Sam Billings Memorial Campground
03 reviews6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829
Sam Billings Memorial Campground
$5.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$10.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
No fees are required for this campground. Single sites are priced at $10/night, and additional vehicles cost $5/night. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Pass holders receive a 50% discount on single campsites. Payment is accepted in cash or check only.
About this campground
Nestled along the pristine waters of Boulder Creek, Sam Billings Memorial Campground offers a true wilderness escape where the rhythms of nature replace the noise of modern life. This intimate campground features 12 thoughtfully spaced sites, each furnished with sturdy picnic tables and fire rings perfect for evening gatherings under starlit skies. For larger parties, a spacious group area welcomes extended families and friends to create lasting memories together. While the campground maintains its rustic charm with vault toilets and a pack-in, pack-out philosophy, its location at the doorstep of the legendary Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness makes it a coveted basecamp for adventurers seeking authentic mountain experiences.
The campground provides options primarily for tent and RV camping, with 12 combined sites suitable for both. It is described as rustic with good privacy between sites and a large area ideal for group activities. Stock facilities and 5 additional campsites are available at the nearby Boulder Creek Horse Camp.
Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic beauty of all four seasons at Sam Billings, where each brings its own magic to the landscape. Summer unveils perfect camping weather with crystal-clear skies and comfortable temperatures climbing to a pleasant 85°F, ideal for creek-side relaxation and wilderness exploration. As autumn arrives, crisp mountain air transforms the forest into a tapestry of golden hues. Winter blankets the campground in peaceful solitude, with temperatures dipping between 20°F and 36°F, creating a wonderland for hardy souls—though snow often limits access, adding to the site's remote allure. Spring's arrival brings the forest back to life with wildflowers and rushing snowmelt in Boulder Creek.
ElevationPerched at 4,500 feet above sea level, Sam Billings Memorial Campground offers that perfect sweet spot of mountain elevation—high enough to escape summer's heat and provide crisp, pine-scented air, yet accessible enough for comfortable camping. This moderate altitude creates an invigorating atmosphere where morning mists dance through the trees and afternoon breezes carry the whisper of higher peaks, while cool evenings invite campers to gather around crackling fires.
Natural Features and SceneryStep into a living postcard where towering pines create a natural cathedral overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor below. The campground's carpet of soft pine needles and native grasses cushions every footstep, while Boulder Creek provides a constant soundtrack of rushing water that lulls campers to sleep. This pristine ecosystem serves as a wildlife corridor where lucky visitors might glimpse majestic moose browsing near the water's edge, elk bugling during autumn's rut, or deer delicately picking their way through camp at dawn. The surrounding forest creates an intimate atmosphere while opening to reveal stunning vistas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness beyond.
Geological RegionSam Billings Memorial Campground sits within the magnificent Bitterroot National Forest, where millions of years of geological forces have sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty. Boulder Creek has carved its path through ancient bedrock, creating the gentle valley that cradles the campground today. The surrounding pine forests—a diverse mix of species perfectly adapted to this mountain environment—thrive in the well-drained soils deposited over millennia. As the gateway to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, the campground offers front-row seats to one of the most pristine and geologically fascinating regions in the Northern Rockies, where the earth's raw power meets the gentle persistence of forest and stream.
Campsite details
AccessibilityWheelchair-friendly vault toilets are available.
Sites SizeCampsites can accommodate RVs or trailers up to 30 feet in length.
Sites PrivacyReviewers mention good privacy between campsites with natural shade provided by pine trees.
Total Campsites12 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSites by Boulder Creek are recommended for scenic views.
Reserving a campsite
Stay Limit
Camping limited to 16 consecutive days.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutThe campground stretches over 0.4 miles with good privacy between campsites, thanks to the pine tree coverage.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round, but access is closed by snow annually during winter.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served; no reservation required.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Sam Billings Memorial Campground provides several recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The Boulder Creek Trail #617, a 27-mile trail suitable for foot and horse travel, starts nearby and leads through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Boulder Falls is a notable highlight approximately 4 miles from the trailhead. Fishing includes opportunities for Brook, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout.
Hiking
The Boulder Creek Trail #617 is a 27-mile trail accessible for both foot and horse travel. Boulder Falls, located 4 miles from the trailhead, is a highlighted destination. The trail extends through the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.Fishing
Fishing is available in nearby Boulder Creek with opportunities to catch Brook, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout.Wildlife viewing
Campers may occasionally see moose, elk, and deer in the surrounding area. This is bear country, and campers are advised to practice safe food storage techniques.Winter Activities
The campground is closed by snow annually, suggesting potential for winter-related activities in nearby areas, though none are explicitly listed.Water Sports
No water sports like kayaking or paddleboarding are available.Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Campfires are allowed within designated fire rings.
- Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include bears and other wildlife. Campers are advised to follow bear-safe food storage techniques.
Weather forecast
87
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 14%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 7.9 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Nearest emergency services are available at West Fork Ranger District, located at 6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829. Phone: 406-821-3269.
Good to know
Trash and recyclingCampers are required to practice 'pack it in, pack it out' principles, as trash and recycling facilities are not provided.
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to Boulder Creek.
Common complaintsUser reviews note that the campground lacks a visible host, even though maintenance is well-regarded.
Campground Map
6735 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829
Driving directionsFrom Darby, MT, take US Rt. 93 south 3.7 miles to West Fork Rd. (State Rt. 473). Turn right onto Rt. 473 and go 13.4 miles to Sam Billings Recreation Site sign (Forest Rt. 5631). Turn right at sign onto Rt. 5631 (dirt, single-lane) and go 0.8 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
The roads leading to the campground are gravel and tight. RVs and trailers up to 30 feet are accommodated, but parking aprons are also gravel, and the driving conditions may be challenging for larger vehicles.Nearby places
Darby: 17 miles, approximately 25 minutes drive.
Nearby supplies
Camping supplies and an RV waste station are available for a fee at Bud's and Shirley's Motel at the intersection of Main St. and Missoula Ave., Darby, MT.
Camper Reviews
0.0
3 reviews
Sam Billings Memorial Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
The campground receives positive reviews for its peaceful setting, cleanliness, and maintenance. Visitors appreciate the natural surroundings and the availability of basic facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 3 reviews
What Campers Love
- Peaceful and well-maintained
- Clean restrooms
- Scenic, with good privacy between sites
Based on 3 reviewsCommon Concerns
- Lack of potable water
- Campground host was not seen during some visits, as noted by a reviewer.
Based on 3 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
- Bring your own drinking water, as none is available on-site.
- Practice bear-safe food storage techniques as this is bear country.
Based on 3 reviewsSeasonal Insights
The campground is closed by snow annually, making it suitable for summer and early autumn camping. Visitors emphasize the peacefulness and well-maintained nature of the site during these seasons.
Based on 3 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. 'Beautiful campground, well maintained. Only issue was not ever seeing the campground host, overall fabulous place to camp!'
2. 'Clean restrooms.. Peaceful surroundings. Great place to camp.'
3....
Based on 3 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
No specific site numbers are mentioned in the reviews.
Based on 3 reviewsAccessibility Features
Wheelchair-friendly vault toilets are available, which is a noted accessibility feature.
Based on 3 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pets are allowed but must be leashed, as per campground rules.
Based on 3 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025