Camping near Fort Peck Project, MT

Our RV GPS and Waze wanted us to turn on 6th St in Glasgow, which has a 12’ 2” bridge under the railroad tracks. We had seen a review with this warning and seems they have mounted a sign right at the 6th St. turn that warns of the low bridge. We went two blocks further to 4th St. which is the truck route that took us to MT-24 for a 14 mile drive into Ft. Peck Marina. Once we got close, we followed the signs to Fort Peck Marina. We had tried to get reservations at a nearby COE with no luck and found this Campground(CG) via a Google Maps search. We saw the RV Park and pulled into the front of the CG area and took a 200 yard walk down to the tackle shop to check in. The road goes around by the tackle shop and boat ramp and we could have parked down there to check in, but as we are pulling a 40' rig and we couldn't actually see down there we didn't want to risk pulling down the road. Check in was quick. We were not given any kind of CG map or rules sheet. We then proceeded to the CG’s upper level to back-in site 33 with water and 50/30/20 AMP. The CG is essentially a large, well graveled parking lot. There was a ton of room in front of the site, so backing in was a breeze. The electric and water are at the back of the site, so we needed 25 feet of electric cord and water hose to reach the utilities. The site sloped to the driver’s side and we needed to place leveling blocks under that side’s tires. We had no issues with the electric, thankfully, as we were under a heat warning when we were there. Water was okay at about 40 PSI, but had a bad taste, even with our three filter system. There are no trees in the CG, so there was no problem getting a north shot for Starlink. We got 3 bars on Verizon. There’s no Wifi. The sites are long and just wide enough so you can park a boat. Most of the campers here are seasonal and for the most part, they keep their rigs and stuff around the site organized. But, be careful in the vegetated areas as most do not have their dogs on a leash and let them poop where ever. At first, we were wondering how the seasonals are doing their blackwater as the sign as you enter the marina states the nearest dump station is 3.5 miles, which is at Downstream COE CG. The man at the bait shop stated there’s a nice dump station in Glasgow at Scottie's Express Car Wash. He also said there’s a waste truck that will come out to the CG and pump you out, which is what the seasonal guests use. There are no shower facilities here but there is a vaulted restroom near the boat ramp that’s about 150 yards away. We checked out the Downstream COE we had tried to get into and it definiely would have been a better option, but this was our only option at the time.

We only stayed one night as we were traveling through, the camp host was extremely friendly and welcoming.  He called us back promptly with information and also was there to greet us at our site even when we pulled in late (9PM).  Sites were level and paved and had lots of space.  Spacing between sites was very generous and campground was clean and well maintained.

General: 86-site US Army Corps of Engineers Campground located on the Missouri River in four loops, each with a different name: Lismas, New Deal, Wheeler, and Faranuf. Wheeler is for tent sites, the camper pads are gravel, and there are no electric hookups; the other three loops have mostly 30-amp but several 50-amp sites and the camper pads are paved. Faranuf has pull-thru sites that can accommodate larger RVs. 

Site Quality: All sites are level and are spaced a decent distance apart from each other. There are some trees for shade but still many are in full sun. 

Bath/Shower House: The New Deal and Wheeler loops have vault toilets and Lismas, and Faranuf have flush toilets and showers. The restroom in Faranuf is air-conditioned! The one in Lismas appears new (the old one is still standing but roped off) but points off for no soap! Also no hand sanitizer in the vault toilet in New Deal. 

Activities: There is a paved recreation path that circles the campground and is about 2.5 miles. Other recreation activities include basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, disk golf, and two playgrounds (one in Faranuf and the other in the day-use area). Recreation equipment is available to borrow. There is also a wonderful interpretive center where you can learn about the history of the dam, as well as past and present wildlife. In the summer, it is open Friday– Monday, 9 am– 4 pm and the hours are less in other seasons. A must if you have kids! Many in the campground had boats. Kelly, the volunteer at the gatehouse, was effusive about all the area had to offer. 

