How much does camping cost at Bighorn Campground?

Camping fees at Bighorn Campground range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Bighorn Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Bighorn Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is entirely first-come, first-served. No reservations are accepted.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bighorn Campground before I book?

Yes! Bighorn Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Bighorn Campground?

Bighorn Campground is open May 10 through October, correlating with availability of amenities.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Bighorn Campground?

Bighorn Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Bighorn Campground?

Fire policies at Bighorn Campground: Campfires allowed as indicated by the availability of fire rings at campsites.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Bighorn Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Bighorn Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Bighorn Campground?

Popular activities at Bighorn Campground include Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bighorn Campground

2.50

6 reviews

Fishing

Quick Facts

4,659 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,659 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Bighorn Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

A $10 fee is charged per site starting May 9, with a limit of 2 vehicles per site.

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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USFS

Provider

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Bighorn Campground

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Campground Map

Bighorn Campground

46.3849, -113.6589

Nearby places

Missoula, 20 miles east (approximately 30 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies available in Missoula, 20 miles east, including groceries, fuel, and camping essentials.

Driving directionsOn Interstate 90, 20 miles east of Missoula, take Rock Creek exit #126 onto Rock Creek road. Drive 33 miles south on Rock Creek Road #102. Trailers, motorhomes and tow vehicles are not recommended due to the narrow and rough road.

The campground is accessible year-round, weather dependent. Road access is challenging, with narrow, rough roads unsuitable for trailers, motorhomes, and tow vehicles. Reconstruction work was completed recently to improve drainage and access roads.

Weather at Bighorn Campground

Current alert: None explicitly mentioned, but road and weather conditions may impact accessibility.

Best Time to Camp at Bighorn Campground

Summer delivers the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s and nights cooling to the 40s and 50s. The campground sees its heaviest use July through August. Winter temperatures drop into the teens, and snow covers the canyon floor. Spring brings cool evenings and intermittent rain as snowmelt feeds Rock Creek. Autumn temperatures turn crisp, with shorter days and golden light filtering through the conifers.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer provides most reliable conditions; campground sees heaviest use July–August and amenities available.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 10 through October, correlating with availability of amenities.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round, weather-dependent. However, no amenities are available from October through April.

About Bighorn Campground

Bighorn Campground sits in the Rock Creek drainage of Lolo National Forest, about 30 miles southeast of Missoula at 4,659 feet elevation. The campground received renovations in 2024, including updated vault toilets and graded access roads. Sites cost $10/night and include fire rings and picnic tables. Rock Creek runs alongside the campground, providing trout fishing access.

Bighorn Campground offers a primitive camping experience that is open year-round. The site does not accommodate trailers, motorhomes, or tow vehicles due to road conditions.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s and nights cooling to the 40s and 50s. The campground sees its heaviest use July through August. Winter temperatures drop into the teens, and snow covers the canyon floor. Spring brings cool evenings and intermittent rain as snowmelt feeds Rock Creek. Autumn temperatures turn crisp, with shorter days and golden light filtering through the conifers.

ElevationPerched within the mountainous terrain of the Rock Creek drainage, Bighorn Campground occupies that sweet spot where canyon walls rise dramatically around you and the air carries just enough mountain freshness to invigorate your senses. The rugged topography creates a natural amphitheater that shelters campers while offering stunning vertical landscapes.

Natural Features and SceneryOld-growth Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir forest covers the canyon slopes above Rock Creek. The creek flows through a canyon carved over geological time, with rock walls visible along the drainage. At this elevation, the mixed conifer forest provides shade over campsites. Rock Creek is a blue-ribbon trout stream with pools and riffles typical of mountain drainages in western Montana.

Geological RegionBighorn Campground sits at the heart of the Rock Creek drainage, where eons of geological forces have carved a rugged canyon that showcases nature's sculptural prowess. This dramatic landscape, cloaked in pristine old-growth forest of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir, represents one of the region's finest examples of intact mountain ecosystem, where ancient trees stand sentinel over a canyon that continues to evolve with each passing season.

Scenic ViewsViews include the scenic Rock Creek and surrounding canyon landscapes, offering a sense of remoteness and wilderness.

Lodging & AccommodationsNot applicable; the campground does not offer hotel-style lodging or accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not mentioned in the source material.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Not explicitly stated.

Check-out

Not explicitly provided.

Stay Limit

No explicit stay limits mentioned

Guests Allowed Per Site

Alimit of 2 vehicles per site is indicated.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSites are arranged to provide access to both Rock Creek and the surrounding forest. The 2024 renovations included grading of access roads throughout the campground.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations are taken, as the campground is strictly first-come, first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground is entirely first-come, first-served. No reservations are accepted.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservations are allowed as the campground operates first-come, first-served.

Site SizeNot explicitly mentioned in the source material.

PrivacyNot detailed in the source material.

Recommended SitesDue to narrow and rough access roads, small vehicles are recommended for easier navigation.

Amenities available

Restrooms are not available at this site. Potable water is not available at this site.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Bighorn Campground provides opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy fishing, hunting, and shooting activities. Rock Creek, a popular fishing destination, is located across the road from the campground, making it an ideal spot for anglers.

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include wildlife encounters (necessitating bear safety and food storage), rugged terrain, and seasonal snow or poor road conditions.

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

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at the campground. Newly installed vault toilets provide the only restroom facilities.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

2.5

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Bighorn Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are not available in the provided source materials, limiting insights into camper experiences.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Not applicable; no user reviews were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

Not applicable; no user reviews were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No site-specific reviews were mentioned in the source material.

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Not applicable; no user reviews were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Weather data suggests that summer months offer the most favorable camping conditions, though seasonal reviews are not provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

No direct quotes from users were available.

Based on 6 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews addressing accessibility features were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews or information specific to pet policies or pet-friendliness were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Fly fishers and trout anglers who want direct access to Rock Creek without paying resort prices. At 4,659 feet, summer nights cool to the 40s, and the 2024 road grading makes getting in easier than it used to be. Arrive early on summer weekends; no reservations means no safety ne

Skip if

No toilets, no water, no showers at all. Trailers, motorhomes, and tow vehicles are actively discouraged due to narrow, rough roads. If a bathroom within walking distance is non-negotiable, this isn't the spot.

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