Tent camping near Box Elder, Montana centers around several reservoirs and the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. The region sits on Montana's Hi-Line at approximately 2,700 feet elevation with a semi-arid climate featuring strong winds and dramatic temperature swings. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while spring brings frequent thunderstorms that can affect road conditions to primitive sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fresno Reservoir offers excellent walleye, pike, and crappie fishing. According to one camper at Fresno Tailwater, "This is a great place to catch Pike, Walleye and Crappie" though they noted they "would not want to camp at the tailwaters, but recommend fishing."
Slot canyon exploration: Multiple hiking trails lead through unique geological formations near river campsites. At Eagle Creek Developed Boat Camp, visitors report "awesome Neat Coulee Canyon where it's a short hike with small climbing (and bigger climbing opportunities; pretty risky)."
Historical sites: Several camps along the Missouri River corridor contain cultural and historical points of interest. One camper at Eagle Creek noted, "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."
What campers like
Cottonwood shade: The mature trees at river camps provide natural cooling during hot summer months. A visitor at Senieur's Reach Primitive Boat Camp appreciated the "nice camp locations under the cotton woods" and mentioned "a bonus is the swim someone has made in a large cottonwood."
Peaceful weekday stays: Mid-week camping offers significantly more solitude at popular locations. At Kiehns Bay, one reviewer noted they "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."
Wide site selection: The dispersed nature of camping areas provides options for different preferences. A camper at Kiehns Bay observed "several dispersed camping spots to choose from around the lake" and "spectacular views from a few campsites on top of the walls, well spread out areas."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access routes to many campsites deteriorate after rain or during spring thaw. A Kiehns Bay visitor mentioned "the road in and out is hilly and has a bit of washboarding, we made it in and out without any problems."
Limited facilities: Most sites require complete self-sufficiency with no services. A camper at Hole-in-the-Wall Boat Camp noted "your only shade will be the provided 'shelters'. The fire-pits are not shaded as well."
Local traffic patterns: Popular reservoir campsites see frequent day visitors. One camper at Kiehns Bay observed "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."
Tips for camping with families
Safety near water: Reservoir shorelines can have sudden dropoffs and strong currents. At Fresno Reservoir, a visitor cautioned "I wouldn't suggest swimming" despite the beautiful setting.
Hammock-friendly sites: Some locations offer excellent setup options for hammock camping. At Black Bluff Rapids Primitive Boat Camp, campers noted the site is "located along the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in a stretch of cottonwoods" which provide natural anchors.
Wildlife awareness: Cattle grazing occurs near many sites and requires proper gate management. A Hole-in-the-Wall visitor advised "since you will take boats there, cows can walk to the landing sites, but remember to keep all your gates shut."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Large rigs face significant challenges at most sites. According to a Kiehns Bay visitor, there were "several dispersed camping spots to choose from around the lake. Some of them are very difficult to access with a larger rig."
Concrete pad option: One specific location provides a suitable foundation for larger vehicles. A camper at Fresno Tailwater noted "there's also a flat concrete pad that would work well for a big RV" among the various options available.
Weekend planning: RVers should arrive early on summer weekends. A reviewer of Kiehns Bay observed "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."
