The Judith Basin region of central Montana offers camping options at elevations between 3,900-5,000 feet with dramatic temperature swings even in summer months. Campsites near Moore provide access to the Little Belt and Snowy Mountains, with many locations situated along creek beds or reservoir shorelines requiring advance planning during peak summer weekends.
What to do
Fishing access points: Crystal Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities with specific access along the shoreline. "We had the place to ourselves mid week it was so quiet. Lots of space between spots, easy to get into. Great get away," explains one visitor at Crystal Lake Group Campsite.
Hiking nearby trails: The region includes several hiking routes with varying difficulty levels. At Spring Creek Campground, "The campground has a great view of a lake. There is cell phone signal (Sprint & AT&T) but it is spotty. Restrooms on site & picnic tables at every site," notes one camper about the Spring Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide optimal wildlife viewing times. A camper at Mountain Acres RV Park commented: "Park has good sites. Only a few trees though. Facilities are good. Management is good. Town is very historic. A good staging location to visit the wilderness areas where Elk herds roam in the evening. Great fun!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "We stayed here for the week while traveling through the area. They have laundry, showers, bathrooms, WiFi and sites have full hookups. Most people staying were only there for a night or two passing through," reports a visitor at Mountain Acres Mobile Home Park and Campground.
Lakeside access: Waterfront sites provide direct water access for swimming and boating. One Ackley Lake camper noted: "This was a welcome sight on a cross country road trip. We rolled up around sunset to find plentiful open spots, a lovely lake, and four very confused cows."
Cost-effective options: Several parks offer reasonable rates or donation-based stays. At Chief Joseph City Park, a visitor shared: "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."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme, with hot days and cold nights. "What makes this campground great is if you're looking for a lake in MT that offers a little more solitude to do your watersports," explains a visitor at Ackley Lake State Park Campground.
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. "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," notes a camper about ED McGivern Memorial Park Campground.
Seasonal availability: Most camping areas near Moore operate seasonally. "City park and rodeo arena, first come, first served. This is a great over-nighter spot. We did not unhitch, almost totally level. Arrived at 5:30pm. Plenty of spaces. A few more RVs came in around 6:30pm. Still a few spots available," reports a visitor about Chief Joseph City Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds feature play areas for children. "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," shares a visitor about Chief Joseph City Park.
Swimming options: Several locations offer swimming access with varying shoreline conditions. A camper at Kiwanis Park reported: "My honey and I got to this campsite around 930pm. It was very easy to pull in, pick a spot on the side and set up our tent! It was free, bathrooms were clean, and running water!"
Safety considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage at some locations. "Like bears, then your in luck, bears may frequent the area so a mandatory food storage order is in affect. You'll need to keep all food in approved containers or stored in your vehicle as no food lockers are available," warns a visitor about Spring Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check space requirements before arrival for larger rigs. "Full hookups for $38. Sites are average size. I have a 38-ft travel trailer and I had to unhook to fit in the space. The sites are not incredibly level. But for an overnight stop it works great. Easy in and out," reports an RVer at Fergus County Fairgrounds.
Road conditions: Access roads vary from paved to rough gravel. "Beautiful area around the lake. Riddled with mosquitoes around this time of year. Be sure to bring plenty of your favorite mosquito repellent! Rough gravel road access. Be prepared for chips in your paint and a good Carwash afterwards," warns a visitor about Spring Creek Campground.
Hookup availability: RV camping near Moore, Montana offers varying levels of hookups. "Great place to camp for RV park. $20.00 per night with electric. No sewer or dump station. Water on site but not to RV pads. Level, asphalt pads are all pull-through and long enough for my truck and 32 foot 5th wheel," notes a camper at Chief Joseph City Park.
