136 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Radersburg, Montana include both developed campgrounds and primitive sites set against the backdrop of the Elkhorn Mountains. Crow Creek Campground, a BLM facility, serves as a focal point for outdoor recreation with its 6-8 established sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings. The Missouri River corridor also offers several mixed-use campgrounds, including Yorks Islands Fishing Access Site and Indian Road Campground, catering to tent campers, RV users, and in some locations, cabin stays. Canyon Ferry Lake provides additional water-oriented camping experiences at locations like Cottonwood Campground and various Bureau of Reclamation sites.
Access to many campgrounds requires travel on dirt roads that may present challenges during wet weather. Crow Creek Campground is reached via State Highway 285 through Radersburg, where the paved road transitions to a maintained dirt road. According to one visitor, "Finding information about this campground was hard, it does not show up on the BLM's interactive map." Most campgrounds in the area lack drinking water and trash service, requiring visitors to pack in water and pack out garbage. Vault toilets are common at established sites, while dispersed camping areas offer no facilities. Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially near water sources during summer months.
Many developed campgrounds in this region feature direct access to water bodies, making them popular for fishing and boating activities. The Missouri River access points receive positive reviews for their level sites and proximity to water. A camper noted that Yorks Islands Fishing Access Site has "nice, level sites not far off the main road" with "sites pretty close to the water." Wildlife viewing opportunities include rabbits and various bird species, particularly at Cottonwood Campground where one visitor described the birds as "rampant and very loud but entertaining to watch." Free camping options exist throughout the area, though reviews indicate varying experiences with site quality and cleanliness. For those seeking more amenities, several KOAs and state park campgrounds within 30 minutes offer electric hookups, showers, and cabin rentals.
"This campsite is located in a beautiful remote area of Montana, only a short hike away from the beginning of the Missouri River. Large site. The only problem was there were many mosquitoes."
"We stayed at Site 16, which is at the far end of the campground and felt nicely tucked away."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice campground just outside of Townsend Montana. Good information signs about the area and the Lewis and Clark journey. A nice fishing pond is available for children 14 and under."
"All spots are in a loop so you just park next to the spot you want. No trash, water or electric. It’s free and has a picnic table and fire ring at each site."
"The campground has one ADA Campsite, site #4, unless you really need the sites concrete pad I would avoid this site as it is going to be very busy around the site as it is right next to the boat launch"
"We were planning on camping at Canyon Ferry Lake but it was way too windy! Searched for a campground more out of the wind and landed here. Was definitely less windy and had campsites available!"
"Beautiful drive in and across dam. Smaller less congested Campground than others on the lake itself. Boat ramp for river access and fishing, Quick access to top of dam and beach areas for swimming."
"Near Goosebay Harbor. Rough roar 3 miles Long to a hidden gem."
"Park for children Great walking paths
Fire pit accessible
Trash and dumpsters."
"New KOA owner here very friendly and all around awesome. Though spot close quarters tight turns."
from $58 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Bumped in to this nice little campground after hiking in the adjacent Elkhorn Mountains. This is a BLM campground with 8 sites, each having a metal fire ring and picnic tables. "
"The sites all have access to the water and there is a single vaulted toilet. The tp was stocked and the sites were clean."
"While the campground is near Canyon Ferry Lake it is not on the lake."
"Pulled in around 10 to find a couple 5th wheels in a circle and a few vans dispersed, only one sketchy motor home but quiet night."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"The layout of this state park was somewhat unusual: there are five loops within one larger loop with 32 sites plus seven additional pull-through sites on the outside of the loop."
"Our site had electric hook-ups, and walking distance to the really nice playground. Campground has potable water filling and dump station. NOTE $5 fee to dump; cash or check!"
from $8 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Great Playground, close to tent sites. Nice staff and great coffee and beautiful setting!"
