The best camping near Elkhorn State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Elkhorn State Park adventure.

Elkhorn State Park offers a glimpse into frontier history.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Elkhorn State Park

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White Bridge Lane Private Campsite

2 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Boulder, MT

Dawson Family Ranch is a family-run business with a focus on sustainable land and agriculture practices. The ranch is located along a mile of the Boulder River between the Elkhorn and Bull Mountain Ranges. The river offers fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Public land access is within a short drive (2-7 miles depending on direction) and offers different recreational opportunities including hiking, hunting, and motorized recreation. Boulder Hot Springs is less than 4 miles away.

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Big-Enough Ranch

2 sites · Lodging40 acres · Boulder, MT

Horse ranch on 40 acres located just outside of Boulder, MT. Exceptional views and peace and quiet at this retreat cabin. 20 acres to the East has and old hunting cabin alongside a creek. Also an old mining test pit from the late 1800’s mining boom, as well as a hand built irrigation ditch that runs through the property.

Booked 1 time

Wickes Camper Spot

1 site · RV1 acre · Jefferson City, MT

Welcome to your perfect spot to park your camper or Tiny Home, where the great outdoors becomes your playground. This area is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, with plenty of SxS/Jeep trails waiting for you to explore and enjoy. Located in a charming rural area, you'll experience the warmth of small-town living with quiet and friendly neighbors surrounding you. Embrace the tranquility of this peaceful haven, where the hustle and bustle of the city is replaced by the serene beauty of nature. Your site comes fully equipped with water, power, and sewer connections, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay. Whether you're seeking the thrill of off-road adventures or simply looking to unwind surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors, this is your ideal destination. Park your camper or Tiny Home, immerse yourself in the small-town charm, and let the peaceful ambiance of the area become the backdrop for your outdoor escapades. Your perfect retreat awaits in this welcoming rural haven.

Saved 1 time

The Homestead

2 sites · Lodging600 acres · Clancy, MT

The Homestead is located in Clancy, Montana on a 600 acre portion of a private ranch. This is a camping experience...think upscale tent camping for the adventurous soul! The tents are nestled in the foothills of the Elkhorn Mountain Range and sit right above the Strawberry Creek trail. You will be surrounded by stunning views of Sheep Mountain to the west, Casey Peak to the east, and the Helena Valley and Gates of the Mountains Wilderness to the north. Mountain bike, hike, trail run, explore and/or relax! Just a short drive to Helena, MT for more trails, dining or other activities.

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CedarRose Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents52 acres · MT

CedarRose Farm is a fantastic former produce farm that we operated for 21 years, surrounded by other friendly smallholdings, art studios and homesteaders. A clean portapotty is on site starting May 3rd through September 15th. We offer campfire popcorn poppers, complete with kernels, oil and butter! S'Mores kits and toasting forks, with enough goodies for 8 S'mores. Check out our 'Extras' and relax and enjoy yourself! Please ask us about visiting us on the farm, we have a shady outdoor dining room you're welcome to enjoy. Ask for directions to "Sunset Point", its a quick hike to a secret campfire ring with perfect lounge chairs and amazing views! There's always something to do, horses to feed and brush, chickens and ducks that need feed and watched by the pond. Stargazing and birdwatching are great here, its very dark at night, almost no light pollution, and I've counted 43 different birds! We love biking, hiking, paddle boarding and having campers! We know you'll love it as much as we do!

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Lost and Found treasure Mt. Mtns

3 sites · Lodging5 acres · Jefferson City, MT

Come stay for a week , a month , or a summer @ our economical southwest montana compound located in the mountains between Helena and Boulder Montana overlooking beautiful Elkhorn Mtns with a mountain spring nearby. Easy to find and get to 18 miles south of Helena Montana and approximately 50 miles north from Butte mt Tizer Botanical Gardens is also only 2 mile walk away with garden flora /fawna to admire or purchase and old cabins to explore. . Boulder natural mineral Hot Springs is about 7 miles across the boulder Pass and then into the Boulder valley. A natural hot springs getaway with swimming, hot and cold plunges and a boutique cafe , restaurants Our compound is unique, country and shabby sheek. Locked gate compound promising to be simply peaceful and lovely. The short uphill driveway can prove challenging without 4 wheel drive or front wheel. drive in cold months

