Featured Image Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
The boat engine cuts to idle as you glide toward shore, the wake rippling the crystalline water’s perfect reflection of the peaks and clouds above. The campsite you’re heading to is isolated, unreachable by car or trail, and you’ve got a sandy beach all to yourself. The only sounds are the water lapping against the hull and the splash of a trout jumping nearby.
This is camping done right, and it’s what makes Montana’s reservoirs so special.
Montana has so many gorgeous bodies of water to recreate on and around that it’s a lake lover’s dream — but that also makes it hard to know which ones to include on your next Montana road trip. That’s where we come in, with a definitive guide to reservoir camping in the great Treasure State. (You’re welcome.) So read up, pack up and don’t forget your coozies — this vacation certainly calls for a boat drink or two.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
This breathtaking lake stretches an impressive 90 miles, a ribbon of blue that snakes over the border into British Columbia. It’s so big, it offers whatever you’re seeking — whether that’s boating and fishing, or a few peaceful days spent reading on the shores. Rocky Gorge Campground offers easy boat launch access while Koocanusa Resort & Marina and Abayance Bay Marina Campground provide full-service options for campers who want to maximize their water time rather than worrying about logistics.
If you’d like to follow in the wake of Lewis and Clark, Holter Lake, near Helena, delivers an unforgettable experience. Here, you can boat through the mystical Gates of the Mountains, the same limestone cliffs that awed the famous expedition centuries ago. Every campsite at Holter Lake Campground accommodates both tents and RVs, and every site has stunning lake and mountain views. You’ll have opportunities to see bighorn sheep, mountain goats, ospreys, eagles, otters, mountain lions, black bears and other wild creatures. The combo of fishing, boating and hiking makes this spot ideal for families or groups with varied interests.
Head to Tiber Reservoir (locals call it Lake Elwell) on the vast northern plains near Chester, and you’ll find a swimming, fishing and boating paradise that doesn’t require a long drive into the mountains. (That means you’re usually in for warmer weather, too.) Along its shores, you can find windblown sandstone rock formations, tipi rings, and one of the longest earthen dykes in the world, which is more than 3 miles long. Multiple boat ramps and campgrounds — including Island Area Campground, VFW Campground, and Sanford Park Campground — mean you can choose your perfect balance of amenities and solitude.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
Just north of the mountain town of Red Lodge, Cooney packs serious recreation into a manageable package. The lake offers excellent walleye and rainbow trout fishing, with views of the Beartooth Range in the background. With three boat ramps and five campgrounds accommodating both tent and RV camping, you can find your ideal setup.
While Montana is, of course, an inland state, Fort Peck Lake boasts more shoreline than the entire California coast. Montana’s largest body of water, it boasts more than 1,520 miles of lakefront — not to mention more than 50 species of fish. The lake is a reservoir created by Fort Peck Dam, and in the nearby town of Fort Peck, which was built to accommodate the dam workers in 1933, you can learn about dinosaur history, the engineering marvel of the dam and, of course, Lewis and Clark, who passed through this area at the turn of the 19th century. Wildlife abounds in the surrounding Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and camping options with boating access include Fort Peck Marina, Hell Creek Recreation Area and the Pines Recreation Area.
Tongue River Reservoir State Park
In the rolling praries of southeastern Montana, Tongue River Reservoir offers excellent fishing for crappie, walleye, bass and northern pike — four state fish records have been set in its waters — while fly-fishers can cast their lines on the river below the dam. The reservoir is also in a fascinating spot for history buffs, as Rosebud Battlefield State Park and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument are nearby. There are 40 paved full-service campsites with upgraded amenities like electrical hookups and boat rentals.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
Gear Up
Once you’ve gotten your itinerary dialed in, it’s time to gear up for the adventure. Luckily, Montana has a plethora of outdoor gear brands with products to level up your lakeside excursion. Our favorite local brands include Lone Mountain Coolers, which offers hard- or soft-sided coolers in fun colors; R.L. Winston Rod Company, which makes top-notched fly rods; Bozeman-based Simms, which sells apparel, footwear, accessories and angling gear; and Go Fast Campers, which makes go-anywhere rooftop wedge campers that are perfect for those who are hauling a boat.
Keep It Clean, Keep It Wild
Before you launch that boat, remember that Montana takes protecting its waters seriously. The state conducts mandatory inspections of all watercraft — motorized and unmotorized — to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Plan for inspection stops and always clean, drain and dry your vessel after every use. Please do your part to preserve the pristine conditions that make Montana reservoir camping so special.
Most state-managed camping areas require a Conservation License, so be sure to purchase one before your arrival. It’s a small investment in maintaining the infrastructure and natural resources that make your adventures possible.
Making Memories
Whether you’re teaching kids to fish from a boat deck or watching the sunset paint canyon walls while dinner sizzles on your camp stove, reservoir camping delivers perfect Montana moments that become memories you’ll savor for years.
So pack the cooler, prep the boat and discover what Montana’s lake life is all about.
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