Camping near Havre, MT

Havre, Montana, located along Montana's northern Hi-Line region at 2,536 feet elevation, offers diverse camping options throughout the Bear Paw Mountains and nearby reservoirs. The area experiences wide temperature swings between seasons, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter temperatures dropping well below freezing. Camping around Havre combines prairie and mountain terrain with proximity to water recreation at Fresno Reservoir.

What to do

Hiking and wildlife watching: Hill County Beaver Creek Park offers multiple trails including Mount Otis with maintained paths to the summit. A visitor notes, "Mount Otis has a well-maintained trail to the top, and there is a 3 mile nature trail."

Fishing opportunities: Kiehns Bay at Fresno Reservoir provides access to walleye, pike, and crappie fishing spots. One camper mentioned, "Beautiful spot on the water, there were several dispersed camping spots to choose from around the lake."

Visit local farms: Some campgrounds feature small farms that provide entertainment for visitors. At Hansen Family Campground & Storage, one camper reported, "This was a fun, unexpected stop... They have chickens and ducks and geese, goats, and donkeys. You can feed them and visit with them."

What campers like

Lake views and sunsets: Campers at Kiehns Bay consistently mention the scenic water views. One reviewer wrote, "Spectacular views from a few campsites on top of the walls, well spread out areas and definitely big rig friendly spots."

Small-town parks: Zurich Park, located just off Highway 2, offers a peaceful setting with mature trees. A camper shared, "Beautiful park with mature Cottonwood trees. Large area with playgrounds for the kids. Horseshoe pits, vaulted toilets."

Historic attractions: Some campsites provide access to local history. When staying at Havre RV Park, one camper explored local sites: "We took the day to explore the town. Beneath the street historical tour was a blast back to the past... We toured Fort Assinniboine located 10 miles out of town."

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in the area have poor or non-existent cell coverage. At Zurich Park, a camper reported, "No Verizon service, no OTA TV as the park is surrounded by hills."

Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have water with mineral content. At Evergreen Campground, a visitor noted, "When I talked to an employee about the water tasting bad (I believe it was something like sulfur), she explained it was natural and not unhealthy."

Weekend crowds: Reservoir camping areas can become busy, especially on weekends. At Kiehns Bay, one camper observed, "Lots of bottles and garbage on the beach from party's and around 2am some locals rolled through in louder trucks right past our spot."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Zurich Park, a camper mentioned, "A beautiful little park with about 10-12 electric 30 and 50 amp... The playground looked amazing."

Animal encounters: Hansen Family Campground offers unique opportunities for kids to interact with farm animals. One visitor shared, "We had a wonderful time! Horses, mules, goats, chickens, alligator's;), ducks & geese. Kids had a great time!"

Bug preparation: Some campsites in the area have significant insect activity. A camper at Hansen Family Campground warned, "Mosquitos, mosquitos, mosquitos. Like you would try to walk your dogs and would be covered in them."

Tips from RVers

Sewer connection challenges: RVers should note unusual sewer hookup configurations at some sites. At Havre RV Park, a camper noted, "The sewer hook up is in the road under our rig so we pulled out slightly and dumped when we left to avoid climbing under to hook up."

Ground conditions: Soil quality varies across campgrounds, affecting stabilization. At Zurich Park, one RVer reported, "Our fifth wheel jacks (regardless of having blocks and Snap Pads) sunk about 8 inches into the dirt, and we couldn't get anything level."

Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer convenient pull-through sites with full hookups. At Hansen Family Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Pull through sites with full hook ups and easy access... Perfect stopping place before crossing the border into Canada!"