USDA Forest Service · Montana
Hilltop Campground (MT)
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to September 15
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,424 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- HILLTOP CAMPGROUND (NFSR 8386A) · improved native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
- Nearest town
- Ennis
- Address
- Madison Ranger District, Ennis, MT, 59729
About
Overview
Hilltop Campground is located on top of the hill mid-way between Cliff and Wade Lakes. It's about a 3/4 mile steep, winding drive from the Cliff Lake road. There are 18 sites which are all shaded and quiet, away from the crowds at the lakes.
Recreation
There are fishing, swimming and small craft boating opportunities at Cliif Lake, about 1,25 miles, and Wade Lake, about 1.75 miles away. There is a hiking trail from the campground to Wade Lake campground and it also accesses other routes on the trail system.
Facilities
There are picnic tables and fire rings in each campsite. There are four rustic outhouses and three fresh water hydrants spread throughout the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is located on top of a rolling hill in an old growth Douglas Fir forest.
Nearby Attractions
The Madison River, a world famous trout stream, is about seven miles from the campground. The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park is less than 40 miles.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 12° | -19° | 37° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 13° | -12° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 20° | 7° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 42° | 26° | 1° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 54° | 33° | 21° | 67° | 9 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 44° | 29° | 83° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 55° | 40° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 55° | 44° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 68° | 45° | 30° | 80° | 2 of 11 |
| October | 49° | 31° | 6° | 70° | 8 of 10 |
| November | 36° | 19° | -8° | 54° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 26° | 12° | -4° | 40° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Cliff Point (MT) · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 7 sites
- Cliff Point Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Wade Lake (MT) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 29 sites
- Madison River (MT) · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 11 sites
- West Fork Madison Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Montana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.