Lost Creek State Park Campground

I would think you either need to decide this campground is a destination or, like us, pick it as a midway point between Yellowstone and Glacier. 21 sites, no reservations but was told the campground rarely fills. I really did not feel the love when we arrived here. We didn’t know the layout and after Sites 1-6, the (gravel) road seemed to go on for quite some distance without seeing any additional sites. We settled into Site 4, which was very close to Site 5. This would be good if you were with friends, but we hedged our bets that after 5 pm on a Sunday, no one would take that spot and we were right. These sites have no shade, however, and it was very hot until the sun dipped below the rock walls surrounding the campground. Only pit toilets but they were exceptionally clean. Early the next morning, I set out for the mile walk to see the rest of the park. Site 7 is about a quarter-mile from Site 6 and has a seemingly private pit toilet as Sites 8-21 are another half mile up the road from Site 7. Sites 8-21 have a few pit toilets (also clean) and drinking water (Sites 1-7 do not). They are also more shaded. There is a nice waterfall accessible via a short, paved path from the end of the park as well as an additional trailhead (this I did not explore). Two small day-use areas; one between sites 6 and 7 and one at the end of the loop. The host was very friendly. There is a pack in/pack out policy. By the time we left, I was loving this place much more and might have given it five stars except for the steep price: $28 for non-residents for basically dry camping – compared to what we got in Idaho, this price is very high!

This very remote campground is easily accessible, and is just 20 minutes from Anaconda, MT. The campground sits in a narrow canyon with towering cliffs on either side, and has two streams that run along either side of the campground. One wild and thundering, and the other is slow and features several pools engineered by beavers – which I had the good fortune to watch (see picture). Also there is a waterfall, and an excellent hiking trail going another four or five miles, along the creek, into the canyon.

Though the canyon is quite narrow, it is exposed to the sun most of the day, and I was easily able to recharge my solar panels. One quirk is the water tap. It is an old-fashioned handle pump with a push knob, and being alone I could not work the pump…and fill my water jug!

My site was reasonably level, and had a picnic table and fire ring. Cell service is non-existent. In the mornings I would drive ten minutes down to the parking lot of the volunteer fire dept. and could get three bars. Note: most sites are small and not suitable for larger trailers and coaches. The last mile or so is on a well maintained gravel road.