Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground welcomes pets at its riverside location in Fort Benton, with clean, updated bathroom facilities and hot showers for campers. The campground features electric hookups at most sites, with a few offering water connections as well. Benton RV Park & Campground also accommodates pets in its tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites, providing full hookups with water, sewer, and electric options. Great Falls KOA, located about 45 minutes from Fort Benton, offers a small off-leash dog park where pets can exercise freely after traveling. Most campgrounds in the area require pets to be leashed when outside the designated pet areas. The sites at Chouteau County Fairgrounds are not fancy but provide convenient access to the Missouri River and downtown Fort Benton within a 5-minute walk. Campers report the bathrooms are clean and updated with hot showers available.
Wood Bottom Recreation Area provides pet-friendly camping with basic amenities including toilets and fire rings along the edge of a parking area. Located on the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, this site allows both tent and RV camping with boat-in access. Great Falls KOA features more extensive pet amenities including a decent-sized area to walk dogs and the small off-leash area. The KOA also offers family-friendly features like a water playground, petting zoo, and swimming pool. Campers should be aware that the Chouteau County Fairgrounds area has a significant snake population, particularly on nearby "Snake Island," and summer months bring mosquitoes that can make outdoor evening activities challenging. Despite these considerations, the location provides excellent access to the Missouri River for fishing and exploration with pets, with a dump station available when departing.
"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."
from $15 - $45 / night
"Put Decision Point for the destination & drive past it 1/4 mile downhill to the Loma Missouri bridge."
"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."
from $50 - $60 / night
"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."
"Waterslides, Petting Zoo, Swimming Pool. Clean facilities, friendly operators. Spent 3 nights but definitely could have spent longer!"
"I 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. "
"The campsites are plentiful and not as close to eachother as others. Bathrooms spotless. After hours check-in was a breeze! Will use again."
"We were looking for somewhere to camp near the Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell. Stumbled upon this beauty. Run by a lovely couple, this spot is quiet, beautiful and clean. Lots of space between sites."
"Camping near the water is permitted in some area but you have to arrive early as those spots are usually taken. Water is good for fishing and boating. Highly recommended."
from $20 / night
"There are several areas by the lake with picnic tables and a few fire rings. You can level a good size trailer on most of the spots."
"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."
"The train was about 5 blocks away if you have ever lived anywhere near a train, it wasn't that loud. There is plenty of space for multiple rigs if you are caravanning."
"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."
ScoutFor a KOA, this is a comfortable spot. There are trees and places to walk with our dog. Clean restrooms. We booked a patio spot to enjoy the fall evening with a little more room, so splurging a bit. Spent last night a Benewah Campground in Heyburn State Park, and that was amazing, but KOA is a good choice when traveling x-country. Walmart very close, so a good opportunity to restock.
RangerThis is a nice park for an inner city park. It is set down off the main road. Surprisingly I didn’t hear much road noise and I am awake a lot at night. It does have trees but most won’t help against the sun but I think it does help against road noise. The bath house has clean toilet areas and clean showers. It is a good place to stop when you need electricity for air conditioning.
ScoutThis us a great, small campground with only a pit toilet for amenities. The road from HWY 200 can be a bit rough and rocky, with some narrow climbs and is a 1 lane forest serve road that may not be suitable for some trailers. Lots of duelsport bikes.
GuideIt is definitely small spaces however they're well defined and green areas everywhere. Several choices of bathrooms and showers that all seem nice and clean. Lots of children because there are a lot of children activities here. Pancake breakfast too :-) cookies in the afternoon.
GuideWe have stayed at several KOA campgrounds this summer. This one in Great Falls was outstanding. The facilities are plentiful and clean. The staff is super friendly and helpful. The sites are large and comfortable. There is not a single thing we would change- except to perhaps stay longer than one night in the future. We highly recommend.
