisdom. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"The spot is close to the freeway, but far enough that you won’t hear any of the noise so it’s perfect if you are on a road trip. :)
There are some train tracks that run by it, but I didn’t notice if"
"Picnic benches, tent camping spots, rv spots! We might have been lucky but no mosquitos! It’s across the bridge in case you can’t find it from google maps :)"
"It's about 7 miles to Upper Seymour Lake (also very beautiful, and with dispersed camping), which isn't too strenuous, but then you have to cut over a pass to get to Flower Lake."
"Full disclosure: I didn't camp here as I passed through this area en route to another dispersed campsite a bit deeper in."
"One large accesible pit toilet is available. Most sites back up to the river which is pretty nice. FREE and pretty quiet for the Saturday night I stayed - 4 open spots at 8:30pm."
"Only 3 miles from the highway, this campsite is at the end of a well maintained, slightly rutted gravel road. It’s wide enough for trailers."
"Lots of highway noise and also some rail road tracks between the campground and the highway. There are a couple back in camping spots for smaller campers but they were taken when we arrived."
"There are 9 tables dispersed in a grassy area and a couple RV parking spaces. There are pit toilets and a water pump. I was serenaded by Canadian Geese nesting on the nearby cliff."
GuideHands down the best spot I’ve found on this app so far!!
Literally was talking to myself as I pulled up making weird noises because I was in so much awe at how beautiful the spot was! The sunsets here are amazing or at least the night I stayed was!
The camping spots are somewhat close together so that’s good to keep in mind.
But omg, the spot is insane. The mosquitoes were not bad at all. The spot feels like a perfect little oasis.
The spot is close to the freeway, but far enough that you won’t hear any of the noise so it’s perfect if you are on a road trip. :)
There are some train tracks that run by it, but I didn’t notice if the train was noisy or going by as I was car camping!
Getting to the spot - you will get off the main road and drive through some dirt roads and past some private property. At the end of one of the roads you’ll see a small bridge you’ll drive over and the camping spots are maybe 30 seconds past the bridge.
Also an incredible spot to fish!
LegendOnly 3 miles from the highway, this campsite is at the end of a well maintained, slightly rutted gravel road. It’s wide enough for trailers.
Along the road, there are a handful of pull offs that are big enough for an RV to pull into.
The coordinates bring you to an open gravel lot with nice clean pit toilets. There’s a creek nearby. Big beautiful rocks, some shade, pretty epic views on the way in. Beautiful!
No cell service, unfortunately. Another con is that there’s another road that goes in further, but it’s narrow and eroded. I attempted it in my campervan, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth the hassle and parked in the open lot instead.
RangerFull disclosure: I didn't camp here as I passed through this area en route to another dispersed campsite a bit deeper in. That said, we stopped here for a snack / water break and to filter some water so I had some time to explore.
The area is BEAUTIFUL. The lake is stunning, and sits nestled right up against some pretty dramatic mountains. Lots of trees and dispersed camping sites throughout. The hike in is about 7 miles, very gentle incline. Not too hard unless you're not used to carrying weight.
When we went through, there were people camping, but not too many. Once we went beyond this camp area, we didn't see a soul. That's likely because of the really intense pass you have to go over to get to the dispersed site we were aiming for (see my review for that here: https://thedyrt.com/camping/undefined/flower-lake-dispersed-camping).
Tons of great hiking in this area as it is close to the Continental Divide Trail. A lot of it definitely involves going up the sides of mountains, but if you're day-hiking and not carrying a heavy backpacking pack, they're not that hard.
Bring bear spray. Hang your food. This is grizzly country.
For true back-country seclusion you'll probably want to go further in than this dispersed area, but for a less strenuous and equally as beautiful locale, this is a pretty amazing place.
GuideThis place was amazing! Very well maintained area! Picnic benches, tent camping spots, rv spots! We might have been lucky but no mosquitos! It’s across the bridge in case you can’t find it from google maps :)
RangerOh man, what an epic camping spot. Getting here is a doozy, but it is so worth it.
In early September, myself, my brother, and our two cousins decided it was time for a long-overdue reunion, and getting lost in the back-country was going to be the stage for it. We struck out from Bozeman, drove as far as we could go (past Lower Seymour Lake) and then once we hit the end of the road, strapped on our (very heavy - remind me not to bring so much food next time) packs and trekked in.
The trek is pretty damn tough if you aim to do it in one go, like we did. It's about 7 miles to Upper Seymour Lake (also very beautiful, and with dispersed camping), which isn't too strenuous, but then you have to cut over a pass to get to Flower Lake. That is pretty much straight up and straight down, switchbacks the entire way. I was struggling. The views from the top are amazing though. Also, don't mistake Page Lake for Flower Lake - once you descend the other side of the pass, you'll hit Page Lake before you hit Flower Lake. Page Lake is also beautiful and has dispersed sites, but keep going. I think you'll find it is worth it.
Once we got to Flower Lake, it was serene. From the time we left Upper Seymour Lake to the time we got back, we didn't see or hear another soul. Five days of just us. The area around the lake is pretty dramatic - it sits in a little valley basically surrounded by steep mountains. Around the lake there are a few areas with rough dispersed sites. Fire pits, a few logs to make "benches", that's about it. Plenty of space to throw tents down, and TONS of firewood from the dead trees in the area. You can camp out in the open if that's your jam, or in trees. We chose the trees for better cover and because that's where we found the best dispersed site. Flower Lake itself is beautiful but absolutely frigid, so we didn't go in. There is a little stream that feeds it where we gathered our water to filter, and I finally decided to take a half-bath. Good god it was freezing, but it felt good once it was over.
