20 Fantastic Places for Camping in Missoula, Montana
Looking to enjoy Montana the right way? These spots for camping in Missoula, Montana are ideal for enjoying the best of the outdoors in the Treasure State. Growing up in Montana, if you can camp and have access to Missoula restaurants and activities, you’re going to enjoy your time there in a whole different way than staying at hotels in Missoula, MT. Camping also gives you the opportunity to check out some of the awesome hikes in the area too!
Great places for camping in Missoula, Montana ideal for your trip
Here’s a list of awesome camping in Missoula, Montana ideas for your Montana road trip!
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Missoula KOA Holiday
Camping in Missoula, Montana, is a breeze at the Missoula KOA Holiday. It features the best of both worlds – proximity to the things to do in Missoula, MT and an escape from day-to-day stress. This option is one of the fancier Missoula, MT campgrounds with an onsite pool and hot tubs.
Other unique amenities include a small dog park so your furry friend can stretch their legs, go-kart rentals, watersports, mini-golf, and playgrounds. This campground offers a relaxing getaway near national parks while still providing creature comforts.
RV sites, tent sites, and lodging are available at Missoula KOA Holiday. It’s a great spot to camp nearby the Rocky Mountains and the Clark Foot River.
Jim & Mary’s RV Park
Expect to find clean, well-maintained facilities at Jim & Mary’s RV Park. It’s one of the top-rated RV parks in Missoula. Camping in Missoula, MT, is excellent at this location. Even though it’s nearby a busy street, it still provides a quiet, tranquil environment for guests to relax.
This option is another of the campgrounds near Missoula, Montana, which is dog-friendly. A fenced-in dog park and many areas to walk your dog make for a great spot for furry friends. Each campsite is spacious, and there are even multiple flower beds filled with flowers for guests to enjoy.
Full hookups, showers, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and cable TV are available at this RV park. Don’t forget to stop by the office gift shop for a souvenir before leaving.
Seeley Lake Campground
What’s better than camping right on the beach while visiting Missoula? Some campsites are even directly on the beach, providing a tranquil atmosphere in the evening as the waves splash nearby.
Seeley Lake Campground offers some of the best camping in Missoula, Montana. This campground is located in the Lolo National Forest, providing easy access to hiking trails during the day.
With its proximity to the lake, this is one of the top Missoula, Montana campgrounds for watersports. Fishing, boating, and swimming are top activities for guests staying at this campground.
A grocery store, gas, and sports rentals are only a few miles down the street from Seeley Lake Campground.
Salmon Lake State Park
Set between the Mission and Swan Mountain ranges, Salmon Lake State Park takes the cake as one of the most breathtaking campgrounds near Missoula, MT. It’s another excellent campground for those who enjoy watersports like fishing, boating, and swimming.
Keep your eye out for wildlife, as you’ll likely see some native birds flying by. Pit and vault toilets are on the premises. Campers will also find showers, picnic areas, and boat ramps at this campground. The Salmon Lake State Park campground is ADA accessible, making it a great spot for anyone to spend a few nights.
This option is one of the best campgrounds near Missoula for any type of camping – tent, motor home, bus, camper shell, RV, etc.
Beavertail Hill State Park
Nestled alongside the Clark Fork River lie the Beavertail Hill State Park camping sites. These Missoula, MT camping sites offer stunning river views that draw in campers and photographers alike.
This park is under the category of affordable camping in Missoula, Montana. This campground will not disappoint with amenities like electric hookups, restrooms, grills, trash receptacles, and gorgeous views.
If you’re seeking a unique stay, there are two Sioux-style tipis available for rental at Beavertail Hill State Park. This park spans 65 acres and has a long list of available activities, including fly fishing, hiking, bird watching, and more.
Harry’s Flat Campground
If camping near Missoula and bodies of water are your cup of tea, Harry’s Flat Campground will be up your alley. Most campsites at this campground are alongside the river for a more remote escape. The campsites are surrounded by lush Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine trees providing a natural oasis for campers.
