Campgrounds near Malta, Montana range from basic city park setups to hot springs resorts across the high plains. The region sits at approximately 2,250 feet elevation with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F. Winter camping options are limited, with most facilities closing from November through April due to harsh conditions and temperatures that can plunge well below zero.
What to do
Basketball and recreation: Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs offers a basketball court and other activities for those wanting more than just soaking. "Boys loved basketball court," notes a camper, while another mentions "free-range chickens strutting around" providing entertainment for children.
Hot springs soaking: The mineral pools at Sleeping Buffalo provide three temperature options. "There are indoor and outdoor pools, 3 temperatures and spacious. Also, sauna is huge," writes one visitor. The hot springs experience includes "incredible, clean, relaxing" pools that provide welcome relief after travel.
Fishing access: Nelson Reservoir provides water recreation options. "Saw kayakers and a duck family on the water," writes one camper. Another notes the "nice launch for boats" making it convenient for anglers to access the water, though bug spray is essential during warmer months.
What campers like
Affordable options: Trafton City Park in Malta offers basic camping at $5 per night with no hookups but accessible water. "It's only $5 to camp for the night. As we sit here there are only two other campers here so there's plenty of room to spread out," reports one reviewer who appreciated the value despite limitations.
Unexpected dining: Restaurant options at Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs receive praise from campers. "The restaurant really blew us away—incredible food, fantastic drinks from the bar, and top-notch service. Honestly, it rivaled some of the best dining we've had in Montana," writes one reviewer, though they note it "closes early" so planning ahead is required.
Prairie wildlife viewing: Buffalo Camp offers unique wildlife encounters. "A buffalo herd roamed the area and even through the campground at night and in the morning. Prairie dog towns were all over," reports one camper. At other sites, prairie dogs and waterfowl provide natural entertainment.
What you should know
Seasonal mosquito issues: Nelson Reservoir and other area campgrounds can have severe insect problems. "But the star of the show here were the mosquitoes. I had to put on long pants, thick socks, and long sleeve hoodie every time I had to take the dogs out," warns one camper. Another states bluntly: "Cool looking place, but the mosquitoes were unbearable when we stopped to look for a spot."
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds outside Malta offer primitive amenities. "No hookups. No designated sites. Pit toilets," notes a camper about one location. Another reports "no water at all on site, so fill up your tank before you go" about Nelson Reservoir.
Weather considerations: Wind and temperature swings affect camping comfort. "We had a big windstorm come through during the night, so lash down carefully!" warns a visitor to Buffalo Camp. Another notes "it was REALLY windy when we arrived- parked our car as a wind break and put our tent next to it."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Camp Creek Campground and Trafton City Park offer recreation options for children. "There's tons of trails to ride side by sides," notes a Camp Creek visitor. Trafton Park features "all sorts of playground equipment here that kids would enjoy and lots of horses next door at the rodeo grounds."
Swimming options: Children particularly enjoy the mineral pools at Sleeping Buffalo. "The pool area is first rate!" states one camper, while another notes that "kids still had fun" despite limited dedicated child-oriented amenities at the resort.
Site selection for comfort: When tent camping with children at Nelson Reservoir, position carefully for wind protection. One camper reports: "it was also really cold (28 degrees when I woke at 5 am)" showing the importance of proper site selection and gear for temperature fluctuations common to the area.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig access: While several rv campgrounds in Malta, Montana accommodate large vehicles, sites with full hookups are limited. Edgewater Inn And RV Park offers "nicely maintained yard for tent camping" but RV sites can be tight. "There are several good sized spaces, I wouldn't try bringing in anything longer than 36' (mine is 33)," warns a camper about one area facility.
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet connectivity varies across Malta area RV campgrounds. One camper at Sleeping Buffalo praises their "fast and dependable Wi-Fi" noting "our Starlink cable broke, so we got to test it out, and it didn't miss a beat."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds involves unpaved surfaces that can become problematic. "If one gets caught in the rain this area is well known for it's gumbo roads... they can be very miserable," cautions a reviewer, suggesting RVers check weather forecasts before venturing to more remote sites.
