Montana RV Camping and Campgrounds

Recreational Vehicle Camping in Montana

RV camping in "Big Sky Country" is hard to beat! Comfortable summer weather, fabulous scenery, and interesting history all await you. From exclusive RV resorts, to basic service public campgrounds, there is something for everyone in Montana's RV parks.

Free camping ideas follow Montana RV camping resources.

Montana Resources for RV Camping Information

Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding the best RV parks and campgrounds in Montana.

National Park Service - NPS information about camping in Montana National Parks and other NPS administered areas.
US Forest Service - USFS information about free dispersed camping (boondocking) and developed campgrounds. Links to each National Forest web site in Montana.
Bureau of Land Management-BLM information with links to Montana BLM Field Offices. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout BLM administered lands.
US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about RV camping at Corps lakes in Montana.
US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Montana.

Montana State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do. Includes campgrounds.
Montana State Parks- and other locations such as boat launches with camping facilities in Montana.

Camping Reservations -Montana Federal Campground Reservations.

Current Weather - From the National Weather Service.
Historical Weather - Know what to expect on your RV camping trip Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature, GPS location and elevation.

Montana RV Dump Stations

RVDumps.com - Places to dump in Montana.

Sanidumps.com - Montana dump stations listed by town.

RV Camping pages with more information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping (boondocking), and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Vast areas of the western USA are available for free RV camping on lands managed by the BLM. Rules and policies about recreation and RV camping.
USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.
NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

We recommend the Montana Atlas & Gazetteer to find Public Land RV camping locations. This Montana topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities,and more are included.Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of research tools to find the best RV camping sites.

Montana Free Camping Locations

Free RV camping is available throughout Montana on public lands managed by the UDSA Forest Service and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). Our Boondocking Section has information and tips about how to find the best free RV camping sites. The following list is only a sample of the available free RV camping locations available in Montana.

BAKER Baker Camping Location Map

Unique sandstone formations jump up from the surrounding prairie in Medicine Rocks State Park. Free camping with 12 semi developed campsites.

BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE Forest Camping Location Map

The USDA Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has many free developed campgrounds. Located in southwestern Montana, there are over 20 free campgrounds available. Verify vehicle recommended length before heading into remote areas.

DILLON

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages large areas of southwestern Montana. Free RV camping is permitted for adventurous campers well off the beaten path. Contact the Dillon Field Office for specific information.

COLUMBIA FALLS Columbia Falls Camping Location Map

Free RV camping is available at two designated campgrounds managed by USDA Forest Service.

Tuchuck Campground - 22 foot max recommended 60 miles NE of Columbia Falls.

Red Meadow Lake - 32 foot recommended maximum length RV located 49 miles NE of Columbia Falls.

EKLAKA

RV camping is available at the Eklaka Park Campground. Popular campground for hunters with a number of undeveloped roads through the forest for ATV's, motorcycles, and 4x4's.

HUNGRY HORSE Hungry Horse Camping Location Map

The Lakeview Campground offers free RV camping for units up to a recommended 22 feet. There are other designated free camping opportunities available.

GARNET

The Garnet Back Country Byway begins at Highway 200 about 30 miles east of Missoula. Free dispersed camping is allowed along the byway. Check road conditions before heading into new areas.

PHILIPSBURG Philipsburg Camping Location Map

Stony Campground offers free camping with 10 campsites and a 32 foot maximum recommended length.

TOSTON

Free RV camping as available at two designated campgrounds above and below Toston Dam. Boating, camping, picnicking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and floating are some of the outdoor recreation opportunities.

More Free RV Camping & Parking Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Montana. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on. Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission!

Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Montana due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
Fairgrounds - Montana State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks in Montana often have free RV camping.
Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission
RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Montana. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.

Montana Public Campgrounds

RV camping in Montana is great for RVers with outdoor recreation opportunities of all types. Campgrounds managed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and Montana State Parks offer RV camping. Some of the Nations most visited National Parks offer RV camping in Montana, and USFS (US Forest Service) campgrounds offer cooler locations to escape the Summer heat. Amenities range from dry RV camping with only trash and pit toilets to RV camping sites with full RV hookups. This is only a partial listing of RV camping opportunities at public campgrounds.

BOZEMAN Bozeman Camping Location Map

18 miles south of Bozeman is the Chisholm Campground. RV camping, bird watching, boating, fishing, hiking, and biking are available outdoor recreation activities.

COLUMBIA FALLS Columbia Falls Camping Location Map

Located near the west entrance to Glacier National Park, Big Creek Campground offers a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.

FORT SMITH Fort Smith Camping Location Map

The Bighorn Canyon NRA (National Recreation Area) offers developed campgrounds suitable for RV camping.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Glacier National Park Camping Location Map

Over 700 miles of trails makes Glacier National Park a hikers paradise. The spectacular scenery makes this park an ideal RV camping destination as well. Over 1000 campsites in 13 campgrounds. Not all campgrounds are suitable for recreational vehicles.

MISSOULA

East of Missoula along Interstate 90 is the Beavertail Hill State Park. Smaller RV to 28 feet with campground on the Clark Fork River.

RED LODGE

Fire rings, fishing, mountain biking, water, and vault toilets are available at Basin Lakes Campground.

SEELEY LAKE Seeley Lake Camping Location Map

Fishing, hiking, biking, swimming and a horseshoe pit are only a few of the activities available at the Big Larch Campground. On-site campground host.

Public lands offer great RV camping in Montana. State, Federal, and private campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is available at State and National Forests, and lands administered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). Use the links to the public lands websites above for specific information about camping and public lands access. Research and explore, and you should have no trouble finding the best campsites.

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