Map showing campground location near Townsend, Montana

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Indian Road Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Sitting along the edge of the Missouri River just outside Townsend, Indian Road Campground is a free BLM site within Canyon Ferry Lake's managed corridor. The terrain is open and largely treeless, with sites arranged on a loop that has spots both inside and outside the ring. Highway proximity is real here. Expect to hear road noise and occasional passing trains, though reviewers note both tend to fade into the background after a short time.

The campground has around six pull-out sites plus one pull-through near the vault toilets, and a 30-foot travel trailer fits with some careful positioning. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. A kids' fishing pond restricted to anglers 14 and under sits near the day-use area, and a boat ramp provides access to the river, though low water levels have left the ramp ending well above the waterline in past seasons. Anglers and families with children tend to find the most use for the layout. Cottonwood Campground sits about 1.2 miles north if you need more options in the area.

Privacy is limited. The loop design and open terrain mean neighbors are visible from most sites. Water spigots have been reported as turned off during summer visits, and trash service is listed but not consistently confirmed by reviewers, so packing out waste is a reasonable precaution. As Dexter I. notes, the campground sits "on the edge of the Missouri river," which is the main draw. Bring your own water and verify site availability before arriving, especially on summer weekends.

Description

Overview

Indian Road Group Use Shelter is located at the southern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, just north of Townsend. It can accommodate up to 75 people and is attached to Indian Road campground. This 33___ X44___ shelter offers 8 picnic tables and 2 grills. Two vault toilets are located just across the parking lot. There is also a small fishing pond for kids and individuals with disabilities. This area is open to the public on a first come first serve baisis.

Recreation

Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers a wide range of year-round recreational opportunities. Water related activities include everything from swimming and fishing to sailing and motor-boating. Canoeists and kayakers explore the many quiet backwater bays. Jet skiers, windsurfers and water skiers skim the summer waves, while winter draws ice fishermen, ice boaters and skaters.

Facilities

Indian Road Group Use Shelter is a 30' X 44' shelter with eight picnic tables, two grills, and a few accessable vault toilets. These is a fishing pond for the use of childeren and individuals with dissabilities. The shelter sits adjasent to Indian Road Campground, which is a first come first serve campground. The parking lot is graveled with ample space. There is also a ramp which is used by anglers and paddlers when the water level permits.

Natural Features

Indian Road Group Use Shelter sits along the Missouri River at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorns Mountain ranges. Young willows line the small fishing pond and mature cottonwoods provide shade in the grassy areas around the pavilion.

Nearby Attractions

Indian Road Group Use Shelter Is located along the Missouri River at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, between the Big Belt and Elkhorns Mountain ranges. The Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area, managed by FWP, is in close proximity; offering ample opportunities for bird watching and paddling during permitted seasons.____ For up-to-date events in Broadwater County, Townsend, Montana, visit www.townsendmt.com, and for Helena visit, www.helenamt.com.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (406) 475-3920.

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Map & DirectionsIndian Road Campground is located in Montana near Townsend

Public Campground

Directions

Indian Road Campground and Group Use Shelter are located just north of town of Townsend on Circleville Road.

Address

7700 Canyon Ferry Road
Helena, MT 59601

Coordinates

46.332825 N
111.5286111 W

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Connectivity

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Last on 7/10/26
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Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

29 min from Helena, MT
53 min from Bozeman, MT
1 hr 42 min from Great Falls, MT
2 hrs 13 min from Missoula, MT

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Indian Road Campground

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5 Stars

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1 Star

3.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Free BLM campground with well-maintained sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables, plus a kids fishing pond. Highway and train noise noted by most visitors, though basic facilities and river location provide good value.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Meghan C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2025

Free campground for tent and van camping

Interesting… a free campground. A few spots to park with pit toilets. Seems like a good spot.

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Bill P.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2023

A little sketchy

A couple of sites, that are well kept with grills, fire rings and picnic tables. BUT, looks as if a couple of people are living there and constant traffic through the loops even late at night and at the crack of dawn that resemble possible drug deals.

Month of VisitAugust

Annie C.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2021

You get what you pay for

This is a small free BLM campground right next to the highway and next to the river. No privacy here as sites are on a treeless loop, with sites on the inside and outside of the loop. There is a nice kids fishing pond(with clearly marked signs warning about leeches in the mud!) and a boat ramp that due to low water levels ends several feet above the waterline. The water spigots were turned off while I was there, and I didn’t see any trash cans so come prepared with your own water and plan to pack out your trash.

Month of VisitJuly

(11) View All

Abby M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 6, 2021

Small but works!

Stayed for a night and it was pleasant. 3/4 of the spots were taken yet it was still quiet. There’s 3 vault toilets. There’s a day area then an overnight area. All spots are in a loop so you just park next to the spot you want. No trash, water or electric. It’s free and has a picnic table and fire ring at each site. Very close to the lake and has a little water area along the day use area. Definitely would stay again!

Month of VisitJune

(4) View All

8wheels8paws

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2019

Very quaint

Nice little campground with fire pits and picnic tables. There is one pull through spot near the bathrooms and the rest are pullouts along the loop (about 6 spots total). We fit fine in a 30’ travel trailer, but we did have to get creative and make sure we parked over enough because we have opposing slides and didn’t want to block the road. There are pretty loud trains going by every once and awhile and you can hear some highway noise, but after a little bit you get used to it. Great little stopover for a couple of nights.

Dexter I.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

Nice campground with a kids fishing pond

This is a nice campground just outside of Townsend Montana. Good information signs about the area and the Lewis and Clark journey. A nice fishing pond is available for children 14 and under. Campground is on the edge of the Missouri river. The only draw back is noise from the nearby highway.

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

What outdoor activities are available near Indian Road Campground in Townsend?

The Missouri River provides excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, and water activities right from the campground, which has a boat ramp for easy river access. There's a special fishing pond designated for children 14 and under (note that there are leeches in the mud). The area's natural setting supports wildlife viewing, hiking, and photography. History enthusiasts can learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition from the informational signs at the campground. The surrounding region offers additional recreational opportunities in the nearby mountains and public lands.

Where is Indian Road Campground located near Townsend, MT?

Indian Road Campground is located just outside of Townsend, Montana on the edge of the Missouri River. This BLM campground sits adjacent to a highway, which provides easy access but also creates some traffic noise. The campground features a fishing pond and informational signs about the Lewis and Clark journey. Its riverside location makes it a convenient base for exploring the Townsend area while enjoying the natural beauty of the Missouri River corridor.

What amenities are available at Indian Road Campground?

Indian Road Campground offers basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings/grills, and three vault toilets. The campground features a loop design with sites on both the inside and outside. There's no privacy between sites as the area is mostly treeless. The campground does not provide water, electricity, or trash service. There's a designated day use area separate from the overnight camping area. A boat ramp provides access to the Missouri River, and there's a fishing pond specifically for children. The campground is free to use and maintained by the BLM.

Do I need reservations for Indian Road Campground in Townsend, Montana?

No, reservations are not required at Indian Road Campground as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a free BLM campground with approximately 6 camping spots total. The small size means it can fill up, especially during peak season, so arriving early is recommended if you want to secure a spot. There's one pull-through site near the bathrooms with the rest being pullouts along the loop.