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Best Tent Camping near Canyon Creek, MT

368 Reviews

Public lands surrounding Canyon Creek, Montana offer a variety of tent camping options within the Helena National Forest and nearby fishing access sites. Little Log Campground provides a dedicated tent-only experience with 10 sites situated in a gully above Holter Lake, while Spokane Bay Campground offers walk-in tent sites accessible via a one-mile hike from the trailhead. Additional tent camping can be found at Wolf Creek Bridge and Lichen Cliff fishing access sites, both located along Recreation Road. For those seeking more seclusion, Scott Reservoir Dispersed camping area provides primitive tent sites with mountain views and waterfront access approximately 30 minutes from Helena.

Most tent campsites in the Canyon Creek region feature basic amenities on natural surfaces. Little Log Campground provides vault toilets, running water, and trash service for $15 per night, with each site containing a picnic table and metal fire ring. At fishing access sites like Wolf Creek Bridge and Lichen Cliff, campers will find vault toilets and designated tent pads, though no potable water or trash service is available. Dispersed camping areas like Little Blackfoot River and Scott Reservoir offer minimal facilities, requiring campers to pack in water and pack out waste. Sites may become muddy during wet weather, making access difficult on unpaved roads. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, particularly in dispersed camping areas.

Tent campers frequently report solitude as a primary benefit of the region's campgrounds. According to reviews, Spokane Bay Campground visitors "will most likely have the place to yourself" since it can only be reached by boat or hiking. At Scott Reservoir, one camper noted having "the entire place to myself on a Thursday night" with minimal disturbance from passing vehicles. Little Blackfoot River Dispersed Campsite provides "a nice large flat right next to the creek with plenty of room for multiple tents," though some road noise is audible. Early arrival is recommended for securing preferred sites, particularly at fishing access locations where level tent pads may be limited. Most areas permit pets and allow campfires when seasonal restrictions aren't in place.

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Best Tent Sites Near Canyon Creek, Montana (18)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Canyon Creek, MT

2 Photos of 18 Canyon Creek Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Canyon Creek, MT

368 Reviews of 18 Canyon Creek Campgrounds

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2019

    Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    Ranger review of Wenzel's Windy Pass Mummy 0° Sleeping bag and Holter Dam C

    Holter Dam Campground Review

    Holter Dam Campground at Holter Dam Recreation site is a BLM 15 site campground located just below Holter Dam. All 15 sites at the campground feature covered picnic tables with a fire ring. All the sites sit along the edge of a very large parking area. 13 of the sites have plenty of room for tents on a nice flat grassy area. Two sites are close together and have limited room for tents. The campground has a double vault toilet with numerous water faucets, and dumpsters. A second vault toilet can be found at the boat ramp area just a short distance from the campground. An ADA campsite sits right in front of the vault toilets. The concrete pad for the ADA site extends to and surrounds the fire ring allowing wheelchairs to get as close to the fire as they want. Campsites run $10 an night (½ price for senior and access pass holders). Keep an eye out on the surrounding hills around the campground for Big Horn Sheep. While staying at the campground we saw 5 sheep on the hill next to the campground entrance.

    Ranger review of the Wenzel Windy Pass Mummy 0° Sleeping bag

    I was quiet pleased with the Windy Pass 0° Mummy sleeping bag. The bag is roomy, giving you room to turn around in the bags with out needing to have to bag turn with you. On the bags stuff sack it says it is a cold weather bag 0-20 degrees. I slept warm all night with the temps dropping into the low 30's with it raining all night (snow was on the ground on the hills above us). I was quiet pleased with the amount of padding the bag provided during the night as my sleeping pad failed to hold air, but I was still able to sleep comfortably on the hard ground. I got up several times during the night and each time I was able to warm back up in just a few minutes after getting back in to the bag. It will be interesting to test it out next winter in colder weather to see if it meets its temperature claims. I weighted the bag, and at 4 pounds 10 ounces, you might not be taking this one out on a backpacking trip, but for the front country camping you can't go wrong with this warm bag, specially for the price of $45.

