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Camping near Cardwell, Montana sits at the intersection of mountain landscapes and river valleys, with options ranging from full-service RV parks to state park campgrounds. The area includes the Cardwell General Store and Campground in town and Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park just 15 minutes east. These established campgrounds provide convenient access to Interstate 90, making them popular stopover points for travelers between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Missouri Headwaters State Park, located about 30 minutes east near Three Forks, offers camping at the historic confluence where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers form the Missouri River.
Most campgrounds in the Cardwell area are open year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F, while winter can bring temperatures well below freezing with occasional heavy snowfall. Mosquitoes can be prevalent near water sources during summer months. Highway noise is noticeable at some campgrounds close to I-90, as one camper noted: "The park was well kept and we had electric plus sewer and water, but it is about a mile from the interstate which is convenient but you can occasionally hear trucks pass by." Cell service is generally reliable near town and along major highways but becomes spotty in more remote areas.
The camping options around Cardwell accommodate various preferences and needs. RV campers will find full hookup sites at Cardwell General Store and Campground, which also offers a market and gift shop. Those seeking more natural surroundings can head to Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, which features tent sites, RV spots, and cabins amid pine-covered hills. For free camping, Homestake Pass Dispersed area provides primitive sites about 30 minutes west of Cardwell. Fishing enthusiasts often prefer sites along the Jefferson River, which flows through the area and offers good trout fishing opportunities. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly, though leash rules apply in developed areas.
"The layout of this state park was somewhat unusual: there are five loops within one larger loop with 32 sites plus seven additional pull-through sites on the outside of the loop."
"Our site had electric hook-ups, and walking distance to the really nice playground. Campground has potable water filling and dump station. NOTE $5 fee to dump; cash or check!"
from $8 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We pulled off to the side of the General Store next to the RV park for check-in, which was quick and easy."
"Walking path and bench swings. Very nice place. Great bathrooms and laundry included. Very friendly and helpful staff. Highly recommend."
"Park for children Great walking paths
Fire pit accessible
Trash and dumpsters."
"New KOA owner here very friendly and all around awesome. Though spot close quarters tight turns."
from $58 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This campsite is located in a beautiful remote area of Montana, only a short hike away from the beginning of the Missouri River. Large site. The only problem was there were many mosquitoes."
"We stayed at Site 16, which is at the far end of the campground and felt nicely tucked away."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"Its pretty heavy traffic at all times (day and night) since its located pretty close to the entrance of the 17mile NF road loop, and off-roaders will zip by."
"The spot was close to the highway - lots of potential spots - some “locals” who seem to live out there and run generators 24/7 - we had no problem and got a good night sleep to carry on our journey."
"Harrison Lake FAS campground is a large spacious campground with most campsite being well spread out from each other. "
"This review is for nearby Tobacco Hills campground and Potosi Hot Springs (this was the nearest campground I could find)."
"Just a short drive to Delmo lake from any of them. The campsites are very spread out so you don’t feel cramped."
"Definitely bare bones and off the beaten path, but if you’re willing to endure a bumpy ride for 20 minutes it’s a great stay!"
"Located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Butte, Montana, Delmoe Lake was a beautiful place to camp for a night."
"Best out of the 7 campsites we visited on our Montana trip! It’s gorgeous and open and has trees you can easily sling up hammocks. Gorgeous lake."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"We were trying to break up our Montana Drive and found this campground for the first time. It’s well laid out and sites are spaced appropriately. Every site has its own fire ring and landscaping."
"Trails are readily accessible and plenty of dispersed camping just up the road. The WiFi signal is terrible which forced us to turn off the electronics and enjoy the tranquility."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability
ScoutBy the interstate, $10 to camp. Takes cash, check or there is a kiosk for cards. Definitely interstate noise and gun shots in the distance, but great for one night stay. You can back in right by the river. Our travel trailer was 27ft and we chose site #3, it was easy to back into to.
TravelerWe camped one night in a tent in site #12. Luckily it was a cool evening because the scent of the vault toilet wafted over our site off and on. Can't imagine being here on a hot humid day in the summer. I'm sure this campground is fine for overnight if you are self contained in an RV. Good if you don't want to be too far off the Interstate but also don't want the traffic noise.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for an overnight stop while rolling through southwestern Montana on Interstate 15 or Interstate 90, the Butte KOA Journey serves its purpose as a functional travel hub. It is far from a luxury resort destination, but if you need a safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible place to park your rig for the night, it gets the job done.
