Fortunately, there is good signage guiding you in here from the frontage road. If there wasn’t, one would almost feel as though they were driving onto someone’s property as opposed to public land.

I loved this place because it was close enough to I94 to feel convenient but far enough away that the noise from the freeway wasn’t bothersome although it’s so peaceful here, you can still hear the road. But you’re hearing it from a distance. It’s far from overpowering.

We were lucky enough to get the site under this truly massive tree that was likely here when captain clark was on his expedition. The pics don’t do justice to its size but use my camper for comparison. Haha

Sites are well spread apart. Fire rings and picnic tables at each. FYI, there is no place nearby to purchase firewood. Stop in Miles City or Billings on your way in depending on the direction you’re coming from if you need it.

You do have to have a MT Conservation License to stay here. They out of state variety that I had to purchase was $10 and is good for an entire year at this and any other location in the state that requires it. The good news is that the sign board at the campground has a QR code on it and I had three bars of Verizon to do it from the campsite.

No one ever came through to check if I had it, but one would have to understand that they do maintain these places to some degree and that maintenance has a cost.

We saw several geese. Heard several wild turkeys but never saw them. And we were greeted with an amazing sunrise right before we set out on our way.

Definitely recommend this place if you’re traveling I94. Would most definitely stay again.

As previously posted, about a dozen sites with no hookups. I was in the process of moving across country and exhausted. I loved that this place was close enough to town that I didn’t have to cook. Haha. If you’re an atv or mtb type, tons to do here. But if you’re looking for scenery, all you will find in this campsite is the occasional amazing sunset which I was lucky enough to catch. ;-)

First, do not use Apple Maps to get here. It will take you a turnoff two miles away and leave you wondering what to do next. Google maps will take you right to the vault toilet.

Second, if you’re looking for a HOT spring, this one might disappoint. It’s warm for sure but not hot at all.

Contrary to a previous poster, I saw no nudists here. Also disappointing but in this area, maybe I should count myself lucky.

The bathroom had no toilet paper. We left a roll, but it seems this is a continual problem.

That’s all the negatives.

Star gazing here is incredible. You’re 150 miles from any real metro (McDermit doesn’t count).

Nice deep fire rings that are safe with nice grill racks on them. Some sites can get muddy after a rain or melt off and one or two were actually under water when we were there.

We had a blast here though. Lots of walking around room. I would imagine this place gets packed on a weekend or holiday. We had the place to ourselves in a Tuesday night with the exception of an older gentleman in a bus who was very friendly.

Any vehicle can make it in here. It’s 25 miles of dirt road but it’s well maintained and 40mph is perfectly doable until you get to the turnoff to the site. The one mile stretch getting in there from the main road isn’t as well kept but you could still do it in a corolla.

We were also lucky enough to see a herd of antelope on the way in. Photos attached.

This campground has been upgraded and currently charges $8 per night. It’s well worth it though. Not only are the grounds nice and well kept, but the bathrooms were clean. The creek runs right next to the campground so if it’s not too cold for an open window, the noise from the water is super relaxing.

No matter which direction you come from, pay attention to the length limit shown on the site here. The roads into the site from both directions have some pretty aggressive switchbacks.

That being said, I would also encourage everyone to not go out the way you came in. When you arrive at the turnoff to the campground from FSR087, you will turn right if coming from McDermitt or turn left if coming from Paradise Valley. So whichever way you come in, go out the other way if you have the time. Both sides of the mountain have equally stunning views and are well worth seeing if you have time for the extra travel.

The fir trees stand tall and still. I can’t figure out if they are waiting for something to happen or if they simply don’t care.

If you’re looking for sone sort of gorgeous panorama, this might not be the place for you. It’s really just a small meadow in the mountains that the BLM put a vault toilet and a couple of fire rings in. That being said, this place is beautiful.

You can’t see rapid creek from the campground but you can hear it. And that’s really just as good. The white noise from the creek matched with the occasional bird or other nature sound is one of the most relaxing things on the planet.

It’s high enough in elevation that this place gets nippy at night. I stayed in early August and the temps dropped into the upper 30s at night.

The campground is well maintained and the vault toilet was reasonably clean when I arrived. It became Kevin clean shortly after I set up camp.

There are trails from both sites near the vault toilet that lead down to Rapid Creek.

I never saw any bear scat but signs on the property warn of them so be smart with your food.

All in all, Rapid Creek dispersed camping is excellent if you just want a quiet place where no one is around. It’s amazing but not for the reasons people usually like in my opinion. ◦

This place is absolutely gorgeous. The road can be a bit sketchy in spots but all in all not completely difficult. I did it with my Tacoma pulling a tiny camper but when I arrived at the lake, there were much larger vehicles than mine already there.

The vault bathrooms were clean, and I met one of the rangers while I was there who was super friendly.

This area is open range, and there are cattle roaming the grassland next to the lake. Watch your step on the paths around the site. Haha.