Lakes and Rivers

1. Tongue River Reservoir State Park

Decker, Southeast Montana

The Tongue River Reservoir State Park was formed when the Tongue River was dammed, resulting in a 12-mile long reservoir that winds through scenic red shale, juniper canyons and open prairies of southeastern Montana.

2. Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area

Bozeman, Bozeman Area

This is the most used recreation area in the state and for good reason. A beautiful mountain lake sits at the end of a beautiful drive up the canyon of Hyalite Creek.

3. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Fort Smith, Billings Area

The lake and the steep-sided canyons provide a peaceful setting for those seeking a break from the daily routine.

4. Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Red Rock, Butte Area

Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1935 to protect the rare trumpeter swan. Today, this 45,000-acre Refuge continues to be one of the most important habitats in North America for these magnificent migratory birds.

5. Kootenai River

Libby, Northwest Montana

The river is named for the Kootenai tribe that lived and hunted in this part of Montana and adjoining territory in Idaho and Canada.

6. Libby Dam

Libby, Northwest Montana

Libby Dam spans the Kootenai River 17 miles upstream from the town of Libby in the heart of beautiful northwestern Montana.

7. Kootenai Falls

Kootenai Falls, Northwest Montana

Don’t miss this spectacular cascading, 200-foot-drop falls

8. Lake Koocanusa

Libby,

Take Hwy. 37 just north of Libby to the dam.

9. Tally Lake State Park

Flathead Area

At 500 feet deep, Tally Lake is reputed to be the deepest natural lake in Montana.

10. Logan State Park Campground

Happys Inn, Northwest Montana

Surrounded by a 17-acre mature forest of western larch and ponderosa pine, this park is on the north shore of Middle Thompson Lake.

11. Kootenai National Forest

Northwest Montana

Libby is in the heart of the forest.

12. Lake Mary Ronan

Lake Mary Ronan, Flathead Area

Located on the east shore of Lake Mary Ronan, this 76-acre park is shaded by a forest of douglas fir and western larch.

13. Whitefish Lake City Beach

Whitefish, Flathead Area

Yes, Virginia, there are beaches in Montana, and this is one of the better ones.

14. Swan Lake Recreation Area

Swan Lake, Flathead Area

Swan Lake Recreation Area is located near Swan Lake village in northwest Montana at the north end of the Swan Valley.

15. Flathead Lake State Park - West Shore Unit

Kalispell, Flathead Area

The park’s glacially carved rock outcrops give spectacular views of Flathead Lake and the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges.

16. Placid Lake State Park and Campground

Seeley Lake, Missoula Area

This park provides a peaceful escape where visitors can participate in many lake-related activities.

17. Salmon Lake & Placid Lakes State Park

Seeley Lake, Missoula Area

Salmon Lake and Placid Lake are part of the beautiful links in a chain of lakes fed by the Clearwater River.

18. Ackley Lake State Park Campground

Hobson, Central Montana

Ackley Lake has 15 campsites each with a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets and 2 boat ramps, but no water.

19. Black Sandy State Park

Helena, Helena Area

One of the few public parks on the shores of Hauser Reservoir, Black Sandy is an extremely popular weekend boating, fishing, and water skiing take-off point.

20. Georgetown Lake

Anaconda, Butte Area

Georgetown Lake, well-known for its superb fishing and stunning grandeur.

21. Lake Como Recreation Area

Darby, Southwest Montana

Originally called “Lake of the White Moose” by the Indians because of an albino moose that once visited its shores, the scenic 906-acre lake is now the setting of many water sports.

22. Hilltop Campground

West Yellowstone, Big Sky/Yellowstone Area

Hilltop’s name comes from its location on a hilltop between Wade and Cliff Lakes.

23. Madison River Campground

Cameron, Big Sky/Yellowstone Area

This 10 site campground at 5,900ft elevation is located along the Madison River. The view of the river can be seen from every campsite.

24. Miner Lake Campground

Jackson, Butte Area

In a heavily wooded pine area adjacent to Miner Lake there are 18 campsites, some overlook the lake.

25. Mussigbrod Campground

Wisdom, Butte Area

This 10 site pack in pack out campground is located adjacent to Mussigbrod Lake. Situated in tall pines, some sites overlook the lake.

26. Reservoir Lake Campground

Dillon, Butte Area

This campground is at 7,000ft elevation adjacent to Reservoir Lake. There are 16 sites with tables and fire rings and a few sites overlook the lake.

