Painted Rocks State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Come to far southwestern Montana to experience the beauty of Painted Rocks State Park. Within its setting in the forested areas of the West Fork Valley of the Bitterroot Mountains, you'll have the chance to fish, hike, camp, swim, and view birds and wildlife, among other activities. The name Painted Rocks comes from the colorful lichen that covers the granite rock walls. The Salish people inhabited the region for thousands of years, while in the early 19th century, fur companies established the area as a corridor for the fur trade. The dam was completed in 1939, and the state officially named Painted Rocks a state park in 1963. Expect chilly to below-freezing nighttime temperatures throughout the year and average temps in the high 70s during the summer.
Spring 36-62 F
Summer 44-78 F
Fall 25-42 F
Winter 18-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Painted Rocks State Park
This state park has one campground with 25 total sites. Of these, two sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet in length. The remaining 23 sites can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet. None of these sites offer hookups. Campground amenities include potable water, grills and fire rings, established fire pits, picnic tables, a picnic shelter, vault toilets, and public restrooms.
What to Do at
Painted Rocks State Park
You can take your boat or canoe out on the reservoir here. You can also go fishing and swimming. Other popular activities available at Painted Rocks State Park include wildlife viewing, bird-watching, and stargazing. In addition, the scenic setting of the pine forest, lake, and wide-open sky makes this park a great place for photographers.
Fishing
The park's lake has a wide variety of fish. You can try your luck catching native bull trout, largescale suckers, rainbow trout, redside shiners, brook trout, mountain whitefish, and cutthroat trout.
Nature Watching
A variety of bird species inhabit the state park. Birders can spot bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and spotted sandpipers. Other species, like waterfowl, come to the region during their spring and autumn migrations.
Stargazing
Painted Rocks State Park offers some of the best stargazing around. The park has a Bortle scale class of 1, making it an excellent dark-sky site for viewing stars. The best place to view stars is from the shoreline; bring a blanket or set up a telescope to enjoy an evening of identifying your favorite stars and constellations.
Flora and Fauna
As per the park's location in Bitterroot National Forest land, plant life in the area includes ponderosa pines, grasslands, cottonwood trees, Douglas fir, and subalpine larch. Wildlife typical of the northern Rocky Mountains includes black bears, moose, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and white-tailed deer.
Hiking
The park has no established trails within its boundaries, but the nearby mountain ranges and forests offer plenty of trails. Before you visit the area, pick up a regional or a topographic map to find which areas near the park offer hiking trails.
Boating
There's a dock as well as a boat ramp in the park from which you can launch your boat. The park allows motorboats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and water skiing on the lake.
Swimming
Take a refreshing dip in the cool lake on a warm summer's day. Due to the area's climate, it gets too cold for swimming in other seasons.
How to Get to
Painted Rocks State Park
From Hamilton, MT get on US-93 and drive south for 20.8 miles. When you get to the intersection with MT-473, make a right and continue for 25.1 miles. Turn right for 0.1 mile, and then make a sharp left for another 0.1 mile to reach the park's entrance.
Entering Painted Rocks State Park
The park stays open from dawn to dusk all year. Parking is available at the entrance, near the boat launch, and in the campground.
Painted Rocks State Park Entry Fee : $8.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Painted Rocks State Park
Visit Painted Rocks State Park in the summer months for long days and warm daytime temperatures. However, remember to bring layers for stargazing or hanging out around your campfire because evenings at this park get chilly year-round.
During your visit, you could see animals that include moose, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and black bears. Bird species include bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons.
The park has 25 RV sites in its campground. Two sites can fit RVs up to 35 feet, while the other 23 spots can fit RVs up to 25 feet.
Six of the 25 campsites require reservations; you can reserve one of these sites on weekends (Thursday-Sunday) from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The remaining sites are all first-come, first-served. Camping fees range from $4 to $34 a night.
Yes, you can bring your pets to Painted Rocks State Park. When outside your vehicle, you must keep them on a leash. You are also expected to clean up after your four-legged family members.