The best camping near Big Hole National Battlefield

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Big Hole National Battlefield adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Big Hole National Battlefield

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Cactus River Ranch RV

5 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Salmon, ID

Currently, the property has 3 full RV hook-up with water, 30-50 amp power and septic (Site #1 - 30 amp, Site #2 - 50 & 30 amp, Site #3 - 50 & 30 amp). There is also 1 campsite for either a vehicle or tent, with access to complete bathhouse and shower facilities. Cactus River Ranch is located 12 minutes outside of Salmon, Idaho along the Salmon River. The sites have river front views with your own private river access. Hiking and mountain biking options are available right out the back door up Henry's Creek trail. Amazing fly fishing or bird watching location! Williams Lake is located 6 miles up the road and offers a variety of recreation activities including fishing, swimming, paddle-boarding, canoeing, or sight seeing. If you are looking for an area that is out of town, THIS IS IT!! We also have overnight stalls available for horses. Please make sure RV tanks are empty in order to hook up to septic. No RV dump station on site. With the river location, we get very windy conditions along the river corridor. Awnings can easily become damaged during these conditions. Please take notice and consider putting awnings away so that they don't get damaged. Along the same lines, please don't have campfires if the winds are high. Make sure your dogs are on a leash. We have mules on the property that DO NOT like dogs. This is for the safety of your dog. No fireworks on the premises. NO campfires at this time, the Salmon-Challis National Forest is currently in High Fire Danger. We do have a couple small trash cans that get dumped on Thursdays...that being said....we are NOT a dump. If trash cans are full or you have large items, please haul your trash to Lemhi County Landfill. They are open Monday-Friday: 7am-5:15pm and have dumpsters open on the weekend.

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Gunslinger Gulch Ghost Town

29 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents52 acres · Anaconda, MT

This 1880s era mining & ghost town converted lodging & event center is the perfect place to live out your cowboy/cowgirl dreams and experience the Old West. We offer all the modern amenities we have come accustomed to, yet maintain the original appearance of being transported back in time. Available for film production rental, weddings, retreats, reunions or any special event. Dry camping and horse camping available in addition to our amazing units.

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The Meadow

5 sites · Lodging3 acres · Carmen, ID

Welcome to the Weaver's Meadow. We have lived on this property for the past 31 years and it is the very spot where a blind date led to an engagement which let to a beautiful love story and 3 wonderful children. Now, we hope you too can come and enjoy the utterly breathtaking beauty of our secluded, creekside paradise. Nestled among the aspen trees you will find a one room cabin complete with bed, table and chairs, wood cookstove and all the amenities you will need to truly relax with the comfort of a cozy cabin to forget the outside world.

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Oxen-Le-Fields Montana

3 sites · Lodging6 acres · Conner, MT

Welcome to Oxen-Le-Fields Montana! With one cozy cabin and two 12 x 14' glamping tents, our 6 sunny acres are surrounded by the Bitterroot National Forest. Whether you're hunting, hiking, or just looking for a quiet getaway, the camp offers remarkable views including an abundance of wildlife, Sula Peak, and forest hills as far as the eye can see. Nestled against the national forest, we have direct access to forest roads that go for miles. Come discover the beauty of the Bitterroot at Oxen-Le-Fields Montana. Nearby attractions include: • Bitterroot National Forest (immediate access) • Bitterroot River (1/2 mile) • Sula Peak Lookout (5 miles) • Lost Trail Ski Resort (16 miles) • PRCA rodeos in Darby (13 miles) • Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge (57 miles) • Daly Mansion in Hamilton (34 miles) • Lake Como (17 miles) • Chief Joseph Ranch, site of Yellowstone TV series (14 miles) • Big Hole National Battlefield (33 miles)

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Old Barn Studios and RV Sites

2 sites · RVs20 acres · Hamilton, MT

Old Barn Studios is located on 20 acres of mixed pasture, woods and riparian area. It includes a trout pond big enough to float kayaks on. The actual stay is in a rv which has three tip out, open air, queen beds ( so much like a tent,) the RV has a full bath and kitchenette. Most of the living space is outside. There is a picnic table and fire pit. The Old Barn is home to a range of farm animals — sheep, goats, llama, chickens,dog,cats . It also offers two craft studios where classes are sometimes held in spinning, weaving, felting and other craft arts. The owner lives on site and welcomes new visitors personally.

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Little Country

3 sites · Lodging, RVs1 acre · Wisdom, MT

Centrally located 2 minutes from Wisdom in the heart of the Big Hole Valley River valley. Easy access to fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, or anything else an outdoor enthusiast could desire. Jackson Hot Springs Lodge is a short 20-minute drive away. Plenty of room to tie horses off. Please Note- This is a dry cabin. Currently there are no bathroom facilities available but are available close by.

