Initial Creek Campground: Custer Gallatin National Forest
Initial Creek Campground is operated by the US Forest Service. Its a free campground situated along the West Fork Stillwater Road near the West Fork Stillwater Trail #90.
The site is open year-round but is maintained from Memorial Day to Labor Day only. The rough West Fork Stillwater Road can be treacherous to navigate, so you may want to consider using a high-clearance vehicle.
The camping area contains 6 campsites that are available by merit of arrival time. The sites are ideal for tent camping but you can camp in an RV of no more than 20 feet. There are vault toilets on-site.
Additionally, youre allowed maximum stay of 16 days within 30 cumulative days. Some camping spots contain bear-resistant food storage lockers. However, the campground doesnt provide hookup to water, trash or dumping facilities.
Initial Creek Campground is the perfect camping hideout to enjoy picnicking, fishing, and hiking.
Youll also get a chance to try out horse camping and horseback riding.
Arrive early in the afternoon to secure a camping spot as the site fills up quickly during summer holidays and weekends.
Racetrack Nf Campground & Picnic Area
Address
Elevation: 6480
Management Public Forest Service
The road in is Paved. Cabin Creek Campground is open Year round free in low season. There are 6-15 Montana boondocking sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 days at Cabin Creek Campground. This campground has a small fee at the high season but is free from mid-September to Mid-May. Fire rings and picnic tables just off highway 287. This is a USFS campground.
How To Use The Maps
Use the maps within this website or access each map in a separate full screen window. For the latter, click the top right corner of each map.
LayersThe maps each contain 2 or 3 layers. Each layer covers a specificgeographic location, organized by its longitude within BritishColumbia. Check or un-check the box of each layer to hide or show the recreation sites within the geographic locations.
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Site infoClick on a specific site to see a description of it. Make sure to readthe information to find out if you can reach the destination with yourmeans of transportation. The description will mention if there are freecamping spots offered.
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Free Se Montana Boondocking Sites
71 East Bench Road, Winnett, MT 59087Winnett, MontanaElevation: 2923
Management Public Irrigation District
The road in is Gravel and 5 miles miles from a paved road. Petrolia Reservoir is open Year Round. There are 16-29 Montana boondocking sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 45 feet. Fantastic spot, but dont let your GPS bring you in from the south . Take the route in from the north, look for the sign off of 200 for Petrolia Lake. There is a main camping area , but when you enter the reservoir area you can also go left towards the dam/spillway.
Bernie And Sharons Riverfront Rv Park
Image Source:http://www.riverfrontrvparkmt…
Bernie and Sharons Riverfront RV Park is west of Helena in the town of Garrison. This RV park is medium-sized, and it is at the junction of US Highway 12 and Interstate 90. Anglers will appreciate that the campground is adjacent to the Little Blackfoot River.
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Free Camping By The Water At Canyon Ferry Lake Montana
We stayed at Goose Bay Dispersed, on Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana in late June 2020.
Gas Station: Town Pump 26 milesDump Station & Potable Water: Goose Bay Marina & Campground 0.1 miles Public Dumpsters can be found about 8 miles north at Hellgate Campground.Grocery Store: Bobs Supermarket 26 miles
Underground Missiles More Free Camping: Colorado
Roadtrips for the win! Were heading up to Montana before winter, and this drive was full of surprises and excellent FREE camping. With a stop at Quebec 1 Missile Alert Facility, we travel back in time to the cold war era and one of the most powerful weapons ever created .
Since returning from Mexico, we have been RV traveling in the USA all summer long. After two months of exploring Colorado, its time to move and we decided to head north up to Montana. This week we share the journey as we travel through Wyoming. A random roadside sign directed us to a recently reopened historic site: the Quebec 1 Missile Alert Facility. This relic of the cold war era reopened to the public in 2018, and shares the story of the missilemen for the Peacekeeper missile program. One of the most powerful weapons in history, each Peacekeeper ICBM contained 10 individually targetable nuclear warheads. Buried 50ft belowground, the Quebec 1 command center could target up to 100 individual sites on the opposite side of the globe on the orders of the President of the United States. Two keys and two of these facilities were required as a safety in order to launch a Peacekeeper missile. Built as a powerful deterrent, the program was decommissioned in 2005. Today visitors can travel down into the high security facilities to get an in person experience of what it was like for missilemen to spend up to 36 hours per shift, underground, always at the ready to launch a powerful arsenal.
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Far West Fishing Access Site
Region: Southeast Montana
Just outside the small town of Rosebud in southeast Montana is Far West Fishing Access Site. Set on the shoreline of the Yellowstone River, this area is a popular daytime destination for swimming and fishing in the summer. A handful of campsites are scattered throughout the area suitable for tents, vans, and small RVs/trailers.
