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Facilities

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Confederate Disperse Camping Area

Confederate Disperse Camping Area, near Canyon Ferry Lake, offers a unique camping experience right by the water. This location is perfect for those who enjoy a more rustic vibe, with plenty of space to find a private spot along the banks.

The area is known for its beautiful scenery and the freedom to set up camp wherever you like, though be prepared for a bit of a crowd during peak season. Visitors have noted that while it can get busy, especially on weekends, the views and access to the water make it worthwhile. One camper mentioned, “Great place to camp right along the water for tents, RTTs, or campers.”

Amenities are minimal, with a vault toilet available, but no drinking water or electric hookups, so come prepared. Some campers have enjoyed the peacefulness during the week, only to find the weekends bustling with activity, including loose dogs and generators. If you’re looking for a place to unwind and enjoy nature, this area has its charm, especially with the stunning sunrises and sunsets over the lake.

Whether you're fishing, kayaking, or just soaking up the sun, Confederate Disperse Camping Area is a great choice for those who appreciate a more laid-back camping experience. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as there’s no trash service here.

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Location

Confederate Disperse Camping Area is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

46.4887066 N
111.52620828 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Confederate Disperse Camping Area needs a permit.


Reviews

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10 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2024

Good gem!

I felt so secluded here on a Sunday night. Beautiful area. Appreciated the reviews on here to find a good free place to spend the night.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Jaclyn J., August 20, 2024
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Jaclyn J., August 20, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2024

Great spot for the night

Stayed here twice in early August about a week apart. Any car should be able to get down the road to the campsites. A bit buggy but free. Pit toilet available.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Rachel S., August 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Rachel S., August 15, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2024

Too crowded / lots of full timers

There’s signs about limiting the stay to 14 days, but there clearly are people who have been here much longer than that. Way too crowded.

Sitemiddle section
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 30, 2024

It was ok

You can not stake anything down here. It's all sand. No cover from wind. Does have a vault toilet. Could see how to could very crowded in summer.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2023

Mostly quiet / Overall a good stay

Pulled in early on a Friday and it was already filling up. Stayed 1 week and was by myself for most of it besides the weekend. I did come back at one point during a storm to find a bunch of teenagers parked right next to my camper and when it stopped raining they started doing donuts and messing around. Also, the fire pit was full of garbage when I got there. Overall it was a great stay, especially since it was free. The reception was good, the road just leading to the camping spots was a little bumpy

Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Austin R., June 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Austin R., June 16, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2022

Lots of room

Enough space along the banks to find a spot and still feel private . ATT and Verizon service. Accessible to low clearance vehicles

Month of VisitJuly
  • pull through location
    Play button icon
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2021

Beautiful but a ton of people

Great place to camp right along the water for tents, RTTs, or campers. The problem is there were a ton of people. I arrived on a Thursday with only one other person camping within 100 yards of me. By Saturday, there were 12 different campers packed in like sardine along the same 100 yard stretch. Loose dogs were running all over and generators were running all night. If you don't mind the crowd, it's a great place to camp and enjoy the water

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 1, 2021

Confederate Dispersed Camping

Canyon Ferry has great dispersed camping all around it. The specific site we stayed at was right next to the beach. Great views and right down from a pit toilet.

Sitesite by beach in confederate camping area off of lower confederate road
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Jessa , May 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Jessa , May 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Jessa , May 1, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 27, 2021

Cows!!

There were some of the cutest cows on the way in. It took me over half an hour to locate the owner and get a calf's head unstuck. The water was pretty and my dogs loved all the beach wood. My neighbors were friendly and didn't mind the dogs running around.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Sassra D., April 27, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2019

RV disperse camping on Canyon Ferry Lake

You almost don't realize that this area open to camping and would drive right by if it were not for a plywood sign just after crossing a cattle guard. The plywood has just a few signs on it, one listing the number of nights you can camp for. The others are the camping rules, travel restrictions and notice that spot must be occupied at night. This camping area is a mile north of Confederate Campground. When you look back up the road leading to the camping area you can notice a vault toilet in the distance. It is over a½ mile to this vault toilet down a two track road. One flat grassy camping spot can be found about half way to the toilet. This grassy spot is your best bet if you have a tent with out a crowd. The spot is on the shore of the lake with just a few young willows between you and the water. The remainder of the camping appears to happen just after the ADA vault toilet.  A few more grassy spots are possible near the vault toilet, then there is a narrow section of gravel beach on which RV's turn in to a parking area. The RV's line up one right behind the other on this beach as this is the only real level place to park. No other services besides the ADA vault toilet is available so come prepared. The area has no picnic tables and any fire rings are on the beach made by previous visitors. The site does not have a boat ramp, but the gravel shore would make it easy to launch one.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Dexter I., August 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Dexter I., August 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Confederate Disperse Camping Area by Dexter I., August 6, 2019
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Confederate Disperse Camping Area?

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area is located at 3802 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Confederate Disperse Camping Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Confederate Disperse Camping Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Confederate Disperse Camping Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is unknown.