Dog-Friendly Camping near Big Sandy, MT

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    Evergreen Campground's large pet exercise area accommodates campers with dogs in Havre, while several dispersed sites along Fresno Reservoir welcome pets without restrictions. Most campgrounds in the region permit leashed pets at all sites with clean-up required and limit pets to two per site. Hansen Family Campground allows dogs near their small farm animal area, giving pets and children unique interaction opportunities with chickens, ducks, geese, and goats. The disbursed spots along the Missouri River at Wood Bottom Recreation Area are particularly pet-friendly with plenty of space for dogs to explore. Campsites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets, though most lack designated pet waste stations.

    Pet owners staying at Chouteau County Fairgrounds Campground should note the nearby "snake island" presents hazards for curious dogs, particularly during summer months. Campgrounds provide spacious sites for RVs with pets, featuring electrical hookups and water access points. The Missouri River offers excellent water access for dogs who enjoy swimming, though leashing is required in most public areas. Most campgrounds provide minimal shade, making summer visits challenging for pets in the region's intense heat. Mosquitoes can be problematic in riverside locations, so pet-safe insect repellent is recommended. Local pet owners frequently walk their dogs through campgrounds, creating regular traffic but opportunities for socialization. Bring extra water containers for pets as drinking water is limited at several sites.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Big Sandy (12)

      1. Wood Bottom Recreation Area

      3.7(3)26mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents

      "Put Decision Point for the destination & drive past it 1/4 mile downhill to the Loma Missouri bridge."

      2. Kiehns Bay

      3.8(5)31mi from Big SandyTents

      "Beautiful spot on the water, there were several dispersed camping spots to choose from around the lake. Some of them are very difficult to access with a larger rig."

      "Lots of bottles and garbage on the beach from party's and around 2am some locals rolled through in louder trucks right past our spot."

      3. Evergreen Campground

      3.5(2)27mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Walk out camper door into next sites plug ins and sewer hose.  Very limited space between campers.  No picnic tables or firepits."

      from $35 - $52 / night

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      4. Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground

      4.3(8)37mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents

      "The locals come around during the day to walk their dogs so it makes for a decent amount of traffic through the area."

      "Set on the edge of Historic Fort Benton, this is a great place to land for a night or a week or more. Lots to see, explore and experience in the area."

      from $15 - $45 / night

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      5. Hansen Family Campground & Storage

      4.3(7)39mi from Big SandyRVs

      "There's a small dog park, donkeys, chickens, ducks, and the place is nestled between the hills of Northern Montana. Perfect stopping place before crossing the border into Canada!"

      "Unfortunately it's a bit in the middle of no where, Montana, but we were delighted none the less. They have chickens and ducks and geese, goats, and donkeys. You can feed them and visit with them."

      from $40 / night

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      6. Havre RV Park and Travel Plaza

      2.5(2)33mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents

      7. Benton RV Park & Campground

      2.5(2)35mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "It's probably the bright spot in the entire town, which appears to be about a half square mile of trailers and double wides surrounded by miles of amber waves of grain."

      from $50 - $60 / night

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      8. Chester City Park

      4.3(3)46mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents

      "The train was about 5 blocks away if you have ever lived anywhere near a train, it wasn't that loud. There is plenty of space for multiple rigs if you are caravanning."

      9. Tiber Marina Campground

      4.5(2)48mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents

      "We were looking for somewhere to camp near the Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell. Stumbled upon this beauty. Run by a lovely couple, this spot is quiet, beautiful and clean. Lots of space between sites."

      "Camping near the water is permitted in some area but you have to arrive early as those spots are usually taken. Water is good for fishing and boating. Highly recommended."

      from $20 / night

      10. Tiber Reservoir Sanford Park Lake Elwell Campground

      1.0(1)46mi from Big SandyRVs, Tents

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Big Sandy, MT

    57 Reviews of 12 Big Sandy Campgrounds


    • M
      Oct. 8, 2023

      Hansen Family Campground & Storage

      Perfect adventure site while passing through Montana

      Pull through sites with full hook ups and easy access. There's a small dog park, donkeys, chickens, ducks, and the place is nestled between the hills of Northern Montana. Perfect stopping place before crossing the border into Canada!