Definitely check the weather before going in. We got slammed with a blizzard that lasted all of the second day and night. We were expecting snow that day, but this was more than we were imagining. It was COLD. Intense wind. Lots and lots of snow. We didn't leave the campfire the entire time except to dig out our tents when the snow got too high around them. Given we were running three-season tents, that night was bitter cold (the water bottle in my tent next to me was frozen the next morning) but we all tossed and turned and made it through it. Not gonna lie, the blizzard was a bit unnerving when we were in it, but it made the next four days of sun so much more appreciated. If you're in the sun, it's actually pretty warm, and a lot of the snow was gone a few days after it fell.
Lots of great hiking here, as the CDT (Continental Divide Trail) goes through this area. I recommend the hike to the top of Rainbow Mountain for some truly stunning views. Not too hard either, once you've cleared the initial pass to get in, and you're not carrying your full pack.
BRING BEAR SPRAY. HANG YOUR FOOD. This is grizzly country and we saw a LOT of signs of them. Fresh droppings. Fresh prints in the snow after the blizzard. We never ran into one directly, but they were definitely around. Be in the habit of making noise so as not to surprise them. I can't possibly imagine how many times I yelled "Hey bear!" over the course of the trip. We noticed that one side of the lake had far more signs of bears than where we were. We avoided it, and I wouldn't recommend camping there. See my photos to get an idea of where.
The hike out was not a cakewalk either, but with lighter packs and having the hard ascent and descent happen at the beginning rather than the end, it wasn't half as bad as going in.
This is a great spot for back-country aficionados. It was my first real pack-in back-country camping trip (other than when I did Outward Bound when I was a teenager), and one I won't ever forget. 100% recommended, but be prepared. If you got hurt out here, or caught in bad weather, or god forbid had a nasty run in with a bear, getting out could be difficult. Definitely let someone know where you're going, and when you expect to be back. That said, don't talk yourself out of it if you want to give it a go. This place is special. Really special.
GuideFor a dispersed BLM camping area, this is lovely. Plenty of sites that each have a picnic table and long gravel spot to park an RV. There’s a cute little river and some interesting rock features. Close to the freeway so an excellent stop for a night spot.
GuideBlm camping on the big hole river, montana, free up to 16 days. About 15 spots. Boat ramp, fishing hiking fire pits, no wood available.
GuideI think the other reviews say it best but it’s a really nice spot, almost feels like it should be paid for. Smooth gravel roads and well set out campsites with picnic tables and a Bear box. The river is right there next to most of the sites, but could be a bushwhack to get to depending on where you are.
The only downside is as of September 1st 2025 a Bear might still be active in the area. It tried to get into our camper (it didn’t thankfully lol, but it did pull my window open and give me a heart attack). We didn’t see it the next two nights after that encounter. Apparently his name is Boo-boo, and he was orphaned as a cub and fed by miners making him not so human afraid. Last I heard rangers were trying to get him further away and up the canyon. Carry bear spray and you’re probably fine!
RangerThis place looks like a paid campground, only free! All the spots have a picnic table, fire pit and bear box. The mountain views all all around you are gorgeous. Some other folks camping here went trout fishing - so that's an option. Only downside is that my dogs had some trouble walking on the gravel.
GPS: 45.702416, -112.736869
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Wisdom, Montana, where nature's tranquility meets the freedom of the great outdoors. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in stunning landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find dispersed camping areas near Wisdom, Montana?
To find dispersed camping near Wisdom, Montana, look for established BLM areas like Maiden Rock Dispersed, which offers about 15 free sites along the Big Hole River with amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and a boat ramp. Another option is Big Hole River Camp which provides drive-in access. Use The Dyrt app to locate these sites, or check with the local Forest Service office in Wisdom for maps of designated dispersed camping areas. Many dispersed sites are located along forest service roads, with clear pull-offs indicating established camping spots.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Wisdom area?
In the Wisdom area, dispersed camping typically follows standard BLM and Forest Service regulations. At Humbug Spires Trailhead Basecamp, camping is allowed at designated spots along a well-maintained gravel road. For most dispersed sites like Barretts Station Park Campground, the standard 14-16 day stay limit applies. Always camp in established sites with existing fire rings, park at least 100-200 feet from water sources, practice Leave No Trace principles, and check for seasonal fire restrictions. Pack out all trash and use existing bathroom facilities when available or bury human waste 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water.
When is the best season for dispersed camping near Wisdom?
The optimal season for dispersed camping near Wisdom, Montana is late spring through early fall (June to September). Areas like Upper Seymour Lake Dispersed Camping and Flower Lake Dispersed Camping offer stunning settings during summer months when higher elevations become accessible. Early September can be particularly beautiful with fewer insects and pleasant temperatures. Be prepared for rapid weather changes in mountain areas, as nights can be quite cold even in summer. Many access roads to dispersed sites become impassable with snow by mid-October, and most areas aren't accessible until late May or June when snow melts.
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