Townsend is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Townsend is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Townsend, MT. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"Small campground tucked away from highway. Right on shore of river/resevoir. Heavily used train tracks on opposite shore, so you get some train noise but not horrible."
"Plenty of pull out sites with some scattered man made fire rings. Secluded quiet and great views"
"Lots of open space and locations to pull out--beautiful views as well! To access this place we went towards Copper City Trail Head, and drove by the entrance onto BLM lands."
"This is a fairly unknown campground along Hauser Lake. If you come to this campground you will most likely will have the place to yourself. Campground can only be reached by boat or hiking into it."
"1 mile hike in. Like the other reviewer said, good place to be alone. Vaulted toilet. I used the first site. There was trash in the fire pit that I took out with me."
$30 / night
"We had plenty of space to set up our tent and we felt comfortable leaving it set up to eat at one of the local spots in the nearby town (~15 min away)."
"We're so happy to have this experienced host on our platform. This is a working farm and there are only 2 sites available. You will have plenty of peace and privacy."
"Campsite 1 was probably not the best choice but we loved the view… so did our wild life friends For sure there is 1 grizzly that’s pretty big. He checked out our truck tent."
"Sites were readily available the night we stayed, about 12 in the main campground and several more sites with fire rings outside by the trail entrance."
"About 4-5 rock fire rings fairly close together. I had the entire place to myself on a Thursday night. Some bugs but not too bad."
"There were just a few cars driving back down the mountain in the evening. But no one bothered."
"There is sun, shade, a fire ring and 3 other neighboring sites. 2 of those sites aren’t very accessible by car but this site is big enough for multiple vehicles."
"There is a Meadow about 4 miles in front of the highway that has at least 3 dispersed sites. I went to the one furthest from the dirt road and had nice shade and privacy here."
"Gorgeous campsite only 20ish min from the outskirts of Bozeman. Stopped in for 1 night passing through on a bigger road trip and couldn’t be luckier with this location. Fire rings at all campsites."
"I went for a little walk in the woods and saw a black bear (keep your food and trash stored safe!) No amenities of course but most sites have a fire ring already there."
"Saw tons of wildlife."
GuideThere’s a few different sites to choose from in the area. A lot of them are close to the pit toilet near the rock beach. Most have fire rings and picnic tables. No water. The best spot that we stayed at was on top of the cliff. It was gorgeous but super windy. 14 day stay limit. Pls make sure to leave no trace and don’t leave trash. A group of guys camped on one of the site and trashed it. Even buried the fire pit completely with sand to the point you could barely see it and then left trash on top
GuideGorgeous spot! Free dispersed camping, first come basis, 14 day stay limit. Lots of spots to choose from in the area. Beautiful vies of Canyon Ferry Lake. Most spots have a picnic table and a camp fire ring. Some spots are close to each other so in the summer I bet it’s packed. The lakes beach is full of rocks. Please make sure to leave no trace if you come to this spot! Pack it in, pack it out. There are vault toilets around the area if needed. No dumping.
LegendReview of Duck Creek camping area
This was our second camp at Duck Creek this year with our Venturing Crew. This time we conducted a wilderness survival camp at the far opposite end of the camping area from our last camp. We constructed our survival shelters on the sand and gravel shore of Canyon Ferry Lake. We picked the shore in order to get away from the bugs. The cottonwoods and willows held plenty of little vampires looking for blood, the grassy areas had fewer mosquitoes but a recent hatch had occurred and although they didn't bite all those bugs made you thing you were being attacked. So the beach it was, it was amazing that you could walk out on the beach and not have any bugs, what a slight breeze will do. After setting up our shelters it was time to build a fire and cook dinner. Our site had a rock ring built into the sand, but we found this to be to close to the trees for our liking as the wind would blow embers into the vegetation. We built a new ring next to the water for the nigh. You will be unable to find our fire ring as any evidence of our visit was removed the next morning...Leave no trace. Their is no problem finding fire wood at duck creek drift wood is everywhere. If you want to stay at Duck Creek be prepared, this is primitive camping. No vault toilets, no water, no trash service, no metal fire rings, but you do have cell service.
Ranger review of the Firebiner from Outdoor Element.
Gave the firebinder to one of our Scouts to get a fire started, sparks up really well, she had a little problem due to how windy was, but a second try with a cotton ball covered in petroleum jelly had a fire going after three strikes. Our Scouts gave the striker five stars. The cutting blade worked well on string and fishing line, how ever we could not get through 550 para cord, and with such a small opening you are really limited on what you can cut with it. Over all everyone likes the look of the firebiner, and it held up to a weekend of use, is small and light weight and has worked well for clipping items on to packs.
LegendGoose Bay Primitive Campround is right next to Goose Bay Marina and Campground. The primitive campground is free. The very large disperse campground area has several Vault Toilets. Rock fire rings are at the sites. Sites are not numbered as you can camp anywhere, but the good spots have rock fire rings. Sites do not have picnic tables. Their are ADA camp sites next to each Vault Toilet. The ADA sites each have large concrete pads, picnic table and metal fire ring. We had a Boy Scout Camporee at this location a few years ago and made for a nice camp, tons of room and plenty of lake access. If you use a water craft on Canyon Ferry you must have your craft inspected and cleaned before leaving. The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks inspection site is located at the entrance of Goose Bay Marina and Campground
LegendConfederate Campground is a Bureau of Reclamation campground on the shore of Canyon Ferry Lake. This small free campground does not have developed campsites with the exception of the one ADA available campsite. Their appears to be six camping spots, five that have rock made fire rings, the only developed site is the ADA site which has a concrete parking pad and metal fire pit. No picnic tables are available at this campground. The campground does have a ADA accessible vault toilet directly across from the ADA campsite. Two of the campsites sit along the lakes beach. Don't be expecting a nice sandy beach however, this is a gravel beach, but still nice. Two sites are near the vault toilet and ADA site, these sites sit on the edge of the lake among cotton wood trees and willows. The final location is away from the other sites in a grassy area near large cotton woods. Camping at Confederate campground is limited to 14 days. There is no water, trash service or picnic tables so come prepared. Their is not a boat launch at this campground, but boats can easily be launched from the rocky beach area. All water craft regardless of size must be inspected prior to launching at Canyon Ferry Lake.