    • Patty F.
      Oct. 5, 2023

      Havre RV Park and Travel Plaza

      Convenient to town

      Right on Highway 2 so a little noisy. Limited pet area. Not everyone picks up after their dog. Water and power easy hook up, but sewer has to be run under RV.

    • Sterling C.
      Jun. 20, 2019

      Coal Banks Landing

      Cool dog

      It’s a nice clean campsite to begin your boating adventure on the river with lots of space. The cabin has free WiFi to finish up work before heading into nature. The bathrooms are pretty average for outhouses as well. Also, if your lucky, the camp’s doggo May visit you. He is free to pet!

    • M
      Jul. 16, 2022

      Hansen Family Campground & Storage

      Great spacious campground with animals for the kids to enjoy!

      This was a fun, unexpected stop. Unfortunately it's a bit in the middle of no where, Montana, but we were delighted none the less. They have chickens and ducks and geese, goats, and donkeys. You can feed them and visit with them. The sites are huge. No big trees, and right by the highway and train tracks. But it was peaceful and restful, and just what our family needed to recharge. Bonus that they took our Good Sam membership!

    • Kathy L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 5, 2025

      Hansen Family Campground & Storage

      Mosquitos but otherwise nice place

      Mosquitos, mosquitos, mosquitos. Like you would try to walk your dogs and would be covered in them. The lady at front desk was super nice and the campground was clean. Lovely setting against the hills. But… mosquitoes.

    • Gary A.
      Jul. 28, 2023

      Benton RV Park & Campground

      Terrible

      Benton RV Park in Fort Benton Montana is run by a very nice lady. The restrooms and showers are very clean. Those are the only nice things I can say about this place. They have a full page of rules and regulations with threats of eviction if not obeyed. Fear not though none were enforced. This is what lead us to depart early. One of there rules is to respect the campsites of others and not short cut through them. The other rule that we took issue with is children under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Our campsite was overrun by a group of 6 kids. Playing and cutting through the entire time we stayed there. We had kids outside our camper door in our campsite the entire time we were there. We couldn't sit outside and enjoy our picnic table for the kids toys and their constant running back and forth. We found the photos on Benton RV Park website very deciving. They must have been very old. They depict green grass and well spaced RV's. The reality is dead brown grass and being so close to your neighbor it's more a parking lot located in an area where the houses across The street ends at an industrial like area. So if you have children you want to let run wild and you don't mind everyone cutting through your campsite this place is for you. Otherwise stay away.

    • Leah N.
      Oct. 14, 2021

      Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground

      It'll Do!

      It's a decent campground. The cliff view is really nice! spaces are pretty close together, though. They say there are full-hookups but really there is only 1 site with both electric and water. The others only have electric. There is a restroom and it's very clean and well kept with a garbage and hand sanitizer. The locals come around during the day to walk their dogs so it makes for a decent amount of traffic through the area.

    • R
      Jul. 17, 2023

      Benton RV Park & Campground

      Fine for A One Nighter

      Clean and well maintained. It's probably the bright spot in the entire town, which appears to be about a half square mile of trailers and double wides surrounded by miles of amber waves of grain. There isn't a single paved street in town other than the main road.

      Everything worked and the front desk was friendly. Stopped here for a one nighter on the way to another destination.

      Be aware that this isn't the mountains that Montana is famous for. We were here in mid July and it was 94° with about a 35 mph wind howling across the Prairie. Quite a shock considering we had just come down from the mountains!

    • M
      Jun. 24, 2022

      Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground

      Really nice place to camp and hang out

      Set on the edge of Historic Fort Benton, this is a great place to land for a night or a week or more. Lots to see, explore and experience in the area. The sites are not fancy, but the bathrooms are clean, updated and have hot showers. Right near the Missouri River and you can't beat the price!

      There are 2 campgrounds right next to each other. The Canoe Camp is closer to and on the river with a more traditional campground setting.

      Sitting here enjoying the setting sun on the bluffs along the Missouri, enjoying the birds chirping and a laugh floating in and about here and there... it's really nice. 5 minute walk to downtown. Dump station to stop at on the way out. There's no host at the fairgrounds, but it's fairly self explanatory. Lots of electric hook ups, a few with water, none at the fairgrounds with sewer. No numbers here either.


