Free Camping in Montana
Discover 25 free and dispersed camping spots
Best Seasons
Summer, Fall
Climate
Continental with cold winters and mild summers
Terrain
Mountains, Glaciers
Free Spots
25 locations
Camping Spots (25)
Beartooth Front Dispersed Camping
Free dispersed camping around Custer–Gallatin NF, Montana. Foothill meadows and creek draws with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Red Lodge/Beartooth Hwy. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Windy; storms Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Hyalite Canyon Spur Sites
Free dispersed camping around Custer–Gallatin NF, Montana. Creek benches and timbered spurs with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Hyalite Reservoir. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Very popular; bears Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Big Hole Valley BLM Pullouts
Free dispersed camping around BLM Big Hole, Montana. River benches and sage flats with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Wisdom/Jackson. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Respect riparian buffers Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Flathead – Hungry Horse Area
Free dispersed camping around Flathead NF, Montana. Timbered flats and lakeshore pullouts with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Hungry Horse Reservoir. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Bears common Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Lake Koocanusa Corridor
Free dispersed camping around Kootenai NF, Montana. Pine benches along vast reservoir with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Libby/Eureka. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Fire restrictions Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Little Belt Mountains Roads
Free dispersed camping around Helena–Lewis & Clark NF, Montana. Lodgepole ridges and meadows with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Kings Hill. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Afternoon storms Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Stillwater State Forest Roads
Free dispersed camping around Stillwater SF, Montana. Timbered foothills and creeks with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Tally Lake/Whitefish. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Seasonal gates Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Ashland District Range Roads
Free dispersed camping around Custer NF, Montana. Ponderosa breaks and buttes with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Ashland District. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Remote; carry water Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Skalkaho Pass Road Spurs
Free dispersed camping around Bitterroot NF, Montana. Granite canyons and creek pullouts with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Hamilton/Skalkaho. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Narrow mountain road Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Shields River Backroads
Free dispersed camping around Custer–Gallatin NF, Montana. Foothill valleys and cottonwood draws with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Shields Valley. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Windy; storms Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Cabinet Mountains Foothills
Free dispersed camping around Kootenai NF, Montana. Cedar–hemlock valleys and lakes with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Libby/Troy. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Wet spring roads Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway
Free dispersed camping around Beaverhead–Deerlodge NF, Montana. High basins and creek meadows with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Elkhorn/Crystal Park. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Snow lingers Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Gallatin – Storm Castle Road
Free dispersed camping at Gallatin – Storm Castle Road in Montana. River benches and canyon walls with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Storm Castle. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Popular climbing area Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Madison River – Bear Trap Backroads
Free dispersed camping at Madison River – Bear Trap Backroads in Montana. Sage hills and river benches with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Bear Trap. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. High winds Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Tobacco Root – South Boulder Roads
Free dispersed camping at Tobacco Root – South Boulder Roads in Montana. Foothill meadows and granite peaks with informal pullouts and some level clearings near South Boulder. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Seasonal gates Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Absaroka – Mill Creek Corridor
Free dispersed camping at Absaroka – Mill Creek Corridor in Montana. Creek benches and timber with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Mill Creek. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Bear activity Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Bitterroot – Skalkaho High Pullouts
Free dispersed camping at Bitterroot – Skalkaho High Pullouts in Montana. Granite canyons and creeks with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Skalkaho. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Narrow mountain road Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Kootenai – Yaak River Backroads
Free dispersed camping at Kootenai – Yaak River Backroads in Montana. Cedar–hemlock valleys and creeks with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Yaak. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Wet spring roads Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Lee Metcalf – Taylor Fork
Free dispersed camping at Lee Metcalf – Taylor Fork in Montana. High valley with dispersed spurs with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Taylor Fork. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Grizzlies frequent Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Pioneers – Grasshopper Creek
Free dispersed camping at Pioneers – Grasshopper Creek in Montana. Sage basins and creeks with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Elkhorn Hot Springs. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Snow lingers Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Whitefish Range – Red Meadow
Free dispersed camping at Whitefish Range – Red Meadow in Montana. High meadows and lakes with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Red Meadow. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Snow/ice into summer Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Crazy Mountains – Cottonwood Road
Free dispersed camping at Crazy Mountains – Cottonwood Road in Montana. Foothill benches with views with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Cottonwood Rd. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Private inholdings Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Beartooth – West Fork Rock Creek
Free dispersed camping at Beartooth – West Fork Rock Creek in Montana. Creekside flats and trail access with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Red Lodge. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Bear-safe storage Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Upper Clark Fork – Rock Creek Road
Free dispersed camping at Upper Clark Fork – Rock Creek Road in Montana. Creek corridor with pullouts with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Rock Creek. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Fishing pressure Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Flathead – Spotted Bear Road Corridors
Free dispersed camping at Flathead – Spotted Bear Road Corridors in Montana. River valley and lodgepole with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Spotted Bear. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Remote; bears Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.
Popular Camping Areas
- Glacier National Park Area
- Flathead National Forest
- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Important Regulations
- Seasonal closures due to snow
- Bear safety required
- Weather awareness critical
Permits: Most dispersed camping is free, some areas require permits
Complete Guide to Free Camping in Montana
Montana provides world-class wilderness camping with Glacier National Park area, vast national forests, and Big Sky country experiences.
Best Free Camping Areas in Montana
Montana offers diverse free camping opportunities across mountains, glaciers, forests, plains, wilderness. The most popular areas include Glacier National Park Area, Flathead National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, each offering unique landscapes and camping experiences.
When to Visit Montana for Camping
The best times for free camping in Montana are during summer, fall. The state's continental with cold winters and mild summers means weather conditions vary throughout the year, so planning your visit during optimal seasons ensures the best camping experience.
Montana Camping Regulations
Before camping in Montana, it's important to understand local regulations. Most dispersed camping is free, some areas require permitsMost dispersed camping follows standard federal guidelines, but some areas may have specific restrictions.
What to Expect
Free camping in Montana typically involves camping on public lands managed by the Forest Service, BLM, or state agencies. Expect primitive conditions with no hookups, but incredible natural beauty and the freedom to explore mountains, glaciers, forests, plains, wilderness at your own pace.