Best Tent Camping near Ovando, MT
Tent campgrounds around Ovando, Montana provide access to Montana's remote wilderness areas with several primitive options for outdoor enthusiasts. Upsata Lake Fishing Access Site offers five tent sites on a flat grassy area approximately four miles north of Highway 200, while River Junction Fishing Access Site provides tent camping at the confluence of the Blackfoot and North Fork Blackfoot rivers. The Big Nelson Complex, located near Ovando, offers primitive tent camping with access to Nelson Lake.
Most tent campsites in the Ovando area operate on a first-come, first-served basis with minimal amenities. Sites typically include a fire ring and picnic table, though campers should bring their own water as most locations lack potable water sources. Vault toilets are common, with Upsata Lake and River Junction each providing a single shared toilet facility. Montana residents pay approximately $12 per night while non-residents pay $18 at many of these fishing access sites. Several primitive tent campgrounds become inaccessible during wet weather, with roads becoming particularly muddy at locations like Big Nelson.
Walking to tent sites is often required at locations like Big Nelson Complex, where parking areas are separate from the actual camping locations. Several sites require navigating stairs or moderate terrain to reach the tent pads. A visitor noted that "the road back to the campground would be tough for trailers," making these areas more suitable for tent campers seeking a more secluded experience. Walk-in tent sites throughout the region provide quieter camping opportunities away from vehicle noise. Dispersed tent camping options are also available on Garnet Road, where primitive camping spots with stone fire pits can be found along multiple pull-offs, though these locations lack toilets and running water. According to one camper, these dispersed areas offer "peaceful wooded sites with the confluence of rivers and several sites right along the water."