We were only there for one night passing through, but we did visit the interpretive center, and run on the nature trail. The only bummer about this campground was the persistent wasps that made eating and sitting outside challenging.

Good area for car camping. There are multiple sites (first come first serve) down a gravel road right on the water. There are picnic tables, fire rings, and a pit toilet. Little privacy but nice views of the water. Also depending on the time of year, there were a lot of crickets and small little chiggers biting skin.

This RV park was very accommodating and easy to find. Perfect for a quick stop overnight. They had clean bathrooms, laundry rooms, and grounds.

Right on the lake, gorgeous and spacious. Pit toilet. Full Verizon service.

Notd that this campground has changed management and so is now technically the Hell Creek Recreation Area, so if Google maps tells you it's closed don't worry about it! You'll still get to the right place.

Other reviewers were not exaggerating about the road to get there. It was 20 miles of bumpy gravel road, took us 1.5 hours to get over and our motorhome hated every second of it. It was absolutely stunning though, and I have to imagine that if we hadn't been in a motorhome we might have felt very differently.

Only electricity at our site, very limited shared water source, and the showers were coin operated. The staff person there was so nice and welcoming.

So, if you have a vehicle that can handle a difficult road and you're willing to rough it a tiny bit, I would definitely recommend this place. If not, maybe skip it for now.

Great free little campground, very busy on weekends with lots of local traffic. Some spots had shad some didn't, pit toilets. Free Dump and fill outside the Downstream campground.

We stayed overnight at the Shady Rest on our way to Glacier. Privately owned by a nice couple. Great rate with full hookup and very quiet. Met our need. TIP: Call instead of booking online. The owner Cody is wearing many hats and doesn’t have a chance to check internet. Plus, she’s way nicer to talk to and it saved $5 platform fee from the reservation company.

Sites aren’t that level, deep gravel. There was a bit of trash strewn around but its quiet and in a good location. I backed in my van and had a view of horses grazing in a field near an old barn…along with a bit of backyard junkyards but that’s the nature of this remote small town. I could walk to everything, the owner was very kind and it was easy to access and had full hookups. Great stay while I visited family.

This is an amazing campground on the shore of the Missouri River by Fort Peck Dam. Nice big sites. Bathhouses are less that 2 years old. Great park like seeing with playground, volleyball net, basketball court and horseshoe pits. They even lend out the equipment you need!

It's a short walk to a really wonderful interpretive center - definitely worthwhile to visit! And there's a great trail system to walk on and enjoy the views.

Very nice, spacious campground. Clean grounds and facilities, with a new shower house. Electric only at the sites, but fresh water fill and dump station available.

Lots of space between campsites. But, being central Montana, there are almost no trees or brush. So, there is no privacy.

There is another campsite half a mile west that is set down in a private hollow. No table but really nice if you can do without.

Good light show... ??
Clear sky and full moon. Suddenly I saw the brightest meteor I have ever seen streak 3/4 way across sky. Brighter than the full moon. WOW! Do they do this light show every night or was this done just for me?

Great staff at gate. Sites are very well spaced. Half full at best in mid September. Nice bike and walking trail, and view of the dam. Interesting history. We had electric. Clean restrooms and showers. I loved the space around us and it was really quiet. Agree with another reviewer that it would be a great dark sky park. That is the reason for four instead of five stars.

There are few camp sites on route 2 and this is a gem!

The name fits this campgrounds perfectly. It is a great place to stop on your way to something or if you are attending an event in the area.

It has a lot of shady, full hookups, clean showers and bathhouse, a store, and even a place to wash clothes. It does have wifi but it was weak at my site #23. My cellular service was strong. The owners are wonderful. One note, if using GPS to find use the name. The address may get you into a different park that is hard to turn around in.

If you need a safe, clean stop this is what the Shady Rest Campground is.

Nice little area on Fort Peck offering a marina and services, however area is small and very congested. Fills up fast.. Swimming and boating access.