Glamping options near Townsend, Montana include luxury yurts and cabin accommodations within driving distance of the Missouri River headwaters. This area sits at approximately 3,800 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Campsites near Townsend offer diverse terrain ranging from riverside locations to mountain-adjacent properties with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Hiking trails from camp: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers extensive hiking directly from the campground with options for various skill levels. "Great hiking, unfortunately the caves themselves were closed during our stay," notes one visitor at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The campgrounds around Townsend provide excellent wildlife observation points. A visitor to Vigilante Campground reports, "A nice little campground. Two nice hiking trails, the fairly flat Trout Creek trail runs through the canyon a 6 miles round trip. A trail head in camp for Hanging Valley trail, 11+ mile round trip, lots of climbing to get to a hole in the wall that lets you look straight down into the canyon."
Water activities: Canyon Ferry Lake offers multiple access points for boating, swimming and fishing. "Good lake access," states a camper about Silos Campground, adding "Day use area is nice. Good variety of camp sites for both RV and tent, boat dock charges fees but is convenient and popular."
Historical exploration: Visit the Missouri Headwaters State Park to learn about Lewis and Clark's expedition. "Experience Camping near where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805," shares a visitor about the historical significance.
What campers like
Family-friendly amenities: The KOA locations in the area offer dedicated spaces for children. A guest at Three Forks KOA Journey mentions, "Very family friendly. Park for children. Great walking paths. Fire pit accessible."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Townsend area maintain their bathrooms and common areas well. A camper notes about Missouri Headwaters State Park: "I just spent one night at this campsite but it was very nice. The camp hosts were helpful and friendly. It is well-maintained and clean. Seen the headwaters of the Missouri River in the evening were absolutely spectacular."
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate the proximity to rivers and lakes. At Duck Creek Primitive Campground, a visitor shares, "Quite and right on the lake. You can fish from the bank. Gets windy during the afternoon."
Spacious camping areas: Several campgrounds offer well-designed sites that provide adequate room between campers. "Large, flat campground with some large trees dotted throughout," describes a visitor about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The Townsend area experiences significant wind, particularly near the water. A camper at Toston Dam Campground observes, "Small campground tucked away from highway. Right on shore of river/reservoir. Heavily used train tracks on opposite shore, so you get some train noise but not horrible. Bugs can get nasty with the slow water."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. "It was really nice and really clean. We stayed for 3 nights here. Everyone was really helpful getting us setup with how we needed to be," notes a visitor at Three Forks KOA Journey.
Limited amenities at primitive sites: Several campgrounds near Townsend offer minimal facilities. "This is primitive camping, all you are going to find here is a flat grassy area to camp with rock fire rings. No facilities, no water, no trash, no outhouse so come prepared," explains a camper about Duck Creek Primitive Campground.
Off-season accessibility: Some luxury camping and glamping options near Townsend remain open during cooler months, but with limited services. "No Cost during the winter season," notes a reviewer about seasonal pricing changes at Silos Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. As one camper at Canyon Ferry Lake KOA notes, "Great Playground, close to tent sites. Nice staff and great coffee and beautiful setting!"
Educational opportunities: The historical sites around Townsend provide learning experiences for children. "Did you know you can print out a packet for your little ones to become Cub Rangers at this State Park? There are great amenities for both camping and RV'S with a child's playground located on the camp," explains a visitor about Lewis & Clark Caverns.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds require extra vigilance with children due to proximity to roads or water. About Rillway Cabin, a camper advises, "Cozy forest service cabin, wood stove for heat. Close to highway, so there's road noise but creek and cliffs make it relaxing to sit outside. (Families with small children beware of Proximity to highway)."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the area, requiring proper food storage. "Pretty sure a bear came through camp one night so make sure to follow all the bear guidelines," warns a camper about Vigilante Campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional equipment for comfortable positioning. A reviewer notes about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, "Had to use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level."
Access road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging approach roads for larger vehicles. "First of all you have to get on a 10 mile dirt road to get to the campground. The road is not too bad for a truck or SUV. May be a little challenging for normal passenger cars but doable," advises a visitor to Vigilante Campground.
Hookup availability: Utilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Electric only campsite. Water fill and dump station are separate from sites," explains a camper about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
Site navigation: Some campgrounds can be difficult to navigate with larger rigs. "We have a big rig and was towing a trailer so the turns were somewhat tight getting in and out. But other than that it was very nice and clean," shares a visitor about Three Forks KOA Journey.
