Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area

For Montanans seeking a refreshing escape into the heart of their state's natural splendor, Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area offers a beautiful and accessible option. Nestled within the expansive Lodgepole pine forests of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, this primitive yet well-maintained campground provides a serene setting for both relaxation and outdoor adventure. It’s a place where the fresh mountain air, the sounds of Warm Springs Creek, and the convenience of being just off Highway 1 create an inviting atmosphere for campers of all types. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of what makes Spring Hill Campground a cherished destination for locals, detailing its location, available services, notable features, and why it’s perfectly suited for those looking to experience Montana's great outdoors.

Montana is renowned for its vast wilderness areas, majestic mountains, and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Spring Hill Campground embodies the authentic spirit of Montana camping, offering a balance of natural beauty and essential amenities. It’s particularly appealing to those who appreciate a clean, forested environment without the extensive facilities of more developed sites. Whether you're passing through on a road trip, planning a fishing excursion to Warm Springs Creek or Georgetown Lake, or simply looking for a quiet spot to unwind, Spring Hill provides a welcoming retreat. We'll delve into its strategic location near Anaconda, the basic yet highly praised services it offers, its standout natural highlights, and ultimately, why it's a prime choice for Montanans eager to explore their own backyard and enjoy peaceful nights under the stars.

Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area is conveniently located at MT-1, Anaconda, MT 59711, USA. More precisely, it sits approximately 11 miles west of the historic town of Anaconda, directly off Montana Highway 1 (Pintler Scenic Route). This roadside proximity makes it an incredibly accessible campground for travelers exploring Southwest Montana. While it's close to the highway, many visitors note that the noise is manageable, especially at night, ensuring a peaceful sleep.

The campground is nestled in a moderately thick lodgepole pine forest at an elevation of approximately 6,500 feet, providing a cooler and often refreshing climate during the summer months. Its strategic location also places it about 8 miles west of Georgetown Lake, a popular destination for fishing, boating, and water sports. This makes Spring Hill an excellent basecamp for exploring the wider recreational opportunities in the area. Travel to the campground is straightforward on paved highway, making it suitable for a variety of vehicles, though RVs and trailers should note a maximum recommended length of 22 feet. The combination of easy access and proximity to both a town for supplies and a major recreational lake makes Spring Hill Campground a practical and appealing choice for Montanans.

Spring Hill Campground provides a suite of essential services that enhance the primitive camping experience, focusing on cleanliness and basic comfort within a natural setting.

• Designated Campsites: The campground offers 15 individual campsites for both tent and RV camping. Each site is typically equipped with a sturdy picnic table and a metal fire pit with a grill, providing a ready-to-use setup for meals and campfires. Sites are generally spaced far enough apart to offer a good sense of privacy.
• Clean Pit Toilets: Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness of the pit (vault) toilets. A standout feature noted by reviews is the presence of a "night light" in the toilets, a small but significant comfort in a primitive setting. These toilets are also often ADA-accessible.
• Wonderful Spring Water: One of the most highlighted amenities is the "wonderful spring water from the faucet." Potable water is available at the campground, sourced from a natural spring, providing fresh and clean drinking water for campers.
• Trash Removal Service: Unlike many primitive campgrounds, Spring Hill offers a trash removal service, which is a great convenience for campers, promoting a cleaner environment.
• Campground Host: During the operational season (typically mid-May through mid-September, weather permitting), a campground host is usually on-site. Hosts contribute to the positive atmosphere, provide local information, and assist with general inquiries.
• Fee-Based Camping: Spring Hill Campground is a fee campground, typically costing around $15.00 per night, with an additional $5 fee for extra vehicles. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes may provide a 50% discount on single campsites.
• Maximum Stay Limit: A maximum stay limit of 16 days is enforced, ensuring fair access for all visitors.

Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area offers several features and highlights that make it a particularly appealing destination for Montanans and visitors alike.

• Beautiful Forested Setting: The campground is nestled in a "moderately thick lodgepole pine forest," providing ample shade and a classic Montana forest ambiance. The trees have been thinned in some areas due to beetle kill, but new growth is emerging, maintaining the natural beauty.
• Proximity to Georgetown Lake: Located just 8 miles from the campground, Georgetown Lake is a major draw. This large mountain lake (over 3,000 acres at 6,000+ feet elevation) is popular for a variety of water sports, including swimming, fishing (known for kokanee salmon, rainbow, and brook trout), boating, and water skiing.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: Beyond Georgetown Lake, Warm Springs Creek runs adjacent to the campground and is "well-known among Montana anglers" for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout. This provides direct fishing access for stream anglers.
• Peaceful and Quiet Atmosphere: Despite being off a state highway, reviews consistently describe Spring Hill as a "nice quiet campground." Sites are generally private due to spacing, allowing for undisturbed sleep and relaxation.
• Wildlife Viewing: The area is home to diverse wildlife, including moose, elk, white-tailed deer, and even bighorn sheep. Campers have opportunities for wildlife viewing, enhancing the natural experience.
• Access to Trails: Hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers will find "no shortage of trails within a few miles of the campground," offering extensive opportunities for exploration in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
• Ideal for "Boondocking" with Amenities: As noted by one reviewer, it's a "nice clean forested place for boondocking" due to its primitive nature but includes the bonus of clean pit toilets and excellent spring water, a welcome combination for self-sufficient travelers.

For direct inquiries about Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area, particularly as it falls under the management of the USDA Forest Service, here is the essential contact information:

Address: MT-1, Anaconda, MT 59711, USA (specifically within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, approximately 11 miles west of Anaconda). For precise navigation, using GPS with the provided address is generally reliable.

Phone: The primary contact number provided for general inquiries regarding this region of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is (406) 210-8199 or +1 406-210-8199. This number connects you to the Forest Service office that manages the Pintler Ranger District, which oversees Spring Hill Campground. Additionally, the Pintler Ranger District office itself can be reached at (406) 859-3211. It is always advisable to call one of these numbers or visit the official USDA Forest Service website for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (fs.usda.gov/bdnf) or recreation.gov (for reservations) for the most current information regarding camping conditions, accessibility, fire restrictions, or any specific alerts before planning your trip.

Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area is an exceptional choice for Montana locals, offering a balanced and highly enjoyable outdoor experience. Its convenient location just off Highway 1 near Anaconda means that a refreshing forest retreat is easily accessible for many residents across Southwest Montana, minimizing travel time and maximizing relaxation. For those who appreciate a more rustic camping style but still value cleanliness and essential amenities, Spring Hill perfectly fits the bill. The consistently praised clean pit toilets with night lights and the availability of wonderful spring water from faucets significantly enhance the primitive camping experience.

The campground’s proximity to Georgetown Lake and Warm Springs Creek provides a wealth of recreational opportunities, from excellent fishing for various trout species to boating and water sports. The surrounding Lodgepole pine forest offers a peaceful backdrop for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing, ensuring there’s always something to do or simply observe. While there might be some traffic noise from the highway, visitors agree it's quiet enough at night for undisturbed sleep, and the well-separated sites offer privacy. For Montanans, Spring Hill Campground truly represents a fantastic blend of accessibility, natural beauty, and functional amenities, making it an ideal spot to disconnect, recharge, and immerse oneself in the stunning landscapes and outdoor activities that define our great state.

Spring Hill Campground and Picnic Area

MT-1, Anaconda, MT 59711, USA