The best camping near Lost Creek State Park

Near Anaconda, Montana, the seasonal Lost Creek State Park is isolated in a canyon that isn’t visible until you actually reach the park gates. Once there, wildlife sightings are frequent with mule deer and bighorn sheep roaming the creek bottom and surrounding hills. Birdwatching is also excellent with a wide variety of resident and migratory species. Day-use sites are available around the park’s loop road, but camping at Lost Creek is also an excellent idea for a remote Montana getaway surrounded by sheer rock walls. Visit between May and November to camp in the park’s sole campground, where sites offer direct access to the loop road and park trails.

1. Campsites in Lost Creek State Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The loop road is short, making it easy to quickly determine if any sites are available.
2. Twenty-five park campsites are available, and RV lengths are limited to 23 feet. The narrow loop road gives large RVs limited space to maneuver. 
3. The nearby Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest is expansive with abundant developed and dispersed campsites available for advance reservations and first-come, first-served claiming.

As a seasonal park, Lost Creek is only open from mid-May through November, with summer being the best time to visit before it gets too cold. The park’s steep canyon limits daylight and also keeps the area cool during the warmer months, especially compared to other areas that experience elevated summer temperatures. Fall colors are fantastic, but Lost Creek State Park becomes more difficult to access and enjoy after the first snow falls.

• Lost Creek State Park is seasonal and the gates close for winter. The park is open for camping and day-use activities from mid-May through November annually.
• Lost Creek does not have any services within the park. Do all of your grocery shopping and supply runs in Anaconda before arriving—it’s just a short drive to town for supplies or food.
• The park is ADA-accessible with campsites that offer access to vault toilets and water. A park host is present throughout much of the season as well.
• Plan on packing out all the trash after your trip.
• Fire rings are available at day-use sites and campsites, although fire restrictions are common during peak summer in Montana. Always check for restrictions before burning in dry conditions.