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.
$10 - $22 / night
Thain Creek Campground is the only campground in the Highwood Mountains. One of the 19 campsites can accommodate a maximum trailer length of 40 feet. The campground is usually open from May through the middle of fall.A nearby trailhead leads up to Windy Mountain and back on a 6 mile loop trail, offering scenic views of the surrounding plains and faraway mountains. Other hikes are along Briggs Creek or from the North Fork Highwood Creek Trailhead. Please heed seasonal trail closures, as all trails in the Highwoods close either September 1st or Oct 15th .All campgrounds on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not available. Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days in one location. A campground fee is required. Please pay at the self-serve campground fee station. Campsites cannot be reserved by simply paying for the site; camper must be present. A food storage order is in effect from March 1st to December 1st to prevent human-bear conflicts on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Store all unattended food and attractants properly. Please see Food Storage Order for specifics. Open and close dates can vary depending on snowfall conditions. Please call the local district office or check our website. Leashed dogs are welcome. Horses are not allowed in campgrounds. Motorized OHVs must stay on the campground road. The campgrounds include access to potable water during the warmer months, and all have at least one handicap accessible vault toilet. Each campsite has a fire ring and/or grill, and a picnic table. Even if water is unavailable, campground fees are still required.
Coal Banks Landing Campground, situated along the Upper Missouri River, is open from April 1 to December 1, annually. This is a popular site for launching watercraft, as well as camping, picnicking and fishing. The potable water system at the campground becomes operational after the last freeze in the spring, typically by May 15th. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis NO RESERVATIONS. There are 20 sites, five (5) of which can accommodate trailers or recreational vehicles (RVs) up to 40 feet in length. There are no hookups available. Each site has a designated fire ring and picnic table. The campground is equipped with vault toilets and trash dumpsters. The boat launch use is dependent on water levels, typically 5,000-7,000 cfs is required to launch motorized watercraft.
$10 - $22 / night
Legend
KOA 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.
Traveler
This 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!
Guide
I have been to Coal Banks Landing to put in on river trips. It can be a busy spot at times with people starting canoe trips on the Missouri River. But it is a great destination on its own. I arrived on a Saturday night in August looking for a place to camp. I found the campground mostly empty and very quiet. It was a stormy day with rain and strong winds up on the plateau above the river. But the campground is down by the river and sheltered from the wind. It was very quiet and comfortable. The campground is also clean and well tended. All in all, a great spot.
Scout
Put Decision Point for the destination & drive past it 1/4 mile downhill to the Loma Missouri bridge. There is a sign here with the Woods Bottom CG a mile down to the right on a improved gravel road. We had very little traffic here just a few fisherman. The road past the campground is really rutted & is almost impossible to turn around with a travel trailer. Check it out before you drive it!
One bar Verizon Cell, works well with a booster
Nice location to explore the Missouri River Valley & all it has to offer!
ScoutBenton RV Park in Fort Benton Montana is run by a very nice lady. The restrooms and showers are very clean. Those are the only nice things I can say about this place. They have a full page of rules and regulations with threats of eviction if not obeyed. Fear not though none were enforced. This is what lead us to depart early. One of there rules is to respect the campsites of others and not short cut through them. The other rule that we took issue with is children under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult at all times. Our campsite was overrun by a group of 6 kids. Playing and cutting through the entire time we stayed there. We had kids outside our camper door in our campsite the entire time we were there. We couldn't sit outside and enjoy our picnic table for the kids toys and their constant running back and forth. We found the photos on Benton RV Park website very deciving. They must have been very old. They depict green grass and well spaced RV's. The reality is dead brown grass and being so close to your neighbor it's more a parking lot located in an area where the houses across The street ends at an industrial like area. So if you have children you want to let run wild and you don't mind everyone cutting through your campsite this place is for you. Otherwise stay away.
GuideClean and well maintained. 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. There isn't a single paved street in town other than the main road.
Everything worked and the front desk was friendly. Stopped here for a one nighter on the way to another destination.
Be aware that this isn't the mountains that Montana is famous for. We were here in mid July and it was 94° with about a 35 mph wind howling across the Prairie. Quite a shock considering we had just come down from the mountains!
Scout
The island right near the fairgrounds is called snake island. They are everywhere.
It’s super buggy and extremely hot in the summer. We couldn’t even sit outside at night because of the mosquitoes.
Thankfully there was power to run the AC. We would’ve been long gone without it.
