Searching for the best camping near Fort Benton, MT? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Montana camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Fort Benton, MT. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
$15 - $45 / night
"Set on the edge of Historic Fort Benton, this is a great place to land for a night or a week or more. Lots to see, explore and experience in the area."
"Your far enough out you feel like you are camping but you are right in Fort Benton. I highly recommend checking this adorable little town out.
Also check to see when their rodeo is."
"Put Decision Point for the destination & drive past it 1/4 mile downhill to the Loma Missouri bridge."
$50 - $60 / night
"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."
"When the directions include "drive down the dirt road for 20 miles," you know you are in for an amazing experience. Thain Creek Campground did not disappoint."
"This is probably one of the best campsites around the Great Falls area. The site are really well maintained and beautiful with a lot of trees and vegetation in the area."
"This campground sits just on the outskirts of Great Falls. It is like most KOA's with many amenities including a pool. Showers were very nice."
"You have to drive through part of Great Falls, Montana to get to this campground, but once you are in it, you forget all about the city."
"Since you will take boats there, cows can walk to the landing sites, but remember to keep all your gates shut. Overall pretty good campsite."
"Nice trail leads to the hole-in-the-wall. To get to trail canoe down river another 0.8 mile, stopping at the first large cottonwood, you will find a trail here."
GuideMy husband and I started hiking up here long before we ever camped. We found out just this year you could camp into the park and we love it. It's so quiet and peaceful and the views are amazing. There is a ton of spots to camp at as long as you walk off the tail a ways you won't even notice hikers during the day nor will they notice you. If your up for hauling in your stuff and back out and don't mind not having access to a bathroom or a fire pit and as we did sleeping under the stars it's a perfect place to try
ScoutPicnic tables and stone fire pits. Good RV access.
TravelerI have stayed at the off base park, "Gateway Famcamp", located just outside the main gate, every year for the past 6 years. I was assigned to MAFB and lived in Great Falls for over 20 years. I return every year to visit family. The concrete pads are mostly level...nothing is absolutely level. Water, sewer and electric are provided. There is a great walking trail just on the edge of the camp. A laundry and men and women's shower house is at the entrance.
The MAFB "Annex Campground" is located in a corner on base. This is the original campground and has not been updated in over 30 years. The gravel spaces are close together, mostly back in, and small. Showers are available at the base gym across the road and laundry is at the off base campground.
The base doesn't have an active runway so planes are not taking off at all hours but you will hear lots of helicopters.
Great Falls is the windiest city in America so be prepared for that. There is a lot of water nearby to enjoy on the Missouri river.
LegendKOA 8/24: The area we stayed in is for medium sized rigs or smaller. It was wooded and very nice for a KOA. The larger spaces are in a newer and less shady portion of the campground.
FUN POOL PARK, PLAYGROUND, PETTING ZOO, SHORT TRAIL. GREAT ICE CREAM
(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4 Security: No locked gate Usage during visit: pretty full on weekends Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: no Site Spacing: close Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: yes Campground Noise: Fairly quiet Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: yes Sewer Hookup: yes Dump Station: yes Potable Water Available: At site Bathroom: very nice Showers: yes / nice Pull Throughs: most all Cell Service (AT&T): fine Recent Weather: very hot Insects: none Host: staff Rig Size: large
GuideThe VFW site is the only one we visited. We did not camp here and only went to check it out. So glad we did; rotting trash on the roadway and large green dumpster trash cans were on their side but a few were upright. Standard warning sign for bears but some sites were closed for renovation. All sites had over a foot-high weeds and one had a 20' metal culvert in it. Some shade for lakefront sites. No lake access except at boat ramps. The ramp area had a mercury warning for fish and recommended consumption for Walleye. This sealed the deal for a NO go! 062924
Sorry no photos.