  • Jessa
    May. 1, 2021

    Confederate Campground

    Lower Confederate Dispersed Camping

    There’s a few different sites to choose from in the area. A lot of them are close to the pit toilet near the rock beach. Most have fire rings and picnic tables. No water. The best spot that we stayed at was on top of the cliff. It was gorgeous but super windy. 14 day stay limit. Pls make sure to leave no trace and don’t leave trash. A group of guys camped on one of the site and trashed it. Even buried the fire pit completely with sand to the point you could barely see it and then left trash on top

  • Jessa
    Apr. 5, 2021

    Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping on Canon Ferry Lake

    Gorgeous spot! Free dispersed camping, first come basis, 14 day stay limit. Lots of spots to choose from in the area. Beautiful vies of Canyon Ferry Lake. Most spots have a picnic table and a camp fire ring. Some spots are close to each other so in the summer I bet it’s packed. The lakes beach is full of rocks. Please make sure to leave no trace if you come to this spot! Pack it in, pack it out. There are vault toilets around the area if needed. No dumping.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2019

    Duck Creek Primitive Campground

    Review of Outdoor Element's Firebiner at Duck Creek camping area

    Review of Duck Creek camping area

    This was our second camp at Duck Creek this year with our Venturing Crew. This time we conducted a wilderness survival camp at the far opposite end of the camping area from our last camp. We constructed our survival shelters on the sand and gravel shore of Canyon Ferry Lake. We picked the shore in order to get away from the bugs. The cottonwoods and willows held plenty of little vampires looking for blood, the grassy areas had fewer mosquitoes but a recent hatch had occurred and although they didn't bite all those bugs made you thing you were being attacked. So the beach it was, it was amazing that you could walk out on the beach and not have any bugs, what a slight breeze will do. After setting up our shelters it was time to build a fire and cook dinner. Our site had a rock ring built into the sand, but we found this to be to close to the trees for our liking as the wind would blow embers into the vegetation. We built a new ring next to the water for the nigh. You will be unable to find our fire ring as any evidence of our visit was removed the next morning...Leave no trace. Their is no problem finding fire wood at duck creek drift wood is everywhere. If you want to stay at Duck Creek be prepared, this is primitive camping. No vault toilets, no water, no trash service, no metal fire rings, but you do have cell service.

    Ranger review of the Firebiner from Outdoor Element.

    Gave the firebinder to one of our Scouts to get a fire started, sparks up really well, she had a little problem due to how windy was, but a second try with a cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly had a fire going after three strikes. Our Scouts gave the striker five stars. The cutting blade worked well on string and fishing line, how ever we could not get through 550 para cord, and with such a small opening you are really limited on what you can cut with it. Over all everyone likes the look of the firebiner, and it held up to a weekend of use, is small and light weight and has worked well for clipping items on to packs.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2018

    Goose Bay Marina and Campground

    Large Primitive campground at Goose Bay

    Goose Bay Primitive Campround is right next to Goose Bay Marina and Campground. The primitive campground is free. The very large disperse campground area has several Vault Toilets. Rock fire rings are at the sites. Sites are not numbered as you can camp anywhere, but the good spots have rock fire rings. Sites do not have picnic tables. Their are ADA camp sites next to each Vault Toilet. The ADA sites each have large concrete pads, picnic table and metal fire ring. We had a Boy Scout Camporee at this location a few years ago and made for a nice camp, tons of room and plenty of lake access. If you use a water craft on Canyon Ferry you must have your craft inspected and cleaned before leaving. The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks inspection site is located at the entrance of Goose Bay Marina and Campground

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Browns Lake

    Want to catch trout, go to Browns Lake FAS Campground

    Browns Lake Fishing Access Site Campground is located on the 459 acre Browns Lake. This fishing access campground has 14 sites all with metal fire rings and picnic tables. The site is serviced by two vault toilets. This is a dry campground so bring water. This is also a trash-in trash-out campground. The campground is fairly exposed and tends to be windy during the summer. We visited in early June and were amazed by all the birds in the area. The real draw for this campground is the fishing. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks stocks this lake with over 50,000 rainbow trout per year….that's right 50,000. The lake is known for large rainbow trout and 10 pounders in the spring are apparently not a fish story. The lake also has Brook Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee, and Longnose suckers. So grab your tent and fishing pole, because with 50,000 trout being added every year a trout dinner has to be on the menu.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2018

    Copper Creek Campground

    Quiet Mt. Campground & Ranger review of the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail SG

    Cooper Creek Campground is a nice quiet campground in the Helena National Forest. Cooper Creek Campground offers 20 sites with metal fire rings and concrete picnic tables, and has three vault toilets and potable Water is available from a hand pump. For those who like to fish, the campground is along Cooper Creek and Snowbird lake is just across the road from the campground. Like to hike, the trailhead for Snowbank Creek/Sucker Creek trail is just across the road next to Snowbird lake. The trailhead has plenty of parking space and a Vault Toilet. Like bears, good, this is grizzly bear country so Food Storage Order is in effect. You will have to store your food in your vehicle as storage lockers are not available. Campground does have trash service. Cost in 2018 was $8 a night put this is planned to go up to $15 next year, but still well worth the price.

