At 2 million acres, the Lolo National Forest allows for endless camping opportunities. You have outstanding choices along lakes, river and deep in the backcountry. There are twenty seven drive-in campgrounds in the Lolo National Forest. We will be covering the famous Rock Creek campgrounds for now, and adding some of the others at a later point in time. In a month or so we will have the Rock Creek campground complex in Hi-Def for your trip planning this summer. Rock Creek campgrounds with site specific images and detail:

Bitterroot Flat Campground
Dalles Campground
Harry's Flat Campground
Norton Campground



Remember that the Lolo National Forest is grizzly bear country! Practicing proper bear country rules is always advisable. Even though some portions of the Lolo National Forest may seem to not be thick grizzly habitat, understand that one or two could easily be roaming the area. Rock Creek and the Fish Creek area both produced grizzly bears in recent years. Keep a clean camp, hang food in trees or keep it secured in your vehicle with the windows rolled up. Do not bring food or other items that may have odor inside your tent at night. If you have bear proof containers, use those. Some of the campgrounds in Montana national forests now use big metal bear boxes for food storage. Carrying bear spray is always good advice when hiking off into grizzly country from camp.

If you are not a big fan of driving back and forth to the store for a few items, make sure you plan out a list of items you will need before heading down to the Rock Creek campgrounds and other areas of the Lolo. Missing an essential item can chew up a day as you drive around towns trying to find the item. The Rock Creek campground system is at a minimum 30 miles from Missoula and a large grocery store. Make sure you have enough gas before heading off into the wilds of the Lolo. Proper clothing is also very important. Regardless of season always pack a warm option. As always, layers are superior so you can moderate based on conditions.

General rules for camping in the Lolo National Forest:

1. Camping is set to sixteen days maximum in any one location or campground.
2. Camping with stock is not allowed in many developed campgrounds, but there are exceptions such as Slowey campground and Clearwater Crossing campground.
3. Dispersed campers must be at least 1/4 mile from developed campgrounds and roadways
4. Please dispose of garbage properly and please keep dish or bath water far away from water sources.
5. Please be aware of the fire restrictions posted on the campground boards and on forest routes. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people build huge fires during drought periods when no fires were permitted. When this forest gets dry, it can light up like a torch. Fines for breaking the fire rules are costly.
6. Do not approach or harass wildlife.


A narrow wooden bridge crosses Rock Creek.

Every time we enter the Lolo I have to say it feels like home. It's a very inviting national forest and an excellent place to do some camping. The community of Missoula can easily meet all of your supply needs, and it's just a great place to be in and of itself. Another great location in Montana that shouldn't be missed.

Image note: Tent and site in the Lolo National Forest.

Download the Rock Creek Campground Pack for Lolo National Forest in iPod, Quicktime, iTunes, WMP 12 and VideoLan format. See what the campgrounds are really like.