The best waterside camping in Montana

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Few places in the Lower 48 feel more wild and remote than Montana. This northwestern state on the border with Canada is home to both Glacier National Park and a section of Yellowstone National Park along with a wide range of state parks and recreation areas, friendly cities, spooky ghost towns, and more than its fair share of hot springs. While most visitors comein summer—when weather is pleasant enough for camping and hiking—the Treasure State offers unique experiences in every season, with fantastic winter skiing opportunities, spring wildflowers, and gorgeous fall colors.

95% (6.5K) 182 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Montana

Stillwater Getaway

1. Stillwater Getaway

94%
(26)
14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Olney, MT
Family and pet friendly lakeside cabins, wall tents, and campsites. Come enjoy a true Montana experience at Stillwater Getaway, located 15 miles North of Whitefish on Lower Stillwater Lake bring your paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes to explore the lake. There is a bath house with showers and toilets and outhouses around the property as well. We have a shared Mess Hall with a full kitchen with a BBQ grill, coffee, and WiFi.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
York Montana Hideaway

2. York Montana Hideaway

83%
(6)
1 site · RV · Helena Valley Northeast, MT
As opposed to the thousands of runoff creeks in Western Montana, the unique Trout Creek Canyon has one of the few spring fed streams. It's rather large volume of water flows from several groups of canyons and drainages in the Little Belt mountains, bubbling out of the ground six miles up at the foot of the beautiful Vigilante canyon and terminating in the Missouri River three miles further down. Over the last 150 years a  number of gold and silver mines have operated in the gulches at the side of the canyon. A pictorial history is available at the community park and in the social hall. If you're lucky you might even still see a few mountain goats on your way up the canyon.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$45
 / night
Lolo National Forest

3. Lolo National Forest

92%
(12)
395 sites · Alberton, Montana
You are going to be filled to the brim with glee when you discover Lolo National Forest. Seriously; this is the kind of place you can stand with your feet in a crystal clear stream, bighorn sheep filling the meadow, with the sun setting behind snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance. And that’s just a roadside pull off! With over two million acres to explore, hikers, bikers and backcountry seekers will be stoked on the supa-lush forest, and trails like Cougar Peak Lookout and the Lolo Peak trail (which we assure you is not low-low). Boat for a day in Seeley Lake, or cast a line into pristine mountain streams for a try at the trout. Dinner is going to taste great over the campfire! Through the meadows or up the peaks, it’s easy enough to get your share of adventure at Lolo.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Flathead National Forest

4. Flathead National Forest

79%
(26)
300 sites · Swan Lake, Montana
The Flathead National Forest is all about its geography. It lies in the heart of the Rockies, just west of the continental divide, and a pinch south of the Canadian Border. With geography like this, landscape magic is bound to occur, and it does. With over 2.4 million acres, the Flathead features three wilderness areas, impressive ski areas, commanding wild ranges, meandering streams, and raging rivers (this list could go on). Spend your days hiking, rafting, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, and fishing. At night shack up in a Forest Service cabin or pitch a tent beneath the northern lights. Get the fire roaring, raise your bottle, and make a toast to the Flathead and her geographic magic!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Live Deliberately

5. Live Deliberately

97%
(331)
811 sites · Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Camp on my mountain in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Bring who you want, and do what you want on 11 wooded, private and secluded acres. Mountain Bikes, and Pets are OK. No curfews, and no judgement.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

6. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

94%
(8)
185 sites · Wyoming
Discover the rugged beauty of Bighorn Canyon's vast landscapes.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Kootenai National Forest

7. Kootenai National Forest

73%
(15)
333 sites · Yaak, Montana
Stand on top of pine covered mountains and bask in the glory of the valleys below at Kootenai National Forest. With highly primitive areas like the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, you can stand in lands untouched by time and man. If solitude is what you’re seeking you’ll find it here by way of bikes, hikes, and horseback riding. With a herd of glacial lakes, rivers, and streams, anglers and wave riders will have their pick at places like Bull Lake, Lake Koocanusa, and the Yaak River. With impressive mountain scenes, winter sports for days (hello, snowshoes!), and exciting history and wildlife, it’s easy to see why the Kootenai is Montana’s best kept secret!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Bitterroot National Forest

8. Bitterroot National Forest

100%
(12)
237 sites · Conner, Montana
The Bitteroot National Forest provides sugar-sweet offerings to your senses. You can smell the aroma of wildflowers, taste the trout sizzl’n in your skillet, feel the wintry water as you dive into alpine lakes, hear the roar of raging rapids, and view the rugged peaks of the Bitteroot Ranges silhouetted by Montana sky. Hot damn! This is the place to be. With over 1.6 million acres, the Bitteroot provides heaps, loads, and bundles of outdoor recreational bliss. The forest has plentiful big game, the rivers are calling your kayak's name, the camping is otherworldly, and you can rent log cabins or fire lookouts (ooohwee)! What you waiting for, cowgirls and cowboys? Time to saddle up and experience the best the big sky country has to offer.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa Park

9. Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa Park

100%
(2)
2 sites · White Haven, Montana
Discover the multifaceted allure of Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa Park.
Toilets
Campfires
Picnic table
Helena National Forest

10. Helena National Forest

100%
(3)
109 sites · Helena Valley Northeast, Montana
The Helena National Forest straddles the continental divide and offers adventurers a whirlwind of majestic scenery and recreation. Nicknamed the “million acre backyard” you’re gonna love exploring the hiking, biking and off roading trails in Gates of the Mountains and the Helena River Valley, which boasts jaw dropping views of the Big Belt Mountains. Anglers will need to be yanked out of the crystal clear Missouri River—the trout are just begging to be caught. Campgrounds are close by and backcountry lovers will find plenty of chances to explore the trails and see incredible wildlife. Don’t pass up a chance to hop the Continental Divide trail or visit Helena National Forest. You’re gonna feel like you’re on top of the world!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Mary Ronan State Park

11. Lake Mary Ronan State Park

31 sites · Lake Mary Ronan, Montana
Discover serene Lake Mary Ronan, a haven for anglers and campers alike.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Flathead Lake State Park - Yellow Bay Unit

12. Flathead Lake State Park - Yellow Bay Unit

5 sites · Bear Dance, Montana
Discover the serene beauty of Yellow Bay in Montana's Flathead Lake State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

Few places in the Lower 48 feel more wild and remote than Montana. This northwestern state on the border with Canada is home to both Glacier National Park and a section of Yellowstone National Park along with a wide range of state parks and recreation areas, friendly cities, spooky ghost towns, and more than its fair share of hot springs. While most visitors comein summer—when weather is pleasant enough for camping and hiking—the Treasure State offers unique experiences in every season, with fantastic winter skiing opportunities, spring wildflowers, and gorgeous fall colors.

95% (6.5K) 182 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Montana

Stillwater Getaway

1. Stillwater Getaway

94%
(26)
14 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Olney, MT
Family and pet friendly lakeside cabins, wall tents, and campsites. Come enjoy a true Montana experience at Stillwater Getaway, located 15 miles North of Whitefish on Lower Stillwater Lake bring your paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes to explore the lake. There is a bath house with showers and toilets and outhouses around the property as well. We have a shared Mess Hall with a full kitchen with a BBQ grill, coffee, and WiFi.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
York Montana Hideaway

2. York Montana Hideaway

83%
(6)
1 site · RV · Helena Valley Northeast, MT
As opposed to the thousands of runoff creeks in Western Montana, the unique Trout Creek Canyon has one of the few spring fed streams. It's rather large volume of water flows from several groups of canyons and drainages in the Little Belt mountains, bubbling out of the ground six miles up at the foot of the beautiful Vigilante canyon and terminating in the Missouri River three miles further down. Over the last 150 years a  number of gold and silver mines have operated in the gulches at the side of the canyon. A pictorial history is available at the community park and in the social hall. If you're lucky you might even still see a few mountain goats on your way up the canyon.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$45
 / night
Lolo National Forest

3. Lolo National Forest

92%
(12)
395 sites · Alberton, Montana
You are going to be filled to the brim with glee when you discover Lolo National Forest. Seriously; this is the kind of place you can stand with your feet in a crystal clear stream, bighorn sheep filling the meadow, with the sun setting behind snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance. And that’s just a roadside pull off! With over two million acres to explore, hikers, bikers and backcountry seekers will be stoked on the supa-lush forest, and trails like Cougar Peak Lookout and the Lolo Peak trail (which we assure you is not low-low). Boat for a day in Seeley Lake, or cast a line into pristine mountain streams for a try at the trout. Dinner is going to taste great over the campfire! Through the meadows or up the peaks, it’s easy enough to get your share of adventure at Lolo.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Flathead National Forest

4. Flathead National Forest

79%
(26)
300 sites · Swan Lake, Montana
The Flathead National Forest is all about its geography. It lies in the heart of the Rockies, just west of the continental divide, and a pinch south of the Canadian Border. With geography like this, landscape magic is bound to occur, and it does. With over 2.4 million acres, the Flathead features three wilderness areas, impressive ski areas, commanding wild ranges, meandering streams, and raging rivers (this list could go on). Spend your days hiking, rafting, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, and fishing. At night shack up in a Forest Service cabin or pitch a tent beneath the northern lights. Get the fire roaring, raise your bottle, and make a toast to the Flathead and her geographic magic!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Live Deliberately

5. Live Deliberately

97%
(331)
811 sites · Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Camp on my mountain in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Bring who you want, and do what you want on 11 wooded, private and secluded acres. Mountain Bikes, and Pets are OK. No curfews, and no judgement.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

6. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

94%
(8)
185 sites · Wyoming
Discover the rugged beauty of Bighorn Canyon's vast landscapes.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Kootenai National Forest

7. Kootenai National Forest

73%
(15)
333 sites · Yaak, Montana
Stand on top of pine covered mountains and bask in the glory of the valleys below at Kootenai National Forest. With highly primitive areas like the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, you can stand in lands untouched by time and man. If solitude is what you’re seeking you’ll find it here by way of bikes, hikes, and horseback riding. With a herd of glacial lakes, rivers, and streams, anglers and wave riders will have their pick at places like Bull Lake, Lake Koocanusa, and the Yaak River. With impressive mountain scenes, winter sports for days (hello, snowshoes!), and exciting history and wildlife, it’s easy to see why the Kootenai is Montana’s best kept secret!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Bitterroot National Forest

8. Bitterroot National Forest

100%
(12)
237 sites · Conner, Montana
The Bitteroot National Forest provides sugar-sweet offerings to your senses. You can smell the aroma of wildflowers, taste the trout sizzl’n in your skillet, feel the wintry water as you dive into alpine lakes, hear the roar of raging rapids, and view the rugged peaks of the Bitteroot Ranges silhouetted by Montana sky. Hot damn! This is the place to be. With over 1.6 million acres, the Bitteroot provides heaps, loads, and bundles of outdoor recreational bliss. The forest has plentiful big game, the rivers are calling your kayak's name, the camping is otherworldly, and you can rent log cabins or fire lookouts (ooohwee)! What you waiting for, cowgirls and cowboys? Time to saddle up and experience the best the big sky country has to offer.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa Park

9. Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa Park

100%
(2)
2 sites · White Haven, Montana
Discover the multifaceted allure of Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa Park.
Toilets
Campfires
Picnic table
Helena National Forest

10. Helena National Forest

100%
(3)
109 sites · Helena Valley Northeast, Montana
The Helena National Forest straddles the continental divide and offers adventurers a whirlwind of majestic scenery and recreation. Nicknamed the “million acre backyard” you’re gonna love exploring the hiking, biking and off roading trails in Gates of the Mountains and the Helena River Valley, which boasts jaw dropping views of the Big Belt Mountains. Anglers will need to be yanked out of the crystal clear Missouri River—the trout are just begging to be caught. Campgrounds are close by and backcountry lovers will find plenty of chances to explore the trails and see incredible wildlife. Don’t pass up a chance to hop the Continental Divide trail or visit Helena National Forest. You’re gonna feel like you’re on top of the world!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lake Mary Ronan State Park

11. Lake Mary Ronan State Park

31 sites · Lake Mary Ronan, Montana
Discover serene Lake Mary Ronan, a haven for anglers and campers alike.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Flathead Lake State Park - Yellow Bay Unit

12. Flathead Lake State Park - Yellow Bay Unit

5 sites · Bear Dance, Montana
Discover the serene beauty of Yellow Bay in Montana's Flathead Lake State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

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The best waterside camping in Montana guide

Where to go

Glacier Country

Northwestern Montana's Glacier Country is characterized by massive forests, craggy peaks, and long expanses of wilderness, with plenty of wildlife to boot. It's also home to Glacier National Park, where you'll find hundreds of miles of hiking trails along with tons of developed and backcountry camping options.

Southwest Montana

In the heart of Montana's Big Sky country, just west of Yellowstone National Park, this region is characterized by cute towns (notably Butte and Helena), historic ghost towns (a remnant of the region's historic mining industry), and relaxing hot springs. Popular camping areas include Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park and Bannack State Park.

Yellowstone Country

If you're headed to Yellowstone Country, it's likely with a visit to Yellowstone National Park in mind, but there's plenty more to do in the region, from hiking the Lake Fork Trail to checking out the restaurant and brewery scene in Bozeman. Yellowstone itself is, of course, a must-visit, but if you can’t find camping in the massive—and ever so popular—national park, you may have better luck snagging something in Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Central Montana

Central Montana offers all sorts of opportunities for outdoor recreation, rain or shine. Summer activities include fishing, horseback riding, and camping, while spots such as Showdown Mountain, Teton Pass Ski Resort, and Bear Paw Ski Bowl offer skiing and snowboarding. The region also has plenty of state parks, including Sluice Boxes State Park, Giant Springs State Park, and First Peoples Buffalo State Park.

Eastern Montana

Vast and expansive, eastern Montana features sparse landscapes dotted with the occasional herd of cattle, and plenty of room to get out and explore. You can take in views of the Badlands from Makoshika State Park or the Badlands Wilderness Study Area, or camp under the open sky in the expansive Custer National Forest. If you'd like to get out on the water, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is the place to go, with boat rentals available.