Camping options near Highwood, Montana extend across several nearby areas including Fort Benton and Monarch. The region sits at the junction of rolling plains and the eastern foothills of the Little Belt Mountains, with elevations ranging from 3,200 feet to 4,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-95°F with cooler nights dropping to the 50s even during peak season.
What to do
Explore natural caves: Visitors camping in the Monarch area can access nearby cave systems for exploration. "If you do some research in that area there is a place where there are some caves to explore, and another with fossils," notes a visitor to Logging Creek.
Creek swimming: Several campgrounds offer creek access for cooling off during hot summer days. "Great little pool on the far side of the campsite is great for kids," mentions one Logging Creek camper who visited with family.
Nature walks: Take advantage of wooded trails and peaceful surroundings. "Endless trail," describes one Logging Creek visitor who appreciated the outdoor exploration options beyond the campground.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Trees provide welcome relief from summer heat in an otherwise exposed region. One camper at Logging Creek described: "The campsites are beautiful, secluded, and shaded. There is water for kids to play in."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Deer wandered into the campground throughout the night and morning," reported a tent camper at Logging Creek who stayed overnight to watch a meteor shower.
Easy weekend escape: Many campsites serve as quick getaways from Great Falls. A regular visitor noted, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving, particularly after rain. "The road was a little rough with the washed out gullies in the road with the cattle guards," warned a Logging Creek visitor who still gave the campground five stars despite access challenges.
Seasonal facility limitations: Fall campers should expect reduced amenities. "Most everything was shut down for the season which is something to keep in mind if you visit in the fall," noted a Great Falls KOA visitor who stayed in October.
Off-grid connectivity: Cell service is limited or non-existent at several campgrounds. "No cell service. But one of my favs so far," commented a motorhome camper at Logging Creek, highlighting the trade-off between connectivity and seclusion.
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Several campgrounds offer water-based recreation options suitable for children. "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," described a visitor to Great Falls KOA who particularly appreciated the tent village setup with privacy walls.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas and structured activities. "This is a very kid friendly campground, almost too much. Twice within an hour a train full of kids rolled by my site shouting," noted one KOA visitor, highlighting the family-oriented atmosphere.
Yurt camping options: For families seeking an upgrade from tent camping without full RV commitments, yurt accommodations at Dry Wolf Cabin provide comfort with wilderness proximity. "Cabin stays cool in the summer and has wood stove for cold winters. Propane stove makes cooking easy," mentions a visitor who found the yurt camping near Highwood, Montana comfortable year-round.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Some RV sites require attention to leveling. "It seems like several of the sites need to be cleaned up and re-leveled," observed one RV camper at Benton RV Park & Campground.
Heat management: Summer temperatures in this region can be extreme for RVers without adequate shade or cooling. "We were here in mid July and it was 94° with about a 35 mph wind howling across the Prairie. Quite a shock considering we had just come down from the mountains!" warned an RVer at Benton RV Park who otherwise found the campground clean and well-maintained.
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. "The area we stayed in is for medium sized rigs or smaller. The larger spaces are in a newer and less shady portion of the campground," noted a 72-year-old traveler with a 27-foot trailer at Great Falls KOA.
