7 Best Campgrounds Around Mountainous Missoula, Montana

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The city of Missoula, Montana is almost completely surrounded by mountains. Five mountain ranges converge here, offering limitless outdoor recreation in every direction. Glacier National Park is only 140 miles to the north and the Clearwater Valley is home to a half dozen lakes just teeming with native trout.

Whether you’re looking for a lakeside campsite or an urban RV park with all the amenities, Missoula has the perfect camp spot to match your style of camping. Here are the top choices for camping near Missoula, according to The Dyrt campers.

1. Seeley Lake Campground

woman sitting in boat on shore next to job

Image from The Dyrt Camper Jen R.

Just an hour north of Missoula, Seeley Lake is a popular playground for boaters, hikers, and fishermen in the warmer months and snowmobilers and cross-country skiers during the winter. This chain of lakes is surrounded on all sides by the Mission and Swan Mountains with Glacier National Park only two hours north. Located on the western shore of the lake is Seeley Lake Campground. This campground is open year-round with basic sites, flush toilets, and drinking water.

Campground Details

  • Price: $10
  • Number of sites: 29
  • RV sites: Yes (no hookups available)
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

“We loved this campground! It was very well kept and close to the town of Seeley Lake which we liked. The campground was very quiet and the beach area was nice and relaxing.” -The Dyrt Camper Whitney G.


2. Salmon Lake State Park

boat on Salmon Lake State Park

Alex Cimbal / Shutterstock.com

Located just south of Seeley Lake, Salmon Lake State Park is a busy recreation area on the eastern shore of Salmon Lake. The lake boasts a huge variety of fish including rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook and bull trout, largemouth bass, and kokanee salmon. Campsites are roomy and shaded and park facilities include a boat ramp, swimming area, drinking water, and flush toilets.

Campground Details

  • Price: $14-$28
  • Number of sites: 33
  • RV sites: Yes (electricity available)
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

“Salmon Lake is quite stunning. There’s a nice boat launch and dock right off the highway. It’s a busy spot for day use. We camped in our RV so we weren’t bothered by the road noise, but if you were in a tent, it might be bothersome. Really impressed by the cleanliness of the shower and restrooms.” – The Dyrt Camper Brad B.


3. Beavertail Hill State Park

man and child near tipi

Image from The Dyrt camper Mia T.

Located alongside the Clark Fork River thirty minutes east of Missoula, Beavertail Hill State Park offers sites for both tents and RVs as well as teepee rentals. Fishing, rafting, and swimming are popular activities in the park and a short interpretative trail winds through the canopy of cottonwoods that line the river. Campground amenities include flush toilets, drinking, water, trash service, and electric sites.

Campground Details:

  • Price: $14-$28
  • Number of sites: 24
  • RV sites: Yes
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

“This cute campground is close to the interstate and right next to the beaver tail pond which is great for swimming and fishing. The campground has some cool teepees and is great for group sites. It is usually pretty busy in the summertime and fills with RVs, it’s mostly a car camping campground.” -The Dyrt Camper Mia T.


4. Missoula KOA

airstream trailer parked at campsite

Image from The Dyrt camper Craig L.

Located right off the interstate in the heart of Missoula, the Missoula KOA is an amenity-packed camping resort with tent spots, full-service RV sites, and cabin rentals. This family-friendly campground offers plenty to keep kids busy including a swimming pool, playgrounds, and a miniature golf course. RV campers will find pull-thru sites with patios and full hookups including cable TV and Wi-Fi.

Campground Details:

  • Price: $30-$100
  • RV sites: Yes
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

“The tent site was spacious and had outdoor lighting. Definitely had a lot more amenities than we are generally used to! Didn’t get there in time to use the hot tub, but the people were really nice!” – The Dyrt Camper Vanessa M.


5. Lee Creek Campground

overview shot of campsite

Image from The Dyrt camper Andrew L.

This shady National Forest Service campground is just 50 minutes southwest of Missoula. The campground is adjacent to a segment of the Lewis and Clark/ Nez Perce National Historic Trail and Lolo Hot Springs, a commercial hot springs resort. All sites at the Lee Creek Campground are first-come, first-served, and amenities are limited to drinking water and vault toilets.

Campground Details:

  • Price: $10
  • Number of sites: 22
  • RV sites: Yes (30-foot length limit)
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

“Water accessible, clean toilets, excellent campground host. Close to Lolo hot springs. Lots of shade. Dogs allowed on leashes. Easy pull-in sites, close to national forest, and lee creek.” ~The Dyrt Camper Kat S.


6. Lake Alva Campground

road down to the water

Tucked into the dense evergreen forest on the eastern shore of Lake Alva, the Lake Alva Campground offers plenty of shaded campsites ideal for tents and small trailers. All boats on Lake Alva are required to operate at “no-wake” speeds making it one of the quieter lakes in the Seeley Lakes region and perfect for canoes and kayaks. Reservations are required for group sites, but all other sites are first-come, first-serve.

Campground Details:

  • Price: $10-$35
  • Number of sites: 45
  • RV sites: Yes (electricity available)
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

7. Holland Lake Campground

boat on lake looking at snowy mountains

Image from The Dyrt camper Carmen H.

While Holland lake is a little farther out from Missoula, 90 minutes to be exact, this gorgeous 413-acre lake on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness is worth adding to the list. The lake is very popular with boaters and waterskiers on weekends during the summer months and fishermen during the off-season. Campsites at the Holland Lake Campground offer easy access to the water and several hiking trails. Campground amenities include a boat ramp and boat trailer parking, but there are no electric or sewer hookups.

Campground Details:

  • Price: $20
  • Number of sites: 38
  • RV sites: Yes
  • Fires allowed: Yes
  • Pets allowed: Yes

“This is, hands down, my favorite camping spot! You are right at the mouth of the Bob Marshall Wilderness for hiking exploring needs! Holland Lake is beautiful year-round! There is a beautiful waterfall that is visible from the campground and is a fairly easy hike too.” – The Dyrt Camper Sara C.


These are just a few of the camping options near Missoula, Montana. For many more, check out the Dyrt’s full listing of Montana camping and RV parks.


This article about camping near Missoula, Montana was brought to you by Tentrr

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The post 7 Best Campgrounds Around Mountainous Missoula, Montana appeared first on The Dyrt Magazine.

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