27. Seymour Creek Campground

Wise River, Butte Area

This pack in pack out heavily wooded campground is at 6,700ft elevation. Open all year with services available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

28. Twin Lakes Campground

Wisdom, Butte Area

This 19 site campground, 17 having tables and grilles, is located at 7,200ft elevation in heavy pine woods.

29. Wade Lake Campground

West Yellowstone, Big Sky/Yellowstone Area

At 6,400ft elevation, this 25 site campground is located on the spring-fed Wade Lake. Some sites overlook the lake.

30. Lake Como Campground

Darby, Southwest Montana

Located below Lake Como, this is a 12 site campground located on a single loop. This is bear country so food should be stored in bear-resistant containers.

31. Rock Creek Horse Campground

Darby, Southwest Montana

Located on the south end of Lake Como, the 11 site campground with tables and grilles also has 7 RV pull throughs with no hookups.

32. Sam T. Billings Memorial Campground

Darby, Southwest Montana

This pack in pack out campground is adjacent to the Boulder Creek and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

33. Spring Gulch Campground

Sula, Southwest Montana

A 12 site campground is located between the East Fork of the Bitterroot River and US 93.

34. Three Frogs Campground

Darby, Southwest Montana

This 2 loop campground with 20 sites overlooks Lake Como. There are tables and fire rings at each site.

35. East Rosebud Campground

Absarokee, Red Lodge Area

Located in the valley of the Beartooth Mountains overlooking the East Rosebud Lake, this 14 site campground is popular for its hikes and fishing for Rainbow Trout.

36. Emerald Lake Campground

Fishtail, Red Lodge Area

This 31 site campground at 6,180ft elevation is located above Emerald Lake and along the West Rosebud Creek.

37. Greenough Lake Campground

Absarokee, Red Lodge Area

Open all year round, this 18 site campground at 6,220ft elevation is located on the Main Fork of Rock Creek with a view of the Beartooth Mountain Range.

38. Delmoe Lake Campground

Butte, Butte Area

Overlooking Delmoe Lake, this 24 site campground has two loops. There are 7 pull throughs with no hookups.

39. Lodgepole Campground

Philipsburg, Butte Area

AT 6,420ft elevation, this 30 site campground is across from Georgetown Lake.

40. Phillipsburg Bay Campground

Philipsburg, Butte Area

Adjacent to Georgetown Lake is this 3 loop campground. There are 67 sites. Each with a table and fire ring.

41. Piney Campground

Philipsburg, Butte Area

In thick pine woods, this 47 site campground has sites that are adjacent to or overlook the Georgetown Lake.

42. Spillway Campground

Philipsburg, Butte Area

Adjacent to the East Fork Reservoir is this 13 site pack in pack out campground.

43. Emery Bay Campground

Hungry Horse, Glacier Park Area

This 26 site campground is located on a bluff overlooking the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

44. Holland Lake Campground

Seeley Lake, Flathead Area

There are two loops with a total of 39 sites all are situated on this beautiful picturesque 416-acre Holland Lake.

45. Lid Creek Campground

Hungry Horse, Glacier Park Area

This campground consists of a large loop with 22 sites along the 27,750-acre Hungry Horse Reservoir.

46. Lost Johnny Point Campground

Hungry Horse, Glacier Park Area

This campground is adjacent to the 23,750 a-acre Hungry Horse Reservoir.

47. Murray Bay Campground

Hungry Horse, Glacier Park Area

This campground offers 22 campsites, 2 pull throughs without hookups, situated on a bluff overlooking the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

48. Chisholm Campground

Bozeman, Bozeman Area

At 6,700ft elevation, this single loop campground is on the picturesque 330-acre Hyalite Reservoir.

49. Hood Creek Campground

Bozeman, Bozeman Area

At 6,700 ft elevation, this campground is located on the Hyalite Reservoir shoreline.

50. Langohr Campground

Bozeman, Bozeman Area

There are 19 sites, 6 pull throughs with no hookups, located on the Hyalite Creek.

51. Park Lake Campground

Helena, Helena Area

AT 6,400ft elevation this 22 site campground is located near Park Lake.

52. Bad Medicine Campground

Troy, Northwest Montana

This campground has an upper and lower loop. The lower loop overlooks Bull Lake.

53. Big Therriault Lake Campground

Fortine, Northwest Montana

The campground is adjacent to Big Therriault Lake and is pack in pack out.

54. Bull River Campground

Trout Creek, Northwest Montana

This campground is made up of 3 loops and is located at Bull River and Cabinet Gorge Reservoir.

55. Howard Lake Campground

Libby, Northwest Montana

This 10 site campground has 3 pull throughs and no hookups and is adjacent to Howard Lake.

56. McGillvray Campground

Libby, Northwest Montana

The campground is located on the Koocanusa Reservoir. There are 33 sites with 25 pull throughs with no hookups.

57. McGregor Lake Campground

Libby, Northwest Montana

At the west end of Mcgregor Lake it this 22 site campground.

58. North Dickey Lake Campground

Fortine, Northwest Montana

Adjacent to Dickey Lake the 23 site campground sits among Western Larch and Douglas Firs.

59. North Shore Campground

Trout Creek, Northwest Montana

Fifteen sites sit on this single loop campground where the sites are well separated and secluded among the pine.

60. Rexford Bench Campground

Eureka, Northwest Montana

The campground is adjacent to the 46,500 acre Koocanusa Reservoir on the Canadian border.

61. Crystal Lake Campground

Lewistown, Central Montana

Near Crystal Lake is this pack in pack out campground. There are 28 sites each with a table and fire ring.

62. Mortimer Gulch Campground

Augusta, Great Falls Area

The campground has 26 sites with one pull through(no hookups) each with a table and fire ring. This is a pack in pack out campground.

63. Big Larch Campground

Seeley Lake, Missoula Area

This campground has 3 loops on the east side of Seeley Lake. Just a few sites don’t have a view of the beautiful lake.

64. River Point Campground

Seeley Lake, Missoula Area

At 4,000ft elevation, this single loop campground is along the Clearwater River. None of the campsites are on Seeley Lake but are all within walking distance.

65. Seeley Lake Campground

Seeley Lake, Missoula Area

This campground is on the West shore of Seeley Lake at 4,000ft elevation. There are 29 sites all with a table and fire ring.

66. Doris Creek Campground

Hungry Horse, Glacier Park Area

Doris Creek Campground has 9 sites for tents or RV camping. No hookups. Some sites have a spectacular view of the lake and Mountain Ranges.

67. Riverside Campground

Hungry Horse, Glacier Park Area

Located on the 27,750-acre Hungry Horse Reservoir in the Rocky Mountains. There are 3 sites for tent or RV. No hookups.

68. Cottonwood Campground

Sheridan, Butte Area

10 Tent and camping trailer sites with no hookups in a remote quiet area close to Sheridan.

69. Bean Lake Campground

Augusta, Great Falls Area

Bean Lake is a free campground open all year-round. There are 50 tent and RV sites. No hookups. Fishing access. Vault toilets. Activities: Fishing, swimming, camping, Boating, and Wildlife Viewing. 15 miles from Augusta. Maximum stay, 14 days.

70. Willow Creek Reservoir Fishing Campground

Great Falls Area

There are 6 campsites all with tables and a fire ring. Vaulted toilets but no potable water. No fee. Open all year. Has tent pads and can accommodate up to 40’ trailers. Fishing and hiking.

71. Wood Lake Campground

Augusta, Great Falls Area

At 5,500 feet elevation sits this 9 site campground. Each site has a table and fire ring. Vaulted toilets and water available.

72. Big Arm State Park Campground

Big Arm, Flathead Area

This campground is located on the southwest side of the Flathead Lake. There are 40 sites and 3 yurts, most of them on the shoreline. Each site has a table and fire ring.

73. Wayfarers State Park Campground

Bigfork, Flathead Area

There are 30 campsites on this northeast shore of the Flathead Lake campground. Beautiful place to watch the sunset.

74. Cooney Lake State Park Campground

Red Lodge Area

There are 82 campsites at this popular reservoir located near Red Lodge. 19 sites have hookups. Fishing for Walleye and Rainbow Trout are popular.

75. Fairy Lake Campground

Bozeman, Bozeman Area

At 7,500ft elevation lies this 9 site campground. Quick walk to the breathtaking picturesque Fairy Lake. Hike the trail around the lake or head up to Sacajawea Peak.

76. Cliff Point Campground

Cameron, Big Sky/Yellowstone Area

This campground is located in the Beaverhead Deerlodge National forest at 6,400ft elevation. There are 10 sites lakeside.

77. Island Area Campground

Chester, Great Falls Area

This campground is open all year-round. It is near boating and fishing.

78. North Bootlegger Campground

Chester, Havre Area

This campground has trailer and tent sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets no water. Boat launch. Fishing. Fee for stay 14-day maximum stay. Open year-round.