Lowland Campground And Picnic Area

4.29

27 reviews

Lowland Campground and Picnic Area, Forest Service Road #442, Butte, MT, 59701

Quick Facts

6,240 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Memorial Day weekend...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Butte Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,240 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Memorial Day weekend...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Butte Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Lowland Campground And Picnic Area

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There is a $15.00 per night fee for Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Pass holders receive a 50% discount...

Standard Site Fee$15.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

406-494-2147

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What Campers Say

4.29

Satisfactory

Based on 27 reviews

22 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulclean

"User reviews are mixed, with positive highlights such as the campground's peaceful atmosphere, clean vault toilets, and scenic views. Complaints focus on the difficulty of finding flat areas for tents and issues with litter left by campers. Positive aspects of the campground include its low usage and ample picnic benches."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Lowland Campground and Picnic Area, Forest Service Road #442, Butte, MT, 59701

Lowland Campground And Picnic Area

Lowland Campground and Picnic Area, Forest Service Road #442, Butte, MT, 59701

Driving directionsFrom Butte, take I-15/I90 east for approximately 1 mile. Merge onto I-15 north and continue for approximately 12 miles. Take Elk Park exit (no. 138) and drive west on Forest Service road #442 (Lowland Creek Road) for approximately 6 miles and turn left onto Forest Service road #9485 for approximately 1 1/2 miles; turn left at the junction and drive approximately 1/8 mile; turn right into the campground.

The gravel road is suitable for passenger vehicle access, but the last two miles are single-lane with turnouts. During spring and fall, the access road may be muddy or have patchy snow.

Nearby places

Butte: approximately 20 miles north, roughly 25-30 minutes by car.

Nearby supplies

A waste station is available at the Sinclair gas station in Butte, MT, on Harrison Ave, northeast of Interstate 90/15 (Exit 127B). Additional supplies such as groceries and fuel can be found in Butte.

Best Time to Camp at Lowland Campground And Picnic Area

Lowland Campground welcomes visitors during Montana's glorious summer season, operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day when mountain wildflowers paint the meadows and warm sunshine filters through the pine boughs. The high-elevation location means you'll enjoy refreshingly cool temperatures even during peak summer, perfect for escaping the valley heat. Spring and fall adventurers should note that access roads can transform into muddy challenges or be dusted with lingering snow patches. Winter brings a blanket of deep snow and arctic temperatures that make the area inaccessible, while spring's freezing mornings remind visitors that this is true mountain country where nature sets the schedule.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open Memorial Day–Labor Day; wildflowers and full facilities available in peak season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

Not recommended

Closed after Labor Day; shoulder-season access is muddy and facilities may be unavailable.

Spring(Mar-May)

Not recommended

Closed before Memorial Day; shoulder-season muddy access and limited facilities.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground is closed outside the summer season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

About Lowland Campground And Picnic Area

Escape to Lowland Campground and Picnic Area, a hidden mountain sanctuary tucked away 20 miles north of Butte. This intimate campground offers 11 thoughtfully spaced back-in sites beneath a canopy of towering pines, each equipped with tent pads and capable of accommodating trailers up to 22 feet. As your gateway to adventure, you'll find yourself perfectly positioned near the renowned Sheepshead Recreation Area, where Maney Lake beckons anglers with its pristine waters. The legendary Continental Divide National Scenic Trail winds nearby, inviting hikers to explore one of America's most spectacular long-distance routes. Here, where the forest meets meadow, you'll discover the perfect basecamp for your Montana mountain adventure.

Lowland Campground supports back-in trailer camping and tent camping, with seasonal limitations and a first-come, first-serve policy. Group camping, cabin lodging, and luxury glamping accommodations are not available.

Weather and SeasonsLowland Campground welcomes visitors during Montana's glorious summer season, operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day when mountain wildflowers paint the meadows and warm sunshine filters through the pine boughs. The high-elevation location means you'll enjoy refreshingly cool temperatures even during peak summer, perfect for escaping the valley heat. Spring and fall adventurers should note that access roads can transform into muddy challenges or be dusted with lingering snow patches. Winter brings a blanket of deep snow and arctic temperatures that make the area inaccessible, while spring's freezing mornings remind visitors that this is true mountain country where nature sets the schedule.

