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Best Tent Camping near Cascade, MT

259 Reviews

Tent campsites near Cascade, Montana include several fishing access sites and established campgrounds along the Missouri River corridor. Mountain Palace Fishing Access Site offers three tent-friendly campsites with picnic tables and fire rings above the river, while nearby Little Log Campground provides ten tent-only sites with basic amenities. Other options include Lichen Cliff and Wolf Creek Bridge access points, which serve primarily as fishing access but accommodate tent camping with designated sites.

Most tent campgrounds in the Cascade area operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. Campsites typically feature picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary considerably between locations. Little Log Campground provides running water, trash service, and vault toilets for a $15 nightly fee, while fishing access sites like Wolf Creek Bridge have been upgraded with paved areas and vault toilets but lack water and trash service. Several locations charge different fees for residents versus non-residents, with one review noting, "Montana charges $18 a night for non-residents" at some fishing access sites.

Tent campers seeking more solitude should consider Spokane Bay Campground, accessible via a one-mile hike from the trailhead. This primitive tent camping area features nine sites with fire rings and picnic tables along Hauser Lake, plus vault toilets and boat docks. A recent review noted, "If you come to this campground you will most likely have the place to yourself." For backcountry tent camping options, Sluice Boxes State Park allows dispersed camping within the park boundaries, though campers must carry in all supplies and follow leave-no-trace principles. The park offers no designated campsites, fire pits, or facilities, but provides access to stunning scenery along Belt Creek. A camper mentioned, "There are a ton of spots to camp as long as you walk off the trail a ways you won't even notice hikers during the day."

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Best Tent Sites Near Cascade, Montana (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cascade, MT

1 Photos of 16 Cascade Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Cascade, MT

259 Reviews of 16 Cascade 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
    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
    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
    May. 10, 2019

    Departure Point Campground

    Parking Lot Camping

    Departure Point campground is basically camping in a parking lot. Four "campsites" are lined parking spots in a large paved area with a picnic table and fire ring at the end of the parking spot. The four spots are right next to each other. If you want to set up a tent you will be setting it up on the pavement. The area has two vault toilets, running water and trash service. Down below the camping area is a nice day use area with four picnic tables three of which are covered and right on the edge of the lake. Camping is not allowed in the day use area along the lake. So if you want to tent camp you will want to head to one of the other BLM campgrounds on the lake.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2019

    Little Log Campground

    Ranger Review of Mountain House Lasagna and Little Log Tent Only Campground

    Little Log campground is a small 10 site tent only campground in the Log Gulch Recreation Area on Holter Lake. Located just past the larger Log Gulch campground this small campground sites in a gully above the lake. Flat locations to put a tent are limited due to the slope of the ground in the campground, but each site does have a flat area for a tent, however it may be hard to find room for more than one tent. Most of the choices for tent placement are at the end of the parking pad next the the picnic table and fire ring. The campground cost $15 per night, has trash service, running water and a double vault toilet. Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring. A short distance from the campground and across the street is the day use area for the recreation area, where fishing appears to be good as we saw several large fish taken out of the lake in a short period of time. Registration for campsites is located in the day use area on the side of the road as you enter the recreation area.

    Ranger Review of Mountain House's Lasagna with meat sauce freeze dried meal.

    Gave this Lasagna a tried and liked it. Did find that it seemed to need something to make it real good, and that would be a packet of Parmesan cheese, if they would include the Parmesan to put on the lasagna after cooking then this would be an awesome meal. Even with out the Parmesan this is a good meal. Following the instructions and stirring well resulted in a well hydrated hot meal. A little on the saucy side, but the texture of the noddles and meat are spot on. At 2.5 servings per bag this is perfect for two people, the meal was a little two much for just me to eat on my own. Can't wait to eat this again on my summer backpacking trips, but will be bringing a little Parmesan to put on it.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2019

    Log Gulch Recreation Site

    Ranger Review of Wenzel Boulderdasche 33 Backpack and Log Gulch Recreation

    Log Gulch Recreation site has two campgrounds for a total of 72 campsites, Log Gulch and Little Log. The main campground Log Gulch Campground has 60 sites, plus two tent walk in sites. This is a paved campground with gravel parking pads. A large day use area with boat ramp, marina, fish cleaning site, Ramada and beach are below the campground across the road. The campground features a ranger station, two vault toilets (a third one can be found in the day use area), running water, trash service and a Ramada located at the top of the campground. Sites 1-13 are best suited for RV's. Two of the sites in Log Gulch are walk in tent only campsites. After sites 1-13 all the other sites are very nice large sites with plenty of room for tents, however finding a flat place may be challenging as the campground is built on a hill. Grassy sites can be found in the center of the main loop. All sites have picnic tables with fire rings. A small creeks runs along the edge of the campground. Two trail heads are at the campground, one at each end which connect to 4 miles of hiking trails. Fishing appears to very good at the marina as I watch two very large trout be pulled out of the water in a short period of time.

    Ranger Review of the Wenzel' Boulderdasche 33 Backpack

    I took this pack on a 7.5 mile hike and found it to be a comfortable pack that held everything I needed for a day hike. Like to retro look of the pack. One of its features is a padded internal laptop sleeve, which works well holding a hydration bag. Another feature I liked was that the clips were metal not plastic so I won't have to worry about cracking them when putting the pack down on the ground. Two side pockets and a top pocket have plenty of room to hold frequently used items so you won't have to open up the whole pack each time you want something. A chest strap would have been a nice feature to have. Loops on the back, bottom and top of the pack make it possible to strap additional items to the outside of the pack if needed, which could allow this pack to be used for an single overnight trip if you are a lightweight backpacker. A pretty nice pack for the price.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2018

    Dearborn Fishing Access Site

    Tiny tucked away campsite

    Dearborn Fishing access site has one campsite tucked away in the corner of the fishing access area next to the ADA Vault Toilet. Site has a picnic table and metal fire ring. The area has very little room to park so those camping their will likely have the site to them selves. The river access is a step set of stairs dropping down to the river so you not be having fishing boats or canoes using the site to access the river, but you can access the site from the river. A private residence is next to the fishing access site but the placement of the campsite does not make it feel like your in someones yard. The advantage of the one campsite is once you have your vehicle parked your site including the picnic table and fire ring can't be seen by others visiting the area. The site has no water or trash service.

  • M
    May. 10, 2025

    Kelly Gulch Road Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful views 40 min from Helena

    The gate was closed and does not open until May 15. I was able to walk up about less than a quarter mile and find a flat ground where I was able to set up my shelter. I’m sure this gets busy in the summertime. Since it’s on a mountain, the amount of flat areas are limited so it’s first come first serve. I took my bike and rode the Road a little bit and found an opening with an amazing spot to put up a hammock. There are absolutely no amenities here and you’re required a shovel and bucket if you were camping pack everything out and leave no trace. You can identify a campsite by how flat the ground is and usually there is a fire pit already made. There are bullet holes everywhere in signs and remnants of shells everywhere to be honest the vibe was very off almost eerie and deadening silence. I did not really enjoy the vibe, but that was me personally I’m sure you’ll enjoy this very much.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Spokane Bay Campground

    Good spot to be alone

    This is a fairly unknown campground along Hauser Lake. If you come to this campground you will most likely will have the place to yourself. Campground can only be reached by boat or hiking into it. If you are hiking/backpacking into the campground it is a 1 mile trek to the campground. Park at N46 38.914 W111 47.825 at the Spokane Bay trail head to hike in. If hiking in please stay on the trail as it crosses through private land. At the gate please close the gate behind you. Campground has 9 fire rings each with a picnic table. Their are 4 boat docks as well. One Vault Toilet. Two fire stations (boxes with shovel and bucket) are available for putting out you campfire.

