Things to do near Lincoln, Montana
Rivers, trails, ghost towns and dark skies, all a short drive from your site.
Your base camp
The Blackfoot Valley, right outside your door
Lincoln sits in the upper Blackfoot Valley, surrounded by national forest and wilderness, with the Continental Divide just to the east.
It’s a small mountain town without the traffic and crowds of Montana’s busier destinations, with more to do outdoors than most people can fit into one trip. Whether you like to fish, ride, hike or just sit by the fire and watch for elk, here are our favorite ways to spend a day.
- Blackfoot River
- ¼ mile
- Sculpture in the Wild
- 5 min
- Continental Divide
- 25 min
- Helena
- 1 hr
- Missoula
- 1½ hr
- Glacier NP
- 3 hr
Activities
Pick your adventure
Each one has its own page with directions, the best time of year and our own tips.
Fish the Blackfoot River
The trout river made famous by A River Runs Through It.
UTV & ATV trails
Forest roads, lookouts and UTV rentals right at our entrance.
Stargazing
Wildlife
Hiking
Ghost towns
Day trips
By season
What’s best when
Spring
Mid April to May. Elk in the meadows, snow still on the peaks and a quiet campground. Good early fishing on warmer days.
Summer
June to August. Long days for hiking, riding and day trips. The river clears by July, and the Milky Way is at its best.
Fall
September to mid October. Fewer people, golden aspens and larch, elk bugling in the evenings and crisp mornings.
Plan your days
Ideas for however much time you have
A few hours near Lincoln
- Walk the easy loop at Sculpture in the Wild, about 5 minutes east of camp
- Fish the Blackfoot from Lincoln Community River Park in town
- Grab lunch in Lincoln, less than 3 miles away
A full day exploring
Choose one of these outings for a full day.
- Ride or drive up to Granite Butte Lookout, about 16 miles southeast, high clearance recommended
- Hike to Heart Lake, about 10 miles round trip from a trailhead east of town
- Explore Garnet Ghost Town, or visit Helena, about an hour away
A day at the campground and nearby
- Coffee on your site with the mountains in view, and a stroll with the dog to the fenced dog park
- An afternoon on the river or a short drive to town
- A campfire when fire rules allow, then watch for elk and deer at dusk and stars on clear nights
In town
Right here in Lincoln
Town is less than 3 miles from the campground, with places to eat, fuel up and do laundry.
Sculpture in the Wild
A free outdoor art park in the forest just east of town. Open dawn to dusk, with on site parking and leashed dogs welcome.
Lincoln Community River Park
Public access to the Blackfoot River near the Stemple Pass Road bridge. Map
Hooper Park
A community park on the east side of Lincoln, with a picnic shelter, ball fields and a pavilion. Map
Local history
The Upper Blackfoot Valley Historical Society Museum, and a grizzly bear exhibit at the Lincoln Ranger Station.
Open April 15 to October 15
Come explore with us.
Book your site and spend a few days exploring the Blackfoot Valley.