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Campgrounds near Ovando, Montana cluster around fishing access sites and state parks along the Blackfoot River drainage. Camping near Ovando spans primitive tent sites and RV-compatible campgrounds, with options ranging from Monture Creek's five-site area to fishing access sites such as Upsata Lake and Harry Morgan. The area features a mix of developed campgrounds with basic amenities and fishing access sites that double as campgrounds, typically offering fire rings and picnic tables without hookups. Most locations are situated along rivers or lakes, making them popular destinations for anglers and water enthusiasts.
Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with many campgrounds requiring travel on gravel roads. Several fishing access sites have limited parking and turn-around space that may challenge larger RVs or trailers. As one camper noted, "The road back to the campground would be tough for trailers, I think." Weather and seasonal conditions significantly affect camping opportunities, with most locations open from May through September. Winter access is limited due to snow and road closures. Fees typically range from $12 per night for Montana residents with fishing licenses to $18 for non-residents at fishing access sites, while state parks may have different fee structures and reservation systems.
Campers consistently highlight water access as a key feature of the area's campgrounds. Many sites sit directly adjacent to the Blackfoot River or nearby lakes, providing excellent fishing and recreation opportunities. A visitor to Upsata Lake described it as an "Absolutely gorgeous medium-sized lake about 4 miles off a dirt road" with good fishing for "Bass, Pike and Perch." Privacy varies considerably between locations, with some campers noting limited separation between sites at certain campgrounds. Highway noise affects some locations, particularly those closest to Highway 200. Most campgrounds provide vault toilets but lack potable water, electricity, or dump stations, requiring visitors to arrive self-contained. Bears are present in the area, and proper food storage is essential, with some campgrounds offering bear boxes for food storage.
"Well managed, clean, and pretty campground with views through the trees of Salmon Lake. Best access to the lake is from the day use and boat ramp area south of the campground."
"If having access to your car and a shower are your thing, this campground is perfect."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"This charming campsite East of the small and charming town of Ovando, Montana, is more than a boat launch, it's a camping way of life."
"Close to the highway but with all the beautiful pine trees it cuts the noise way down. Great spot !"
"It’s $12 a night per campground if you have your Montana’s fishing license, camp spots are right next to the river with easy access."
"Good spot that’s just short of salmon and seely lake. It gets really packed in the summer but if you can go earlier in the year or mid week should be ok."
"This was my first camping experience in Montana. It is in a quiet and peaceful setting. My campsite was marked with a yellow tag. It wasn’t busy or crowded."
"It was a great stop through Montana."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Two just off of Hwy 200 and three more back away from the highway. Monture Creek has good trout fishing with the creek being only about 100 feet from the campsites."
"Campsite are separated a good distance, not very many. There might be hookups in the round end of the, not positive. Fire pits available. 2 Bathrooms available. Large picnic benches."
"Great campsite with many spots available for both tents and RVs, lake is gentle enough for swimming and boating, nice walk around the campsites, bathrooms and water pumps available."
"It was very well kept and close to the town of Seeley Lake which we liked. The campground was very quiet and the beach area was nice and relaxing."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Upsata Fishing Access campground is located four miles north of Montana Highway 200. This is a pleasant small five site campground. "
"Absolutely gorgeous medium-sized lake about 4 miles off a dirt road. Campsite has five closely connected campsites. It is usually a pretty busy waterway."
from $12 - $18 / night
Check Availability"This was the only campground open in late season on Seeley Lake. Not many people. So, very quiet."
"If you choose well, you'll have space away from neighbors, though none of the sites are far from a campground road. "
"The spot seems like its in a good spot for weather, too, because we were watching storms in the distance and they kept clearing up before they got to us!"
"Browns Lake Fishing Access Site Campground is located on the 459 acre Browns Lake. This fishing access campground has 14 sites all with metal fire rings and picnic tables."
"The views are so serene with the RV’s being in a meadow surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides. The RV’s are spaced out a good distance apart where you aren’t on top of each other."
