Montana / Madison County

Trapper Springs

Closed — Closed for winter. Reopens May 1, 2025. Campsites are available for reservation May 1 through September 15. All sites are first-come, first-served from September 16 through April 30. As of winter 2025, all individual campsites are first-come, first-served until further notice; the group pavilion may still be reserved online.

About

Trapper Springs Campground sits along the lower Madison River in southwest Montana, providing excellent access for camping, fishing, and floating. The campground features 15 sites positioned near one of Montana's renowned trout fisheries. During warm summer months, the lower Madison River attracts both anglers and tubers, and Trapper Springs serves as a convenient base located roughly halfway between Warm Springs boat launch and Black's Ford Fishing Access Site. The facility includes vault toilets, drinking water during the operating season, fire pits, and picnic tables at each site. A large day-use pavilion with parking for 20 vehicles is available for group reservations. Two accessible vault toilets serve the campground. While there is no boat launch at Trapper Springs itself, several launches are located nearby along the river corridor. The area offers proximity to notable attractions including the Bear Trap Canyon unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area, Norris Hot Springs, and the town of Ennis. The campground is managed by the BLM Dillon Field Office and operates seasonally from May through mid-September, with sites available first-come, first-served outside the peak reservation season.

Directions

From Bozeman: Head west on MT Highway 84 (Norris Road) for 20.5 miles. Turn left (south) at South Bear Trap Canyon Road. From Norris: Head east on MT Highway 84 for 8 miles and turn right (south) at South Bear Trap Canyon Road after crossing the Madison River.

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