Dark Butte campground
Dark Butte
Nearby points of interest include the Continental Divide Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The nearby Big Hole National Battlefield is also worth a visit, where visitors can learn about the historic battle that took place between the U.S. Army and the Nez Perce tribe.
The campground offers amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There are no hookups for RVs, but fresh water is available. Campers can enjoy hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in the immediate area.
Interesting facts about the area include its important role in the Lewis and Clark expedition, as they traveled through the nearby Lemhi Pass. The area was also home to many Native American tribes, including the Shoshone and Nez Perce.
The best time to visit Dark Butte Campground is in the summer, from June through August, when the average temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. It's important to note that the weather can be unpredictable, and visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in temperature and weather conditions.
Sources:
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/bdnf/recarea/?recid=5735
- https://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/parks-public-lands/national-forests/beaverhead-deerlodge-national-forest.html
- https://www.nps.gov/biho/index.htm
What's on-site at Dark Butte
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Dark Butte, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo Rapids (Lower Site) | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Hole In The Wall Rec Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Slaughter River | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Eagle Creek Rec Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| The Wall | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Dark Butte -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 434 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Virgelle Mt | 6,600 cfs | → |
| Teton River At Loma Mt | 20 cfs | → |
| Marias River Near Loma Mt | 477 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Fort Benton Mt | 6,610 cfs | → |
| Big Sandy Creek Near Havre Mt | 4 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Dark Butte -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Rocky Boy | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Rocky Boy | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fort Benton | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Stanford | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Pablo Rapids (Lower Site)
- Hole In The Wall Rec Site
- Slaughter River
- Eagle Creek Rec Site
- The Wall
- Monroe Island
Fishing spots
- Panton Coulee Reservoir
- Big Lake
- Shonkin Creek
- Warm Spring Creek
- Als Coulee Reservoir
- Sage Creek (Judith Drainage)
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Dark Butte as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Dark Butte
Can I make reservations at Dark Butte?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Dark Butte?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Dark Butte.