"This is the nicest RV park we have stayed in in Montana! They have very large spaces with lots of room between guest spots! We were there for 8 days and already have 3 more resevations for 2026."
TravelerYou can reserve as most sites had reserved dates on them. Campground was pretty empty before LD weekend and we found plenty of sites open. Quiet with clean bathrooms. Right on the Blackfoot River. Lincoln has some nice restaurants and you can shower for $5 at Hooper Park in town. Showers were clean there.
ScoutWe were looking for a quick pass through stop for the night, needed to charge up our battery system, but also needed a dog friendly place. When we first pulled in we almost left because it seemed like a tiny little parking lot camping area. The owner Mike came out and told us that there was a little more behind the front of the space. It opened up into a little field with a dog friendly place, with electric hookups along a little stream that had ducks swimming around. Mike just exudes good vibes, the bathrooms were super clean, and it was a really pleasant overnight stop.
GuideAt loop four it is first come first served and we found a great level spot with sunshine for our solar and Starlink. Turns out to be free after Labor Day otherwise it’s $20 or $10 with the senior pass. Clean bathrooms nice stroll to the beautiful lake. The forest is somewhat open because of a large fire in 2017, which is left a lot of of old stumps, but we do not mind because we like the sunshine.
RangerNot very many sites. I believe there were 4 in the loop. You would be better served using some of the roadside dispersed sites on Rock Creek Rd
GuideFrom 08/28 to 08/31/2026, we stayed at this campground for three days while enjoying our vacation. One setback was the $1.00 per shower fee for hot water. This is an old farm converted into an RV park. Nice for a day or two.
LegendWe chose this KOA for its proximity to downtown Missoula. There is an REI right around the corner. It is a very large campground but empty in early September. Our space is an “extra parking” space so nobody would be next to us if it were busy. Feels older but has the tent camping, cabins, pools, hot tubs one expects from a KOA Holiday. Bathrooms dated but clean. A bit smelly due to poor ventilation.
GuideLovely place to stay. Super friendly and nice facilities.
ScoutNice to be in the Forest, this spot has some reasonable privacy and a nice view out the back of the van of forest
TravelerNew Management is excellent. Fire rings, clean bathroom, laundry, frisbee golf, river access.
Camping spots near Ovando, Montana primarily center around the Blackfoot River and nearby lakes within this mountainous region at elevations between 4,000-5,000 feet. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with summer daytime averages in the 70s-80s. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically closing by late September due to snow conditions, with proximity to water and fishing opportunities being the main attraction.
Fly fishing excursions: The Blackfoot River area near River Junction offers excellent trout fishing. "Peaceful wooded site with the confluence of the Blackfoot and North Fork Blackfoot. Several sites right along the river," notes James K.
Lake activities: Salmon Lake State Park Campground provides water recreation on a larger scale. "Salmon Lake is quite stunning. There's a nice boat launch and dock right off the highway. It's a busy spot for day use," writes Brad B., who stayed for three nights and was "impressed by the cleanliness of the shower and restrooms."
Hiking trails: Multiple trails are accessible from Seeley Lake Lolo Campground, including paths to Girard Grove. "It is also near Girard Grove, home of Gus, the largest larch tree in the US. There are many trails, some leading you to this grove on Boy Scout Road," shares Judy T.
Direct water access: Campsites at Russell Gates Memorial let you walk straight into the water. "You can walk right into the river from your campsite," explains Jay M. Another camper adds that it's "a cozy, unique campground with tons of water access, vivid greenery and hills and a peaceful night life."
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites at locations like Lost Moose Meadows Campground. "Each site is like a little oasis with plenty of room to stretch (B3 feels like a 1/2 acre lot, and likely not too far off from it), plenty long enough for even the longest of rigs," notes Karl B., who extended his stay from a few nights to over two weeks.
