Tent camping opportunities near Malmstrom AFB, Montana range from primitive sites along rivers to more developed campgrounds in surrounding forests. The region sits at elevations between 3,300-4,000 feet with continental climate patterns creating hot, dry summers and cold winters. Most primitive campsites remain unoccupied on weekdays, even during peak summer months, providing solitude for campers willing to forego amenities.
What to do
River fishing access: Mountain Palace Fishing Access Site offers three designated sites overlooking the Missouri River. "Mountain Palace FAS is a popular take out location for fishing float boats on the Missouri River. The FAS has three campsites, sites 1 & 2 sit above the Missouri river and are quite nice with great views of the Missouri river, the third one sits next to Recreation Road," notes reviewer Dexter I.
Winter camping: Camp Rotary provides opportunities for cold-weather camping with heated facilities. "In the winter it can be fun but to climb some hills. Each campground has cabins which hold about 11 people and tent spaces outside. The cabin do have semi-decent heating, but not AC. The bathrooms are really big and well developed (and super warm for the winter)," shares Sterling C.
Primitive boat camping: Senieur's Reach Primitive Boat Camp offers river access for paddlers. "Site had one fire ring that would be safe to make a fire at as the area around the ring is free of vegetation. Nice camp locations under the cotton woods. No outhouse or tables. A bonus is the swim someone has made in a large cottonwood," according to Dexter I.
What campers like
Backcountry privacy: At Sluice Boxes State Park, campers appreciate the secluded atmosphere. "My husband and I started hiking up here long before we ever camped. We found out just this year you could camp into the park and we love it. If your up for hauling in your stuff and back out and don't mind not having access to a bathroom or a fire pit and as we did sleeping under the stars it's a perfect place to try," writes Chloe B.
Reliable availability: Lowry Bridge Access Site typically has open sites even during peak season. "Nice, quiet, clean campground. About 5 level sites. Good for small rv's. Road to the campground is decent. Monday night in July and there were 2 tenters and 2 rv/campers," reports Susan A.
Riverside shade: Black Bluff Rapids Primitive Boat Camp provides natural protection from summer heat. "Site is located just upriver from the Wood Bottom Developed site and is a nice camp site, nicer than the sites at Wood Bottom. Located along the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in a stretch of cottonwoods at river mile 19.4," states Dexter I.
What you should know
Access considerations: Several campgrounds require significant travel from main roads. Lowry Bridge Access Site requires planning: "4 miles off route 200, Left on MT-21, Right on Lowry Road, over bridge," explains Marilyn K.
Facility limitations: Most primitive sites lack basic services. Mountain Palace has "one vault toilet and a concrete boat ramp. This is a busy site during the summer months. The site has no trash service or water. Large parking area for boat trailers," according to Dexter I.
Variable site quality: Not all primitive boat camps meet basic camping needs. Evans Bend Primitive Boat Camp has challenges: "Would not spend the night here. The site is listed as having 2 fire rings, but we could not find them due to the 3 foot plus high vegetation. If you did find them you would start a wild fire with all the high vegetation," warns Dexter I.
Tips for camping with families
Consider developed options: Camp Rotary offers amenities suitable for groups with children. "The bathrooms are really big and well developed (and super warm for the winter). There is also a big 'roof building' with picknick tables to eat food," notes Sterling C.
Pack adequate supplies: No drinking water exists at most primitive sites near Malmstrom AFB. Lowry Bridge provides "Picnic table, fire ring, pit toilet, gravel pad. 5-6 sites mostly level. BLM land free," but no running water, according to Marilyn K.
Check seasonal vegetation: Summer growth can limit usable tent space at river sites. At Evans Bend, one camper noted "couldn't locate a place that we would want place a tent" due to "3 foot plus high vegetation" that created both space and fire safety concerns.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most sites accommodate only smaller recreational vehicles. Lowry Bridge Access Site works for "small rv's" according to Susan A., but access roads and turning radii are not suitable for larger rigs.
Limited hookups: No full-service RV sites exist in the immediate vicinity of Malmstrom AFB. Even at developed sites, RVers should prepare for dry camping with no water, electric or sewer connections at most locations.
Gravel pads available: Some sites offer improved parking surfaces. Lowry Bridge provides "gravel pad" sites that remain usable even during wet conditions, making it more suitable for small trailers or campervans than completely undeveloped areas.