Learn more about camping at Far West Fishing Access Site.
What People Are Saying About Townsend / Canyon Ferry Lake Koa
We have been a permanent fixture at this campground for over 10 years. The prices and amenities are excellent. Sharon is an awesome and cheery person. We have used the cabins from time to time when the family arrives and we have never heard a complaint from them. Vincent T. Bowen, Google Review
Location
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Outback Montana Rv Park
Region: Glacier Country
Hoping to go RV camping in Glacier National Park this summer? Then Outback Montana RV Park is for you. Just outside of the parks western boundaries near stunning Flathead Lake, this well-kept RV campground is popular for all the right reasons. Its conveniently located near Glacier National Park. It provides access to Flathead Lake for fishing, swimming, boating, and more. It has a huge range of RV sites with full hookups as well as grassy tent sites and even cabin rentals.
My Review Of Goose Bay Dispersed Camping By Canyon Ferry Lake Mt
We loved camping at Goose Bay Dispersed and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.
The lake is beautiful, the camping area is clean, and the picnic tables are a great amenity you dont always get when camping in free areas.
Yes, there were a ton of people on the weekend and you should try and get there early in the week if you want a good spot .
But even with all the people on the weekends, its still an amazing place to camp and the weekdays are fairly calm.
It did rain a lot but the storms were beautiful and usually passed quickly.
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The nearby campground had a boat ramp and free potable water. The dump station was only $10.
There are no dumpsters available anywhere and the Goose Bay Marina & Campground only allows people staying in their campground to use their dumpsters.
Luckily there is a day-use area/campground called Hellgate just a few miles north that has quite a few dumpsters that are open to the public.
If we had a rating system we would give Goose Bay Dispersed full points or stars because its an amazing place to camp.
If youre ever near Helena, MT be sure to swing by Canyon Ferry Lake to check out Goose Bay, you wont regret it.
Have any questions about camping at Goose Bay Dispersed or Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana? Leave a comment below.
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Prairie County Historical Society Interpretive Site
Address
ManagementPublic Bureau of Land Management
The road in is Gravel and 500 feet miles from a paved road. Strawberry Hill Recreation Area is open All Year. There are 1-5 Free Montana camping sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. You may stay 14 consecutive days at Strawberry Hill Recreation Area. This area consists of two parking areas at the entrance and then additional areas along a primitive road. The upper parking area is larger and used by hikers and bicyclists and is not very level. The lower parking area is more level.
Rv Dump And Other Amenities
Theres an RV dump station at Goose Bay Marina & Campground. The dump station has rinse water only. There is potable water, but not at the dump station. The potable water station is located in the parking lot. However, the faucets at the potable water station is not threaded, hence you cannot connect to a water hose. However, there is a threaded faucet next to the pit toilet adjacent to the potable water station.
Goose Bay Marina & Campground also has propane tank refills, a gasoline pump, USPS mailbox, firewood, and even a camp store. You can launch your boat at the boat ramp there too, then anchor it to the shore next to your campsite.
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Free Camping In Montana
We are continuing our free camping sites series for locations around the Northwest & beyond. Montana is such a popular spot to visit for those in the Northwest & other areas of the country and there are a number of places you can camp for free in Montana with tent camping or RV camping. Whether you want to camp in more open spaces to experience the wonder of Big Sky country or head to the mountains or camp by a river, there are so many options of places to camp for free in Montana.
Beaverhead Campground: Clark Canyon Reservoir
GPS coordinates: 44.9965, -112.855
Elevation: 5,544 ft / 1,689 m
Set at Clark Canyon reservoir, the Beaverhead Campground lies off the I-5, 20 miles south of Dillon, Montana. With its strategic location near a wide range of recreational amenities, the campground offers some of the best spots for tent and free RV camping in Montana. When approaching from the south on the I-5, drive on past the exit to Clark Canyon instead of turning right. A gravel road starting at a ramp will lead to the campground.
Beaverhead Campground has everything a camper can fancy in a free camping area. It features both tent and trailer sites with level, easy pull-through spots. The serene surroundings provide a quiet getaway from the noise of busy city life while great cell service in the area allows campers to stay connected with their jobs and loved ones. The stay limit for campers is 14 days.
The campsites have grills and sheltered picnic tables that are set right on the water, giving campers a breathtaking water view and picnicking area. The campground offers water access and provides a boat launch for fishing, boating, rowing, canoeing, sailing, and kayaking.
Campers at the Beaverhead Campground can also leisure in sightseeing, windsurfing, nature walks, ice skating, bird watching, waterfowl hunting, and water skiing.
