Holter Dam Campground

About this campsite

Overview

Holter Dam Recreation Area Located immediately below Holter Lake Dam, this stretch of the Missouri River is recognized as a premier Blue-Ribbon fishery, drawing anglers nationwide for its exceptional rainbow and brown trout fishing. The area is also popular for camping, river floating, fly fishing, picnicking, walking, scenic viewing, and wildlife observation.

Holter Dam provides:

Camping & Day-Use: 17 campsites, picnic shelters, shade structures, and accessible shoreline fishing areas.
Boating Access: A 2-lane concrete boat ramp with adjacent parking.
Visitor Services: Information kiosk, fee station, potable water system, garbage collection, and lawn with night lighting.
Facilities: Concrete vaulted latrines, picnic tables, and grills.
Trails & Scenic Access: Walking paths and viewing areas along the river.

Recreation

This stretch of the Missouri River is recognized as a premier Blue-Ribbon fishery, drawing anglers nationwide in search of rainbow and brown trout. In addition to world-class fishing, visitors enjoy camping, river floating, picnicking, wildlife observation, and scenic viewing along the shoreline. While there are only a few short walking paths at the site itself, multiple fishing access sites and hunting areas nearby provide additional opportunities to experience Montana’s outdoors. Recreation in the Holter Dam area is varied and abundant.

Facilities

The 17 campsites accommodate RVs, camper trailers, and tents, with amenities designed for comfort and convenience. Facilities include a parking lot, a two-lane concrete boat ramp, concrete vaulted latrines, picnic tables, grills, shade structures, and picnic shelters. Visitors will also find an information kiosk, fee station, accessible shoreline fishing areas, potable water, garbage collection, a maintained lawn, and night lighting.

Reservations are required and must be made in advance, as Holter Dam is a popular destination and sites fill quickly during peak season. Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov.

Natural Features

Every campsite offers views of the Missouri River and the surrounding mountains. Poplar and green ash trees are scattered throughout the campground and day-use area, providing welcome shade during the height of summer. The setting lies within a shrub-steppe landscape dominated by sagebrush and bunchgrasses, offering a true sense of Montana’s open spaces.

Wildlife is abundant in the area. Bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons are often seen along the shoreline, while mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other native species roam the nearby hillsides. The reservoir’s clear waters provide excellent opportunities to observe waterfowl and enjoy the region’s natural beauty year-round.

Contact Info

This location has limited staffing. Please call (406) 233-1093 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Holter Dam Campground is conveniently located between Helena and Great Falls, making it an excellent basecamp for both outdoor recreation and cultural exploration.

On Holter Lake:

Log Gulch Campground & Day-Use Area – A large BLM-managed site on the west shore, with developed campsites, group picnic shelters, boat ramps, and a swim beach.
Departure Point – A smaller 4 site campground with direct access to the lake and beach.
Holter Lake Campground – Located upstream of Holter Dam, offering lakefront campsites, a swimming beach, and a boat ramp.
Fishing & Boating – Holter Lake