Excellent fishing opportunities are available around the campsites, especially for campers who enjoy catching trout. This campground is open May through September each year and has an affordable fee of $15 per night.
Keep in mind that there are no reservations for this campground. So each campsite is first-come, first-serve.
Norton Campground
The Norton Campground offers straightforward backcountry camping. It’s nearby camping in Missoula, Montana, and is ideal for a one-night stay before heading to a larger campsite or cabin. Minimal amenities like vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables are available for campers staying at Norton Campground.
The campground is in a forested area next to Rock Creek. This quiet stay offers a respite for weary travelers who need a good night’s sleep. Norton Campground is right off the main road, making it convenient to head to the next destination in the morning.
This Lolo Forest campground is also on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dalles Campground
Dalles Campground offers 10 campsites to choose from when spending an evening here. Nearly half of the campsites are situated alongside the river, providing stunning views during your stay.
Wildlife is abundant at these Missoula campgrounds, with curious mule deer hanging around the area. You’ll feel truly immersed in nature. You’ll also have direct access to the Welcome Creek Trailhead when staying at the Dalles Campground.
Fishing is a common activity at this campground, with rainbow, brown, and brook trout available to catch in the creek. Toilets are also onsite at this campground, though you won’t find electricity or water hookups here.
Grizzly Campground
This campground has beautiful scenery, spacious campsites, and plenty of fish! Many people spend their time camping in Missoula, Montana, at Grizzly Campground for these reasons.
This family-friendly campsite is situated nearby Lake Davis with multiple boat launching areas. Water skiing and jet skiing are disallowed at this campground so that visitors can enjoy a more tranquil environment.
Grills, fire rings, drinking water, picnic tables, flushing toilets, and a campground host are all found at Grizzly Campground. Hiking, fishing, boating, biking, and hunting are popular activities at this campground.
As its name suggests, there are occasional bear sightings, so it’s best to follow precautions like cleaning the grill/fire ring after cooking food.
Lolo Hot Springs Campground
Whether you plan on camping in a tent, RV, or heated cabin, Lolo Hot Springs Campground has it all! Camping in Missoula, Montana, here means you can bring along your dogs and stay overnight with them in one of the pet-friendly cabins.
Hot springs and pools are found at this campground, offering the perfect way to cool off on hotter days. A full bar, restaurant, and casino are also found at Lolo Hot Springs Campground.
With a long list of activities to do like playing horseshoe or volleyball, you won’t want to leave this fun getaway. This campground is ideal for families, couples, friend groups, and solo travelers.
Quartz Flat Campground
Quartz Flat Campground is another remote site for camping in Missoula, Montana. It’s a dry camping area in western Montana with flat paved campsites for RVs. Potable water, restrooms, and a dump site are available at this campground.
Since there are no RV hookups, this campsite is best for one or two nights of RV camping. Many people spend the evening at Quartz Flat Campground to sleep and relax during long trips. You’ll find fragrant pine trees throughout the campground and ample campfire areas to roast a few s’mores.
This campground is off Interstate 90 for a convenient stop during your travels. A small nature trail allows you to stretch your legs after a long drive.
Square Dance Center and Campground
Square Dance Center and Campground is one of the more unique campgrounds in Missoula, Montana. This accommodation offers you the opportunity to take square dancing lessons during your stay, as the name suggests. Square dancing occurs in an air-conditioned building so that you won’t get overheated.
While its name notes square dancing, you don’t have to be a dancer to stay here. There are plenty of additional activities that you can enjoy at this campground, like walking trails, fishing, wiffleball golf, frisbee golf, and more.
This campground is strictly for RVs, so it’s best to choose another campground if you’re planning to tent camp.
Lee Creek Campground
Head to Lee Creek Campground for affordable camping in Missoula, Montana. Camping is $15 per night, with the option to set up camp nearby the creek or in a more forested area. Each campsite comes equipped with a fire ring and a picnic table.
RVs and tent camping are available at Lee Creek Campground. There are also vault toilets onsite, and water is available for campers. Multiple hiking trails will take you around the campsite to view the peaceful Lee and Lolo Creeks.
