East Fork Campground (MT)
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
East Fork Campground is located in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in western Montana. The campground is seated at the base of a forested hillside, adjacent to the East Fork of Rock Creek and just below the East Fork Reservoir. There is creek access, and a short jaunt up the road leads to the shores of the 380-acre lake flanked by forested hillsides and a view of the Anaconda Range. The campground includes an inviting day use area in an open meadow bordered by the creek. The campground offers visitors close access to the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. There are 8 first-come, first-served campsites, and 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 there may not be sufficient cell phone coverage in the area.
East Fork Campground has 8 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. A water pump and single vault restroom are on site. The campground includes a day-use picnic area with dedicated parking, two picnic tables, and a fire ring. 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 may 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 sufficient cell phone coverage in the area.
Need to Know
There are 8 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.
Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
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 be on leash at all times within 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
The campground is set in a forested area alongside East Fork Rock Creek. A short walk through the riparian area or open meadow leads to the creek and good fishing. Lodgepole Pine provide ample shade. The campground is located near East Fork Reservoir, where visitors can enjoy a view of the Pintlers.
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, birds of prey, and bears (grizzly and black bears). Learn more about bear safety and forest-wide Food Storage Order.
Recreation
East Fork Campground provides access to nearby opportunities for hiking, backpacking, bike riding, hunting, fishing, OHV riding, and boating.
There’s good fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout is good in East Fork Rock Creek. The creek has the largest population of bull trout in the Upper Clark Fork drainage - 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.
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. The East Fork Trailhead is close by, the starting point for the Page Lake Trail #8039 and East Fork Trail #8038. Both trails quickly cross into the wilderness area and connect to the Continental Divide Trail. Please remember, wilderness areas are off-limits to all vehicles, including bicycles.
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 south on Highway 1 for about 6.5 miles to the junction with Skalkaho Highway/Highway 38. Turn right onto Highway 38 and continue west for 6.1 miles, then turn left onto County Road 672. Just before this turn you will see an approach sign for East Fork Reservoir/Wilderness Access/672. Take County Road 672 for 5.1 miles to the junction with County Road 9349. As you approach of this junction, you will see a sign to turn right for East Fork Campground. Turn right and continue .8 miles to the campground.