    Guide to Big Sandy

    Campgrounds near Big Sandy, Montana typically feature prairie and grassland landscapes with elevations around 2,500-3,000 feet. Summer temperatures can reach 90°F with limited natural shade, while spring brings significant rainfall creating muddy access roads. Most campgrounds remain open May through September with seasonal closures during winter months.

    What to do

    Fishing at Tiber Reservoir: Lake Elwell offers good walleye fishing opportunities with boat launches available at Tiber Marina Campground. "Tiber Damn has some of the best sunsets I have ever seen... Water is good for fishing and boating," reports Jamie O.

    Explore historic Fort Benton: Located about 60 miles from Big Sandy, this area provides cultural opportunities within walking distance of camping. "5 minute walk to downtown," notes one camper at Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground, adding, "Right near the Missouri River and you can't beat the price!"

    River activities: The Missouri River offers water recreation from several access points. "This is a cute spot if your feeling like camping but want to stay in cell service and have electricity and water access. Down by the river... My 7yr old enjoyed catching soft shell turtles," shares Jean L. about the fairgrounds campground.

    What campers like

    Dispersed camping options: Areas around Fresno Reservoir provide more private camping experiences. "Beautiful spot on the water, there were several dispersed camping spots to choose from around the lake," notes Nathan B. about Kiehns Bay.

    Farm animals for kids: Some campsites feature unique interactions with farm animals. "They have chickens and ducks and geese, goats, and donkeys. You can feed them and visit with them," explains Melody C. about Hansen Family Campground & Storage.

    River access spots: Waterfront camping locations offer scenic views and water activities. At Wood Bottom Recreation Area, campers recommend specific sites: "The campground is okay, but the disbursed spots along the river are awesome! Some of the best spots you can find!" according to G H.

    What you should know

    Train noise: Several campgrounds sit near active railroad tracks, affecting sleep quality. "The train is VERY LOUD and goes through every hour or so all night. The tracks run one street over from the park and it has to blow it's whistle at each RR crossing," warns Kelsey B. about Chester City Park.

    Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have mineral-rich water that affects taste. At Evergreen Campground, "When I talked to an employee about the water tasting bad (I believe it was something like sulfur), she explained it was natural and not unhealthy," reports Bjorn S.

    Seasonal crowds: Expect higher visitation during summer weekends. One camper at Kiehns Bay notes, "Stopped here on our way to Glacier NP. Pulled in on a Sunday and there was only 1 other camper in the area... I can see where it would get busy on a weekend."

    Tips for camping with families

    City parks for convenience: Municipal parks offer basic amenities with easy access. Chester City Park provides "a fairly level gravel parking area with a pavilion, bathrooms and water that is accessible to top up your rig if needed. The park and garden is very well kept with a great playset for kids."

    Navigation challenges: GPS directions can be unreliable in this rural area. "Put Decision Point for the destination & drive past it 1/4 mile downhill to the Loma Missouri bridge. There is a sign here with the Woods Bottom CG a mile down to the right on a improved gravel road," advises Dirk B. about Wood Bottom Recreation Area.

    Dog-friendly river spots: Many riverside locations welcome pets with room to roam. "This is a cute spot if your feeling like camping but want to stay in cell service and have electricity and water access. Down by the river," notes Jean L. about fairgrounds camping.

    Tips from RVers

    Sewer connection challenges: RV hookups may require special positioning. At Havre RV Park, "The sewer hook up is in the road under our rig so we pulled out slightly and dumped when we left to avoid climbing under to hook up," explains a camper.

    Level sites available: Despite rural settings, many campgrounds offer suitable RV parking. "Very nice park & plenty of room for several campers," reports Patrick J. about Chester City Park, while another mentions it's "a really easy in and out" location.

    Site spacing considerations: Campground density varies significantly across the region. "Clean and well maintained... Everything worked and the front desk was friendly. Stopped here for a one nighter on the way to another destination," notes Robert R. about Benton RV Park, contrasting with Hansen Family Campground where "the sites are huge."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Big Sandy, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Big Sandy, MT is Wood Bottom Recreation Area with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Big Sandy, MT?

    TheDyrt.com has all 12 dog-friendly camping locations near Big Sandy, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.