"Ps the little coffee shop off the highway is amazing and so cheep my wife and inlaws coffee order is 40 bucks at Starbucks this coffee stand made there's and mying for 24.89 and thats 5 32oz blended"
TravelerIn late out early short stay, train noise with long whistles several times during the night. Road noise too. Site was level easy to back into. No utilities late in the season
GuideA little bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip. I had a friendly neighbor who was scoping out elk for hunting season starting soon. It appeared there were only two spots by the river, both pretty large and far enough apart I felt like I had privacy. Bonus - hot springs literally less than a quarter mile up the road. I googled it and it may or may not be on private land and someone died in it… but I still dipped my toes in. The road was totally fine going into the site area until I drove into the second private site on the left. It was just a bit bumpy and I wouldn’t drive a trailer through it. There seemed to be additional pull off spots to camp on the road above, but they definitely lacked any privacy or space to spread out at all. Otters, birds and apparently crawfish. Very little shoreline, so no real rock combing. Amazing sunset. Bees were present. I slept in my car but could have put out a tent easily and would have been comfortable minus the cold.
TravelerBy the interstate, $10 to camp. Takes cash, check or there is a kiosk for cards. Definitely interstate noise and gun shots in the distance, but great for one night stay. You can back in right by the river. Our travel trailer was 27ft and we chose site #3, it was easy to back into to.
TravelerWe camped one night in a tent in site #12. Luckily it was a cool evening because the scent of the vault toilet wafted over our site off and on. Can't imagine being here on a hot humid day in the summer. I'm sure this campground is fine for overnight if you are self contained in an RV. Good if you don't want to be too far off the Interstate but also don't want the traffic noise.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for an overnight stop while rolling through southwestern Montana on Interstate 15 or Interstate 90, the Butte KOA Journey serves its purpose as a functional travel hub. It is far from a luxury resort destination, but if you need a safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible place to park your rig for the night, it gets the job done.
Campground Grounds & Amenities
It is best to set expectations before pulling in—this is a very basic, older KOA:
Location & Highway Access
Must-See Local Stop: The Berkeley Pit Tour
If you stay here, do not leave town without visiting the Berkeley Pit.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Butte KOA Journey won't win awards for landscaping, but its budget-friendly rate, safe atmosphere, and prime interstate convenience make it a viable 3-star overnight rest stop. Pair it with a half-hour visit to the Berkeley Pit to get an authentic taste of Montana's copper history before hitting the highway again.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3 out of 5 Stars)
GuideWe are here in October and we are getting snow I love it. Only 3 other campers here. .the dogs just run. Getting about 6 inches of snow. Going to hike some trails tomorrow. We have AT&T and there is cell service but we also have Starlink. No water this time of year and there is only 1 pit toilet...across the campground. It would not be a place I would stay in summer....no trees I'm not a fan of seeing all the campers. Looks like pretty decent gravel sites. We do have electric. The rangers are very nice.
ScoutWe got here after dark and were very confused by the no trespassing signs and small pull offs. We didn’t go very high up on the road but camped right where the pin was set up. Gorgeous in the morning and very quiet peaceful place to stay for the night. Not necessarily “camping” with room to move around or set up but easy for one night.
ScoutNice for overnight stop cose to I90 sites are tight trails and Butte visitor center next to campground
ScoutGated road at this location, maybe still good from other starting point but no viable sites coming from Rimini that I saw. Road gets a bit rough, did find a rough roadside spot for the night but for the 8-9 mile drive in on dirt roads definitely not worthwhile.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Radersburg, Montana offer access to both riverside sites and mountain-adjacent locations in the Elkhorn Mountains. The area sits at an elevation of around 4,700 feet, creating distinct camping seasons with warm summer days and cool nights. Most campgrounds in this region operate on a first-come, first-served basis and experience moderate to heavy use during peak summer months.
Fishing access points: Several campgrounds provide direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. At Yorks Islands Fishing Access Site, campers appreciate the proximity to water. According to Mark & Kelly G., the site offers "nice, level sites pretty close to the water" though they note "swift current, but nice water to wade in." The site also features "boat access" making it suitable for various water activities.
Historical exploration: The region contains significant historical sites connected to westward expansion. At Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground, visitors can experience camping "where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805." The park features educational displays about the expedition throughout the grounds.
Dam recreation: The Toston Dam recreation area provides alternative water activities away from more crowded locations. At Upper Toston Dam Campground and Boat Launch, campers will find "a small boat launch with a dock" available for use. Though one visitor mentions "a 10 mile dirt road to get to the campground," they note the road is "not too bad for a truck or SUV" but "may be a little challenging for normal passenger cars."
Quiet, established sites: Many visitors appreciate the well-defined camping areas with basic amenities. At Crow Creek Campground, campers will find "8 sites, each having a metal fire ring and picnic tables." The campground receives relatively light use, with one visitor noting, "No one was at the campground during my visit," making it potentially "a quiet get away with few other campers."
