USDA Forest Service · Montana
Philipsburg Bay Campground
USDA Forest Service · Montana, United States
- Sites
- 45
- Hookups
- 4 electric, 4 with water, 30 no hookups
- Season
- May 27 to September 12
- Max RV length
- 60 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,437 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- PHILIPSBURG BAY CAMP (NFSR 9460) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
- Phone
- 406-210-8199
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Swimming Site, Water Sports, Wildlife Viewing
44 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Philipsburg Bay Campground is adjacent to Georgetown Lake and provides ideal access to fishing, boating and water skiing. It is located in the Pintler Ranger District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the largest national forest in Montana. Surrounded by mountains of outstanding beauty, the location is perfect for visitors who enjoy mountain and water sports or those who prefer relaxing and taking in the spectacular view.
Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Recreation
Canoeing and boating are popular activities at the lake. Hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers will find no shortage of trails within a few miles of the campground.
Georgetown Lake is a prime destination for fishing and fly fishing with kokanee salmon, rainbow and brook trout being the most sought-after species. It is illegal to target Bull Trout, if caught they must be released immediately with minimal handling. Participants must have Montana licenses to hunt or fish.
Facilities
The campground has 65 sites in total, 34 sites are reservable and 31 sites are available as first-come, first-served.
Loop A and half of loop B are first-come, first-served. Loop C and half of Loop B can be reserved in advance during the summer season. It is available for RV or tent camping and is boater-friendly with paved roads and a boat ramp.
Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Natural Features
The campground overlooks the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Georgetown Lake is a large mountain lake spanning close to 3,000 acres at an elevation of over 6,000 ft. Lodgepole pines enclose the lake and surrounding mountains, providing a home to abundant wildlife including moose, elk, white-tailed deer and even bighorn sheep. Water birds such as the graceful blue heron as well as hawks and other birds of prey also inhabit the lake area.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (406) 859-3211.
Nearby Attractions
Town of Philipsburg and Anacaonda, gem mining, hiking, fly fishing, atving.
Charges & Cancellations
Must cancel 4 days in advance
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 12° | -29° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 14° | -21° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 20° | 5° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 40° | 23° | -4° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 50° | 30° | 19° | 71° | 10 of 11 |
| June | 63° | 40° | 26° | 84° | 5 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 49° | 35° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 75° | 49° | 41° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 64° | 42° | 28° | 79° | 4 of 11 |
| October | 49° | 31° | 16° | 69° | 9 of 10 |
| November | 37° | 22° | -17° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 28° | 12° | -3° | 42° | 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
- Lodgepole Campground (on Georgetown Lake, Montana) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 21 sites
- Piney Campground and Boat Launch · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 19 sites
- Flint Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Cable Mountain Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Warm Springs Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
All public campgrounds in Montana · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-07-16. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.