TravelerThis is a nice back in the woods campground with spots right on the creek. Our spot was 4 nice table on the creek with lots of sound. A lot if shade. Semi secluded from other campsites. The fire pits are really high so standing up is required for heat. Need chainsaw to gather wood. Lots of birds in the area. Lewis and Clark national forest. Highwood mountains. Lots of potholes drive with care.
GuideNice KOA with good amenities. Good family environment. Clean
LegendGeneral: Just about every option you could ask for (except for tents): 50-amp FHU pull-thru, 30/20-amp with w/e(back-in and pull-thru), FHU with patio, glamping tent, one and two-room cabins and cottages.
Site Quality: Different from many KOAs we have stayed in is that the camper pads are gravel, not paved, and there are quite a few trees that provide decent separation/privacy between the sites. The sites are bordered by railroad ties, and some are a tighter fit than others. A few of the sites at the end of the row before the glamping site appeared a little overgrown. As is usual for a KOA, our site was assigned upon check-in. The first site we were assigned didn’t work out for us since our electric cord could not reach the pedestal. Be aware that electric connections are shared between two sites so if you do not have an extension cord, you may have a problem (or need to be reassigned which was easily done for us).
Bath/Shower House: Accessed by code. All-in-one units with soap and paper towels. They were clean.
Activities/Amenities: Many and varied including a water playground (guests can join you here by paying a fee), petting zoo, train, dog park, yard games, bike rentals, propane fill, dump station, laundry, ice, ice cream, and free pancakes. There was even live entertainment!
We don’t typically stay in KOAs or RV parks (mainly because of cost and lack of privacy between sites) but they are good for us when we need showers, laundry, and a dump station. Although still more than we like to spend for camping, this one was a pleasant surprise with the number of trees on the property. The staff was exceedingly friendly!
GuideThis was the best KOA I’ve ever been to. I’m not a dedicated KOA camper but I’ve been to my fair share and this one takes the cake. The grounds were shaded and kept tidy, the shower+toilet bathroom combo was really nice and super clean. The amenities and camp store were great too. We stayed in the glamping tent for one night, which was a super cool spot with a great view. Unfortunately it rained all night. We were nice and dry but the road up from the glamping tent got muddy and slick. Thankfully we have 4-wheel drive. A 2-wheel drive car may have gotten stuck. Overall it was great and I wish we could have stayed longer!
Camping near Fort Benton, Montana, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Fort Benton, Montana, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free or low-cost camping options in Fort Benton?
Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground offers affordable camping with electric and water hookups at budget-friendly rates. Campers report you "can't beat the price" for what's offered. For those seeking primitive options, Wood Bottom Recreation Area provides basic camping with just fire rings along a parking area and outhouse facilities at minimal cost. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument area offers several low-cost primitive camping options for those willing to boat in. When camping on a budget in this area, it's best to bring all necessary supplies as services are limited, and prepare for insects during summer months, particularly near the river where mosquitoes can be abundant.
Where can I find camping sites near Fort Benton, MT?
Fort Benton offers several camping options to visitors. Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground is located on the edge of historic Fort Benton, right near the Missouri River, making it convenient for both overnight stays and longer visits. For those willing to venture a bit further, Coal Banks Landing provides drive-in and boat-in access with water and toilet facilities. Other options in the broader area include Wood Bottom Recreation Area along the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and several boat-in camps like Black Bluff Rapids and Evans Bend for those exploring the river. Great Falls, about 40 miles away, offers additional camping opportunities for those who need more amenities or are passing through the region.
What amenities are available at Fort Benton campgrounds?
Benton RV Park & Campground offers clean, well-maintained facilities with immaculate restrooms and showers. While it has comprehensive rules and regulations, the campground provides essential services for RV travelers. For those seeking a more rustic experience with some conveniences, Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground provides clean, updated bathrooms with hot showers, electricity, and water access. It also features a small boat ramp for river access. Many Fort Benton area campgrounds are situated near the Missouri River, providing scenic views but sometimes attracting insects during summer months. For more extensive amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities, campers would need to travel to larger facilities in Great Falls, approximately 40 miles away.
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