Big Pine Fishing Access Site

thin road going into this campsite but doable in our 35 foot class a with toad, site itself is level big enough for us no usable verizon right next to a river and has the largest pine in Montana (sign says so)
check out the video to see this campground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZaSa4EE5DI

when coming into the location off I-90, down a bit you see a fork where google tell you to go left. be aware its has a narrow steepest downhill section before you come back to the lower fishing creek rd.. We came that way coming in and would not go out that way pulling 30 ft RV.. to steep and loose gravel adn tight.

The better way is when you see the "Conservation Education Camp" sign keep to the right or straight on "Lower fish creek rd" . Follow it around, you will be on pavement and then gravel.. when you see the "fish creek rd" merge in from the left side, go down a bit till you see "Big Pine Fishing Access, Point of interest " sign on the left.

you turn in there and take the first turn to right. go slow the road is got some big "holes",, when you get the Bear Proof locker swing around to the left in front of vault toilet.. get out and walk back to sites down the drive straight back ,, to the right of BPL and back the sites are on the left,, and there are three..

the first one is long and wide,, (30 ft with truck fine) second is not as long but wide,, third one is same length as second and wide.. there is another site down just past vault toilet to right that is long but not sure if suited for trailer.. there is a tent site in the "circle" straight ahead from the VT.

the area gets a lot of traffic especially on weekends.. lots of fly fishing guys running around, folks camping for the night etc.. We stayed for 2 nights/ 3 days and enjoyed it.. the river is cold and fast moving perfect for fly fishing.. (also to keep beer cold)

be sure to check out the "big pine" its not hard to miss.. go past vault toilet and look ahead and up.. you will see it.

if there is no camping spots you can turn left past VT to head back to entrance road. the day use area is to your right as you are heading out. remember to NOT go the right as sigh say back to I-90,, go out the way you went in.. :)

you can camp here for 7 days ..

att data had 2.1 meg service,
t-mobile 1.3m to 600K

we did see Wildlife officer both sat and sunday drive through..

Don’t take google maps or Apple maps. We carefully followed the directions in a previous review. Worked perfectly. Just stay on Fish Creek road and you will be fine.

The spots are small and basically require you to back in. We have a full size F250 and 30 ft Airstream so we opted out.

Went back up the gravel road and found a pleasant turn off that was large and comfortable for the night.
If you like to fly fish and have a smaller rig it might be worth the time, river looked great.

This campground was only a few miles off I-90, Exit 66. But because it rests on the other side of the mountain, no road noise. NOTE: if you are in a bigger rig. DO NOT follow GPS. When you get off the highway and onto Fish Creek Rd. your GPS is going to want to have you take the first left at the fork in the road. DONT DO IT. This is a steep, narrow road that traverses up and over the mountain. Instead, continue straight, taking the right at the fork and follow the road around the mountain. It does change from assault to well maintained gravel road that follows Fish Creek to the campground, this route you will find faster as you wont have to drive the steep narrow twisty road and back down. Bonus. it's called Big Pine Campground because the largest, oldest know Ponderosa Pine Tree lives here, at 350 feet tall and 200 years old. There are a few pull over camping areas along the Fish Creek in either direction of the campground. The campground itself only has three designated site. Get here early, because by sundown, about six other car/van campers where looking to score this sweet spot for the night. Signs posted, "Bear Country" so be aware and dont leave food out and I'd wouldn't recommend tent camping. Fish Creek was wide and full of rushing water, the night sky here was amazing and the sounds of the forest eased you into a gently sleep.

Ok, read instructions & keep them handy from prior guests. Very important! We have a 26ft fifth wheel & had no problems. We only saw 4 spots but any would work and they are first come, first serve. From the main road, it takes about 7 minutes to get back there but so worth it. Dirt road is in very good shape. It was a little hideaway

I arrived near sunset. View and setting was great. Leaving the area though I was scraped by a semi and damaged my truck bed camper. Probably would be a 5 star if the access wasn't so limited width.