Philipsburg Bay Campground
Philipsburg Bay Campground is adjacent to Georgetown Lake and provides ideal access to fishing, boating and water skiing. It is located in the Pintler Ranger District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the largest national forest in Montana. Surrounded by mountains of outstanding beauty, the location is perfect for visitors who enjoy mountain and water sports or those who prefer relaxing and taking in the spectacular view.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Montana · first-come in Montana · reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 30 |
| Standard with electric | 4 |
| Host/management | 11 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
34 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 025 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 027 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 028 | B | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 029 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 030 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 039 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 040 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 041 | B | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 42 | C | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | No | Lakefront | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 43 | C | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 030, 031, 032, 033 and 8 more are listed accessible |
The campground has 65 sites in total, 34 sites are reservable and 31 sites are available as first-come, first-served. Loop A and half of loop B are first-come, first-served. Loop C and half of Loop B can be reserved in advance during the summer season. It is available for RV or tent camping and is boater-friendly with paved roads and a boat ramp.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest |
| Booking | To make reservations, call toll free 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | There is a per night fee ($17.00) for this campground. There is a $5.00 day-use fee per vehicle with an option for a $50.00 season pass for the boat launch. The season pass day-use fee is good for Grassy, Piney, Philipsburg Bay, and Red Bridge. |
| Rules | 16 day stay limit; Food Storage Requirements |
Weather by month
Getting there
The campground is located in southwestern Montana, about 11 miles south of Philipsburg. Follow U.S. Route 1 south and take a right on Georgetown Lake Road. The campground is on the left adjacent to the lake.
| Coordinates | 46.2064° N, 113.2900° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- 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.
Charges and cancellations
Must cancel 4 days in advance
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D3 Cameron Gaps
35 mi from the campground · 1,100 acres
- WildfireSand Creek
45 mi from the campground · 35,520 acres · 83% contained
- PrescribedSure Thing Swamp Rx
49 mi from the campground · 180 acres
- PrescribedScf Nz Pile Burn Rx
50 mi from the campground · 34 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Rocky Mountain RV ↗ | 41.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Philipsburg Bay Campground, MT from Justin
Worth a stop
Town of Philipsburg and Anacaonda, gem mining, hiking, fly fishing, atving.
- 0.4 miPebble Beach Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.9 miLodgepole Ridge Ski3.8 mi trail
- 1.3 miLodgepole Connect Ski1.3 mi trail
- 2.4 miRed Lion Snowmobile ↗15.6 mi trail
- 2.4 miCable Campground Ski2.1 mi trail
- 2.6 miEcho Lake Ski1.9 mi trail
- 2.6 miPeterson Meadow Snowmobile ↗4.5 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest begins about 6.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.4 miBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,614,456 acres
- 10.8 miAnaconda Pintler Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 158,712 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Miners Union HallBuilding · Philipsburg · 7.9 mi
- Superintendent's HouseBuilding · Philipsburg · 7.9 mi
- Ringeling HouseBuilding · Philipsburg · 8.4 mi
Natural features
The campground overlooks the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Georgetown Lake is a large mountain lake spanning close to 3,000 acres at an elevation of over 6,000 ft. Lodgepole pines enclose the lake and surrounding mountains, providing a home to abundant wildlife including moose, elk, white-tailed deer and even bighorn sheep. Water birds such as the graceful blue heron as well as hawks and other birds of prey also inhabit the lake area.
Recreation
Canoeing and boating are popular activities at the lake. Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers will find no shortage of trails within a few miles of the campground. Georgetown Lake is a prime destination for fishing and fly fishing with kokanee salmon, rainbow and brook trout being the most sought-after species. 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.
Guidebooks for Montana
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
There is a per night fee ($17.00) for this campground. There is a $5.00 day-use fee per vehicle with an option for a $50.00 season pass for the boat launch. The season pass day-use fee is good for Grassy, Piney, Philipsburg Bay, and Red Bridge.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Philipsburg Bay Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Philipsburg Bay Campground have?
45 sites, including 30 standard sites without power and 4 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Philipsburg Bay Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Philipsburg Bay Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 16 day stay limit; Food Storage Requirements
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
Sites 030, 031, 032, and 033 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 12 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Philipsburg Bay Campground?
Canoeing and boating are popular activities at the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Philipsburg Bay Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lodgepole Campground (0.9 mi, partly first-come), Piney Campground And Boat Launch (0.9 mi, partly first-come), and Flint Creek Campground (2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby