Searching for a tent camping spot near Box Elder? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Approximately 82 acres in size, this recreation area is located in the badlands 18 miles north of Havre, Montana. This area is open to motorized wheeled vehicles and offers a variety of terrain and challenges for all off-road enthusiasts. The area boundary is signed, and all off-road users are required to stay within the boundary area. Off-road vehicles are NOT permitted to cross Cottonwood Creek. Important Reminder for Users: The only access to the OHV area once you leave the graveled county road is through private and state land. Please be respectful of the landowner’s generosity in granting access to public lands and leave the area in the same or better condition than you find it.
Legend
Nice small campground is the launch point for starting at river mile zero for floating the 149 mile Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Has 25 tent sites and 7 RV sites with hook-ups. Showers are available in the fairgrounds for those staying at the campground. Jointly run by Chouteau County and the BLM. Tent sites $10, RV's $22, full hookups $22.
Ranger
Tons of people love to camp by Fresno in the summer. It's typically a boating/rv spot - some park their RV all summer at Fresno. It's a huge reservoir with great walleye fishing. Not pristine or tranquil, but a good time. Not for ideal for tent camping.
Ranger
This isn't one campground, its dozens. Beaver Creek is the largest county park in the nation. It technically requires a $55 annual park pass for camping or usage of the park. There are two lakes with decent fishing in the park and a lovely stream. Mount Otis has a well-maintained trail to the top, and there is a 3 mile nature trail. I use this park all the time! Perfect for picnics, camping by RV or tent, hiking, fishing and bon fires.
Legend
Located in the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument at river mile 56.0. Eagle Creek is a very popular camping location on the river. The site has two vault toilets and five metal fire rings, several more rock fire rings are also available. Large cottonwoods provide shade and good locations to set up a hammock. Plenty of room to set up tents. Good hiking through a slot canyon is possible. Lewis and Clark camped near here on the other side of Eagle Creek on May 31, 1805.
RangerThis isn't one campground, its dozens. Beaver Creek is the largest county park in the nation. It technically requires a $55 annual park pass for camping or usage of the park. The pass can be purchased at Stromberg Sinclair in Havre or other locations in Havre. There are two lakes with decent fishing in the park and a lovely stream. Mount Otis has a well-maintained trail to the top, and there is a 3 mile nature trail. I use this park all the time! Perfect for picnics, camping by RV or tent, hiking, fishing and bon fires.
Guide
Very nice clean and convenient campsite off Hwy 2 in Montana. Best part, free and plenty of space available even during this busy time. There were only two campers when we got here, and we’re the only ones left today. A few mosquitos at night though. Oh, and a nice playground for the kids!
Legend
This is the best of several boondocking options around the Fresno Reservoir. We were the only ones here on a weeknight (right before the 4th of July). There are several choices, including some with shade under the cottonwood trees you so often find near rivers. There’s also a flat concrete pad that would work well for a big RV. You could pitch a tent here if you wanted to. The access is good - about 2.5 miles from Hwy. 2. The dirt road is a little washboard but no big potholes. Verizon phone service was excellent. You’re right next to the dam outflow so not really a good place for swimming, but it looks like people like to fish here.
Legend
This is a primitive boat camp along the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Would not spend the night here. The site is listed as having 2 fire rings, but we could not find them due to the 3 foot plus high vegetation. If you did find them you would start a wild fire with all the high vegetation. With all the vegetation couldn't locate a place that we would want place a tent. Being just 5.7 miles down the river to early to stop for the night
GuideA nice campground with both tent and RV sites. Nicely separated from the RV sites so that I wasn't breathing in the RV exhaust. There is the canoe drop in that is quite busy during the day but not a hassle, It does have quiet hours that are enforced by the camp hosts. The cliff on the other side of the river was a gorgeous view when the sun was setting.
The facilities are very nice that are attached to the rodeo grounds. The toilets flush and the showers are private.
GuideClean 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!
ScoutBenton 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.
Guide
Nice area, shade and trees. Friendly, helpful host. Camp sites very, very close together. Walk out camper door into next sites plug ins and sewer hose. Very limited space between campers. No picnic tables or firepits.
LegendWhile small and not that scenic, this is a professional outfit that makes things easy. It's small enough to chat with neighbors and big enough to have your own space and get a good night's sleep. There are trees and bushes all around the border, giving it a cozy, private feel. 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, which was confirmed by a local friend. Great part of the country with lots to do. I appreciate low-fuss/no-fuss places like this.
Ranger
It's a good place to put in for fishing, but it's really exposed without great views. Camp by second lake or the creek. See other Beaver Creek post.
RangerThis is a great place to catch Pike, Walleye and Crappie. I would not want to camp at the tailwaters, but I recommend fishing.
GuideBeautiful 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. Only reason for 4 stars is because the locals have no respect for campers, they just drive right up and spend the afternoon drinking and carrying on right infront of our spot.
RangerStopped here on our way to Glacier NP. Pulled in on a Sunday and there was only 1 other camper in the area. We found a beautiful site overlooking the reservoir. Would definitely come back. I can see where it would get busy on a weekend. The road in and out is hilly and has a bit of washboarding, we made it in and out without any problems
GuideSpectacular views from a few campsites on top of the walls, well spread out areas and definitely big rig friendly spots.
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.
RangerIf you're doing the Northern Tier and need somewhere to stay, this counts as a place to stay. If you are looking for an adventure, this isn't the spot. Good for RVs at events.
Guide
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!
GuideI have been to Coal Banks Landing to put in on river trips. It can be a busy spot at times with people starting canoe trips on the Missouri River. But it is a great destination on its own. I arrived on a Saturday night in August looking for a place to camp. I found the campground mostly empty and very quiet. It was a stormy day with rain and strong winds up on the plateau above the river. But the campground is down by the river and sheltered from the wind. It was very quiet and comfortable. The campground is also clean and well tended. All in all, a great spot.
RangerThis site is used almost entirely for people floating the wild and scenic Missouri River past the White Cliffs and the Hole-in-the-Wall. The site has a vault toilet, lots of room for your rig and obviously has river-front access. Bugs can get horrendous here in late summer. It's in the open with few trees, but it is what it is. It's the spot to rest/put-in/take-out on a float.
LegendThis is an enjoyable campground along the Upper Missouri River Breaks on river mile 41.5. Site has two vault toilets, 13 picnic table, and 9 firer rings. Visit Center provides WiFi. This is a major launch area for floating the Upper Missouri Rive Breaks National Monument. Very friendly camp staff with vast knowledge of the river.
Legend
This is a very nice camp location at around mile 48.8 of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Site is in a grove of large cottonwoods. One fire ring and one outhouse at the site.
Scout
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.
RangerHavre was our last quick stop on the way to Glacier National Park. This RV park is a small asphalt parking lot next to the convenience store and Conoco gas station. The middle sites are parallel parking for big rigs and back in sites for the smaller trailers or Class C’s. Our 28 ft Class A with tow fit just fine. I think larger rigs would be challenged. 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. Paid $58 with an AARP discount. A little high for this park.
Internet only available at the store. I used the laundry that is more general public vs reserved for campers. There were a couple long term residents and a few seasonal while we stayed. Otherwise, we had nobody around us which made the space maneuvering easy.
Everything went smooth with staff and check in. The park sits between on Route 2 and the rail yard. Surprisingly, we weren’t othered by any noise.
We took the day to explore the town. Beneath the street historical tour was a blast back to the past and how the town survived a devastating fire. We toured Fort Assinniboine located 10 miles out of town. More great history and testament to how tough is was on the wild frontier.
GuidePretty nice shaded campsite. There are two hiking opportunities here. The first is the awesome Neat Coulee Canyon where it’s a short hike with small climbing (and bigger climbing opportunities; pretty risky). There are also pictographs in the opposite direction of the campsite to the canyon. It is kinda hard to find, but look for reddish rock near a juniper. I’ve attached a photo of the area from the spot where the pictographs are. Safe travels!
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Montana, Box Elder offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Box Elder, MT is Kiehns Bay with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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