Camping options near Moore, Montana range from secluded lakeside sites to small-town parks with full amenities. The area sits at approximately 4,000 feet elevation within Central Montana's prairie and mountain transition zone, experiencing warm summer days with cool evenings and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Moore's surrounding camping areas include both primitive sites and established campgrounds, most with seasonal operation between late May and early October.
What to do
Fishing at reservoir access points: ED McGivern Memorial Park Campground offers direct access to East Fork Reservoir with ten sites spread along the shoreline. According to one camper, "This is a small nice 10 site campground right on the reservoir... Easy access to the reservoir all along the campground for those wishing to fish. A boat launch can be found at the beginning of the day use area."
Hiking mountain trails: Crystal Lake Campground provides access to several trails with varying difficulty levels. "The lake is beautiful and small enough hike around it if you have a few hours. The surrounding area is gorgeous as well," notes one visitor. Another mentions, "The lake trail is a nice walk to see all the different views around it. The meadows were full of wildflowers in the summer."
Stargazing in dark skies: The remote location of many campgrounds offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Campers at Judith Station Day Use Area/Bill & Ruth Korell Memorial Campground appreciate the seclusion: "This is a small cramped campground with 6 sites... The campground is just past the Judith Guard Station." Its location away from urban areas makes it ideal for night sky observation.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Kiwanis Park in Lewistown operates on donations rather than set fees. One camper explains, "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)." Another adds, "This place is great and it runs off of donations, so make sure to drop some cash into their donation box if you can."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area's natural setting attracts various wildlife. At Ackley Lake State Park Campground, one visitor observed, "So beautiful. Found it randomly passing through... So much wildlife on our drive to it, in the fields that surround the lake." Another camper at Crystal Lake recalled, "We saw a few fish being pulled out of the lake, lots of hikers heading up the trails and a few deer passing through the meadow."
Convenient overnight stops: Many campgrounds serve as practical waypoints for travelers. One RVer noted about Kiwanis Park: "Camped for one night between White Sulphur Springs and Glasgow MT. Clean park with plenty of room to space out. Just pull in and pick your spot." Another mentioned, "This is a clean well kept basic campground right off the highway... we were happy to find it as a quick night stop."
What you should know
Limited amenities at some locations: While scenic, many campgrounds offer only basic facilities. A visitor to Judith Station noted, "This is a small cramped campground with 6 sites, five of which are right next to each other so privacy will not be had if others are camping... A water pump can be found between the camping area and the Guard Station."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area operate only during warmer months. Crystal Lake Campground typically opens "June 15 to Labor Day," while others like Ackley Lake State Park remain accessible year-round but with limited services in winter.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some campgrounds requires driving on unpaved or narrow roads. One camper described the journey to Crystal Lake: "To get there it's a mix of about 20 miles of gravel and 1 lane paved roads. The gravel roads are well maintained. The 1 lane paved roads are a little iffy if you're pulling a trailer and its a busy travel day."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Chief Joseph City Park in nearby Harlowton features excellent recreational facilities for children. One visitor described it as "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."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer safe swimming areas for children during summer months. At Ackley Lake, a visitor mentioned, "The shoreline was rocky at our site, so it was easy to get in and out of the water." Another camper appreciated the "refreshing swim" available at the lake.
Pet-friendly camping options: Most campgrounds near Moore welcome pets, making them suitable for family trips with four-legged companions. At Mountain Acres RV Park and Campground, "They allow dogs and do have a pet area with bags to pick up after your pet." Crystal Lake Campground also accommodates pets with ample walking trails around the lake.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Mountain Acres RV Park and Campground offers full-service sites. A reviewer noted, "They have laundry, showers, bathrooms, WiFi and sites have full hookups. Most people staying were only there for a night or two passing through."
Level sites important: At Chief Joseph City Park, RVers appreciate the well-maintained parking areas: "Level, asphalt pads are all pull-through and long enough for my truck and 32 foot 5th wheel. 50/30 amp hook ups." Another mentioned, "We did not unhitch, almost totally level. Arrived at 5:30pm. Plenty of spaces."
Boondocking considerations: For those preferring to camp without hookups, Crystal Lake Group Campsite provides a more remote experience. "Friday night and not a soul in sight. Like other reviews- very open. Staying on the outside provides better privacy," reported one visitor. Another mentioned, "We had the place to ourselves mid week it was so quiet. Lots of space between spots, easy to get into."
