Blodgett Campground

Arrived here on Tuesday 9/8 about 5 pm, got the next-to-last open spot, fit our 34’ class A in no problem, definitely could have fit it in a couple. Saw a little bear (but not the mama) about 9pm. Hiked down the canyon a ways in the evening, it was gorgeous! Went to town and had great pizza and beer at Higherground. Wished we had longer than 1 night to stay! The drive in is a little washboarded, but no problem.

We arrived here on a Thursday and all of the campsites were taken so we set up camp out in the far end of the dirt part of the parking lot. The parking lot isn’t a terrible place to camp and the only noise was from the cars driving in and out to get to the trailhead.

We spent one night out there before the campground host came and told us that a site had opened if we wanted it but also that we were free to camp out in the parking lot if we wanted to stay there.

From this experience, we learned that talking to the camp host is a really good idea. Because of the 5 day camping limit, chances are someone is going to leave soon. The host was really nice, and we watched him
help a lot of people find a place to camp for the night until a spot became available.

The campground is fantastic. You have the beautiful Bitterroot Mountains all around you, a creek flowing nearby, and most of the sites are paved so there’s hardly any dust. There’s no water but you have the creek and there is a vault toilet in both the campground and in the parking lot.

There is a day use area behind the campground information sign, and in that area is a parking spot for a tent campsite that you walk down a short trail into the forest to get to. There were people in it when we were there so we weren’t able to take pictures, but it looked very private and away from the noise of the RVs. If you are a tent camper that is the spot I would try and take first.

All 4 of the RV campsites are fairly large and even though there’s a sign that says not recommended for trailers over 22 feet we fit our 32 foot travel trailer and truck in no problem.

Also, the hike that starts in the parking lot is amazing. We didn’t go to the lake, but we made it to the waterfall and it’s in our top 5 most beautiful hikes we’ve done this summer.

Little did I know, until I arrived at the trailhead parking lot for Blodgett Creek Canyon, I stayed here in 2018. I inadvertently came up to hike with no intentions to camp, until I met Chris, again! What started as a 1 night stay turned into the 5 night limit. This campground is small with only 6 sites and it’s very popular. I was lucky to have found a spot at 2:30pm. The only amenities are vault toilets, but the creek, Blodgett Canyon trailhead, canyon views and awesome camp host make up for any amenity shortfalls. Get there early to get a spot!! If it’s full ask Chris if you can stay out in the horse corral parking, he’s very accommodating.

Good and very small NFS campground, only 5 sites. Fortunately, you can park overnight in the front gravel parking area if necessary and that's what I had to do. It was perfectly fine. Road in is paved except for last 2 miles, a wee bit bumpy but not a problem. Don't assume you'll get a spot here....no matter what time or day you arrive.
Personally...I love quiet! The sound of the creek is loud. Most people would find it soothing. 🙄

If you are lucky enough to snag a spot in this tiny loop, you will have access to gorgeous Blodgett Creek right there, the trailhead for 12+ miles of some of the best hiking ever, trout fishing, chilly swims, and amazing canyon granite views. The trouble is it’s hard to snag one of the 4 spots. 5th is for the camp host whom we never talked to. We got lucky but try arriving between 9-12AM of you can. NO WATER PUMP. It’s off. Our AT&T was slow but worked for email and text. One of the best campsites ever. Warning: Chipmunks WILL get under and around your camper so be aware. Running our generator was the only way to deter them.

Blodgett Creek is a really nice little USFS campground near Hamilton, MT in the Bitterroot Valley. There are 4 drive up sites, one walk in site, the camp host site, and a day use area. The road in is gravel for a few miles leading up to the campground, but fairly smooth and it is very easy to find - just follow the signs and the road takes you right there. The campground is very busy and when we arrived on a Tuesday afternoon it was full. Thankfully the fantastic camp host, Chris, allowed us to stay that night in the day use area as long as we left room for others to park there during the day. He told us that some of the other campers would be leaving the next day, so when they began packing up the next morning we asked them to give us a heads up before they left so we could move over before someone else took the spot. Chris was very accommodating and even allowed us to stay the 5 day limit at the site, not including our night in the day use area. He is also very knowledgeable about the area and the trails.

The sites were level and the bathrooms clean, this is definitely an all around very nice campground. There is a trail, Blodgett Creek trail, which goes pretty far along the creek into the mountains. Also, if you backtrack along the dirt road you can turn to drive to the top of the ridge and hike a short (1.5 mile) trail to the overlook - absolutely stunning. You can see why they call this place the Yosemite of Montana, lots of climbers appreciating the granite cliffs too. Definitely do yourself a favor and walk around Hamilton, MT - it is a really nice little town with great shops and restaurants.

Other reviewers are correct in that the water pump is shut off permanently, so bring your own drinking water. The creek flows cold and clear so we scooped some extra water out of there for some light washing / foot soaking after our hiking day. Sunset here is pretty unique as the colors reflect off of the cliffs and bath everything in pink light. On our last day smoke from the Roaring Lion Fire came over the ridge and rained some ash on us, no big deal but it definitely feels good to have a camp host who will keep you updated on any nearby fires. Thank you to forest firefighters everywhere!