Rock Creek Recreation Site

Within BLM’s Rock Creek Management Area, Rock Creek flows through Channeled Scablands, formed approximately 12,000 years ago by massive Glacial Lake Missoula floods. Striking landscapes and geologic features including buttes, mesas, and columnar basalt outcrops enhance the beauty of perennial Rock Creek.

The area’s developed Rock Creek Recreation Site is located within view of Rock Creek. It is the area’s primary parking and excursion starting point, via its multiple trailheads, as well as for overland hiking and horseback riding trips.

Especially popular activities are hiking, horseback riding, trout fishing, hunting, mountain biking, picnicking, camping, wildlife and wildflower viewing, photography, and natural and cultural history appreciation.

Although mostly unmaintained, more than 20 miles of non-motorized trails are available. Motorized use is allowed on the recreation site access road, Breeden Road, and Towell Falls Road when/if seasonally open.

Know Before You Go:

• The east side of the recreation site is for vehicle parking, picnicking, and camping. It has 3 developed campsites each with a fire ring and a picnic table. You’ll also find 2 additional picnic tables within a picnic shelter and a vault toilet.
• The west side of the recreation site is separated from the east side by a wood fence. It is an equestrian/RV loop parking and camping area with six RV parking slots. It has two small corrals (one with a perennial spring-fed stock water trough), high line poles (rope not provided), and a manure bin with wheelbarrow. Additional equestrian amenities (more corrals + 2 campsites with picnic table and fire ring) will be added in spring 2021.
• Towell Falls Road this year is not seasonally open to vehicle travel. That 3-mile long trail/road (with its trailhead at the recreation site) remains open to hiking, equestrian, and biking (and other non-motorized mechanized use).
• When recreating on public lands, please practice Leave-No-Trace Principles.
• Beware of rattlesnakes, especially from May through October.

Point of Interest:

From the recreation site, visitors can mosey across the bridge over Rock Creek and explore the historic Escure Ranch, operated for sheep and cattle from the 1930s to the 1980s.