RV Parks In Anaconda, Montana
46.1285° N, 112.9423° W
Quick Overview
Anaconda is a high-country Montana town built around copper smelting, and its giant brick smokestack still towers over the valley as a state park landmark. For RVers it is a gateway to some of southwest Montana s best mountain-lake camping, sitting on the Pintler Scenic Loop near 5,300 feet between the interstate hub of Butte and the trout waters of Georgetown Lake. You can base in town with full hookups or head up to the lake and dry-camp among the pines. Either way the scenery, the fishing, and the short, beautiful summer are the draw.
In town, the camping is straightforward. Big Sky RV Campground sits less than a mile from downtown with full hookups and 50 amp service, the closest powered base for exploring, and Willow Springs RV & Camping is out on Highway 1 toward the lake. The real camping highlight is about 15 miles west at Georgetown Lake, where the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest runs several campgrounds on or near the water. Philipsburg Bay has 69 paved sites with a boat launch, Lodgepole has 29 units across the highway from the lake, and Piney has 48 units right on the shore. None have hookups, but they put you on a gorgeous trout lake with a mix of reservable and first-come sites.
The split here is simple: power and town convenience down low, scenery and fishing up at the lake. A lot of RVers base a big rig in town and day-trip to the lake, while self-contained campers head straight for the Forest Service loops. Nearby Lost Creek State Park adds a small primitive campground in a limestone canyon with a waterfall and bighorn sheep. Add the Old Works golf course built on the reclaimed smelter site and a drive over the Pintler Scenic Loop to historic Philipsburg, and Anaconda fills a summer week easily. Just plan around the season, because at this elevation the camping window is short and the nights stay cold.
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Gear for Your Trip to Anaconda
All Dump Stations Near Anaconda
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Court RV Park | 0.7 mi | N/A | RV Park | Varies |
| Copper Court RV Park | 0.7 mi | N/A | RV Park | Varies |
| Big Sky RV Park & Campground | 0.7 mi | 4.4 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Hunters Trailer Court & RV Park | 2.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Fairmont RV Park | 8.8 mi | N/A | RV Park | Free |
| Fairmont RV Resort | 8.9 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Spring Hill Campground And Picnic Area | 11.0 mi | 4.5 | Dump Station | Varies |
| 2 Bar Lazy H RV Campgrounds | 17.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Philipsburg Bay Campground | 17.4 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Deer Lodge KOA | 17.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
Copper Court RV Park
0.7 miCopper Court RV Park
0.7 miBig Sky RV Park & Campground
0.7 miHunters Trailer Court & RV Park
2.8 miFairmont RV Park
8.8 miFairmont RV Resort
8.9 miSpring Hill Campground And Picnic Area
11.0 mi2 Bar Lazy H RV Campgrounds
17.3 miPhilipsburg Bay Campground
17.4 miDeer Lodge KOA
17.8 miTraveling to Anaconda by RV
Anaconda sits just off the Pintler Scenic Loop (Highway 1), a short hop from the interstate hub at Butte, where I-90 and I-15 meet about 25 miles east. From Butte you take I-90 west and drop down Highway 1 into town, a paved mountain highway with grades and curves but no clearance issues. Highway 1 continues west, climbing to Georgetown Lake and on to the historic mining town of Philipsburg, making a scenic loop you can drive in a day. Missoula is roughly 90 miles northwest. Butte is the nearest city with full RV services, fuel, groceries, and an airport, so stock up there before heading into the mountains. The roads up to Georgetown Lake are paved and well-traveled but mountainous, so take the grades slow with a loaded rig and watch for weather, since snow can linger into early summer and return by late September at this elevation.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Anaconda, Montana, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Anaconda
Anaconda is an affordable place to camp. The Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake charge typical national-forest nightly rates on the low end, with no hookups for the money, and Lost Creek State Park is inexpensive too. The in-town private RV parks cost more for the convenience and the hookups but stay moderate by national standards, with nothing resort-priced in the area. Your bigger expenses tend to be fuel, a Montana fishing license, and any boat rental or a round at the Old Works golf course rather than the camping itself. To keep costs lowest, lean on the first-come Forest Service sites and Lost Creek midweek, and save the in-town hookup parks for nights you actually need power and a dump. Stock groceries and propane in Butte, where prices and selection beat the small mountain town.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Anaconda
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Best Time to Visit Anaconda by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
12F - 32F
Crowds: Low
Cold and snowy at this 5,300-foot elevation, and the Forest Service campgrounds up at Georgetown Lake are closed. Winter here is for skiing at Discovery and ice fishing on the lake, not RV camping. If you roll through, plan on an in-town spot and full winter setup.
