Sam Billings Memorial Campground

4.80

9 reviews

6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829

Featured in:Tent Camping Montana

Quick Facts

4,500 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens West Fork Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,500 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens West Fork Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Sam Billings Memorial Campground

$5.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this campground. Single sites are priced at $10/night, and additional vehicles cost $5/night. Interagency Senior/Access...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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

406-821-3269

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What Campers Say

4.80

Top-Rated

Based on 9 reviews

5 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacypeacefulcleanrestrooms

"The campground receives positive reviews for its peaceful setting, cleanliness, and maintenance. Visitors appreciate the natural surroundings and the availability of basic facilities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829

Sam Billings Memorial Campground

6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829

Driving directionsFrom Darby, MT, take US Rt. 93 south 3.7 miles to West Fork Rd. (State Rt. 473). Turn right onto Rt. 473 and go 13.4 miles to Sam Billings Recreation Site sign (Forest Rt. 5631). Turn right at sign onto Rt. 5631 (dirt, single-lane) and go 0.8 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.

The roads leading to the campground are gravel and tight. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are accommodated, but parking aprons are also gravel, and the driving conditions may be challenging for larger vehicles.

Nearby places

Darby: 17 miles, approximately 25 minutes drive.

Nearby supplies

Camping supplies and an RV waste station are available for a fee at Bud's and Shirley's Motel at the intersection of Main St. and Missoula Ave., Darby, MT.

Best Time to Camp at Sam Billings Memorial Campground

Experience the dramatic beauty of all four seasons at Sam Billings, where each brings its own magic to the landscape. Summer unveils perfect camping weather with crystal-clear skies and comfortable temperatures climbing to a pleasant 85°F, ideal for creek-side relaxation and wilderness exploration. As autumn arrives, crisp mountain air transforms the forest into a tapestry of golden hues. Winter blankets the campground in peaceful solitude, with temperatures dipping between 20°F and 36°F, creating a wonderland for hardy souls—though snow often limits access, adding to the site's remote allure. Spring's arrival brings the forest back to life with wildflowers and rushing snowmelt in Boulder Creek.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in MT

Summer described as 'perfect camping weather'; campground praised in season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Suitable for early autumn; reviews note peaceful, well-maintained fall visits.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring possible but snowmelt/closures may limit access early season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Access closed by snow annually; not suitable in winter.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round, but access is closed by snow annually during winter.

About Sam Billings Memorial Campground

Nestled along the pristine waters of Boulder Creek, Sam Billings Memorial Campground offers a true wilderness escape where the rhythms of nature replace the noise of modern life. This intimate campground features 12 thoughtfully spaced sites, each furnished with sturdy picnic tables and fire rings perfect for evening gatherings under starlit skies. For larger parties, a spacious group area welcomes extended families and friends to create lasting memories together. While the campground maintains its rustic charm with vault toilets and a pack-in, pack-out philosophy, its location at the doorstep of the legendary Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness makes it a coveted basecamp for adventurers seeking authentic mountain experiences.

The campground provides options primarily for tent and RV camping, with 12 combined sites suitable for both. It is described as rustic with good privacy between sites and a large area ideal for group activities. Stock facilities and 5 additional campsites are available at the nearby Boulder Creek Horse Camp.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic beauty of all four seasons at Sam Billings, where each brings its own magic to the landscape. Summer unveils perfect camping weather with crystal-clear skies and comfortable temperatures climbing to a pleasant 85°F, ideal for creek-side relaxation and wilderness exploration. As autumn arrives, crisp mountain air transforms the forest into a tapestry of golden hues. Winter blankets the campground in peaceful solitude, with temperatures dipping between 20°F and 36°F, creating a wonderland for hardy souls—though snow often limits access, adding to the site's remote allure. Spring's arrival brings the forest back to life with wildflowers and rushing snowmelt in Boulder Creek.

