FOREST DISPERSED CAMP SOUTHWEST
Open — Open year-round for dispersed camping. Winter access may be limited by snow and road conditions. Maximum stay is 16 consecutive days.
R1-2024-01 Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions
Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathe
Current Avalanche Danger and Forecast
Avalanche Danger: Know before you go! Avalanche Forecasts at Flathead Avalanche Center
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
4.4 miles of National Forest System Trail 800 Tally-Ashley will be closed for public safety during logging activities starting 9/4/2025 - 9/1/2026 unless rescinded sooner.
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
From September 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, the following is prohibited in the Ryan Road area:Camping or otherwise occupying a site except where designated .
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
NFS Road 1625 is closed between milepost 2.84 and 5.08 for public safety due to road substrate slumping. This closed segment is from the junction with Rd #9881 at milepost 2.84 to the end of Rd #1625 starting 8/13/2025 - 8/12/2027 unless rescinded sooner.
Water Vessel Prohibitions
Violating State water vessel safety and operation laws and regulations is prohibited on all Flathead National Forest waterways.
About
Forest Dispersed Camp Southwest is located in the southwestern region of Flathead National Forest, part of Montana's 2.4-million-acre national forest in the Rocky Mountains. This dispersed camping area represents the type of primitive, undeveloped camping that Flathead National Forest permits throughout most of its lands. Unlike developed campgrounds, dispersed sites provide no amenities or services, requiring campers to be completely self-sufficient. Campers must follow all forest regulations, including the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem food and wildlife attractant storage order, which requires proper food storage to protect both visitors and wildlife. The maximum stay limit is 16 consecutive days. Dispersed camping is not permitted near developed recreation areas, campgrounds, or trailheads. Visitors should use existing fire rings when available and ensure fires are completely extinguished. Winter camping is permitted, though access may be limited by snow conditions and seasonal road closures. The area experiences typical Montana mountain weather with cold winters and snow that can persist for months. Summer and fall offer the most reliable access, though the forest is beautiful year-round for those equipped for winter conditions.
Directions
Dispersed campsites in the Tonto National Forest are generally accessed by forest roads; popular access points include sites near Payson such as Airplane Flat and Upper Canyon Creek. Follow the main forest roads until you see pullouts or previously established clearings. Be prepared to navigate dirt roads, and check maps for national forest boundaries to ensure legal camping.
Nearby Campgrounds
- FOREST DISPERSED CAMP SOUTHEAST 0.0mi
- FOREST DISPERSED CAMP WEST 0.0mi
- FOREST DISPERSED CAMP EAST 0.0mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP NORTH LOOP 1.8mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP SOUTH LOOP 1.9mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP SOUTH BEACH 1.9mi
- Devil's Corkscrew Campground 1.7mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP SOUTH POINT 2.0mi
- Graves Creek Campground 4.1mi
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 758-5208 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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