    A Ranger review of the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail SG / Soft Ground.

    I really like these shoe, but when I first pulled them out the box I wasn't sure. My first experience with these shoes was a little hard, hard as in, these shoes were hard to get in to. I though I was going to have to send these back, but I finally got them on. These shoe need to be broke in as they are very snug around the ankle. Luckily the shoes get easier to put on as you wear them, but still a bit of a challenge. That snug fit at the top of the shoe has its advantage, you don't get debris in your shoe as there is no room for anything to make its way into the shoe.

    I was concerned at first that these shoes would not provide enough protection from rocks, but after taking them out on the trail my mind was changed. I was able to hike a rocky trail easily and comfortably, I even purposely stepped on loose rocks to see how it would feel. While I could feel the rocks, the shoe was tough enough to protect my feet, even the front of the shoe has enough material to protect your toes if you stub your toe on a rock.

    A few things to note when you take the shoes out of the box, be sure to put the inserts in the shoes. I missed them at first and wore the shoes for several days before noticing them. While they are slim, those inserts made the shoes so much more comfortable. The shoes have elastic laces, but also come with a set of traditional laces, but the shoes fit so well I could probably go without the laces at all.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2019

    Confederate Campground

    Relax on the shore of Canyon Ferry Lake

    Confederate Campground is a Bureau of Reclamation campground on the shore of Canyon Ferry Lake. This small free campground does not have developed campsites with the exception of the one ADA available campsite. Their appears to be six camping spots, five that have rock made fire rings, the only developed site is the ADA site which has a concrete parking pad and metal fire pit. No picnic tables are available at this campground. The campground does have a ADA accessible vault toilet directly across from the ADA campsite. Two of the campsites sit along the lakes beach. Don't be expecting a nice sandy beach however, this is a gravel beach, but still nice. Two sites are near the vault toilet and ADA site, these sites sit on the edge of the lake among cotton wood trees and willows. The final location is away from the other sites in a grassy area near large cotton woods. Camping at Confederate campground is limited to 14 days. There is no water, trash service or picnic tables so come prepared. Their is not a boat launch at this campground, but boats can easily be launched from the rocky beach area. All water craft regardless of size must be inspected prior to launching at Canyon Ferry Lake.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2021

    Deerlodge National Forest Orofino Campground

    Solitude in Montana

    Orofino campground is a small campground with 11 sites, but it also has a second half across the road which has two large family/group camps and a Day Use area with a large pavilion.  The sites are not numbered.  The Campground has a vault toilet.  The two family sites each have their own vault toilets, the day use site shares two vault toilets with one of the family sites.  This campground appears to get little use and little maintenance.  The vault toilets are quite old wooden structures, but in good shape.  The campground area has several sites where finding a level spot for a tent is difficult.  One hand pump is available for water and is located on the campground section.  Each family site had 6+ picnic tables and firer rings with a few BBQ grills.  All the sites in the campground have picnic tables but a couple do not have fire rings.  The campground has plenty of shade from its large trees, fewer trees in the family areas but still some good tree cover.

Guide to Canyon Creek

Canyon Creek, Montana, offers a variety of tent camping options that allow outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the stunning natural beauty of the area. From fishing access sites to secluded campgrounds, there's something for everyone.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Lichen Cliff site features picnic tables and fire rings, making it a cozy spot for a night under the stars.
  • At Wolf Creek Bridge, campers can enjoy a fully paved access area with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for a comfortable stay.
  • The Little Log Campground offers running water, trash service, and a double vault toilet, ensuring a more convenient camping experience.

Tips for tent camping near Canyon Creek

Local attractions for outdoor enthusiasts

  • The Indian Meadows Trailhead serves as a gateway to two beautiful trails in the Helena National Forest, perfect for hiking and exploring.
  • Nearby, the Scott Reservoir Dispersed area offers stunning views and a tranquil setting for fishing and relaxing by the water.
  • For those interested in fishing, the Wolf Creek Bridge is a popular starting point for floating and fishing on the Missouri River.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Canyon Creek, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Canyon Creek, MT is Lichen Cliff with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Canyon Creek, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Canyon Creek, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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