Trapper Springs (MT)

BLM DILLON FIELD OFFICE, 1005 SELWAY DRIVE
DILLON, MT 59729

Notice

ALL Trapper Springs campsites are First-Come First-Served until futher notice. The group pavilion may still be reserved online.

Dec 23, 2025 – Dec 24, 2026

Overview

The Dillon Field Office is unable to make reservations for you. Please call Recreation.gov (877-444-6777) to book a reservation or book online.

Campsites are available for reservation for the Peak-Season times of May 1st through September 15th. All sites are first-come-first-serve from September 16th through April 30th.

Trapper Springs Campground is adjacent to the lower Madison River and provides good access for camping, fishing and floating. The campground has 15 camp sites, 9 available for reservations. There is no boat launch available at this site, but there are several in the vicinity. The campground serves as a great central location to access the lower Madison River.

The day use area has a large pavilion with parking for 20 vehicles. The pavilion can be reserved for groups ($50/day). The campground has 15 camping sites with two accessible vault toilets. Organized Group permits are required for groups larger than 15 people.

Recreation

The Madison River is well known for its robust trout fishery. The lower Madison River is a very popular destination for non-angling floaters (tubers) during the warm summer months. Trapper Springs sits roughly half way between Warm Springs boat launch and Black's Ford Fishing Access Site.

Facilities

15 campsites, 3 accessible vault toilets, drinking water, group use pavilion, fire pits, and picnic tables. Firewood is available for purchase at Red Mountain Campground, when the volunteer campground host is present.

Natural Features

Madison River

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (406) 683-8000.

Nearby Attractions

Lower Madison River, Bear Trap Canyon unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Area, Norris Hot Springs, Ennis

Charges & Cancellations

Failing to arrive on the first night of your reservation will result in a forfeiture of your reservation and your site may be made available to someone else.

Camp site features

Across 15 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 15 sites
Pets allowed: all 15 sites
Longest RV: 60 ft
Largest party: 15 people

Directions

From Bozeman; Head west on MT Hwy 84 (Norris Road). Continue on MT Hwy 84 for 20.5 miles. Turn left (south) at South Bear Trap Canyon Road. If you cross the Madison River you have just passed the turn. From Norris; Head East on MT Hwy 84 (Norris Road) travel for 8 miles and turn right (south) at South Bear Trap Canyon Road after you cross the Madison River.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

15 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

1 stars

Lauren M

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Prettier than we expected. Would have loved to have more time to experience the river. We used it as a quick road trip pit stop but it was beautiful and perfectly comfortable. Water worked, wasn’t too windy & our 3 kids (6, 4 & 2) had fun exploring.

DENIS K

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Private! Great location. Easy parking space.

Michael K

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Just a couple of things to note. Water pumps might not be available in early May. I arrived at my campsite on May 12th and used one of the hand pipes. I pumped it probably 100 times to no avail. Luckily, I ran into some nice folks who gave bottled water. When I found the camp manager (located across the street at Red Mountain campsite) he said they were still testing the water so there was no water in the pumps yet. I used his pump to fill up my camelback. The site is right off 84, so if you are using a tent bring ear plugs. There is no signage for Trapper Springs, but it is directly across the road from Red Mountain which has a huge sign for it. There is no cell service, so I asked a family to text my wife that I made it to the campsite. If you are traveling by bike, just be aware there are times that there is no shoulder on the road. I always enjoy my experience and just aware of these items if travel like do with a bicycle.

larry h

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Quiet, very little traffic coming and going through campground.

Dawn S

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

Sites are spaced pretty far apart. Vault toilets were well maintained. Scenery is beautiful. If you like to river raft this is the place to go.

Shin S

Loop:A

Site:

Reviewed 3 years ago

There was no water available at any of the water spigots. Our visit was in June of 2023. No reasonable explanation for why the water would be off. Normally I’d be ok without the water amenity, it was just the principle of the fact that it did t say anywhere “sorry water is off, etc”. No explanation, no sorry, no discount on the price because of it. The site just simply didn’t care. End of story. 1 star.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve