Boating, fishing, and kayaking draw campers to Clark Canyon Recreation Area, which sits along the Clark Canyon Reservoir just south of Dillon, Montana. The reservoir is large, and multiple campground loops ring its shoreline, so there are several distinct areas to consider. A boat ramp and a small sandy beach give direct water access, and anglers report good fishing throughout the area.
Sites are large, level, and well-spaced, each with a covered picnic shelter and a fire pit. Tree cover is minimal, which means sites get full sun and can become quite hot in summer. Wind is a consistent factor here, especially in spring. Mosquitoes can be heavy during warmer months, so bug spray and netting are worth packing. Reviewers consistently note clean vault toilets and available trash service. Cell coverage with Verizon has been reported as reliable.
The campground includes a designated loop with full RV hookups, including electric, water, and sewer, at Lewis & Clark Campground nearby. Other areas around the reservoir operate on a free, first-come, first-served basis with a 14-night limit. Horse Prairie Campground and Beaverhead Campground are also close by for campers who want to compare options before committing to a site. As Sue Y. puts it, this is a "very clean and well kept spot for boondocking," with snow-capped mountains visible across the water. Campers passing through on a highway route or planning a longer water-focused stay will both find it worth a stop.
Description
Recreation on Clark Canyon Reservoir and Barrett's Diversion Dam, located on the Beaverhead River south of Dillon, Montana, is managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Clark Canyon Reservoir is the site of Camp Fortunate, one of the more significant spots along the Lewis and Clark Trail. It was at Camp Fortunate that the Lewis and Clark expedition met the Lemhi Shoshoni Tribe and Sacagawea was reunited with her people. The Lewis and Clark Expedition cached their canoes and a stash of suppliesat this location for the return trip. The Camp Fortunate Interpretive Site presents information about the Lewis and Clark campsite and about their journey. Clark County Reservoir, with 4,935 water surface acres, 4,388 land surface acres and 17 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Concrete boat ramps, picnic areas and picnic shelters are available. There are 9 campgrounds, including on RV-only lot, for a total of 96 campsites. The Cattail Marsh nature trail offers wildlife watching opportunities for seasonal waterfowl. Clark Canyon Dam and Barretts Diversion Dam are features of the East Bench Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsClark Canyon Recreation Area is located in Montana near Dillon
Coordinates
44.98471311 N
112.8699 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/25/26- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/25/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 36 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 1 hr 58 min from Bozeman, MT
- 2 hrs 2 min from Helena, MT
- 2 hrs 32 min from Missoula, MT