Wildlife viewing: Bear sightings are common in the area. Jason S. at Seeley Lake Lolo Campground mentions, "Warning: there are bears in the area. We didn't see any, but saw some evidence of them." The natural surroundings offer chances to see other wildlife like deer, eagles, and various bird species.
Road conditions: Many access roads are unpaved and can be challenging. At Harry Morgan, Melvin B. warns, "Second caution if one would come in the early spring park by the vault then walk down to the camp grounds... spring run off comes high water has cut deep ruts that could make it difficult getting turned around."
Limited facilities: Most fishing access sites have minimal amenities. Dexter I. notes that Harry Morgan FAS "is a dry campground and you will need to take your trash with you," though "each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring."
Bear safety: Proper food storage is mandatory in this area. At Harry Morgan, campers need to "make sure that everything is stored in your vehicle or use the campgrounds one bear proof food locker." Some sites have shared bear boxes, with James K. noting River Junction has "a single shared bear box among about 8 sites."
Kid-friendly activities: Salmon Lake State Park offers organized activities. Brad B. shares, "We met the park manager (Ryan I think). He came to talk to us about Bear safety and our grill. He gave the kids a state park ranger badge and a sucker... Now my son says he wants to be a park ranger."
Swimming spots: Find safe swimming areas at lakes rather than rivers. At Seeley Lake Lolo Campground, Jason S. notes, "The lake is incredibly clear and beautiful. One of the highlights of our stay was the stunning sunrise over the water—waking up to those colors reflecting off the lake was absolutely breathtaking."
Weather preparation: Summer conditions can change rapidly. At Placid Lake State Park, a camper advises bringing extra layers as mountain temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer months.
Site selection: For RVs, Placid Lake State Park Campground offers some sites with hookups. Dan M. mentions, "Beautiful lake, rich forest area. Camping spots were nicely spread out, all paved. Ours, number 27 was a pull through. Easy access, a clean spacious vault toilet very close by."
Turn-around space: Many fishing access sites have limited turning room. James K. notes about River Junction, "The road back to the campground would be tough for trailers, I think."
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections are limited in the area. At Lost Moose Meadows, Soren B. appreciates that "all the sites are spacious and comfortable" with hookups available, making it "a great place to relax and reset after spending time in crowded national parks."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to camp near Ovando, MT?
The prime camping season near Ovando runs from late spring through early fall (May through September), with summer offering the most reliable weather. Fall can be particularly magical at Chief Looking Glass Campground with its riverside sites and peaceful atmosphere. Benchmark is also excellent in summer and early fall, providing access to wilderness areas for hiking and horseback riding. Montana's mountain weather can be unpredictable, with potential for snow as early as September or as late as June at higher elevations. July and August typically offer the warmest temperatures but can occasionally bring thunderstorms. Spring camping may encounter muddy conditions from snowmelt, while services and water availability may be limited in shoulder seasons.
What amenities are available at campgrounds around Ovando, Montana?
Campgrounds near Ovando typically offer basic amenities suitable for those seeking a more rustic outdoor experience. Upsata Lake provides picnic tables and fire rings at each of its five sites, plus a vault toilet serving the campground. Harpers Lake offers similar amenities with fire pits, picnic tables, and restrooms available during warmer seasons. Most sites in the area are primitive with limited facilities—expect vault toilets rather than flush facilities, no hookups, and often no running water. For those needing more amenities, you'll need to venture farther from Ovando to places like Beavertail Hill State Park Campground, which offers more developed facilities.
Where can I find camping spots near Ovando, MT?
Ovando, MT offers several camping options along the scenic Blackfoot River. Russell Gates Memorial provides riverfront camping east of town with beautiful views of the water and surrounding landscape. Another excellent option is Monture Creek, a small campground with five sites near Highway 200 that offers good trout fishing access. Additional spots include Harpers Lake, which provides riverside camping for $12 per night if you have a Montana fishing license, and Upsata Lake Fishing Access, located just four miles north of Highway 200 with five well-maintained sites. Most of these campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
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