LegendThe Silos Campground located on Canyon Ferry Lake is a Bureau of Reclamation campground with 77 dry sites, 4 gazebos, handicapped accessible restrooms and RV sites. The campground is run by Broadwater County. The 4 gazebos in the campground that can be reserved through the nearby KOA campground.
Silos campground is a large open and windy campground with no tree cover. All the trees are along the lake and provide little to no releaf from the sun or constant winds that blow through the area. The campground consist of 5 camping areas, four of which have boat ramps. One of the camping areas is for tent only camping. Sites are $10 for a single site and $20 for a double site, Stays are limited to 14 days. Golden Age pass holders are $5.00 a night. No Cost during the winter season. The only way to tell if you are in a single site or a double site is if the site number post tells you if it a double site. Each camping area has at least two vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring. Almost all of the picnic tables are concrete tables.
The campground's four gazebos can be rented for the night for $30 by contacting the Silos KOA Campground which is located just before the Silos campground. The gazebos all have power and lights.
The campground has four small boat launches and one large launch with a marina (Broadwater Bay) for docking your boat. The marina is managed by Silos KOA. If you need more information on either the campground or the marina facilities call 406-266-3100.
On our visit we only found one site that had any protection from the winds, that was site #1.
The campground does not have a store, but the KOA does have one. If you don't fell like cooking you have two options just outside of the campground. Between the KOA and Silo Campground is the Flamingo Grill which is open seasonally. At the turn on Hwy 12/287 is the Silos Junction Bar and Grill which is open year round. The town of Townsend is less than 10 minutes from the campground is you need more supplies.
Ranger Review of Midland Radios X-TALKER T10X3 Walkie Talkie
The X-Talker T10X3 Walkie talkie has a reported range of up to 20 miles and has 22 available channels. These walkie talkies take three AAA batteries. We gave these radios a test shortly after receiving them. Took one for a hike and left another at home. The trail-head for my hike was 16 miles from home and I had a clear crisp signal at the start. While on the hike I added a few more miles to that distance and was still able to communicate without any problems, even while in heavy timber. It wasn't until I started rounding the back of the mountain and lost line of site that the signal was lost, just like all walkie talkies do. We are quiet please with how these radios have been holding up, our Scouts have used them several times and are no worse for wear. Great to use with out Scout group as we can stay in better communication during our activities and trips, especially in those areas with out cell phone signal, which is the location of most of our activities.
A very good quality 2 way radio at a low cost. We have another set of Midland Radios that these work just as well with.
LegendDeparture Point campground is basically camping in a parking lot. Four "campsites" are lined parking spots in a large paved area with a picnic table and fire ring at the end of the parking spot. The four spots are right next to each other. If you want to set up a tent you will be setting it up on the pavement. The area has two vault toilets, running water and trash service. Down below the camping area is a nice day use area with four picnic tables three of which are covered and right on the edge of the lake. Camping is not allowed in the day use area along the lake. So if you want to tent camp you will want to head to one of the other BLM campgrounds on the lake.
LegendLittle Log campground is a small 10 site tent only campground in the Log Gulch Recreation Area on Holter Lake. Located just past the larger Log Gulch campground this small campground sites in a gully above the lake. Flat locations to put a tent are limited due to the slope of the ground in the campground, but each site does have a flat area for a tent, however it may be hard to find room for more than one tent. Most of the choices for tent placement are at the end of the parking pad next the the picnic table and fire ring. The campground cost $15 per night, has trash service, running water and a double vault toilet. Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring. A short distance from the campground and across the street is the day use area for the recreation area, where fishing appears to be good as we saw several large fish taken out of the lake in a short period of time. Registration for campsites is located in the day use area on the side of the road as you enter the recreation area.
Ranger Review of Mountain House's Lasagna with meat sauce freeze dried meal.
Gave this Lasagna a tried and liked it. Did find that it seemed to need something to make it real good, and that would be a packet of Parmesan cheese, if they would include the Parmesan to put on the lasagna after cooking then this would be an awesome meal. Even with out the Parmesan this is a good meal. Following the instructions and stirring well resulted in a well hydrated hot meal. A little on the saucy side, but the texture of the noddles and meat are spot on. At 2.5 servings per bag this is perfect for two people, the meal was a little two much for just me to eat on my own. Can't wait to eat this again on my summer backpacking trips, but will be bringing a little Parmesan to put on it.
GuideCanyon Ferry Lake is an expansive lake reaching 33 miles from Townsend to Helena, MT. Gorgeous scenery that is reminiscent of the ocean: long, white-sand beaches, warm waters (in the summer), and the lake disappearing into the horizon. Hellgate Campground is the largest developed campground with 69 campsites along the banks of the lake. Some campsites are for single cars only and some have space for multiple vehicles. Each campsite has a designated fire ring and picnic tables. Verizon cell coverage is available. Rated a four-star because this campground is popular and fills up quickly, a little too populated for my personal preference.
Tent camping near Townsend, Montana offers a chance to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the area, with various campgrounds catering to outdoor enthusiasts.
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