Lake Shel-oole Campground in Shelby serves as a central hub for dog friendly campgrounds near Sweet Grass. Located at an elevation of approximately 3,300 feet, this area of northern Montana experiences wide temperature variations with summer highs reaching 85°F and winter lows dropping well below freezing. The campgrounds near the Canadian border typically maintain shorter operational seasons from May through September due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Frances City Park Campground offers direct lake access for anglers with electric hookup sites. "Right on the lake, nice little campground," notes Rodney B., who visits specifically for the fishing opportunities.
River exploration: Williamson Memorial City Park provides rustic camping along the Marias River. According to Rodney B., it's a "decent campground, we only go here to fish. Plenty of spots, very reasonable priced. No hookups, right on the Maria's river."
Trail activities: The area surrounding Lake Shel-oole Campground features both paved and unpaved trails for walking and biking. One camper reports, "If you follow the bike trail it will take you to a paved exercise trail."
What campers like
Affordable options: Trails West RV Park offers cost-saving opportunities for budget-conscious travelers. "They take Passport America which knocks the fee down 50%," mentions Chip K., making it economical for overnight stays.
Clean facilities: Many pet-friendly campgrounds prioritize cleanliness. At Lewis & Clark RV Park, one reviewer noted the "Shining star is the bathroom and shower house. Clean. Updated and hot hot water if you like a nice hot shower."
Border crossing convenience: The strategic location makes these campgrounds perfect for international travel preparation. "Stopped before crossing into Canada on our way to Alaska. This is a barebones campground but not much in this area and we wanted to plug in before heading north," explains Carol W.
What you should know
Honor system payment: Some campgrounds operate on self-service payment systems. At Lake Shel-oole Campground, "Payment is on an honor system and drop cash into an envelope in a box near the entrance," according to Evan S.
Limited amenities: While adequate for short stays, some facilities offer minimal services. At Shelby RV Park & Resort, "No sewage hookups, but they do have a dump station. Not all spots have water but most do," reports Brandon.
Seasonal water levels: Lakes in the region fluctuate significantly. Patrick M. noted that Lake Shel-oole "was low during our stay, so not clear what activities might be available when the water is higher."
Security presence: Local law enforcement regularly patrols these pet-welcoming areas. "The park says that it is under surveillance, but we did not see cameras. We saw one Toole County Sheriff's Deputy drive through the park while we were there," shares Evan S.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Frances City Park Campground features playground equipment for children. Leah N. confirms, "There is a playground for kids. The lake has lots of open shoreline."
Baseball facilities: Multiple recreation options exist at dog-friendly sites near Sweet Grass. One camper at Lake Shel-oole notes there are "baseball diamonds, a nice little dog run with a couple of obstacles, a fishing dock."
Wildlife awareness: Small animals attract children's and pets' attention. David A. warns about "issues with gophers and gopher holes" at Lake Shel-oole Campground, while Carol W. mentions "Lots of prairie dogs and bunnies to entertain our four legged camper" at Lewis & Clark RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Water connection preparation: Bring extra-long hoses for water hookups. Brandon advises, "Make sure you have a long water hose as some of the water connections are far away" at Shelby RV Park & Resort.
Internet connectivity: For those needing to stay connected, Glacier Mist RV Park in Cut Bank provides reliable pet-friendly accommodations. Joan D. calls it "an incredible find" and "the perfect launch site for a visit to the Park and yeah incredible scenery."
Seasonal considerations: Most dog-welcoming campgrounds in the Sweet Grass area operate seasonally. Lake Frances City Park Campground runs from May to September, while Lewis & Clark RV Park operates from April 15th to September 15th.