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Date Street Cabin @ C Lazy M Meadow

1 site · Lodging7 acres · MT

A small cabin sleeps 4 with 2 queen beds and room to stake a tent. Sits on 6 acres with a creek bed under large trees and overlooks a meadow. Includes an outhouse, potable water, grill, picnic table and a "smokeless" fire pit. Dishes, utensils, firewood and bedding included. Come stay in MT City; only 5 miles from all historic Helena has to offer! 4 restaurants/bars within walking (>1 mi.). 3 large lakes w/in 10 miles with beaches, boating and sight seeing opportunities; the Missouri river within 15 miles for fishing, boating, paddle boarding, hiking and biking. Come relax! Sleeps 4 in beds. Additional guests allowed with permission and fee (tents and/or or campers). While exploring Helena, we recommend the Walking Mall and the lower end of Last Chance Gulch for shopping and dining. You can also do a self guided tour of the Capitol building and then ride the tour train through Helena to get a quick history lesson. If you want to do something outside, we suggest Houser Lake at Lakeside with a bar and grill, a beach, fire pit, volley ball, etc. There is also guided boat rides at Gates of the Mountains on Holter Lake (about 20 miles towards Great Falls). If you are looking to go hiking, Mount Helena is a nice hike, but maybe a bit much for small kiddos, unless you have a backpack. If you'd like additional suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Hope you enjoy your stay! Party Tent available at additional charge.

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The Trail Enthusiast's Basecamp!

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Helena, MT

This five-acre oasis was once a landscape nursery. So given the close proximity to downtown we are a hidden sanctuary from the outside world, secluded by cottonwood trees and mature foliage. The site now serves as a wedding venue and offers views of Mount Helena to the South and the Sleeping Giant to the North. Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our aspen grove or park your camper/RV in the grassland field. You're close to downtown with lots of privacy/scenery. You'll have views of regal Mount Helena to the South and The Sleeping Giant to the North. The South Hill trail complex is a great place to explore as well as the Scratchgravels. The Missouri River is only 20 minutes away as well as Lake Hauser and Canyon Ferry. If new to the area and interested in history, we recommend the Tour Train. We also have several great breweries - our favorites include Ten Mile and Blackfoot Breweries (a perfect stop you can ride to after a trail ride/hike in the South Hills). This site is perfect for those wanting to explore Downtown Helena, it's renowned trail systems, but still sleep under the stars. Pets are allowed. Please make sure you pick up after them. There is water throughout the property that you are welcome to use for cleaning, but it is not potable.

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Gallatin River Getaway

2 sites · RVs, Tents250 acres · Three Forks, MT

This property has been a farm and ranch since 1863 it was used as a stage stop for travelers going to the gold fields in Bannock and Virginia City Montana. Come check us out.We offer two private campsites on the Gallatin River near Logan, Montana, 1/4 mile apart on a working farm and ranch. Ranch also is located below ATT and Verizon cell towers. Five minutes from entrance gate to interstate ninety. We are thirty minutes from Bozeman, six miles from Three Forks, MT, three miles from Headwaters State Park (Headwaters of the Missouri River), 12 minutes from the Copper City Mountain biking trails, 20 minutes from Lewis and Clark Caverns, eight miles from Madison Buffalo Jump. Yellowstone National Park is two hours south of the property. Easy full recreational access to the Gallatin River, including fishing if you follow Montana FWP rules and regulations. Gallatin River is a blue-ribbon trout stream and there are four additional blue-ribbon trout streams that are within close proximity. Inhabited by most major indigenous species of Montana, except bison and mountain goats. This is a working farm and ranch and equipment and activities related to the operation should be expected also a train runs close to property. Host lives on the property and is available to contact.

