Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area
Elk Lake dispersed camping and picnic area is surrounded by pristine wilderness and mountain lakes and streams. There are abundant wildlife viewing opportunities in the area, which is particularly popular with birders. Bears frequent the landscape here, so be sure to be bear aware and follow all regulations and best practices for food storage.
More like this: first-come in Montana · free in Montana · tent only in Montana
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | There is no fee ($0) for this dispersed camping area. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest |
| Fees | There is no fee ($0) for this dispersed camping area. |
| Rules | Forest-wide stay limit: Camping in an area, campsite, or developed campground is limited to 16 accumulated days within any 30 day period. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has a mandatory forest-wide Food Storage Order. Food Storage Requirements 2014 Food Storage Order |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 44.6693° N, 111.6320° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 25.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Eagle's Curios ↗ | 26.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Elk Lake Resort Campground, OR from Jenny R.
Worth a stop
- 9.7 mi
Trails nearby
- 2.4 miBrimstone3.5 mi trail
- 3.3 miLost Mine Canyon ↗7.4 mi trail
- 4.2 miMeridian Creek ↗6.5 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Red Rock Lakes Wilderness begins about 2.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.9 miRed Rock Lakes Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Fish and Wildlife Service · 32,350 acres
- 2.9 miRed Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 85,504 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to camp at Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area?
Nothing. Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area is listed as free. There is no fee ($0) for this dispersed camping area.
Source: Forest Service
Is Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area open right now?
Open as of Oct 26, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area?
Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Elk Lake Dispersed Camping and Picnic Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cliff Point (9.1 mi), Hilltop Campground (9.6 mi), and Wade Lake (9.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby