Montana RV Camping and Campgrounds

RV Camping and Campgrounds 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 boondocking and basic service public campgrounds, there is great RV camping to be found in Montana.

Montana Private RV Parks

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

Federal RV Camping Information

National Park Service - NPS information about RV camping on National Park Service campgrounds in Montana.

US Forest Service manages nine forests in Montana ideal for RV camping. Forest Service lands are open for dispersed camping unless otherwise prohibited. Dispersed camping is defined as camping outside a designated campground. The following links will take you to each individual National Forest web page.

Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about lands managed in Montana. BLM manages 8.3 million acres of public land, and free dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is encouraged on BLM lands in Montana.

US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about Corps lakes in Montana. RV camping facilities are available at two USACE administered lakes in Montana.

US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Montana. Not all refuges allow camping, so check carefully.

State RV Camping Information

Montana State Parks offer a wide variety of campgrounds. RV camping locations from the mountains to the plains with almost unlimited recreation opportunities are located throughout the state. Interactive map.

Montana Fish and Game - Information and directions to Montana's Wildlife Management Areas. Many but not all WMA's allow RV camping, so check regulations for the area you wish to camp at.

Official Montana State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Montana. RV Camping suggestins are included.

Camping Reservations

Camping Reservations - Make your Montana State and Federal campground reservations in advance and your campsite will be waiting when you arrive.

Montana RV Dump Stations

RVDumps.com - Places to dump your RV in Montana.
Sanidumps.com - Montana RV dump stations listed by town.

Montana Free RV Camping

Public Lands in Montana offer virtually unlimited free boondocking/dispersed RV camping locations. You can get free RV camping location tips from the USFS (US Forest Service) Ranger Districts and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Field Offices. Use the above links to find their contact information and web sites, and asked for "recommended dispersed camping locations".

The following are just a few examples of great free RV camping locations in Montana. Boondocking/Dispersed Camping has tips for finding great remote RV camping locations.

BAKER RV Camping Location - Baker
Unique sandstone formations jump up from the surrounding prairie in Medicine Rocks State Park.. Free RV camping with 12 semi developed campsites. Enjoy photography, hiking, and wildlife viewing in this remote and primitive area in eastern Montana.

BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE Beaverhead-Deerlodge RV Camping Location
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.

COLUMBIA FALLS RV Camping Location - Columbia Falls
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.

DILLON RV Camping Location - 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 BLM Field Office. lists several free developed campgrounds suitable for RV camping.

EKLAKA RV Camping Location - Eklaka
RV camping is available for smaller vehicles 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 RV Camping Location Map
The Lakeview Campground offers free RV camping for units up to a recommended 22 feet. There are other designated free campgrounds listed, and dispersed camping is encouraged.

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

PHILIPSBURG Philipsburg RV Camping Location Map
Stony Campground offers free camping with 10 campsites and a 32 foot maximum recommended length.

TOSTON Toston RV Camping Location Map
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.

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 RV Camping Location Map
Chisholm Campground. RV camping, bird watching, boating, fishing, hiking, and biking are available outdoor recreation activities.

COLUMBIA FALLS Columbia Falls RV 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 RV Camping Location Map
The Bighorn Canyon NRA (National Recreation Area) offers developed campgrounds suitable for RV camping.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Glacier National Park RV 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 Missoula RV Camping Location Map
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 Red Lodge RV Camping Location Map
Fire rings, fishing, mountain biking, water, and vault toilets are available at Basin Lakes Campground.

SEELEY LAKE Seeley Lake RVCamping 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.

RV Camping
In The Teton Mountains, Wyoming

Amazon.com Widgets

Custom Search
www.rv-camping.org

Federal Public Land
RV Camping Information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.

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.

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.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Located throughout the western USA, BLM managed lands offer great camping locations. Developed campgrounds, and almost unlimited dispersed camping opportunites await you.

Montana Free Overnight
RV 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 - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks 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 RV Camping And Campgrounds