Spring
Mar - May
30F - 52F
Crowds: Low
Late and cool, with snow lingering at the lake into May or even June. The in-town parks open as the weather allows, but the high Georgetown Lake loops stay closed until things dry out. Expect mud, cold nights, and quiet, uncrowded days.
Summer
Jun - Aug
45F - 79F
Crowds: High
Short, gorgeous, and the whole season. July and August bring warm days, cool nights, and busy fishing and boating at Georgetown Lake. Reserve the Forest Service loops ahead for weekends, and still pack for chilly mornings even in the heart of summer.
Fall
Sep - Oct
31F - 57F
Crowds: Medium
Crisp days, excellent fishing, and golden larch on the slopes make fall beautiful, but the high campgrounds close early and nights drop below freezing. A quiet, scenic time to visit if your rig is self-contained and ready for cold mornings.
Explore the Anaconda Area
Use the in-town private parks, Big Sky RV and Willow Springs, for hookups and a comfortable base, then day-trip up to Georgetown Lake for the scenery and fishing. If you want to camp right on the water, the Forest Service loops at Philipsburg Bay, Lodgepole, and Piney have no hookups, so come self-contained and reserve July and August weekends on Recreation.gov before they fill with Montana anglers. Pack for cold nights even in midsummer, because at 5,300 feet the temperature drops fast after dark and the lake is colder still. Drive the full Pintler Scenic Loop over to Philipsburg for the sapphire mining, the old-fashioned candy store, and the Granite ghost town above it. And if you golf, the Old Works course on the reclaimed smelter site, with its black slag bunkers, is a genuinely unusual round well worth booking ahead.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Anaconda
Where can I camp with full hookups in Anaconda?
Your full-hookup options are the in-town private RV parks. Big Sky RV Campground sits less than a mile from downtown Anaconda with full hookups and 50 amp service, making it the closest powered base to town and an easy staging point for the Pintler Scenic Loop. Willow Springs RV & Camping is out on Highway 1 west of town toward Georgetown Lake with hookup sites. The Forest Service campgrounds up at the lake do not have hookups, so if you need power, plan to base in town and day-trip to the lake for fishing and boating.
What is camping like at Georgetown Lake?
Georgetown Lake, about 15 miles west of Anaconda on Highway 1, is the area camping highlight. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest runs several campgrounds on or near the water. Philipsburg Bay has 69 paved sites in three loops with a boat launch and big pine-shaded sites. Lodgepole has 29 units across the highway from the lake, and Piney has 48 units right on the water. None have hookups, but they have drinking water, vault toilets, and lake access. These fill up with Montana anglers and boaters in July and August, so reserve weekends ahead where you can.
Can I make reservations or is it first-come?
You can do both at Georgetown Lake. The Forest Service campgrounds mix reservable and first-come sites: Philipsburg Bay reserves Loops B and C through Recreation.gov while Loop A stays first-come, and Lodgepole reserves 19 of its 29 sites with 10 held first-come. Lost Creek State Park nearby is first-come as well. The in-town private parks (Big Sky RV, Willow Springs) take direct reservations and are easier to grab on short notice. For summer weekends at the lake, book the reservable loops ahead and treat the first-come sites as a backup.
Are the Georgetown Lake campgrounds big-rig friendly?
Somewhat, with caveats. Philipsburg Bay has spacious paved sites among large pines that can fit good-sized rigs, and Lodgepole and Piney take RVs, but none of the Forest Service lake campgrounds have hookups, and the access is a paved mountain highway with grades and curves. They suit self-contained rigs that can dry-camp for a few days. If you run a long coach that needs 50 amp power and full hookups, base at Big Sky RV Campground in town and day-trip to the lake rather than hauling the big rig up to dry-camp.
When is the best time to camp in Anaconda?
July through September is the window. Anaconda sits near 5,300 feet, so winters are long, cold, and snowy and the high campgrounds are closed much of the year. Summer is short but beautiful, with warm days, cool nights, and prime fishing and boating at Georgetown Lake. Early fall brings crisp weather, great fishing, and golden larch, though the lake campgrounds close early and nights freeze. Late spring is still snowy at the lake. For the full experience with everything open, aim for July and August.
How do I get to Anaconda with an RV?
Anaconda sits just off the Pintler Scenic Loop (Highway 1), a short hop from the interstate hub at Butte, where I-90 and I-15 meet about 25 miles east. From Butte you take I-90 west and drop down Highway 1 into Anaconda, a paved mountain highway with grades and curves but no clearance problems. Highway 1 continues west and climbs to Georgetown Lake and on to Philipsburg. Missoula is about 90 miles northwest. Butte is the nearest city with full RV services, fuel, and an airport, so stock up there before heading into the mountains.