ElevationPerched at 6,240 feet above sea level, Lowland Campground offers the quintessential high-country experience. This elevation creates an alpine oasis where summer temperatures remain delightfully cool, morning mist dances across the meadow, and afternoon thunderstorms roll dramatically across the peaks. The crisp mountain air at this altitude provides relief from summer heat and creates ideal conditions for restful sleep under a canopy of stars.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a landscape where towering pines create natural cathedral ceilings and a sprawling meadow opens like nature's amphitheater. Visitors consistently describe Lowland as 'very peaceful and picturesque,' and it's easy to see why. The campground's thoughtful placement at the forest's edge offers the best of both worlds: sheltered sites beneath protective pine boughs and open views across the wildflower-dotted meadow. Morning light filters golden through the trees while evening brings alpenglow to the surrounding peaks, creating a photographer's paradise and a soul-soothing retreat.

Geological RegionNestled within the vast expanse of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Lowland Campground occupies a special corner of Montana's Rocky Mountain ecosystem. This remarkable forest spans over 3.3 million acres of diverse terrain, and here at Lowland, you'll experience one of its most enchanting settings. The campground's unique position where dense pine forest gives way to open meadowland creates a rich habitat for wildlife and offers campers a front-row seat to the natural drama of the Northern Rockies. This transitional zone between forest and grassland showcases the geological diversity that makes the Beaverhead-Deerlodge such a treasured landscape.

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

16-day stay limit.

Groups

Group camping is not available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsCash or check payments only, reservations may apply but availability is primarily first-come-first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground operates primarily on a first-come-first-served basis, with no explicit reservation system indicated.

AccessibilityADA-accessible toilets are available; no other specific accessibility features are reported.

Site SizeThe campground has 11 back-in sites suitable for trailers up to 22 feet. Tent pads are available at most sites.

PrivacySites are nestled among large pines, with some overlooking a large meadow. The area is described as peaceful and picturesque.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesSites overlooking the meadow are particularly recommended for their views. Reviews suggest selecting sites with larger flat areas if tent camping.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Lowland Campground provides a variety of outdoor activities, including picnic areas, wildlife viewing, biking, and hiking. While fishing is available at nearby Maney Lake within Sheepshead Recreation Area, there are no designated facilities for swimming, boating, or water sports.

HikingDay hiking opportunities are available near the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

FishingFishing is available at nearby Maney Lake within Sheepshead Recreation Area.

BikingMountain biking opportunities are available.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a noted activity, though specific species are not mentioned.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMuddy roads and patchy snow in spring and fall can limit access. User reviews cited concerns over other campers leaving trash.

Emergency ServicesButte Ranger District, 1820 Meadowlark, Butte, MT 59701. Phone: 406-494-2147. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays).

Trash & RecyclingGarbage containers are available seasonally; during shoulder seasons, campers are expected to pack out their trash.

Water FeaturesNear Sheepshead Recreation Area and Maney Lake, which offer fishing opportunities. No direct water features within the campground itself.

Weather at Lowland Campground And Picnic Area

Reviews

4.3

27 reviews

Satisfactory

Lowland Campground And Picnic Area is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are mixed, with positive highlights such as the campground's peaceful atmosphere, clean vault toilets, and scenic views. Complaints focus on the difficulty of finding flat areas for tents and issues with litter left by campers. Positive aspects of the campground include its low usage and ample picnic benches.

Review Summaries

Based on 27 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the clean vault toilets, the picturesque views, and the peaceful environment. One user described it as 'awesome campground. Very low use and plenty of picnic benches.'

Based on 27 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users reported issues with flat tent spaces due to gravel sites and RV compression, and others noted trash left by previous campers. A user reported that picnic tables need paint, and fire pits...

Based on 27 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own water and pack out trash during the shoulder season when services are not available. Tent campers should plan for gravelled and compressed areas.

Based on 27 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During the peak season, water and garbage facilities are available, which enhances convenience for campers. Shoulder seasons bring challenges such as muddy access roads and unavailable facilities.

Based on 27 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Awesome campground. Very low use and plenty of picnic benches.' – Jessica Green 2. 'Hard to find a flat place for a tent. Other campers didn't respect the place and left trash. Very pretty area...

Based on 27 reviews