Best Tent Camping near Wise River, MT
Tent camping opportunities near Wise River, Montana include small, scenic sites along the Big Hole River. Beaverhead National Forest Pettengill Campground offers three well-spaced tent sites with paved parking pads and access to hiking trails. East Bank Recreation Site provides riverside camping with vault toilets, though many trees have been removed due to beetle kill, leaving sites more exposed than in previous years.
Most tent sites in the area feature gravel parking pads, metal fire rings, and picnic tables, though amenities are basic. Vault toilets are common, but drinking water is rarely available, so campers should bring adequate supplies. Several locations require no fee, while others like Salmon Fly Fishing Access Site cost $12 with a valid Montana fishing license or $18 without. Seasonal availability varies, with Pettengill typically open June through September. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out practices are necessary as trash service is not provided at most locations.
Tent camping experiences around Wise River offer proximity to the Big Hole River, providing excellent fishing opportunities. Several sites, particularly at Fishtrap Creek and Brownes Bridge, offer shade from mature cottonwood trees, creating natural privacy barriers between campsites. Quieter options can be found at locations farther from Interstate 15 and the railroad tracks. As one visitor noted, "Brownes Bridge is a small campground with picnic tables and fire rings at each spot, right on the river with big trees and a view of the bridge." Hikers may appreciate using Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area as a starting point for backcountry tent camping, though the trailhead itself offers minimal amenities for overnight stays.
