Downstream (MT)
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2023

Education and Recreation

General: 86-site US Army Corps of Engineers Campground located on the Missouri River in four loops, each with a different name: Lismas, New Deal, Wheeler, and Faranuf. Wheeler is for tent sites, the camper pads are gravel, and there are no electric hookups; the other three loops have mostly 30-amp but several 50-amp sites and the camper pads are paved. Faranuf has pull-thru sites that can accommodate larger RVs. 

Site Quality: All sites are level and are spaced a decent distance apart from each other. There are some trees for shade but still many are in full sun. 

Bath/Shower House: The New Deal and Wheeler loops have vault toilets and Lismas, and Faranuf have flush toilets and showers. The restroom in Faranuf is air-conditioned! The one in Lismas appears new (the old one is still standing but roped off) but points off for no soap! Also no hand sanitizer in the vault toilet in New Deal. 

Activities: There is a paved recreation path that circles the campground and is about 2.5 miles. Other recreation activities include basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, disk golf, and two playgrounds (one in Faranuf and the other in the day-use area). Recreation equipment is available to borrow. There is also a wonderful interpretive center where you can learn about the history of the dam, as well as past and present wildlife. In the summer, it is open Friday– Monday, 9 am– 4 pm and the hours are less in other seasons. A must if you have kids! Many in the campground had boats. Kelly, the volunteer at the gatehouse, was effusive about all the area had to offer. 

We were only there for one night passing through, but we did visit the interpretive center, and run on the nature trail. The only bummer about this campground was the persistent wasps that made eating and sitting outside challenging.

Site58
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Downstream (MT) by Lee D., November 1, 2023