James Kipp Campground, near Lewistown, Montana, is a fantastic place for those who appreciate the great outdoors. With spacious sites that offer a mix of shady and open areas, it’s perfect for pitching a tent or parking your RV while soaking in the stunning views of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.

This campground is all about simplicity and nature. Visitors rave about the clean facilities and the well-kept environment, making it easy to enjoy your stay. As one camper noted, “The sites are spacious and most are shady,” which adds to the overall comfort. While there’s no drinking water or electric hookups, the natural beauty and the chance to hike along the river more than make up for it.

For hiking enthusiasts, the area is a dream come true. Reviewers highlight the incredible trails with breathtaking views, and many spotted deer and elk wandering through the campground. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the elk herds that gather in the fall. Just remember to bring your own firewood if you want to enjoy a cozy campfire at night, as it’s not provided on-site.

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer adventure, James Kipp Campground offers a peaceful escape into nature, with plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. Just be prepared for some pesky bugs in the summer, and you’ll be all set for a memorable camping experience.

James Kipp Recreation Area is situated along the Upper Missouri River and is open from April 1 to December 1, annually. This is a popular site for launching watercraft, as well as camping, picnicking and fishing. The potable water system is currently shut down. Water for the RV dump will become operational after the last spring freeze, typically by May 15. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis NO RESERVATIONS There are 34 sites that can accommodate trailers or recreational vehicles (RVs) up to 40 feet in length. There are no hookups. Each site has a designated fire ring and picnic table. The campground is equipped with vault toilets, trash dumpsters, and an RV waste dump ($10 dump fee).

James Kipp Campground

Are you in need of a campground near Zortman, MT? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Zortman, MT. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Zortman

The Best Camping Near Zortman, Montana

In late October, hundreds of elk congregate in the Slippery Ann area of the park. Dozens of cars also come to watch the herd. It's a very fun time, and an amazing spectacle. It is very busy at this time of year, so that's a bit of a bummer for camping. In mid-summer, before the elk come, there are a million-zillion mosquitoes and it's not fun. Come for the elk!

See the Elk

In the summer, you’ll want to bring or rent a boat of some kind to explore the river; there are many local outfitters. In the fall I’ve heard about the elk herds here and it’s not far from a wildlife refuge. Pros: outhouses, water (seasonally), beautiful landscape (cliffs, river, meadows), lots of water recreation, interesting (but tragic) local history, stargazing, choice of shady or open campsites, along river. Cons: bugs and mud (both seasonal). 


Simple historic camping 

I love visiting Montana to do hiking and camping. The outdoors here is amazing!! Mountains everywhere, and wildlife everywhere!! The campground was awesome. Here are some things we liked:

*   Well kept/clean- this is something that seems to be rare now a days. We liked that the restrooms were clean, and toilet paper was stocked. There are dumpsters in the campground which make it easy to clean up after yourself.
*   Awesome hiking! We hiked every day that we were here. The views are amazing!! We did one hike that was 8 miles round trip, 4 miles round trip, and 6 miles roundtrip. All were amazing!
*   The rangers were great! They helped us find our spot, and then tell us where some great hiking was!
*   Campsites were big. This is ALWAYS a plus!! Also, the campsites have a table and fire ring. We loved using the fire rings at night to make smores!!

We will definitely be coming back! :)

Great campground and hiking!

I camped two nights . The sites are spacious and most are shady. We took a nice hike along the river. There is an rv dump for $10. There was no water available during my stay. Only downside was a swarm of horseflies that were not deterred by bug spray or a bug light!

Photos of James Kipp Campground

Real photos from real campers