A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Spring Gulch

Forest Service campground in Bitterroot National Forest, Ravalli County, Montana. About 4,300 feet. 13.7 miles from Darby.

Managed by
Forest Service Bitterroot National Forest
Elevation
About 4,300 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
11 8 standard non-electric, 2 rv non-electric, 1 tent only non-electric
Longest rig
65 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Spring Gulch Campground is a well-maintained campground located about 50 feet from the highway, on the banks of the scenic Bitterroot River. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing and swimming. The campground provides accessible sites and amenities, making it a comfortable spot for anyone to relax in the mountains of southwestern Montana.

Recreation

A number of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed near the campground. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail can be accessed not far from the campground, as well as trails that lead to the area's numerous mountain peaks.

A variety of natural hot springs exist in the area, including Lost Trail Hot Springs, which is approximately seven miles south of the campground. The springs are popular places for swimming. A general store and lodging are located nearby.

Rafting, canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the Bitterroot River are also popular activities. A short paved path meanders along the river and an accessible fishing dock is located within the campground. Anglers can expect to find mainly cutthroat trout, but other freshwater species are available.

Facilities

The campground offers single and double-family campsites, some of which are accessible. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are accessible vault toilets and drinking water. RV hookups are not available.

Natural Features

Located on the banks of the Bitterroot River, the campground is nestled in a ponderosa pine forest. It is easily accessible from Highway 93 and sits at an elevation of about 4,300 feet in the Bitterroot National Forest. A variety of wildlife, including big game like mule and white-tailed deer, elk and moose, makes its home in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The small town of Sula is less than five miles from the campground, offering gas and a post office.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site

The land around Spring Gulch

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.