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Camp Sula

9 sites · RVs10 acres · Sula, MT

Welcome to the Historic Camp Sula! Camp Sula has been around for over 100 years and sits right near the Bitterroot River on the East Fork. Our location is just minutes from the Big Hole Battleground, Lewis and Clark Trail, Ross Hole, the Medicine Tree, and the famous Dutton Ranch, where the hit television series Yellowstone is filmed. Camp Sula is also located 12 miles north of Lost Trail Ski Resort, where we offer ski and stay packages. The area offers great fishing access, hiking trails, and the beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers around our property. The campground also offers for our guests a mini golf course, playground, fish-feeding-only pond, and so much more.

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South Valley RV Site - Riverfront

4 sites · RVs2 acres · Darby, MT

Located on the Bitterroot River in Darby, Montana. Step out of your RV and into the river! Enjoy peace and solitude, knowing you will have the entire property to yourself. The town of Darby is a mile from the property. Beautiful river views and views of the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains. Watch the river and wildlife, relax, adventure, and enjoy! Steps from the Yellowstone Dutton ranch from the television show Yellowstone. Full hookups, including 50 amp power, water, and septic.

Como View Camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Hamilton, MT

Welcome to the beautiful and majestic Bitterroot Valley where a quiet hilltop oasis awaits you! Enjoy the views of both Como Peaks and the Sapphire Mountains. This campsite is half way between Darby and Hamilton for convenience. During your stay there’s so much to see and do! With Lake Como and Lost Horse Observation Point to Coyote Coulee Trailhead all within an 8 mile radius. There are two separate campsites with an inviting irrigation stream meandering the width which offers a private experience in camping with full hookups for power, water and sewer. Monthly rate available.

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Big Hole Boondockin'

2 sites · RVs, Tents325 acres · Melrose, MT

Big Hole Boondockin' is located in Southwest Montana along the beautiful banks of the Big Hole River. River View Livestock, a 325 acre working cattle ranch, surrounds our camping areas which gives you the opportunity to enjoy a real Montana ranch experience. If you're not into the ranch lifestyle, hop on a raft, inner tube or kayak and float down the river enjoying a cold beverage. We also offer bank fishing on our private property. Stressed? Book some time with our emotional support animals and snuggle one of the pigs or cows to take some stress out of your life. These animals are part of our family and love to sit and relax with humans, begging for belly scratches and giving kisses. Whatever your camping dream is, our focused, friendly staff will work to achieve it. We look forward to hosting you and your family and friends and sharing our day to day dream life.

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Taste of Romerica

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Salmon, ID

Located 3 miles south of Salmon, Idaho. Nestled in the valley of the Beaverhead Mountains, we are minutes away from amazing fishing, hunting and floating the beautiful Salmon River in the summer months. Town offers several restaurants, bars, a bakery and shopping. Our property is in a quiet neighborhood easily accessible off the main highway into town. Outside firepit for marshmallow roasting or just to enjoy a fire.

Creekside Private Camp In USFS

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Butte, MT

Remote private mining tract providing 360 degree access to USFS land. Private camping spots for tents or smaller RV (30 feet max) adjacent to year round creek. Higher elevation terrain at 8200 feet, drivable access to SUV's and up. Miles of old mining trails to explore on atv's/bikes/etc., old mining camps, town and structures near by. Private access to a private locked mine is available upon request.

The best camping near Big Hole National Battlefield guide

Overview

About

Chief Joseph and his band of Nez Perce were simply trying to make it to Canada. The U.S. Army was in hot pursuit. During a pre-dawn raid on Aug. 9, 1877, soldiers started firing into the Nez Perce encampment in Big Hole, Montana.

The group of Native Americans thought the cavalry was several days behind them. That's why they didn't post sentinels to guard the camp. Chief Joseph and his people awoke to gunfire and fled as fast as possible. Unfortunately, their flight only delayed the inevitable. Chief Joseph surrendered two months later mere miles from the Canadian border.

Big Hole is a wondrously natural scenic area. There's a broad plain with mountains in the distance. You might glimpse an eagle or hawk flying overhead. Towards sunset or sunrise, deer might poke their heads up from the tall grass. It's hard to imagine that gunfire disturbed this tranquil area during a tumultuous time in American history.

Start your tour at the visitor's center where photographs and exhibits put the Battle of Big Hole in perspective. Artifacts include personal belongings of some of the participants in the battle. A 26-minute video explains the events of the battle and why it happened.

Walking trails take you to various spots. Discover the Nez Perce camp, the siege area, and the Howitzer capture spot. Each area outlines how the battle progressed. Hiking to these points takes about an hour.

While you're trekking through Montana's wilderness, stop by this historic place. Ranger-led programs during the summer help you visualize what happened here. Every year on the anniversary of the battle, members of the Nez Perce tribe pay tribute to their fallen and survivors in a solemn ceremony.