Valley Garden Campground

Anglers casting from their campsite will find Valley Garden Campground positioned directly along the Madison River, with several sites offering immediate water access. This Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks facility operates within the Valley Garden Fishing Access Site, providing ten first-come, first-served sites that accommodate RVs up to 25 feet.

The campground maintains a fishing-focused atmosphere where most visitors arrive with rods in hand. Sites spread out along the riverbank, with enough space between them to avoid the crowded feel common at busier destinations. Anne D. notes the "spacious sites that aren't on top of one another," with some positioned right on the water. Site 2 sits next to the boat ramp, experiencing more traffic than other spots, while sites farther from the launch area offer more privacy.

Facilities remain basic but functional for the $12-18 nightly fee. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit, though some reviews mention inconsistencies in amenities. The vault toilet receives regular maintenance, though one reviewer reported a leaky roof. The campground operates as a pack-it-in, pack-it-out facility with no water, trash service, or dump station on-site, despite some conflicting information in official listings.

Access proves straightforward from Ennis, located less than two miles away for resupply runs. The campground fills up regularly during peak fishing season, with sites typically claimed by evening on weekends. Campers seeking additional accommodation options can explore campsites near Ennis for backup plans. The facility welcomes pets and provides ADA accessibility.

Early arrivals secure the prime waterfront spots, while late-comers might find themselves camping farther from the Madison's productive pools and runs.

Fee Info

FAS Camping With Valid Fishing License $12.00 FAS Camping Without Valid Fishing License $18.00

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Location

Public Campground

Valley Garden Campground is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

0.5 mile southeast of Ennis on Secondary Hwy 287.

Coordinates

45.36742395 N
111.70540636 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Last on 7/10/25
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 3/27/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Last on 7/10/25
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 3/27/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

50%
25%
17%
0%
10%

4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the prime riverside location on the Madison River with spacious, well-spaced sites perfect for fishing access. Many visitors reported the no-frills boondocking setup lacks amenities but offers reasonable pricing and a quiet atmosphere.

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2025

Nice and quiet

Spot 2. Right next to boat ramp so a little more traffic than other sites. There ARE picnic tables and fire pits. Bathroom available. Right next to water. Little shade and it is HOT today.

Site2
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2025

Great location

Spacious sites that aren’t on top of one another. Some are right on the water (tight lines to you!). The pit toilet we used has a leaky roof right over the toilet. No water, no trash, no waste water disposal area. Bring it in/out. But the location, wow. (FYI picnic tables and fire pits are at the sites)

Site8
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Valley Garden Campground by Anne D., June 23, 2025
  • Review photo of Valley Garden Campground by Anne D., June 23, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2023

GobeWan Perfect

Small fishing access campground near Ennis MT. Sites are fairly large. Montana residents get a nice rate but even for out of state only $18/night. Quiet, mainly fly fishing campers here. My teardrop fit quite nicely with my friends larger camper in one spot. Total Boondock camping, pit toilet only.

Site#7
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Valley Garden Campground by Jane W., June 23, 2023
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Apr. 8, 2022

Great views and location !!

Beautiful place to stay! Pack your tables and chairs, there’s no picnic tables. You get to listen to the water all night!

Site10
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2021

Pretty spot, close to Ennis

We were looking for someplace for the night close to Ennis and were glad to find this spot. There are only 10 sites but all on the river and most decently spaced. It is first come, first served but there were still 3 spots when we arrived around 5pm on a Friday. (They later filled up). Would stay again for a quick overnight!

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2020

Gorgeous!!

Beautiful place with sites right on the river! The sites are spread out and most are private. There are no bear lockers or dumpsters. Vault toilet was well maintained. I see the notes here say there’s a dump station but we couldn’t find one, so I’m not sure this info is correct.

  • Review photo of Valley Garden Campground by Maura , September 29, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2020

What a great spot!!

Close to town of Ennis and great spots right on the river to fish. The sites are well spaced out and beautiful views of the Madison valley and mountain ranges.

  • Review photo of Valley Garden Campground by Krystalynn , September 21, 2020
  • Review photo of Valley Garden Campground by Krystalynn , September 21, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2020

River access can’t be beat!

I was in Dillon on a Friday afternoon and was looking for a place between Dillon and Bozeman. I found this spot on Dirt but did not realize that it was right on the Madison. So cool to be able to walk out of camp to an amazing river. This camp is no frills but it’s all about the location. Can’t believe I got the last available spot. Thanks Dirt!

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2019

Nice place to camp

Pulled into the campground late evening and it was easy to get into and out of with my 41 ft toy hauler. Campground was quiet and secluded. The river flows right along the camp ground and made foe a nice morning to get up eat breakfast and then fish for a few hours. Caught a few fish on a PMD. This is a great place for a person wanting to fish and enjoy the area.

Reviewed Jun. 8, 2019

Great for fishing

Great spot on the river to fish! Lots of nice wholes walking both ways on the bank. Also very close to Ennis lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Valley Garden Campground located near Ennis, MT?

Valley Garden Campground is located along the Madison River near Ennis, Montana. It's situated a short distance from the town of Ennis and provides convenient access to Ennis Lake. The campground serves as a fishing access site on the Madison River in the beautiful Madison Valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Its strategic location makes it an ideal base for exploring both the river and nearby attractions while still being close enough to town for supplies.

What amenities are available at Valley Garden Campground?

Valley Garden Campground offers basic amenities in a no-frills setting that prioritizes natural beauty over facilities. The campground features vault toilets (though some may have maintenance issues like leaky roofs), fire pits, and picnic tables at most sites. There's no drinking water, trash service, or dump station available, so campers need to pack in and pack out all supplies and waste. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with approximately 10 sites available.

How does Valley Garden Campground compare to other campgrounds near Ennis Lake?

Valley Garden Campground stands out for its riverside location directly on the Madison River rather than on Ennis Lake itself. Unlike some other area campgrounds, Valley Garden offers a more secluded, quiet experience with well-spaced sites that provide privacy. The campground caters primarily to anglers and those seeking a peaceful riverside setting. While it lacks amenities like showers or hookups that lake campgrounds might offer, it compensates with direct river access, beautiful views, and a more rustic, authentic Montana camping experience.

Can I fish near Valley Garden Campground on the Madison River?

Yes! Fishing is the primary draw at Valley Garden Campground, with excellent access to the Madison River directly from the campground. Sites are positioned right along the river, allowing you to step out of your campsite and start fishing immediately. The area offers numerous fishing holes within walking distance in both directions along the bank. The Madison River here is known for quality fly fishing, with campers reporting success using PMD flies. It's an ideal spot for anglers looking for convenient river access without having to travel far from camp.

Are RVs allowed at Valley Garden Campground in Ennis?

Yes, RVs are welcome at Valley Garden Campground. The sites can accommodate larger rigs, with campers successfully bringing in RVs as large as 41-foot toy haulers. The campground entrance is designed for easy access, making it possible to get larger vehicles in and out without difficulty. While the campground doesn't offer hookups or RV-specific amenities, the spacious sites provide enough room for RVs of various sizes. Keep in mind this is boondocking-style camping with no water, electric, or sewer connections.