Is there state park camping near Anaconda?
Yes. Lost Creek State Park, about 15 miles northeast of town, sits in a dramatic limestone canyon with a waterfall and resident bighorn sheep and mountain goats. It has a small primitive campground on a first-come basis, with no hookups, suited to smaller and self-contained rigs. The Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park in town is day-use only with no camping, just a roadside overlook of the giant smelter stack. For lakeside camping you will want the Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake rather than the state parks.
What is there to do around Anaconda?
Plenty for a mountain town its size. Georgetown Lake is the hub for trout and kokanee fishing, boating, and paddling. The Old Works Golf Course is a Jack Nicklaus signature course built on the reclaimed smelter site, complete with black slag bunkers. The 585-foot Anaconda Smelter Stack, one of the tallest masonry structures in the world, towers over town as a state park overlook. Drive the full Pintler Scenic Loop to the historic mining town of Philipsburg for sapphire mining, a famous candy store, and the Granite ghost town. Lost Creek State Park adds a waterfall and wildlife.
Do the campgrounds stay open in winter?
The Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake close for the snow season, typically open only roughly from late spring through early fall depending on conditions. Anaconda is high and cold, so winter is firmly a ski-and-ice-fishing season rather than an RV season. The in-town private parks may operate on a limited seasonal basis, so call ahead in the shoulder months. If you are determined to camp here off-season, you will need a fully winterized rig and should expect snow, hard freezes, and closed mountain facilities. Most RVers visit between July and September.
How cold does it get at night in summer?
Cold enough that you will want a real sleeping setup even in July. At 5,300 feet the daytime highs sit comfortably in the upper 70s, but nights routinely drop into the 40s, and it can dip lower up at Georgetown Lake and in the surrounding mountains. Bring layers, a good sleeping bag or extra blankets, and be ready to run a furnace on the coolest mornings. The flip side is that the cool nights make for excellent sleeping and keep the bugs down later in the season. Just do not pack as if it is a lowland summer.
Is Georgetown Lake good for fishing?
Very. Georgetown Lake is one of southwest Montana s most popular fisheries, known for rainbow and brook trout plus kokanee salmon, and it fishes well from boat, shore, and float tube. It draws anglers all summer and is a strong ice-fishing destination in winter. Several of the Forest Service campgrounds sit right on the water with boat launches, so you can camp and fish in the same spot. Check current Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations and licensing before you go, and ask locally about what is biting, since the lake fishes differently through the season.
How much does camping cost around Anaconda?
It is an affordable area. The Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake charge typical national-forest nightly rates, on the low end, with no hookups for the money. Lost Creek State Park is inexpensive as well. The in-town private RV parks cost more for the convenience and the hookups but are still moderate by national standards. There are no resort-level prices here. Your bigger costs are fuel, a Montana fishing license, and any boat rental or golf at the Old Works course. Camping itself is one of the cheaper parts of an Anaconda and Georgetown Lake trip.
Where can I camp with full hookups in Anaconda?
Your full-hookup options are the in-town private RV parks. Big Sky RV Campground sits less than a mile from downtown Anaconda with full hookups and 50 amp service, making it the closest powered base to town and an easy staging point for the Pintler Scenic Loop. Willow Springs RV & Camping is out on Highway 1 west of town toward Georgetown Lake with hookup sites. The Forest Service campgrounds up at the lake do not have hookups, so if you need power, plan to base in town and day-trip to the lake for fishing and boating.
What is camping like at Georgetown Lake?
Georgetown Lake, about 15 miles west of Anaconda on Highway 1, is the area camping highlight. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest runs several campgrounds on or near the water. Philipsburg Bay has 69 paved sites in three loops with a boat launch and big pine-shaded sites. Lodgepole has 29 units across the highway from the lake, and Piney has 48 units right on the water. None have hookups, but they have drinking water, vault toilets, and lake access. These fill up with Montana anglers and boaters in July and August, so reserve weekends ahead where you can.
Can I make reservations or is it first-come?
You can do both at Georgetown Lake. The Forest Service campgrounds mix reservable and first-come sites: Philipsburg Bay reserves Loops B and C through Recreation.gov while Loop A stays first-come, and Lodgepole reserves 19 of its 29 sites with 10 held first-come. Lost Creek State Park nearby is first-come as well. The in-town private parks (Big Sky RV, Willow Springs) take direct reservations and are easier to grab on short notice. For summer weekends at the lake, book the reservable loops ahead and treat the first-come sites as a backup.
