Charles Waters Campground

About this campsite

The Charles Waters campground is paved asphalt with 26 campsites plus one double site, including 4 pull-through, one bicycle site, and one horse site; there is also one accessible site with electric hook-up. The campground also has water; accessible vault toilets; open meadow for activities and can accommodate RV's or trailers to 70 feet. Please note that the bicycle site and horse site are reserved for those users until 6 p.m. daily after which time if no one is occupying them then they are considered available on a first come first served basis. A campground host is available Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Also associated with the Charles Waters Campground is the Bass Creek Recreation Area. This recreation area includes four picnic sites; an interpretive nature trail; fire ecology trail and numerous trailheads to hiking, biking and stock routes with access to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Larry Creek Group Site is located within the Bass Creek Recreation Area, this large overnight group site is available for reservation through Recreation.gov. The gate will close to the Larry Creek Group Site on Dec. 1.

For more information please contact the Stevensville Ranger District at (406) 777-5461.

Location

Charles Waters Campground•MT

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

MON☁️

18° / 6°

💧 14%

TODAY☁️

20° / 8°

💧 5%

WED☁️

18° / 10°

💧 17%

THU🌧️

15° / 7°

💧 7%

FRI🌦️

21° / 9°

💧 18%

Common questions about Charles Waters Campground

Is Charles Waters Campground free to camp at?

Yes. Charles Waters Campground in MT is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. We hold no facilities list for it, so go in self sufficient with your own water and a way to deal with rubbish.

Can you book Charles Waters Campground online?

We hold no online booking link for Charles Waters Campground, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Charles Waters Campground?

Charles Waters Campground sits in MT. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

1.6 km away

LARRY CREEK GROUP CAMP

Overview Larry Creek Group Campground is located in western Montana's Bitterroot National Forest. It is a great location for an extended family or group getaway, providing access to many fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting opportunities. Recreation A variety of non-motorized trails are nearby, including a half-mile nature trail that highlights some the area's best features. The 9-mile Bass Creek Trail is located just south of the campground and leads to a scenic overlook and many fishing holes. Bass Lake, Bass Creek and numerous additional mountain streams make the campground a very popular location for fishing. An interpretive trail, fitness trail and volleyball court are located within the campground. Facilities The campground offers one large, accessible group campsite, available for tent and RV camping. It can accommodate up to 75 people and 10 vehicles. The adjacent parking area is small, limiting RVs to about 30 feet in length. The site is equipped with a picnic shelter, several tables, a large campfire circle and grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A gravel road accesses the campground. Vehicles must stay on Forest Roads and in the designated parking area. Vehicles are not allowed off-road. Motorized access to the meadow is not allowed. Natural Features The campground sits at a fairly low elevation in the Bass Creek Recreation Area between Missoula and Hamilton. It is situated west of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, in an area forested with pine, spruce and fir trees. A variety of wildlife, including mule and white-tailed deer, elk, moose and birds can often be seen in the area. Nearby Attractions The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Bitterroot River about 20 miles from the campground. The refuge provides visitors with opportunities for wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing and environmental education. A wildlife viewing area offers 2.5 miles of nature trails, including an accessible 0.5-mile path. The trails meander through meadows and woodlands along the river. A variety of services are available in the neighboring city of Stevensville.

11.8 km away

Chief Looking Glass Campground

Campground: Chief Looking Glass Campground.

26.5 km away

WEST FORK BUTTE LOOKOUT

Overview West Fork Butte Lookout is an ideal place for guests to experience the mountains south of Missoula from a unique vantage point. The facility provides near-360-degree views of the surrounding area. It is equipped with basic supplies and provides guests a base camp location from which to explore the area. Access by vehicle is available for a relatively short time during the summer months and is variable during the spring and fall. From December 1 - May 1 Forest Road 37 is closed, requiring hiking, skiing or snowmobiling roughly 7.5 miles to the facility. Outside of these dates the road may be muddy, snowy or icy - guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety and must bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Hiking trails are available in the area. Visitors often bring cross-country skis or snowshoes for wintertime fun. Snowmobiles are often used to reach the lookout in the winter, and there is a system of groomed trails to explore nearby. Fishing is available in Lolo Creek. Facilities The lookout can sleep up to four people and is equipped with bunk beds and mattress pads. The lookout also has a table and chairs, a propane cook stove and lantern, as well as a wood stove for heat. Cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, cookware and other amenities may be available, but are not always guaranteed; call for availability, (406) 329-3814. A vault toilet is provided. Guests should bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Bedding and towels, propane fuel canisters, flashlights, matches, lighters, garbage bags, toilet paper and cleaning supplies are not supplied at the facility. Guests are responsible for cleaning the lookout prior to departure. Natural Features The 14-by-14' lookout is situated on a rocky knob with spectacular views of the surrounding area, including Lolo Peak, the Bitterroot Mountains and the Lolo Creek drainage. The lookout is close to the Montana-Idaho border and Lolo Pass. The surrounding forest is comprised primarily of lodgepole pine and larch. The area is home to elk, moose, deer and black bears.

26.9 km away

Gold Creek Campground

4 campsites with extensive hiking, biking, motorcycle and horseback riding opportunities. Trails from the campground and from near the campground access the Skalkaho Wildlife Preserve, Gold Creek, and the Easthouse National Recreation Trail. Fishing in area creeks or the North Fork Bitterroot; hunting for deer and elk in season. Campground can accommodate RV's or trailers to 25 feet.