GuideStopped by to check out the garden and saw the sign allowing dry camping for up to 3 days in a very nice neighborhood
RangerThis KOA has everything and then some. One stop shop besides a grocery store honestly. Plus a pool and hot tubs and they serve free pancakes 8am-10am
GuideI don't know about the campsite, because I couldn't make it there. DON'T GO DOWN THE ROAD TO GET THERE IF IT IS THE SLIGHTEST BIT WET. It's clay and turns into thick peanut butter when it is wet. I got stuck and almost in the ditch. Called my roadside assistance but was told there was no one available in this area to pull me out and to call 911. I managed to get out on my own by the skin of my teeth.
ScoutLots of amenities and parking. We stayed in one of the cottages which was wonderful. WiFi was strong enough for me to work remotely.
Camping opportunities near Fort Benton, Montana range from riverfront sites to prairie campgrounds across an elevation of 2,630 feet. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs frequently reaching the 90s and winter temperatures dropping well below freezing. The region features distinctive sandstone cliffs along the Missouri River that provide a scenic backdrop for many campsites.
Explore historical sites: Fort Benton offers camping near several Lewis and Clark Trail landmarks. "This is a great place to land for a night or a week or more. Lots to see, explore and experience in the area," notes one Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground visitor.
Float the Missouri River: The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument provides prime boating opportunities. A camper at Wood Bottom Recreation Area advises, "Warning, google doesn't have this site on the map. Put Decision Point for the destination & drive past it 1/4 mile downhill to the Loma Missouri bridge."
Stargazing: The rural setting creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "No light pollution also made for an incredible evening of star gazing," reports a camper at Tiber Marina Campground, located about an hour north of Fort Benton.
Spacious riverside camping: Many sites provide direct water access. "A nice campground with both tent and RV sites. Nicely separated from the RV sites so that I wasn't breathing in the RV exhaust. The cliff on the other side of the river was a gorgeous view when the sun was setting," writes one camper about Chouteau County Fairgrounds.
Clean facilities: "The campground is well kept but basic. Camping near the water is permitted in some area but you have to arrive early as those spots are usually taken," notes a reviewer at Tiber Marina Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Great Falls KOA, located 45 minutes from Fort Benton, offers numerous activities. "KOA has everything you need. An outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, tent, cabin and rv spots. Outside kitchens. Shower area, small store, playground, and wifi. A lot of room to move around and have fun," explains one camper.
Weather considerations: The region experiences extreme temperature changes and high winds. "Great Falls is the windiest city in America so be prepared for that," warns a visitor to Military Park Malmstrom AFB Gateway FamCamp.
Wildlife awareness: Beyond the snakes mentioned in the existing description, other wildlife may affect camping experiences. "My 7yr old enjoyed catching soft shell turtles," notes one Chouteau County Fairgrounds camper.
Limited amenities at remote sites: Some campgrounds offer minimal services. "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," reports a camper at Willow Creek Campground.
Choose developed campgrounds: For families with young children, campgrounds with facilities provide easier experiences. "The camp areas are just fire rings along the edge of a parking area. Does have a outhouse," notes a Wood Bottom Recreation Area reviewer.
Plan for town visits: Many campgrounds provide convenient access to nearby communities. "You're 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," suggests a family camping at Chouteau County Fairgrounds.
Consider seasonal activities: "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," advises a parent who camped at Chouteau County Fairgrounds with children.
Level sites available: Several campgrounds offer suitable parking for larger rigs. "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," explains a Military Park Malmstrom AFB Gateway FamCamp visitor.
Pet-friendly camping options: Most campgrounds near Fort Benton welcome pets with varying accommodations. Great Falls KOA features "a decent-sized area to walk dogs" according to visitors, making it suitable for RVers traveling with pets.
Advance planning for hookups: "They say there are full-hookups but really there is only 1 site with both electric and water. The others only have electric," notes a camper at Chouteau County Fairgrounds, highlighting the importance of confirming utility connections when bringing an RV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Benton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Benton, MT is Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Benton, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Benton, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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