Campground Grounds & Amenities
It is best to set expectations before pulling in—this is a very basic, older KOA:
Location & Highway Access
Must-See Local Stop: The Berkeley Pit Tour
If you stay here, do not leave town without visiting the Berkeley Pit.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Butte KOA Journey won't win awards for landscaping, but its budget-friendly rate, safe atmosphere, and prime interstate convenience make it a viable 3-star overnight rest stop. Pair it with a half-hour visit to the Berkeley Pit to get an authentic taste of Montana's copper history before hitting the highway again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 out of 5 Stars)
ScoutThe campground has been updated with level gravel pads, metal fire rings, and picnic tables. One group site. In addition to the updated sites, there are several old ones without picnic tables or pads. I really liked the open country, with hills surrounding the reservoir, but the lack of shade could be an issue in summer. There really are garnets in the lakeshore sediments. We were van camping, so cannot comment on whether long rigs will fit.
GuideWe are here in October and we are getting snow I love it. Only 3 other campers here. .the dogs just run. Getting about 6 inches of snow. Going to hike some trails tomorrow. We have AT&T and there is cell service but we also have Starlink. No water this time of year and there is only 1 pit toilet...across the campground. It would not be a place I would stay in summer....no trees I'm not a fan of seeing all the campers. Looks like pretty decent gravel sites. We do have electric. The rangers are very nice.
ScoutNice for overnight stop cose to I90 sites are tight trails and Butte visitor center next to campground
ScoutGated road at this location, maybe still good from other starting point but no viable sites coming from Rimini that I saw. Road gets a bit rough, did find a rough roadside spot for the night but for the 8-9 mile drive in on dirt roads definitely not worthwhile.
TravelerThe area is gorgeous but the ride in was rough. Quite a few miles of rough, gravel road and very narrow. We made it in our. Class C but I wouldnt recommend trying in anything larger
GuideStayed one night while visiting Bozeman (Sept 20 2026). Three miles off Hwy 191 on a deeply potholed dirt road. With artful steering it is possible to avoid the worst holes. Clean pit toilet. A number of open sites.
Camping near Cardwell, Montana exists at a higher-elevation zone between 4,300-5,500 feet, with summer nights that can drop below 40°F even during July and August. The area sits at the intersection of the Boulder Mountains and Jefferson River valley, creating a transitional ecosystem where pine forests meet open rangeland. During summer months, afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly with minimal warning.
Fishing nearby lakes: Harrison Lake Campground provides easy fishing access with spacious sites spread around the shoreline. As Aaron H. notes, "Great camp ground sites are spread out along the lake no water or electricity just nature. Sites are large enough for campers, tents etc. most site can have multiple campers."
Cave exploration: The Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers guided tours through limestone caverns with unique formations. According to one visitor, "The caverns has been modified since I was young making paths and walking through easier with better footing and railing for balance. You will see live animals and bats!"
Hot springs soaking: Norris Hot Springs charges an additional $3/day per person for campers to use their wooden hot spring pool. "Imagine soaking in a beautiful wooden pool, enjoying a cold beverage and a pizza, while you listen to live music. Yes, it's that good. Dog and kid friendly!" writes Ashley F.
Historical interpretation: Visit Missouri Headwaters State Park to see where three rivers converge to form the Missouri River. According to Dexter I., "Experience Camping near where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805... Historical signs about the Corps of Discovers stay at the headwaters of the Missouri and their journey are located through out the park."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Harrison Lake. One visitor shared, "Wonderful, quiet, serene camping at the lake. If you enjoy primitive campsites this is the one for you!" Another noted the campground is "very spread out and very private. Definitely not fancy, very bare bones which is what we like."
Garden-to-table dining: At Norris Hot Springs, the on-site cafe grows its own food. Kierra B. explains, "They grow all their own organic food to serve and have several draft beer options. Nice quiet campground, and at the springs they have live music on the weekends."
Free laundry amenities: Cardwell General Store and Campground offers unexpected perks. According to Scott W., it's "a pleasant surprise, it is up in high price bracket but it has cheap fuel & a free laundry. Beautiful grassy grounds & some great scenery."
