Powell Ranger District — Apgar Creek Campground

Apgar Creek is a small, no-frills USFS campground tucked on a tributary of the Lochsa River near the Lolo Pass area, close to the Idaho-Montana state line. It’s exactly the kind of quiet, uncrowded camp that overlanders love — minimal facilities, big trees, cold creek noise all night. Just a handful of sites with fire rings and vault toilets. It sees far less traffic than the larger Lochsa corridor camps, which means you’ll almost certainly have room. Good spot for an early start on the eastern end of the Lolo Motorway.

Access off US-12 is easy — paved right to the turnoff, short gravel spur into camp. Season typically runs June through October. Snow can linger at this elevation into early June and can return in October. No potable water on-site — treat from the creek or pack in. Cell coverage is basically zero this deep in the canyon. Verify site status with Powell Ranger District before heading in.

Quiet creek camp at the Bitterroot divide