Copper Creek Campground

1st Time at Copper Creek Campground | Dirt Bike vs Quad!

The Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) leads into the Sapphire Mountains along a primitive and once widely used Native American trail. The scenic drive, which is closed during winter, was built to provide access between mining areas and agricultural communities in the Bitterroot Valley. About 30 miles from the campground, the road leads to Skalkaho Falls in the neighboring Bitterroot National Forest. There are miles of trails in the vicinity offering access to the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Moose Lake Picnic Area is a short walk or drive from the campground. There is an ATV loop from Copper creek over O’Brien ridge to Frog Pond Basin and back down to Copper Creek. Georgetown Lake can be accessed by highways or dirt roads. The town of Philipsburg has restaurants, gift shops, gem shops, a micro brewery, candy shop, gas station, grocery store, historic theater, and has events throughout the year.

• Moose Lake Camp Historic DistrictHistoric district · Philipsburg · 1 mi

The campground is located along Copper Creek near the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Campsites partially shaded by evergreens loop around a small open meadow, with views of nearby peaks. The confluence of Copper Creek and Middle Fork Rock Creek is less than a half mile down the road. There is easy access to both creeks, and good fishing. The area 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 the forest-wide Food Storage Order).

Copper Campground provides access to opportunities for hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, and OHV riding. Middle Fork Rock Creek provides good fishing opportunities for Cutthroat Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Whitefish. Copper Creek runs through the campground and other smaller creeks are close by. 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. There are five trailheads in the area, none more than a seven-mile drive from the campground. Please remember, wilderness areas are off-limits to all vehicles, including bicycles. Moose Lake Picnic Area is located one and a half miles from the campground. This lakeside day-use picnic area provides opportunities for picnicking, fishing, swimming, and boating.

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

• 
  Best Tent Camping: Montana

  Vicky Soderberg and Ken Soderberg, 2017

  Find at Bookshop.org
• Moon Montana, Wyoming and Idaho Camping

  Becky Lomax
  Moon Montana, Wyoming and Idaho Camping

  Becky Lomax, 2015

  Find at Bookshop.org
• Camping Montana

  Kenneth L. Graham
  Camping Montana

  Kenneth L. Graham, 2019

  Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.