Stony Creek Campground (MT)
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Stony Creek Campground is located in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in southwest Montana. The campground sits alongside the Rock Creek drainage, with views of the open valley and close access to the Blue Ribbon trout stream. The campground loops through a mix of conifers and cottonwoods, presenting a delightful show of color in the fall. Stony Creeks runs through the campground, offering an ideal setting for campers seeking relaxation and recreation. There are 10 first-come, first-served campsites. The camping fee is $15 per night.
Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Stony Creek Campground has 10 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. One water pump and two single vault restrooms are on site. The campground is accessible late May through mid-November, depending on weather conditions.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as there may not be cell phone coverage in the area.
Need to Know
There are 10 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. The camping fee is $15 per night.
Please Note: Double occupancy will be charged for more than (1) camping unit in the site. Additional camping units are trailers, RVs, and other mobile sleeping quarters.
Extra vehicle charge $5 per day (first 2 vehicles are free). See host or self-serve fee station - cash or check only at the campground. Parking is only allowed on spurs in campsites. Do not park on grass or along roadsides where you could impede traffic.
Bears are prevalent in the area. To reduce the likelihood of a human-to-bear conflict, Food Storage Order rules are enforced. All food, beverages, trash, and scented items must be properly stored when not attended. Proper storage methods include a bear hang, an enclosed hard sided vehicle, storage locker, or an IGBC certified bear resistant container – IGBC coolers must be locked. Bear resistant storage lockers are available at the campground. Learn more about the forest-wide Food Storage Order.
Camping stay limit is 16 days.
Site must be occupied the first night.
The campsite cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours without permission.
Check in time is 2:00 PM. Check out time is 11:00 AM.
Dogs allowed - must always be on leash in the campground.
Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
Click Here for more information about Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
Natural Features
Stony campground is nestled in a luxurious mix of conifers, cottonwoods, wild rose bushes, and other deciduous plants. Stony Creek runs through the campground and Rock Creek flows nearby. Several campsites have a view of the delightful cliffside overlooking the campground along Stony Creek Road/FR 241. Along the northwest corner an open meadow gives way to a commanding view of the variegated rocky cliffsides across the valley.
The Pintler Ranger District is known for its high, rugged, and beautiful mountain scenery, as well as the variety of wildlife that makes its home there, including elk, moose, deer, mountain lions, and bears (grizzly and black bears). Learn more about bear safety and forest-wide Food Storage Order.
Recreation
Stony Campground provides access to opportunities for hiking, backpacking, hunting, and fishing.
Blue Ribbon trout stream Rock Creek is a prime destination for westslope cutthroat trout, brown trout, whitefish and the occasional rainbow. The fishable Stony Creek runs through the campground. It is illegal to target bull trout, if caught they must be released immediately with minimal handling. Participants must have Montana licenses to hunt or fish.
Continue on FR 241 for about 5.5 miles to the trailhead for the Stony Lake Trail #8002 - a 5 mile hike up to Stony Lake. A regular passenger vehicle can travel a portion of the road, but a high clearance/4WD vehicle is highly recommended to reach the trailhead and the road will be muddy and difficult to navigate early in the season and for several days following heavy rainfall.
Travel past the campground on Upper Rock Creek Road/County Road 102 through the Rock Creek drainage and you will pass into Lolo National Forest in about 2.5 miles. The canyon is rich with geology and wildlife to appreciate, and several trailheads and fishing access spots are located off the roadway.
Visitors will find no shortage of trails within the Pintler Ranger District. Numerous trails lead into the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, which covers almost 250 square miles and straddles the Continental Divide along the crest of the Anaconda Range.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: N/A
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Philipsburg, travel west on Rock Creek Road/County Road 348/Marshall Creek Road for 14 miles, then turn right onto Upper Rock Creek Road/County Road 102 and continue 4.7 miles. Turn left at Forest Road 241/ Stony Creek Road campground is about .1 miles ahead on the left.