Kid-friendly playground: The playground at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park makes it particularly family-friendly. Heather mentions, "We camped here with a group of families and the playground was nice for the kids. There aren't many trees and the land is flat but we were able to really keep a decent eye of the kids running around."
Off-highway vehicle traffic: The Pipestone OHV Recreation Area is primarily designed for off-road riding. Nick T. explains, "Awesome camp sites all throughout. There is small areas for single campers and lager sites for glamping caravans... The campsites are very spread out so you don't feel cramped."
Lake water levels: Harrison Lake water levels can fluctuate dramatically. Dexter I. observed, "The lake is really hurting for water this year, I would say that about only 25% of the lake volume was left on my visit, so this lake and all of Montana could really do with some rain."
Wildfire risk: Summer fire danger often leads to restrictions. At Three Forks KOA Journey, "Some spots have fire pits while others don't," according to Angel R., making it important to check current fire rules before arrival.
Seasonal mosquitoes: Missouri Headwaters experiences significant mosquito activity. One camper advised, "When the sun sets in June and July the mosquitos will come out. They are quite nasty but an hour after sunset they are gone, having a campfire going helps too."
Junior ranger opportunities: Missouri Headwaters State Park offers educational programs for kids. Sierra V. shares, "Did you know you can print out a packet for your little ones to become Cub Rangers at this State Park? There are great amenities for both camping and RV'S with a child's playground located on the camp."
Cave tour planning: Allow extra time when visiting Lewis & Clark Caverns with children. One visitor recommends, "For small children it's quite a hike for them, they do get fatigued on the way, there are pit stops along the hill with shade for rest, follow tour guide."
Primitive site preparation: When camping at Harrison Lake with families, be completely self-sufficient. A visitor noted, "Though they have fire rings there's no water hook up and it's not kept up that well," so bring all necessary supplies.
Evening activities: Three Forks KOA Journey enforces strict quiet hours. Joshua T. mentions, "Quiet hours where at 10pm and a lot of their guest go to sleep at that time, so they enforce that rule. If you are looking for a quiet place after 10 though, this is a great spot."
Site leveling requirements: At Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Michael B. warns, "Had to use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level."
Hookup verification: Cardwell General Store and Campground has various site types. Amber W. advises, "Double check your hook ups because I did not realize that I booked partial hookups! So for the price of $75 per night I do find it on the pricey side. They do have a dump station on site though."
Cell reception locations: For those needing connectivity, Delmoe Lake Campground offers spotty service. As Bryce B. notes, "Some have 3 bars of 4G Verizon, others none. Peaceful spot."
Turn radius limitations: At Three Forks KOA Journey, larger RVs face challenges. Angel R. cautions, "I think rigs or trailer bigger then 24ft will have a hard time maneuvering in here, but they do have good spots too. Ours it 27ft pull behind husband said thankfully the spot In front of us isn't take or we wouldn't make the turn to get out of here."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Cardwell RV Park?
Cardwell RV Park offers full hookup sites for recreational vehicles with standard utilities. For comparison, nearby Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park features meticulously maintained, all-grass RV spots with full hookups. The grounds at Cardwell are basic but functional for overnight stays. While not as feature-rich as Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV with its hot springs access, Cardwell provides the essential amenities needed for RV camping. The location just off Interstate 15 makes it convenient for travelers needing an accessible stopover point with basic services.
Where is the Cardwell campground located in Montana?
The Cardwell General Store and Campground is located in the small town of Cardwell, Montana, conveniently situated just off Interstate 15. It's positioned west of Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, making it a strategic stopover point for travelers. Cardwell is located in Jefferson County between Butte and Three Forks, offering easy access for travelers exploring southwestern Montana. The campground's location provides a practical base for visiting nearby attractions, including the historic Lewis and Clark Caverns and the headwaters of the Missouri River.
Can I buy supplies at the Cardwell General Store and Campground?
Yes, the Cardwell General Store and Campground includes a general store where you can purchase basic camping supplies and necessities. The store offers essential items for campers, though selection may be limited compared to larger retailers. For more extensive shopping options, nearby towns provide additional resources. This setup is similar to other small campground stores like those found at Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground, where basic provisions are available in a remote but accessible location. The combination of camping facilities with an on-site store makes Cardwell a convenient option for travelers needing both accommodation and supplies.
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