Location

Holter Dam Campground•MT

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

1.6 km away

Holter Lake Campground

Overview Holter Lake Campground is situated on the picturesque Holter Lake in west central Montana. The site is located approximately 45 miles north of Helena, Montana, along the Missouri River. The area offers stunning views of the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area. Gates of the Mountains Historic Site is in close proximity of the campground, which is accessible via a watercraft. The area is overflowing with outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you're into fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, water skiing, or all of the above, all of these activities are in close proximity to Holter Lake Campground. There is surely an activity for everyone! Recreation Holter Lake Campground offers excellent recreational opportunities. Activities in the area include camping, boating (motorized and non-motorized), fishing, water skiing, hiking, scenic/wildlife photography, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. There are trails within the general vicinity, as well as multiple fishing access sites and hunting access points. The recreation opportunities in the area are truly boundless. Facilities Holter Lake Campground offers several amenities that will make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. Holter Lake Campground is a 52-site campground that has spacious and level gravel parking pads that accommodate RVs, camper trailers, and tents. There are 9 tent-only sites. Most of the campsites can accomodate up to 2 RVs or tents per site. Of the 52 sites, all are reservation only. First come first serve sites may be avaible on a daily basis after 2pm but are not guaranteed. Holter lake Campground features a large concrete boat launch with a courtesy dock, as well as day-use and overnight dock slips for those camping in the campground. The docks are first-come, first-served, with no assigned slips. There is potable water provided throughout the campground and day-use areas, as well as garbage dumpsters. There are no hook-ups available. The A loop and tent area sites contain a fire ring with a grill grate in addition to a picnic table. There are also picnic tables and benches along the lake to take in the views. Natural Features Every campsite has a view of the lake and mountains. The campground and day-use area has poplar and green ash trees throughout the campground, which provide shade during the height of the summer. The site is situated in a shrub-steppe landscape, mostly comprised of sage brush and bunch grasses. The campground is surrounded by sparsely wooded hills. Contact Info For local information, please call (406) 233-1098 or call (406) 318-8100 for general information. Nearby Attractions Holter Lake Campground is located in a prime location to get out and recreate outdoors. There is access to public lands, where multiple recreation opportunities and experiences are available. The campground is adjacent to the Missouri River, which was also the historical travel corridor for The Lewis and Clark Trail. Holter Lake Campground is situated between Helena and Great Falls. In Helena, there are great restaurants, museums, the capitol building, old mining settlements, Last Chance Gulch, Reeder's Alley, and a vibrant downtown area. In or near Great Falls, there is the First People's Buffalo Jump and Interpretive Center, Charlie Russell museum, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs Fish Hatchery and State Park, and Tower Rock State Park. The Continental Divide Trail is nearby. Charges & Cancellations Reservation Cancellations & Changes • Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Late Cancellation

6.4 km away

Log Gulch Campground

Overview Log Gulch Campground is situated on the picturesque Holter Lake in west central Montana. All sites are reservation only. The site is located approximately 45 miles north of Helena, Montana, and 60 miles south of Great Falls, Montana, along the Missouri River. The area offers stunning views of the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area. Gates of the Mountains Historic Site is in close proximity to the campground, which is accessible via watercraft. The area is overflowing with outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you're into fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, water skiing, or all of the above, all of these activities are in close proximity to Log Gulch Campground. There is surely an activity for everyone! Recreation Log Gulch Campground offers excellent recreational opportunities. Activities in the area include camping, boating (motorized and non-motorized), fishing, water skiing, hiking, scenic/wildlife photography, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. There are trails within the general vicinity, as well as multiple fishing access sites and hunting access points. The recreation opportunities in the area are truly boundless. Facilities Log Gulch Campground offers several amenities that will make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. Log Gulch Campground is a 70-site campground that has spacious and gravel parking pads that accommodate RVs, camper trailers, and tents. Most of the campsites can accommodate up to 2 RVs or tents per site. All sites are reservation only. Log Gulch Campground features a large concrete boat launch with a courtesy dock, as well as day-use and overnight dock slips for those camping in the campground. The docks are first-come, first-served, with no assigned slips. There is potable water provided throughout the campground and day-use areas, as well as garbage dumpsters. There are no hook-ups available. The sites contain fire rings with a grill grate in addition to a picnic table. There are also picnic tables and benches along the lake to take in the views. Parking is limited at the group site, so we request that your group keep guest invitations to a minimum. All day-use guests will be subject to the $5.00 per vehicle per day fee. Natural Features Every campsite is in close proximity to the lake and mountains. The campground and day-use area have poplar and green ash trees throughout the campground, which provide shade during the height of the summer. The site is situated in a shrub-steppe landscape, mostly comprised of ponderosa pine and bunch grasses. The campground is surrounded by sparsely wooded hills. Contact Info For local information, please call (406) 258-0276 or call (406) 318-8100 for general information. Nearby Attractions Log Gulch Campground is located in a prime location to get out and recreate outdoors. There is access to public lands, where multiple recreation opportunities and experiences are available. The campground is adjacent to the Missouri River, which was also the historical travel corridor for The Lewis and Clark Trail. Log Gulch Campground is situated between Helena and Great Falls. In Helena, there are great restaurants, museums, the capitol building, old mining settlements, Last Chance Gulch, Reeder's Alley, and a vibrant downtown area. In or near Great Falls, there is the First People's Buffalo Jump and Interpretive Center, Charlie Russell Museum, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs Fish Hatchery and State Park, and Tower Rock State Park. The Continental Divide Trail is nearby. Charges & Cancellations Reservation Cancellations & Changes • Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arri