Sheepshead Picnic Area
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest — fishing, hiking
Location: BUTTE, MT, MT
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
Sheepshead Pavilion is available for reservations for private gatherings from mid-June through Labor Day weekend. The pavilion will accommodate about 200 people. It includes picnic tables, barbecue grills and water.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/sheepshead-picnic-area to be notified when sites open up.
Sheepshead Picnic Area offers fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in the Butte area. The pavilion accommodates groups with picnic tables and barbecue grills, available mid-June through Labor Day.
Wildlife alert: Moose and Bald Eagles present in the area; also American Red Squirrel, Muskrat, Northern Flicker, Dusky Grouse, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake.
Insider tips for Sheepshead Picnic Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Request campground host to tidy up before your reservation From Butte, take I-15/I-90 east 1 mile, merge I-15 north 12 miles, take Elk Park exit #138, drive west on Forest Service road #442
Skip Sheepshead Picnic Area if: Expecting hookups — no electric hookups available. Need access outside May-October season — seasonal operations only. Looking for overnight tent camping — this is primarily a day-use and group pavilion facility.
Best time to visit Sheepshead Picnic Area: Mid-June to Labor Day — Pavilion reservation season; also within the May-October operational window.
Nearby campgrounds: Freedom Point Picnic Area (BUTTE, MT), Kading Cabin (HELENA, MT), High Rye Cabin (BUTTE, MT), Racetrack Campground (Mt) (Anaconda, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Sheepshead Picnic Area
Cell signal at Sheepshead Picnic Area (BUTTE, MT): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Sheepshead Pavilion is available for reservations for private gatherings from mid-June through Labor Day weekend. The pavilion will accommodate about 200 people. It includes picnic tables, barbecue grills and water.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Request campground host to tidy up before your reservation
From Butte, take I-15/I-90 east 1 mile, merge I-15 north 12 miles, take Elk Park exit #138, drive west on Forest Service road #442
Pavilion reservation season; also within the May-October operational window
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Butte, take I-15/I-90 east for approximately 1 mile. Merge onto I-15 north and continue for approximately 12 miles. Take the Elk Park exit (no. 138) and drive west on Forest Service road #442 (Lowland Creek Road) for approximately 6 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service road #9485 and continue for approximately 2 miles. Turn left at the junction (Freedom Point) and drive approximately 1/8 mile; the campground is on the right. The road is a gravel road suitable for passenger vehicle access.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Sheepshead Picnic Area cost per night?+
What season is Sheepshead Picnic Area open?+
Does Sheepshead Picnic Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Sheepshead Picnic Area?+
How do I make reservations at Sheepshead Picnic Area?+
What is the cell service like at Sheepshead Picnic Area?+
What season is Sheepshead Picnic Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.