The best waterside camping near Lincoln

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Lincoln packs in over 450 waterside camping spots, with options ranging from riverside clearings to lakeside meadows. Expect an average price of $75 a night, though you can snag a spot for as little as $20. You’ll find campsites that welcome pets, offer showers, and provide toilets—no need to rough it unless you want to. Fishing is a staple here, with plenty of trout-filled creeks and easy access to horseback riding and hiking trails that cut through pine forests and open valleys. Top picks include Hidden Meadow Ranch (166 reviews), Buck’s Paradise (40 reviews), and Mile High Mountain Homestead (17 reviews). Each spot offers a different take on Montana’s waterways—some tucked beside quiet streams, others opening onto wild lakes. Bring your rod, boots, and a sense of adventure; Lincoln’s waterside camping delivers the goods.

96% (358) 22 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Lincoln

York Montana Hideaway

1. York Montana Hideaway

83%
(6)
47mi from Lincoln · 1 site
As opposed to the thousands of runoff creeks in Western Montana, the unique Trout Creek Canyon has one of the few spring fed streams. It's rather large volume of water flows from several groups of canyons and drainages in the Little Belt mountains, bubbling out of the ground six miles up at the foot of the beautiful Vigilante canyon and terminating in the Missouri River three miles further down. Over the last 150 years a  number of gold and silver mines have operated in the gulches at the side of the canyon. A pictorial history is available at the community park and in the social hall. If you're lucky you might even still see a few mountain goats on your way up the canyon.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$45
 / night
Helena National Forest

2. Helena National Forest

100%
(3)
National forest 42mi from Lincoln · 109 sites
The Helena National Forest straddles the continental divide and offers adventurers a whirlwind of majestic scenery and recreation. Nicknamed the “million acre backyard” you’re gonna love exploring the hiking, biking and off roading trails in Gates of the Mountains and the Helena River Valley, which boasts jaw dropping views of the Big Belt Mountains. Anglers will need to be yanked out of the crystal clear Missouri River—the trout are just begging to be caught. Campgrounds are close by and backcountry lovers will find plenty of chances to explore the trails and see incredible wildlife. Don’t pass up a chance to hop the Continental Divide trail or visit Helena National Forest. You’re gonna feel like you’re on top of the world!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lolo National Forest

3. Lolo National Forest

92%
(12)
National forest 96mi from Lincoln · 395 sites
You are going to be filled to the brim with glee when you discover Lolo National Forest. Seriously; this is the kind of place you can stand with your feet in a crystal clear stream, bighorn sheep filling the meadow, with the sun setting behind snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance. And that’s just a roadside pull off! With over two million acres to explore, hikers, bikers and backcountry seekers will be stoked on the supa-lush forest, and trails like Cougar Peak Lookout and the Lolo Peak trail (which we assure you is not low-low). Boat for a day in Seeley Lake, or cast a line into pristine mountain streams for a try at the trout. Dinner is going to taste great over the campfire! Through the meadows or up the peaks, it’s easy enough to get your share of adventure at Lolo.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

Lincoln packs in over 450 waterside camping spots, with options ranging from riverside clearings to lakeside meadows. Expect an average price of $75 a night, though you can snag a spot for as little as $20. You’ll find campsites that welcome pets, offer showers, and provide toilets—no need to rough it unless you want to. Fishing is a staple here, with plenty of trout-filled creeks and easy access to horseback riding and hiking trails that cut through pine forests and open valleys. Top picks include Hidden Meadow Ranch (166 reviews), Buck’s Paradise (40 reviews), and Mile High Mountain Homestead (17 reviews). Each spot offers a different take on Montana’s waterways—some tucked beside quiet streams, others opening onto wild lakes. Bring your rod, boots, and a sense of adventure; Lincoln’s waterside camping delivers the goods.

96% (358) 22 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Lincoln

York Montana Hideaway

1. York Montana Hideaway

83%
(6)
47mi from Lincoln · 1 site
As opposed to the thousands of runoff creeks in Western Montana, the unique Trout Creek Canyon has one of the few spring fed streams. It's rather large volume of water flows from several groups of canyons and drainages in the Little Belt mountains, bubbling out of the ground six miles up at the foot of the beautiful Vigilante canyon and terminating in the Missouri River three miles further down. Over the last 150 years a  number of gold and silver mines have operated in the gulches at the side of the canyon. A pictorial history is available at the community park and in the social hall. If you're lucky you might even still see a few mountain goats on your way up the canyon.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$45
 / night
Helena National Forest

2. Helena National Forest

100%
(3)
National forest 42mi from Lincoln · 109 sites
The Helena National Forest straddles the continental divide and offers adventurers a whirlwind of majestic scenery and recreation. Nicknamed the “million acre backyard” you’re gonna love exploring the hiking, biking and off roading trails in Gates of the Mountains and the Helena River Valley, which boasts jaw dropping views of the Big Belt Mountains. Anglers will need to be yanked out of the crystal clear Missouri River—the trout are just begging to be caught. Campgrounds are close by and backcountry lovers will find plenty of chances to explore the trails and see incredible wildlife. Don’t pass up a chance to hop the Continental Divide trail or visit Helena National Forest. You’re gonna feel like you’re on top of the world!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lolo National Forest

3. Lolo National Forest

92%
(12)
National forest 96mi from Lincoln · 395 sites
You are going to be filled to the brim with glee when you discover Lolo National Forest. Seriously; this is the kind of place you can stand with your feet in a crystal clear stream, bighorn sheep filling the meadow, with the sun setting behind snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance. And that’s just a roadside pull off! With over two million acres to explore, hikers, bikers and backcountry seekers will be stoked on the supa-lush forest, and trails like Cougar Peak Lookout and the Lolo Peak trail (which we assure you is not low-low). Boat for a day in Seeley Lake, or cast a line into pristine mountain streams for a try at the trout. Dinner is going to taste great over the campfire! Through the meadows or up the peaks, it’s easy enough to get your share of adventure at Lolo.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires

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