Water features: The region's streams and lakes provide natural attractions adjacent to camping areas. At Cottonwood Campground, visitors describe the waterway as "shallow at the moment but full of life and wonder." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with one camper noting, "The birds are rampant and very loud but entertaining to watch."
Budget-friendly options: Several locations offer low-cost or free camping with basic amenities. Indian Road Campground features "a small free BLM campground right next to the highway and next to the river." Campers describe the site as having "fire pits and picnic tables" with approximately "6 spots total" along a loop configuration.
Site accessibility: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads with varying conditions. Accessing Ponderosa - Canyon Ferry Reservoir USBR requires navigating a "rough road 3 miles long to a hidden gem." Weather can impact road conditions substantially, particularly during spring runoff or after heavy rains.
Limited amenities: Most sites offer minimal facilities and services. At Upper Toston Dam Campground, "there is not water or trash service at this campground." Similarly, Crow Creek Campground has "no water or trash service at this free campground," requiring visitors to pack in all needed water and pack out all waste.
Environmental factors: Seasonal conditions affect the camping experience significantly. The reservoir campsites can be "very windy, very few trees except for a few along the lake, otherwise sites are in the open." Mosquitoes are prevalent in many locations, with one camper at Yorks Islands Fishing Access Site reporting "lots of mosquitoes at dusk."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreational facilities for children. The Canyon Ferry Lake KOA features a "great playground, close to tent sites" making it convenient for families to supervise children while at camp. One visitor specifically mentioned it was "nice for kids" with "nice staff and great coffee."
Educational opportunities: Several sites incorporate learning experiences suitable for children. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers educational programs where "you can print out a packet for your little ones to become Cub Rangers at this State Park." The park combines outdoor recreation with historical education.
Kid-specific fishing areas: Designated fishing spots for younger anglers exist within the region. Indian Road Campground includes "a nice fishing pond available for children 14 and under," providing a safe, accessible fishing experience separate from the river's stronger currents.
Site configurations: Most area campgrounds have specific limitations for larger vehicles. At Three Forks KOA Journey, RVers note that "the turns were somewhat tight getting in and out" but overall it was "very nice and clean." For those with larger rigs, specific sections may be more suitable as "sites are shady unless you have a big rig - that area does not have shade."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary widely between sites. While state parks and KOAs typically offer hookups, dispersed and BLM sites generally do not. At Indian Road Campground, one RVer mentioned fitting "fine in a 30' travel trailer" but had to "get creative" with placement to avoid blocking the road with slide-outs.
Leveling considerations: Terrain at many sites requires preparation for unlevel ground. At Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, an RVer had to "use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site" though they noted "others looked much more level," suggesting scouting for the best spot upon arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots near Radersburg, Montana?
Several excellent camping options exist within easy driving distance of Radersburg. Crow Creek Campground is a free BLM site with 8 primitive sites, each featuring metal fire rings and picnic tables plus a vault toilet. For water access, Toston Dam Campground offers riverfront camping with good fishing opportunities, though be prepared for occasional train noise. Other nearby options include Cottonwood Campground near Townsend and the dispersed camping areas around Canyon Ferry Reservoir, which provide more rustic experiences for those seeking solitude.
What historical sites can I visit while camping in Radersburg, Montana?
The Radersburg area offers rich historical experiences for campers interested in Montana's past. Stay at Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground to explore the birthplace of the Missouri River and significant Lewis and Clark expedition sites. The park features interpretive displays about this pivotal exploration. Indian Road Campground near Townsend provides informative signage about Lewis and Clark's journey. For mining history, visit the ghost town of Radersburg itself, which was once a thriving gold mining community in the 1860s, or explore the nearby historic mining districts in the Elkhorn Mountains.
What is the best time of year to camp near Radersburg, Montana?
The ideal camping season near Radersburg runs from late May through September when temperatures are most comfortable and facilities are fully operational. Delmoe Lake in the nearby Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is particularly beautiful in summer months. For a quieter experience with fewer crowds, consider camping at Deerlodge National Forest Lowland Campground in early June or after Labor Day when temperatures remain pleasant but visitor numbers decrease. Be aware that higher elevation sites may have snow through May, and mosquitoes can be intense near water in early summer, especially at riverside campgrounds.
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