You may hear the occasional train or faint freeway traffic noise but overall, this is a wonderful free camping area if privacy isnt the main quality youre after.
Tel: 259-0878
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Rock Creek Dispersed Camping
Water: No, but may be filtered from Rock Creek.Crowds: ModerateMap
Rock Creek dispersed camping is located just north of the Wyoming border and situated along the stunning Beartooth Pass on the way to Red Lodge, MT. There is a long and winding forest service road that parallels Rock Creek and has access to tons of dispersed camping.
The majority of the sites here have river access, which makes it easy to filter water during your stay. Do keep in mind that there are no other facilities though, so youll need to pack out your waste when camping here.
If you follow Rock Creek Road all the way to its end youll reach the Glacier Lake trailhead, which features a wonderful hike up to Glacier Lake in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area. You also have easy access into Yellowstone National Park from here. Highly recommended!
There are also several developed campgrounds in this area, so if you are looking for more amenities than what dispersed camping offers youll have a few good options to choose from.
The Elk Lake dispersed camping area is located along, you guessed it, Elk Lake. Part of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and just off the main road that leads to Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge, this is a beautiful and secluded place to spend the night. As a bonus, the Elk Lake Resort is located adjacent to the dispersed camping area, so you may even be able to get a hot meal!
Yellowstones Edge Rv Park
Region: Yellowstone Country
Another top-notch Montana RV park near Yellowstone, Yellowstones Edge RV Park is just outside of Livingston near Paradise Valley. It boasts a cozy, comfortable atmosphere with hosts that will quickly become friends. The RV park has 85 sites with full hookups and a wide range of amenities. Not only is this a great homebase for exploring the national park, but its also just minutes from some of the best fishing in Montana.
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Best Rv Camping In Montana
Want to explore Montana in an RV? Luckily, the state has countless RV parks and campgrounds with RV spaces. Whether you prefer boondocking or full hookups, theres a Montana RV campground for you. Use our RV rental tool if you dont have an RV of your own!
Here are 10 of the best RV campgrounds in Montana:
Elk Lake Dispersed Camping And Picnic Area: Beaverhead
Location: near Island Park, Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge Road, Idaho Lima, Montana
Tent campers who love roughing it in Montanas wilderness can attest to the soothing nature of Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area.
The campground is nestled under a tranquil shade of the Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge wilderness and abuts Elk Lake.
The surrounding mountain streams and lakes compound the sites serenity and natural allure, making this one of the best spots for camping on a budgetin Montana.
The camping area consists of 2 primitive tent campsites that have a 16-day stay limit. There are picnic tables, a vault toilet, and a small boat ramp that gives campers water access to Elk Lake.
Additionally, the site has a pack-in, pack-out trash area but has no hookup to trash removal or dumping services.
Stock up on sufficient water as the site doesnt offer any. You may also use spring or river water as long as you treat it before consuming.
The area has no cell coverage and is thus an ideal spot to go off the grid for some time. That doesnt mean your vacation will be dull.
You can savor the refreshing atmosphere at the picnic area or explore the numerous hiking trails nearby.
On top of this, youll have an opportunity to try out ice, lake, and pond fishing or take a motorized boat trip on the water
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Square Dance Center & Campground
This unique campground and dance center is south of Missoula in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. It’s approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown. It’s been operating as a square and round dance center since 1978, and today, it features a campground with several full hookup and electric RV sites. Dry camping and tent camping is also available.
While dancers and callers often occupy the sites, anyone is welcome to spend the night. The campground sits on 27 acres of pine and fir forest, with Lolo Creek running through the property. A few adventures stemming from the campground include hiking trails, fishing, and a stimulating Wiffle Ball course.
Outside of the stunning scenery, the primary draw to the campground is the Maplewood dance floor and air-conditioned dance hall. The campground hosts nightly evening square and round dances with a rotating cast of callers. Many of the weekday programs include workshops and clinics to hone some skills. For a detailed look at the Square Dance Center’s event calendar, check out their official site.
Address: 9955 US-12, Lolo, Montana
Where To Find Free Campsites In Canada
Almost 1,300 recreation sites are available within British Columbias most spectacular pristine wilderness setting.
Many of them offer free campsites. For your convenience, Ive put these locations together in 5 maps.
How to check the location of recreational sites while on the road without internet access!?Find all BC recreation sites in the BC Backroad Mapbooks. All BC recreation sites are updated, listed and mapped in these books. Purchase a copy for less than the nightly price of a commercial campground, and take the Backroad Mapbook along on your road trip.
There is also a GPS version of the mapbooks. Please use one of below links to purchase. You will pay the same price as you would pay without my referral. However, by using these links I earn a small commission.. Thanks in advance!
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