Guide to Cascade

Tent camping near Cascade, Montana centers around the Missouri River watershed with elevations ranging from 3,300 to 4,500 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature fluctuations between daytime and nighttime, particularly in spring and fall, requiring campers to pack appropriate layers. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during July and August with cooling evening temperatures.

What to do

Fishing for rainbow trout: Bean Lake offers a secluded fishing experience for anglers seeking solitude. "The odds are high you'll have the lake to yourself. Few people ever bother to visit this remote lake," notes a reviewer at Bean Lake.

Boat access camping: Many campsites along the Missouri River corridor serve as launch points for watercraft. At Wolf Creek Bridge, "Wolf Creek Bridge FAS got a big upgrade over the winter. The fishing access site is now fully paved. No more parking in the mud or dirt," according to a recent review.

Hike-in tent camping: For campers willing to carry their gear, more secluded options exist. "This is a fairly unknown campground along Hauser Lake. If you come to this campground you will most likely will have the place to yourself," reports a camper about Spokane Bay Campground, accessible via a one-mile hike from the trailhead.

What campers like

Quieter weekday options: Most fishing access sites and small campgrounds experience reduced traffic on weekdays. "Monday night in July and there were 2 tenters and 2 rv/campers," noted a visitor to Lowry Bridge Access Site, highlighting its availability even during peak season.

Water proximity: Tent sites with river or lake views rank highest among reviewers. Mountain Palace FAS features "sites 1 & 2 sit above the Missouri river and are quite nice with great views of the Missouri river," according to a camper review.

Fishing opportunities: Hauser Lake offers productive angling for rainbow trout. One camper at Spokane Bay reported, "Caught a couple of big rainbow trout off the dock. Fish were jumping out of the water all night long and throughout the day which was pretty cool."

What you should know

Fee variations: Montana fishing access sites charge different rates for residents versus non-residents. "It's too expensive for essentially a parking spot," noted one out-of-state camper at Lichen Cliff about the $18 non-resident fee.

Limited flat tent space: Terrain at many sites restricts tent placement options. At Little Log Campground, "Flat locations to put a tent are limited due to the slope of the ground in the campground, but each site does have a flat area for a tent, however it may be hard to find room for more than one tent."

Amenity differences: Services vary significantly between locations. Wolf Creek Bridge has "two new vault toilets" but "no water or trash service" according to a recent reviewer, while Lowry Bridge offers "picnic table, fire ring, pit toilet, gravel pad" but is similarly described as having "no services."

Tips for camping with families

Shallow water access: Some locations provide safer water play areas for children. Lichen Cliff is described as a "good location to cool off on a hot day as the creek is shallow."

Noise considerations: Proximity to roads impacts sleep quality at certain sites. A reviewer noted that Lichen Cliff experiences "some noise from the near by I-15" making it potentially challenging for light sleepers or young children.

Pack-in necessities: Sluice Boxes State Park permits dispersed camping but requires complete self-sufficiency. "If you're up for hauling in your stuff and back out and don't mind not having access to a bathroom or a fire pit... it's a perfect place to try," advises one camper.

Tips from RVers

Small rig suitability: Several locations accommodate compact RVs despite being primarily tent-focused. "Good for small rv's. Road to the campground is decent," notes a visitor to Lowry Bridge Access Site about its accessibility.

Limited hookups: No electrical, water or sewer connections exist at most fishing access sites. Wolf Creek Bridge was described as having "small boat ramp site 4 spaces for small campers" with "no hookups," making it suitable only for self-contained RVs.

Parking limitations: Space constraints affect larger vehicle access. "Small camp area at a Montana Fishing Access site. Sites are at a pull off on Recreation Road," a reviewer noted about Lichen Cliff, suggesting RVers carefully evaluate space before attempting to enter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cascade, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cascade, MT is Mountain Palace Fishing Access Site with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Cascade, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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