ElevationPerched at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sam Billings Memorial Campground offers that perfect sweet spot of mountain elevation—high enough to escape summer's heat and provide crisp, pine-scented air, yet accessible enough for comfortable camping. This moderate altitude creates an invigorating atmosphere where morning mists dance through the trees and afternoon breezes carry the whisper of higher peaks, while cool evenings invite campers to gather around crackling fires.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living postcard where towering pines create a natural cathedral overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor below. The campground's carpet of soft pine needles and native grasses cushions every footstep, while Boulder Creek provides a constant soundtrack of rushing water that lulls campers to sleep. This pristine ecosystem serves as a wildlife corridor where lucky visitors might glimpse majestic moose browsing near the water's edge, elk bugling during autumn's rut, or deer delicately picking their way through camp at dawn. The surrounding forest creates an intimate atmosphere while opening to reveal stunning vistas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness beyond.

Geological RegionSam Billings Memorial Campground sits within the magnificent Bitterroot National Forest, where millions of years of geological forces have sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty. Boulder Creek has carved its path through ancient bedrock, creating the gentle valley that cradles the campground today. The surrounding pine forests—a diverse mix of species perfectly adapted to this mountain environment—thrive in the well-drained soils deposited over millennia. As the gateway to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the campground offers front-row seats to one of the most pristine and geologically fascinating regions in the Northern Rockies, where the earth's raw power meets the gentle persistence of forest and stream.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping limited to 16 consecutive days.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground stretches over 0.4 miles with good privacy between campsites, thanks to the pine tree coverage.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served; no reservation required.

AccessibilityWheelchair-friendly vault toilets are available.

Site SizeCampsites can accommodate RVs or trailers up to 30 feet in length.

PrivacyReviewers mention good privacy between campsites with natural shade provided by pine trees.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesSites by Boulder Creek are recommended for scenic views.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Sam Billings Memorial Campground provides several recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The Boulder Creek Trail #617, a 27-mile trail suitable for foot and horse travel, starts nearby and leads through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Boulder Falls is a notable highlight approximately 4 miles from the trailhead. Fishing includes opportunities for Brook, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout.

HikingThe Boulder Creek Trail #617 is a 27-mile trail accessible for both foot and horse travel. Boulder Falls, located 4 miles from the trailhead, is a highlighted destination. The trail extends through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

FishingFishing is available in nearby Boulder Creek with opportunities to catch Brook, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout.

Wildlife viewingCampers may occasionally see moose, elk, and deer in the surrounding area. This is bear country, and campers are advised to practice safe food storage techniques.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include bears and other wildlife. Campers are advised to follow bear-safe food storage techniques.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed within designated fire rings.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are available at West Fork Ranger District, located at 6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829. Phone: 406-821-3269.

Trash & RecyclingCampers are required to practice 'pack it in, pack it out' principles, as trash and recycling facilities are not provided.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to Boulder Creek.

Weather at Sam Billings Memorial Campground

Reviews

4.8

9 reviews

Top-Rated

Sam Billings Memorial Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground receives positive reviews for its peaceful setting, cleanliness, and maintenance. Visitors appreciate the natural surroundings and the availability of basic facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 9 reviews

What Campers Love

- Peaceful and well-maintained - Clean restrooms - Scenic, with good privacy between sites

Based on 9 reviews

Common Concerns

- Lack of potable water - Campground host was not seen during some visits, as noted by a reviewer.

Based on 9 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring your own drinking water, as none is available on-site. - Practice bear-safe food storage techniques as this is bear country.

Based on 9 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is closed by snow annually, making it suitable for summer and early autumn camping. Visitors emphasize the peacefulness and well-maintained nature of the site during these seasons.

Based on 9 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful campground, well maintained. Only issue was not ever seeing the campground host, overall fabulous place to camp!' 2. 'Clean restrooms.. Peaceful surroundings. Great place to camp.' 3....

Based on 9 reviews