LegendWe don’t have kids and so our pull through site missed on what is important to me ( at this expensive price point): nice manicured paved site with shade. The park does have a decent sized area to walk your dog and has a small off leash dog park. Fire pits are a plus. Pool has to be any kids dream with slides and a lot of toys. They also have a petting zoo. The park did its job for our overnight stay but I was happy to leave. Oh, pull through sites are good sized and hookups were quality.
TravelerStayed here after purchasing our new fifth wheel from Bish's. Easy in and out for a quick stay. Would stay here again!
TravelerThis camp has a lot of both comfort and entertainment. There’s a petting zoo and a mini water park. The bathrooms are an individual room with both toilet and shower stall. There is a laundry facility. Found greater comfort and service here than if I had parked my Roof Top Tent at an RV site and it was $20-$30 cheaper per night.
Guide
Great people in charge. They did well to make the dogs and I feel welcomed. The sites are small and the campground is busy.
Legend
I stayed here a few nights. Had the place to my self. Parked on top of hill over looking the lake. Huge lake saw no one else entire time. Vault toilet. No water or dump. I didn’t want to leave.
GuideThis 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. You are also not too close to other campsites (not side by side, but fairly close). I didn’t find a single problem in the site. 10/10 for campin!
GuideThis is a cute spot if your feeling like camping but want to stay in cell service and have electricity and water access.
Down by the river. Bring bug spray.
There is a small boat ramp/ river access. But otherwise the river access is a little steeper. My 7yr old enjoyed catching soft shell turtles.
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. The campground is right by the arena. If that isn't your thing you might get dusted out.
Cute small spot. Definitely our go to when we are only feeling semi adventurous.
Guide$22 for electric hook up. Bathroom and showers available 24/7. Friendly caretaker. Beautiful views of the Missouri River canyon wall. Great little town!
LegendPart of the campground is right on the Missouri River! Nice big spaces, could put two Campers in most of the spaces. Canoe put in for a beautiful float on the river.
We wanted to stay here, but it was full so we stayed at the fairgrounds next door, very nice also.
First come first served.
LegendSet 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. The sites are not fancy, but the bathrooms are clean, updated and have hot showers. Right near the Missouri River and you can't beat the price!
There are 2 campgrounds right next to each other. The Canoe Camp is closer to and on the river with a more traditional campground setting.
Sitting here enjoying the setting sun on the bluffs along the Missouri, enjoying the birds chirping and a laugh floating in and about here and there... it's really nice. 5 minute walk to downtown. Dump station to stop at on the way out. There's no host at the fairgrounds, but it's fairly self explanatory. Lots of electric hook ups, a few with water, none at the fairgrounds with sewer. No numbers here either.
GuideBasic RV park, needs to be updated. Lots of long term, old and run down campers. Water, electric and sewer ok. A good deal of highway noise.
GuideIt's a decent campground. The cliff view is really nice! spaces are pretty close together, though. They say there are full-hookups but really there is only 1 site with both electric and water. The others only have electric. There is a restroom and it's very clean and well kept with a garbage and hand sanitizer. The locals come around during the day to walk their dogs so it makes for a decent amount of traffic through the area.
GuideGreat place if you want a very secluded campground. They had clean pit toilets, a nice fire ring and picnic table for $10 a night. Nice hiking trails are available that go through the summer pastures for local ranchers. Be aware that this is a long rough gravel road of at least 12 miles to get there. I would not suggest trying to haul a large rig into it.
Guide
Update: The train is VERY LOUD and goes through every hour or so all night. The tracks run one street over from the park and it has to blow it's whistle at each RR crossing there are about 5-6 of them just across from the park. Even my husband who is a sound sleeper couldn't sleep through the train. We cut our 2 day stay by a day.
This is a great place to stop if you're passing through. We're staying two nights but the limit is three. There is a fairly level gravel parking area with a pavilion, bathrooms and water that is accessible to top up your rig if needed. The park and garden is very well kept with a great playset for kids. There is a train track nearby that is quite loud.
TravelerThis place overall is pretty amazing Parks pool playsets petting zoo it's got all the p's. Perfectly level pad in the trees fire pit and picnic table in your own little grassy area cabins tents glamping RVs tent camping got it all one downside is the internet is super spotty.
ScoutThe host here is great, and the local area is great. But if you are tent camping, beware. There is not really a good tent camping spot, as the sprinkler system will start every few hours and basically ruin your stay.
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
What camping is available near Fort Benton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Benton, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 32 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Benton, MT and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Benton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Benton, MT is Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Benton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Fort Benton, MT.
What parks are near Fort Benton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Fort Benton, MT that allow camping, notably Lewis and Clark National Forest and Helena National Forest.
