Camping near Nashua, Montana offers seasonal temperatures that can reach above 100°F in summer months, making water access a valuable amenity. Most campgrounds sit within the Fort Peck Dam region, which contains the fifth largest artificial reservoir in the United States. Vault toilets are standard at many sites, though shower facilities vary by location.
What to do
Bike the trail system: Downstream Campground features approximately 5 miles of mostly paved trails surrounding the campground. One camper noted, "Surrounding the camp are roughly five miles of mostly paved trails, perfect for early morning or late night walks" at Downstream Campground.
Stargazing: The rural Montana location provides exceptional night sky viewing at most campgrounds, though light pollution varies. A visitor at Duck Creek mentioned, "Clear sky and full moon. Suddenly I saw the brightest meteor I have ever seen streak 3/4 way across sky. Brighter than the full moon."
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Roundhouse Point Campground, one camper shared, "There are places to put in and paddle board. There are 12 official sites but SO much space!"
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds feature generous spacing between sites, unlike crowded alternatives. A camper at Fort Peck Marina observed, "The sites are long and just wide enough so you can park a boat."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and grounds are consistently mentioned in reviews. At West End Tent And Trailer Campground, a visitor appreciated that it was "Safe, clean, and quiet on our one-night stay mid-week."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animal populations. A reviewer at The Pines campground described it as "Rustic, quiet, peaceful, lots of game," making it good for nature observation.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking through specific channels. At Downstream Campground, one reviewer advised, "This is not a campground one can just show up at and get in. Being a Federal facility, it is, of course, a Federal process to 'check in'. One must, without exception, set up an account with the website recreation.gov."
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly reach the 90s with limited shade at many sites. A camper at Downstream noted, "This campground is on the high prairie... it can be very windy, and storms come in fast. If mountains and lots of pine trees are what you are looking for, this isn't it."
Insects: Depending on season and location, biting insects can be problematic. At Duck Creek Campground, a visitor reported the campground gets "very busy on weekends with lots of local traffic."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation facilities: Some campgrounds offer more than basic amenities. A visitor at Downstream Campground was impressed with the "park like seeing with playground, volleyball net, basketball court and horseshoe pits. They even lend out the equipment you need!"
Sandy beaches: For families with children, certain campgrounds offer beach access. A reviewer described The Pines as having "sandy beaches lining the camping areas. Great for animals and kids!"
Wheelchair accessibility: Families with mobility needs will find some campgrounds especially accommodating. As one visitor to Downstream Campground noted, "For those who are in a wheelchair, this campground is a real treat. There are miles of relatively flat, paved, walkways, including to fishing ponds. The showers and facilities are handicap accessible."
Tips from RVers
Low bridge warning: When approaching from certain directions, be aware of height restrictions. One RVer heading to Flat Lake Recreation Area warned, "Our RV GPS and Waze wanted us to turn on 6th St in Glasgow, which has a 12' 2" bridge under the railroad tracks... We went two blocks further to 4th St. which is the truck route."
Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement when setting up. A camper at Fort Peck Marina reported, "The electric and water are at the back of the site, so we needed 25 feet of electric cord and water hose to reach the utilities."
Dump station access: Plan for waste management as many sites lack onsite dump facilities. A camper noted, "The sign as you enter the marina states the nearest dump station is 3.5 miles, which is at Downstream COE CG. The man at the bait shop stated there's a nice dump station in Glasgow at Scottie's Express Car Wash."
