Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Great Falls, MT

Great Falls KOA accommodates pets at all site types including tent areas, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping tents with a pet-friendly atmosphere throughout the 51st Street South property. Leashed pets are welcome at American Legion Lions Park, Gateway Military FamCamp, and Freezout Lake dispersed camping area where pets can explore open spaces. At Dick's RV Park (Great Falls RV Park), pets have designated walking areas though the campground enforces strict on-leash policies for safety. The designated pet exercise areas at most Great Falls campgrounds provide space for dogs to stretch their legs after traveling. Sluice Boxes State Park permits hiking with dogs on trails, though the primitive nature of the park means bringing water for pets is essential. The large KOA property features tree-lined paths ideal for walking dogs during morning and evening hours when temperatures are cooler.

Dog-friendly hiking trails near Great Falls campgrounds provide exercise opportunities while maintaining proximity to camping areas. The tent camping areas at Great Falls KOA offer more shade for pets during hot summer days compared to the newer, more open RV sites. Missouri River access points near Pelican Point and Holter Dam Recreation Site provide water play opportunities for dogs that enjoy swimming, with pet waste stations available to maintain cleanliness. Campers report the KOA has improved its pet amenities in recent years, including better designated walking areas and waste disposal options. During summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, shaded campsites become particularly valuable for pet comfort, with early morning or evening being optimal times for dog walking to avoid hot pavement. Wildlife encounters are possible in outlying campgrounds, so keeping dogs leashed protects both pets and natural habitats.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Great Falls, Montana (31)

    1. Great Falls KOA

    17 Reviews
    Malmstrom AFB, MT
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 727-3191

    "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."

    "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."

    2. Great Falls RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Great Falls, MT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 452-0333

    "The campsites are plentiful and not as close to eachother as others. Bathrooms spotless. After hours check-in was a breeze! Will use again."

    3. Military Park Malmstrom AFB Gateway FamCamp

    4 Reviews
    Malmstrom AFB, MT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 731-3263

    "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. "

    "Its always windy in Great Falls. But the amenities like commissary, BX, Movie Theatre and Bowling Alley are very close and Outdoor Rec people are and camphosts are very friendly and helpful."

    4. American Legion Lions Park

    2 Reviews
    Cascade, MT
    24 miles
    Website

    "Best park in great falls. Shelter for eating, tennis courts, play area, easily accessible."

    5. Logging Creek

    8 Reviews
    Monarch, MT
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 547-3361

    "This is a great place if you want to get away from Great Falls for a night or two. Each campsite has a fire pit, picnic table and a decent amount of trees."

    "First camp we stayed at on a week long trip to Montana. We came on a weekday, so hardly any one there."

    6. Pelican Point Fishing Access Site

    6 Reviews
    Cascade, MT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "Just off the highway so it is easy access. A toilet, a boat ramp, and several trails down to the water. Great spot to SUP and play around. This is a high traffic area though."

    "Boat launch ramp and small beach for swimming, fishing and for dogs to play. A sweet gem! No hook up but a pit toilet"

    7. Sluice Boxes State Park Campground

    1 Review
    Monarch, MT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 454-5840

    "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."

    8. Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground

    8 Reviews
    Fort Benton, MT
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 622-5505

    $15 - $45 / night

    "The locals come around during the day to walk their dogs so it makes for a decent amount of traffic through the area."

    "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."

    9. Freezout Lake - Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Choteau, MT
    37 miles
    Website

    "Lots of sites you can drive up to. Views of mountains in far distance. Free to camp - no fires."

    "It’s quite, and there are paths around the water. I took a star off because by 9pm I had to retire to my camper because the mosquitoes were so bad - but that’s to be expected."

    10. Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    16 Reviews
    Wolf Creek, MT
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 235-4314

    $25 / night

    "A few paved walking paths near the beach area.   The narrow paved roads made life interesting. The fish cleaning station is closed due to vandalism. "

    "Pet and family friendly drive to accessible. Tent and camper parking. Right on the water."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Great Falls, MT

153 Reviews of 31 Great Falls Campgrounds


  • J
    Jun. 17, 2019

    Logging Creek

    Great spot for a family weekend

    This is a great place if you want to get away from Great Falls for a night or two. Each campsite has a fire pit, picnic table and a decent amount of trees. Great little pool on the far side of the campsite is great for kids.

  • Robin B.
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Thain Creek

    Hidden gem! Great escape and so close to Great Falls.

    We were shocked this campground wasn’t full, it’s only an hour from Great Falls and the road is your typical gravel, a few larger potholes but completely doable in any car (or towing). Lots of shaded spots (available on a Friday and Saturday night in mid-August!), super clean facilities, and a very helpful camp host. The partiers stay down below on the road so it was super quiet and had some nice wildlife in the area. We did the Windy Mountain loop, so it was a treat to finish the hike and be back at our campsite 100 yards from the end! Highly recommend for campers looking for an easy, quiet escape.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2023

    Great Falls KOA

    Good for families with kids

    We 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.

  • S
    Sep. 12, 2023

    Choteau City Park

    Great for overnight stay

    There are two loops on either side of a small creek, a dry side and a shaded grassy side. There is also a terrific dog park just down the road within walking distance. Great for an overnight and a great price.

  • Deanna C.
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Great Falls KOA

    Very Nice

    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. Of course it is close to everything in town such as WalMart, gas stations, restaurants, and shopping.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 9, 2023

    Great Falls KOA

    Nicely appointed KOA

    General: 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!