Check out the short interpretive trail for cool granite formations and interesting trees. Campers will find hot springs to enjoy a few miles down the road.
Lake Alva Campground
Head to the northern part of Lake Alva for this Missoula camping spot. Beautiful lake views, ample firewood, and a meticulously kept campground await you there.
Many people camping around Missoula choose to spend their nights at this campground because of its boat, bike, and canoe rentals. Those who prefer to hang out on the water all day will highly enjoy this campground.
This campground is shaded by thick forestry, making it the perfect camping area for hot summer days. If it gets too hot, swimming is permitted in the lake. Vault toilets and drinking water are available at Lake Alva Campground for campers.
Holland Lake Campground
Stunning views of the emerald green Holland Lake and surrounding mountains await those staying at Holland Lake Campground. This family-friendly campground has plentiful water activities and clean bathrooms with running water and flushable toilets.
The Holland Falls National Recreation Trail is accessible from this campground. It offers views of cascading waterfalls, Ponderosa pine, and wildlife. This is a great campground for extended camping in Missoula, Montana, as you can stay up to 16 days consecutively here.
Boat trailer parking and a boat ramp are available for those who plan on spending their time on the water. Swimming is a fun activity here where the water is perfectly warm throughout summer.
Granite Peak RV Resort
The Granite Peak RV Resort near Flathead Lake is one of the best options for camping in Missoula, Montana. It offers constantly cleaned bathrooms, a well-kept bathroom, and an excellent location near many outdoor activities and downtown Missoula.
You won’t need to venture far for outdoor activities and entertainment; this RV resort offers much in that arena. Complimentary mini-golf, a heated pool, and private hiking trails are available for RVers at this resort.
If you do head out of the resort for daily activities, ghost towns, mines, rivers, mountains, and more are just around the corner. This full-service resort is a must-stay for anyone traveling through Missoula.
Turah RV Park
Experience Montana’s beautiful seasons at the Turah RV Park as it’s open year-round. It’s a great spot for larger-sized RVs and campers, as spacious pull-throughs are available. A few tent camping sites and cabins are also found at Turah RV Park.
This is one of the top family-friendly campgrounds in Missoula, MT, featuring a playground, recreation room, and access to swimming and fishing right across the street. Make sure to bring burgers, as there are barbecues available for use.
A covered picnic area, electricity hookups, showers, toilets, laundry facilities, and a gift shop are only a few of the amenities at Turah RV Park.
Chief Looking Glass Campground
This campground offers great year-round camping in Missoula. Travelers hunting for winter spots can enjoy staying at this campground for free between December and March.
The gate is shut to the campground in the evenings, offering a secure spot for campers to spend the night. This campground is also rich with history, which campers can learn about through the interpretive panels which describe the connection between the land and Chief Looking Glass.
Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring, grill, picnic table, and trash can. Toilets and water are available here, though the campers cannot access water in the wintertime.
Charles Waters Campground
Charles Waters Campground is in a lush forest area a few miles off the highway. This well-maintained campground has many hiking trails to explore that start right at the campsites. Take the trail alongside Bass Creek for a picturesque hike.
Pit toilets, garbage receptacles, and water are available here. Spacious spots are available, making this an accessible campground for larger RVs. This campground is diverse in its offerings, as you can even find a bicycle site and a horse site available.
Keep this campground in mind when searching for camping near Missoula, MT. It has a lovely meadow to enjoy and a long list of outdoor activities.
Jocko Hollow Campground
Nestled in Jocko Valley, this campground offers eight RV sites and eight tent camping sites for campers. The lovely campground is in a forest nearby the Jocko River for a picturesque camping area.
It’s a great spot to bring kids as the river is low so that they can play in the water. Two private ponds are available to enjoy, with the option of fishing in each pond (with a local permit). It’s also a great spot for birdwatching, as 100+ species are visible at the campground.
Jocko Hollow Campground offers some of the best camping near Missoula, Montana. Bring the family for a lovely nature getaway.
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