Tahoe Acres RV Park

7 sites · RVs2 acres · Townsend, MT

Conveniently located RV Park in charming Townsend, MT! Pull thru RV spaces with electric & water hookups, RV dump, and laundry. Close to Canyon Ferry Reservoir, the Elkhorn Mountains, the Jefferson River and more! Stay nightly, weekly, or even monthly*, the choice is yours! (*For stays longer than 30 days, please contact us directly to reserve your space) 406-924-9483 tahoeacresRV@gmail.com

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Madison Islands

15 sites · RVs24 acres · Three Forks, MT

This property is located on the Madison River at the headwaters of the Missouri River! It has views of surrounding mountain ranges including the Bridgers, Tobacco Roots, & the Spanish Peaks. It is also minutes from downtown Three Forks, MT for dining and shopping. On-site activities include fishing , swimming, hiking, biking, boating/floating, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and stargazing under the big sky. The camping area even has enough space to accommodate grazing horses. With open grassy fields and a large wooded area there is plenty to be explored in this Montana outdoor paradise. Address and Directions: On I-90 exit on 278 you will be on "Frontage Rd" go east to "Old Town Road" than turn east on "Old Town Main Street" NOTE: (You will see a old Victorian house on the west side of the street. Old Town Main street is on the optimist side of the road). Easiest entry is off of Main Street. Enter just in front of the larked RV and make your way into and through the field.

Booked 3 times

East Ridge Retreat

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Butte, MT

Welcome to Butte! Enjoy 26 roomy feet in a lovingly restored 1991 Terry Resort camper. Queen foam mattress, pullout couch, booth table seating. Relax in the shaded lounge stream side in the heat of the day. A fire pit is available during open burn season. There’s excellent cell service, solar lights and fridge in the camper as well as a solar powered charging station to charge your devices, a camp shower, Coleman stove, pour over coffee supplies, potable and washing water, a simple, private outdoor camp toilet, Bluetooth speaker, and DVD player. Three private acres are yours to enjoy, however there are neighbors with dogs and apiaries to the east and west of the property and intermittent barbed wire fencing, therefore pets must be leashed at all times and we enforce a 10:00 pm quiet time. Parking is restricted to one vehicle due to the limited useable parking space. Horses pasture to the south, please do not approach or attempt to feed them, but they do seem to enjoy being photographed.

The best camping near Elkhorn State Park guide

Overview

About

Camping near Elkhorn State Park is a step back in time, as you find yourself exploring the quiet remnants of a once-thriving 19th-century mining town. Tucked away off gravel secondary roads outside Boulder, this petite state park might be among Montana's smallest, but it offers a unique window into the state's past.

Your journey takes you through the historic Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, both located in the privately-owned town of Elkhorn. These picturesque structures, preserved from the late 1800s, offer a unique glimpse into frontier architecture. Don't forget your camera; these buildings are so well preserved they've been recorded in the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Travel further up the main road, three-quarters of a mile outside the state park boundaries, and you'll find the town cemetery. Here, amongst the final resting places of the town's early inhabitants, you can see the tombstone of Peter Wys, the Swiss miner who discovered the silver veins in the Elkhorn Mine. His legacy, like the town itself, is a testament to the draw of the Boulder Batholith's rich mineral deposits that brought settlers to the area in 1868.

An Elkhorn State Park camping expedition offers an immersive historical experience set against the backdrop of Montana's beautiful landscapes. Perfect for the history buffs or anyone seeking a unique outdoor adventure.

When to go

Elkhorn State Park is a year-round destination, with each season offering its unique charm. Summer brings lush greenery and ideal conditions for hiking and wildlife viewing, while winter cloaks the park in a quiet blanket of snow, perfect for photographers seeking a tranquil landscape.

Know before you go

Check for any special restrictions or closures before your visit, as conditions can change due to weather or maintenance activities.
Remember to pack in and pack out, as the park operates on a leave-no-trace principle to preserve its natural beauty.
Montana residents can enjoy free daily entrance with the state parks fee included in their vehicle registration.
Nonresidents should be prepared to pay a day use entrance fee of $8 with a vehicle or $4 as a walk-in.
For a safe and enjoyable visit, familiarize yourself with the park rules and Recreate Responsibly guidelines.