Sitting along the Missouri River at the edge of Fort Benton, the Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground serves as both a practical overnight stop and a staging point for paddlers heading into the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. The campground includes roughly 25 tent sites and 7 RV sites with electric hookups, and a small boat ramp provides direct river access. Reviewers note the sites are close together, and the fairgrounds location means rodeo events nearby can bring dust and noise depending on the season.
The Missouri River canyon wall is visible from camp, with bluffs rising across the water to the west. Bugs are a genuine concern in summer, particularly mosquitoes after dark, so insect repellent is worth packing. The bathrooms are consistently described as clean and well-maintained, with hot showers available around the clock. Cell service holds here, which some campers find reassuring and others less so.
"Right near the Missouri River and you can't beat the price," notes Mimi, and at $15-$45 per night the rate reflects its county-run character. The Canoe Launch Campground sits just northwest and offers a more traditional setup closer to the water. Downtown Fort Benton is a five-minute walk, and BLM Wood Bottom Recreation Area provides an alternative for those wanting more space. No sewer hookups are available at the fairgrounds sites, so plan accordingly if you need a full-service spot.
Description
Canoe Launch Campground
RV/Camp Trailer Sites: 8 back-in sites, including 1 handicap-accessible site, most with water and electrical hookups.
Tent Camping Sites: 6 tent-only sites.
Amenities
Each campsite includes a picnic table and firepit.
Facilities
A vault toilet is a short walk from all campsites.
An RV dump station is available within the main fairgrounds property.
Additional Information
A day-use parking lot near the canoe launch ramp is available free of charge for boaters and floaters.
The canoe launch is a popular tubing spot during the warm summer months.
FAIRGROUNDS MAP
Fee Info
April 1 through the end of November
Payment boxes are located at each fairgrounds entrance and the Canoe Launch entrance for easy payments. NO Canadian money. Please make checks payable to:
CHOUTEAU COUNTY FAIR
CAMPGROUND RATES - per night $12 tent $15/RV w/o hookup $22/RV w/ electrical hookup $24 RV w/ water and electrical hookup $2/day use
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsChouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground is located in Montana near Fort Benton
Directions
Accessible from Franklin St, SW location of the fairgrounds.
Coordinates
47.80510053 N
110.67980055 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/4/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/4/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/4/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/4/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/4/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/4/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 38 min from Great Falls, MT
- 1 hr 52 min from Helena, MT
- 3 hrs 5 min from Missoula, MT
- 3 hrs 13 min from Bozeman, MT























