Free Camping near Helena, MT

Helena, MT
Riverside Campground


We left the cold windy weather of Glacier, MT heading south to spend some time in Utah and Arizona before returning to CA for the holidays.  We quickly left behind the mountains and drove through the rolling somewhat flat areas of Montana, to spend a few days in Helena at a free campground that Lee & Trace of Camper Chronicles enjoyed before our time together at Glacier.

 

Between Great Falls and Helena were these beautiful rocky mountains running along the Missouri River.  Very pretty.  We did pass a sign warning us to be aware of a wanted murder suspect that was hiding in the area.  That was a first.  They did catch him the next day.

 

Riverside Campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located about 20 miles to the east of Helena on the north side of the dam of Canyon Ferry.  It is run by the Bureau of Reclamation.  There are a few campgrounds on this lake, but this one is FREE.

Here is our campsite #20.

 

There are less than 30 sites and many are back-ins and pull-throughs right along the water.  This park is clean, has a boat launch, pit toilets and garbage.  No hookups, but FREE.  There are water spigots, grills and campfire rings.  Spacing is very nice.  We were really looking forward to campfires again! 

There was also a nice bike/walking path along the water.

Dam to the south.

Steve working outside by the campfire.  It's nice to have a portable office!

The dam at night.

A view of the campground looking north, from the dam.  That's our Montana, second from the right.

What an amazing sunset as we settled in for the week.

 

We just lounged and paddled the kayak around while we were here and relaxed.

The deer were all along the shoreline.

What a peaceful time.