Wise River offers both traditional campgrounds and yurt camping options across diverse terrain ranging from 5,000-10,000 feet elevation. The Pioneer Mountain range features dramatic volcanic rock formations and alpine lakes where temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night are common. Camping conditions vary significantly between the protected river valleys and exposed mountain sites.
What to do
Fishing access points: Numerous spots along the Wise River provide productive fishing zones. At Lodgepole Campground, campers report success with "the ambient sound of the river shielded the sounds of people talking or kids playing." The campground features a water pump with clean, cold drinking water.
Hot springs exploration: Drive 15 miles from Wise River to Elkhorn Hot Springs near Grasshopper Valley. "Walking distance to the rustic Elkhorn Hot Springs Resort where you can swim and get a bite to eat," notes one visitor to Beaverhead National Forest Grasshopper Campground, adding that you can take "a short drive to crystal park where you can dig up quartz and amethyst."
Georgetown Lake activities: The lake offers year-round recreation options 20 miles from Wise River. "Georgetown lake is a beautiful reservoir in the mountains," according to Cable Mountain reviews, though water conditions can vary seasonally with some noting "Georgetown lake smells like it is rotting" during certain periods.
What campers like
Natural soundscape: The rushing water creates natural white noise at many campsites. As one camper at Philipsburg Bay Campground noted, "You can hear waterfowl from the lake and nothing else but still have cell reception if you want it." This combination of natural isolation with connectivity appeals to many yurt camping enthusiasts near Wise River.
Well-spaced sites: Many campgrounds offer good site separation. At Philipsburg Bay, campers appreciate that "sites are spread out enough and campground is wooded, so you aren't on top of your neighbors." The campground has "three separate loops make it kid and bike friendly."
Yurt and luxury camping options: Beyond the glamping options mentioned in other sources, traditional yurt camping near Wise River provides rustic accommodation. At Fairmont RV Resort, "Hot Springs next door and able to get a pass from front desk to get access (still need to pay)," making it a good basecamp for exploring.
What you should know
Weather variability: Mountain elevation causes dramatic temperature swings. At Grasshopper Campground, one camper warns, "We got snow on Labor Day weekend (still Summer!), so check the forecast."
Limited cell service: Coverage varies dramatically between campgrounds. Some campers report "3 bars of 4G Verizon" at certain sites while others have none, even within the same campground.
Campfire restrictions: Rules vary by location and season. At Fairmont RV Resort, "wood fires are not allowed so no fire rings. My guess for the no fires rule is because you would be smoking out your neighbor."
Site amenities: Each campground offers different facilities. "Frost free spigots were good especially since the weather at night was below freezing" at one campground, while others note "Sites include a picnic table and fire ring, and there was ample firewood left by others for us to use."
Tips for camping with families
Choose multi-loop campgrounds: Layouts with separate camping areas provide better experiences. At Spring Hill Campground, "it was clean and compact, but still afforded each site some separation from other sites" making it ideal for families seeking both community and privacy.
Consider seasonal timing: Late season camping risks snow, even in summer. One camper noted, "Even with a full camp, the ambient sound of the river shielded the sounds of people talking or kids playing," making Lodgepole Campground a good choice for families seeking natural sound barriers.
Water access points: Look for campgrounds with safe water play areas. Piney Campground features "a boat launch in the campground" and many report that "Lots of people out on the lake boating." However, note that "All boats, including inflatable kayaks need to be inspected at a Montana inspection station before launching."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most campgrounds have minimal or no hookups. At Piney Campground, RVers note "Nice campground with easy RV access to spaces" despite limited amenities.
First-come sites: Some campgrounds have unreserved loops. Piney Campground users advise: "Know that there is a Loop B which doesn't show on Recreation.gov, that is all FCFS…. Many sites that seem to go unused!"
Weather preparation: Bring stabilizers and leveling equipment. One RVer mentioned that at Fairmont RV Resort, "Nice level gravel site. Sites are close to each other," making setup easier, but "Was pouring rain when we visited but had full hookups."