  • Vanessa S.
    Apr. 11, 2025

    Military Park Malmstrom AFB Gateway FamCamp

    Great park for those associated with the military

    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.  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.

  • Jamie B.
    Dec. 9, 2018

    Great Falls KOA

    City Camping Tucked Away

    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. You get the full camping (in a campground) experience, but you can easily drive into the city to pick up whatever you forgot to pack.

    Our site was in what they call a tent village, which is a nice roundabout of tent sites. There are walls separating the sites for privacy, but the area is big enough for your vehicle and a large tent, or multiple smaller tents. Toward the middle of the roundabout is a covered area, including a table, counter, electrical outlets, and a large cabinet that can be locked with a padlock. The tent villages are very close to a nice restroom/showers that require a key code to get in.

  • Sterling C.
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Thain Creek

    Great Weekend Getaway

    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. 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!


Guide to Great Falls

Dispersed camping opportunities near Great Falls, Montana include several free and low-cost options within an hour's drive of the city. The region sits at approximately 3,330 feet elevation with a semi-arid climate characterized by strong winds and temperature fluctuations. Summer camping often brings daytime temperatures in the 80s-90s°F with cooler nights, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional precipitation.

What to do

**Fishing adventures: Fish cleaning stations at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground provide facilities for anglers, though some campers note recent changes: "The fish cleaning station is closed due to vandalism," reports Z S. The nearby Missouri River offers "awesome night fishing" according to visitor Nic F.

**Wildlife viewing: Look for bighorn sheep along the hillsides near Holter Dam, where one visitor observed: "Keep an eye out on the surrounding hills around the campground for Big Horn Sheep. While staying at the campground we saw 5 sheep on the hill next to the campground entrance." Morning and evening hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

**Water recreation: Beyond fishing, several campgrounds offer water access for multiple activities. At Pelican Point Fishing Access Site, visitors appreciate the "boat launch ramp and small beach for swimming, fishing and for dogs to play," as tracy R. describes it, adding "a sweet gem!"

What campers like

**River access: The Missouri River corridor provides numerous camping opportunities with direct water access. At Chouteau County Fairgrounds & Canoe Launch Campground, campers appreciate the river setting: "Part 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," notes reviewer Mimi.

**Budget-friendly options: Free camping areas like Freezout Lake - Dispersed Camping attract campers seeking no-cost options. "Secluded, flat parking lot in a wildlife refuge. We woke to the sound of birds. The pit toilet was really clean. We were the only ones there," writes Julie K. Another camper adds, "Like others said, it is pack in pack out, but otherwise it is great. Bathroom is close and clean, being close to the water is nice, and 100% free."

**Tent-specific areas: Several campgrounds offer designated tent camping zones with amenities designed specifically for tent campers. At Great Falls KOA, Jamie B. describes their tent setup: "Our site was in what they call a tent village, which is a nice roundabout of tent sites. There are walls separating the sites for privacy, but the area is big enough for your vehicle and a large tent, or multiple smaller tents. Toward the middle of the roundabout is a covered area, including a table, counter, electrical outlets, and a large cabinet that can be locked with a padlock."

What you should know

**Weather considerations: Wind conditions can affect camping experiences in the Great Falls region. At Freezout Lake, a camper warns: "Another thing to note are the heavy winds, just make sure you don't leave things out, and expect a windy breakfast." Summer heat requires planning for shade, especially at exposed sites.

**Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic at certain campsites, particularly near water. At Freezout Lake, D0min0 3. advises "bring bug spray" while another camper shares their experience: "I had to retire to my camper because the mosquitoes were so bad - but that's to be expected."

**Facility variations: Campground amenities vary widely from primitive to full-service. At Logging Creek, Jacee R. warns about potential maintenance issues: "The bathroom was ATROCIOUS and gross (poop smeared on the walls)," though other campers report better experiences during different time periods.

Tips for camping with families

**Playground access: For families with young children, select campgrounds with designated play areas. Judy K. describes Great Falls KOA as having "everything you need. An outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, tent, cabin and rv spots... playground, and wifi. A lot of room to move around and have fun."

**Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming access for kids during hot summer days. At Logging Creek, Jeff E. notes: "Great little pool on the far side of the campsite is great for kids," providing relief from summer temperatures that frequently exceed 90°F.

**Nature exploration: Sluice Boxes State Park Campground offers backcountry camping opportunities for adventurous families. Chloe B. explains: "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."

Tips from RVers

**Site selection: At Holter Dam Recreation Site, John H. advises caution about site accessibility: "All good except for wooden rails lining the road make it difficult to back in some spots." Consider campground layout when selecting sites for larger rigs.

**Seasonal considerations: Summer weekends bring heavy traffic to popular recreation areas. One visitor to Holter Dam notes: "Our Saturday departure was delayed by FWP boat inspection at the entrance and a long line was inbound to Holter Lake," suggesting weekday arrivals when possible.

**Pet-friendly camping: For those seeking pet-friendly camping near Great Falls, Montana, many campgrounds welcome pets with appropriate restrictions. At Pelican Point, one camper notes the site is "level and right by the water" with ample space for "multiple vehicles in each spot," making it convenient for RVers traveling with pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Great Falls, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Great Falls, MT is Great Falls KOA with a 4.4-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Great Falls, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 31 dog-friendly camping locations near Great Falls, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.