The best camping near
Gallatin National Forest, MONTANA

Experience Camping near where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805. Missouri Headwaters State Park campground is a 17 site campground located just a short distance from the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. If you are a history buff or just want to learn about the Corps of Discovery journey then this is a must stay. Historical signs about the the Corps of Discovers stay at the headwaters of the Missouri and their journey are located through out the park. If you have never spent a night in a tipi you can do it here, just be sure to reserve it ahead of time. You can see how Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri by checking out the dug out canoe that can be found at the entrance of the campground. All the campsites have picnic tables sitting on concrete pads, and metal fire rings. Trash pins, water and vault toilets are also available. All the campsites are nice and flat. Most of the site are of good size with nice grassy areas to set up your tent, a few are a little small and cramped. All sites can be reserved. Many short hiking trails are in the park, be sure to take the short hike up to a vista to get the entire view of the headwaters area. If you like to fish you are in luck, you have four rivers to choose from, all with great fishing opportunities.

We stayed at Lake Shore Lodge Campground while visiting my parents in Ennis.

The campground is situated right on the northern shore of Ennis Lake and has a boat launch ramp for those looking to fish.

We stayed three nights at the beginning of July. Our site had water, sewer, and 30amp service. We were able to fit our 39ft toy hauler in with almost no issues.

The campground is very peaceful and appears to have a lot of seasonal residents.

Wood and ice are available from the front desk. Bath houses and laundry are also available on site.

Great sites right on the Madison

I have now been to Norris Hot Springs two years in a row on the last weekend in September. I love the small number of camping spaces and the rules that all campers actually follow (no loose dogs, no generators). The camp bathroom/showers are super helpful and it is awesome to just walk across the parking lot to the spring.

The food is amazing and the staff are all super friendly. Both years I've been, it has snowed either a dusting or an inch-ish. The camp spots do not become a muddy mess and the drive is still easy to navigate on foot or by small vehicle. 

We might make an annual trip here if we can budget in the time off. It is the perfect spot to setup camp and then go explore the area.

We made a reservation here by calling them a couple weeks before we left for Yellowstone National Park.  We were driving from the Seattle, WA area and figured this was about half way.  There are several mountain passes to cross and we did not want to fill our water and propane tanks before leaving and carry a bunch of extra weight.  This place offered full hook ups and propane sales on site. 

We arrived almost too late for in person check in.  Since we were hoping to leave early the next morning, we didn't want to wait for the office to open again in the morning.  We called ahead and the really nice lady in the office stayed a few minutes to wait for us.  They have a nice office with some local items for sale that make cute little gifts.  

Sites are typical for an RV campground.  Everyone is very close together.  Picnic tables and full hook ups are available.  There are also tent sites.  The bathrooms are great.  many stalls and several private showers.  The grounds are beautiful.  Green and watered.  Covered picnic shelters are available.  

Campers were quiet for a Saturday night.  Lots of folks out and about, everyone was so friendly!  The only downside is it's right next to the freeway.  Even in the middle of the night, it was loud.

Ennis fishing access site is located on the Madison River just on the south edge of town. This is a First come, First serve campground that is walking distance to the town of Ennis. Some sites sit along the river, some spots are more private toward the back of the campground. It appears not much effort was placed in making this site a campground, sites are unlevel and parking pads vary from gravel, to dirt or grass. This is a dry campground like most FAS sites. A small vault toilet serves the area, site are numbered and have a picnic table and appear to all have rock fire rings. Fishing must be good here as this site always appears full when I drive by. Several spots appeared to have nice grassy areas for tents. If you have a large RV you might want to park at a parking area at the entrance and walk in to make sure there is a place big enough for you as the layout of the campground might get a bit tight for a larger RV. The fishing access site is closed to camping from December 1st through April 31st every year.

We had been doing mostly dispersed camping through the west but decided to stay here after hiking the Pine Creek trail. The trees provided nice spacing and its location nested in the foothills of the Beartooth wilderness gave it a great view.

It isn't all together a terrible place, best for a night or two. We stayed 3 nights. If you have a partial hook up site, they are in gravel, which isn't bad but they are so un-level. It took us longer than usual to set up. The rv sites are also cramped. They young adults who seem to manage the park are not very friendly. The bathhouse is very old and has extremely small shower stalls. The shower curtain barely fits across the opening. If you don't like trains don't go, 3-5 a night.

We stayed in a cabin on the river. One of my favorite spots. It was our first time staying at a KOA and would recommend it.

Review of Duck Creek camping area

This was our second camp at Duck Creek this year with our Venturing Crew. This time we conducted a wilderness survival camp at the far opposite end of the camping area from our last camp. We constructed our survival shelters on the sand and gravel shore of Canyon Ferry Lake. We picked the shore in order to get away from the bugs. The cottonwoods and willows held plenty of little vampires looking for blood, the grassy areas had fewer mosquitoes but a recent hatch had occurred and although they didn't bite all those bugs made you thing you were being attacked. So the beach it was, it was amazing that you could walk out on the beach and not have any bugs, what a slight breeze will do. After setting up our shelters it was time to build a fire and cook dinner. Our site had a rock ring built into the sand, but we found this to be to close to the trees for our liking as the wind would blow embers into the vegetation. We built a new ring next to the water for the nigh. You will be unable to find our fire ring as any evidence of our visit was removed the next morning…Leave no trace. Their is no problem finding fire wood at duck creek drift wood is everywhere. If you want to stay at Duck Creek be prepared, this is primitive camping. No vault toilets, no water, no trash service, no metal fire rings, but you do have cell service.

Ranger review of the Firebiner from Outdoor Element.

Gave the firebinder to one of our Scouts to get a fire started, sparks up really well, she had a little problem due to how windy was, but a second try with a cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly had a fire going after three strikes. Our Scouts gave the striker five stars. The cutting blade worked well on string and fishing line, how ever we could not get through 550 para cord, and with such a small opening you are really limited on what you can cut with it. Over all everyone likes the look of the firebiner, and it held up to a weekend of use, is small and light weight and has worked well for clipping items on to packs.