Are the Georgetown Lake campgrounds big-rig friendly?
Somewhat, with caveats. Philipsburg Bay has spacious paved sites among large pines that can fit good-sized rigs, and Lodgepole and Piney take RVs, but none of the Forest Service lake campgrounds have hookups, and the access is a paved mountain highway with grades and curves. They suit self-contained rigs that can dry-camp for a few days. If you run a long coach that needs 50 amp power and full hookups, base at Big Sky RV Campground in town and day-trip to the lake rather than hauling the big rig up to dry-camp.
When is the best time to camp in Anaconda?
July through September is the window. Anaconda sits near 5,300 feet, so winters are long, cold, and snowy and the high campgrounds are closed much of the year. Summer is short but beautiful, with warm days, cool nights, and prime fishing and boating at Georgetown Lake. Early fall brings crisp weather, great fishing, and golden larch, though the lake campgrounds close early and nights freeze. Late spring is still snowy at the lake. For the full experience with everything open, aim for July and August.
How do I get to Anaconda with an RV?
Anaconda sits just off the Pintler Scenic Loop (Highway 1), a short hop from the interstate hub at Butte, where I-90 and I-15 meet about 25 miles east. From Butte you take I-90 west and drop down Highway 1 into Anaconda, a paved mountain highway with grades and curves but no clearance problems. Highway 1 continues west and climbs to Georgetown Lake and on to Philipsburg. Missoula is about 90 miles northwest. Butte is the nearest city with full RV services, fuel, and an airport, so stock up there before heading into the mountains.
Is there state park camping near Anaconda?
Yes. Lost Creek State Park, about 15 miles northeast of town, sits in a dramatic limestone canyon with a waterfall and resident bighorn sheep and mountain goats. It has a small primitive campground on a first-come basis, with no hookups, suited to smaller and self-contained rigs. The Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park in town is day-use only with no camping, just a roadside overlook of the giant smelter stack. For lakeside camping you will want the Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake rather than the state parks.
What is there to do around Anaconda?
Plenty for a mountain town its size. Georgetown Lake is the hub for trout and kokanee fishing, boating, and paddling. The Old Works Golf Course is a Jack Nicklaus signature course built on the reclaimed smelter site, complete with black slag bunkers. The 585-foot Anaconda Smelter Stack, one of the tallest masonry structures in the world, towers over town as a state park overlook. Drive the full Pintler Scenic Loop to the historic mining town of Philipsburg for sapphire mining, a famous candy store, and the Granite ghost town. Lost Creek State Park adds a waterfall and wildlife.
Do the campgrounds stay open in winter?
The Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake close for the snow season, typically open only roughly from late spring through early fall depending on conditions. Anaconda is high and cold, so winter is firmly a ski-and-ice-fishing season rather than an RV season. The in-town private parks may operate on a limited seasonal basis, so call ahead in the shoulder months. If you are determined to camp here off-season, you will need a fully winterized rig and should expect snow, hard freezes, and closed mountain facilities. Most RVers visit between July and September.
How cold does it get at night in summer?
Cold enough that you will want a real sleeping setup even in July. At 5,300 feet the daytime highs sit comfortably in the upper 70s, but nights routinely drop into the 40s, and it can dip lower up at Georgetown Lake and in the surrounding mountains. Bring layers, a good sleeping bag or extra blankets, and be ready to run a furnace on the coolest mornings. The flip side is that the cool nights make for excellent sleeping and keep the bugs down later in the season. Just do not pack as if it is a lowland summer.
Is Georgetown Lake good for fishing?
Very. Georgetown Lake is one of southwest Montana s most popular fisheries, known for rainbow and brook trout plus kokanee salmon, and it fishes well from boat, shore, and float tube. It draws anglers all summer and is a strong ice-fishing destination in winter. Several of the Forest Service campgrounds sit right on the water with boat launches, so you can camp and fish in the same spot. Check current Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations and licensing before you go, and ask locally about what is biting, since the lake fishes differently through the season.
How much does camping cost around Anaconda?
It is an affordable area. The Forest Service campgrounds at Georgetown Lake charge typical national-forest nightly rates, on the low end, with no hookups for the money. Lost Creek State Park is inexpensive as well. The in-town private RV parks cost more for the convenience and the hookups but are still moderate by national standards. There are no resort-level prices here. Your bigger costs are fuel, a Montana fishing license, and any boat rental or golf at the Old Works course. Camping itself is one of the cheaper parts of an Anaconda and Georgetown Lake trip.
Are there free dump stations in Anaconda?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Anaconda.
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