Best Tent Camping near Lewistown, MT

Hay Canyon Campground is a free six site (Forest service says 7) campsite in a narrow canyon among large mature trees.  This site is broken in to two sections with three sites each.  The first section is easy to find, the second is just around the bend on the main road on a road to the right which has three more sites.  The campground has picnic tables and metal fire rings at all the sites. A vault toilet serves the campground.  No water or trash service so come prepared.  The site nearest to the vault toilet is a amazingly large site, three picnic tables a large metal fire ring and the biggest BBQ grill I have ever seen in a campground.  Getting this site is just awesome even at the high price of nothing to camp here.  The second section of campsites do require a bit of a walk to get to the vault toilet but their is a faint trail short cutting the road walk.

Ackley Lake State Park campground has no camping fees for Montana residents, for nonresidents the cost is$24 per night. The campground has two vault toilets, but no running water or trash service. While visiting I counted 26 metal fire rings at the campground. Most of those fire rings had picnic tables, but not all of them. Their are 15 numbered campsites with metal fire rings with a cement picnic table with a lean-to to block the wind and provide a little shade. The numbered sites sit along the shore of the lake allowing you to fish from your campsite. The state park also has 2 boat ramps and a seasonal boat dock.

ED McGivern Memorial Park Campground sits on the west shore of the East Fork Reservoir. This is a small nice 10 site campground right on the reservoir. The campground is located just past the day use area on a loop at the end of the road. The 10 sites are nicely spread apart giving campers plenty of room to spread out their tents. Each site has a picnic table, metal fire ring and BBQ grill. Two vault toilers serve the area, one in the day use area and one at the south end of the campground. Water is available at a faucet near the campground vault toilet. Easy access to the reservoir all along the campground for those wishing to fish. A boat launch can be found a the beginning of the day use area. This is a small reservoir and their entire reservoir is a no wake area. Camping is$5 for tents,$10 for trailers/campers/motorhomes. Stay is limited to 14 nights. A nice quiet location to camp, but only a short 15-20 minute drive to Lewistown for any supplies you might need.

This campground has quite the name if you combine everything together.  The Lewis and Clark National Forest - Judith Station Recreation Area - Judith Station Day Use Area - Bill and Ruth Korell  Memorial Campground.  This is a small cramped campground with 6 sits, five of which are right next to each other so privacy will not be had if others are camping.  The campground is just past the Judith Guard Station.  All sites have a picnic table and metal fire ring.  A water pump can be found between the camping area and the Guard Station.  A vault toilet is available next to the guard station.  This is a first come first served campground with no trash service.  The the road was in excellent condition all the way to the campground.

The Lewistown Kiwanis provide a rest area and free campground to travels on the west end of town next to the airport. This camping area has no fee(they will take your donation to help with upkeep of the site), but does have restrooms with running water, several frost-frees are in the camping area to provide water, and trash cans are found at the restrooms. The camping area does not have numbered sites, but there are 12 concrete picnic tables, 6 of those are covered. No campfires at this campground. Their is plenty of room for camping even if all the tables are taken. Camping is limited to 10 nights. The airport is small so you will have very little aircraft noise, most noise will be from State Hwy 200/U.S. Hwy 87, but since the speed limit is 45mph noise from cars and trucks will be slight.

It was 94 degrees when we pulled into town and electric for AC is absolutely required. For $20 we have a nice level, gravel site with 30/50 amp service. No hookups for water or sewer but that isn't necessary for an overnight stay. Each campsite has a picnic table. We even had a site with a tree that gave a little shade.

This is one of the nicest small town parks I have ever experienced. The play area for children is five star. Rodeo grounds, volleyball net, soccer field are just a short walk from the campsites. The bathrooms are clean and have flushing toilets. Showers are not available.