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You want affordable reservoir access for boating and fishing with your dog in a family-friendly setting.
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$10/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
38 campsites
Season
Peak season runs fro...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$10/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
38 campsites
Season
Peak season runs fro...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Chinamen's Campground
7700 Canyon Ferry RD
You want affordable reservoir access for boating and fishing with your dog in a family-friendly setting.
You need spacious sites or guaranteed quiet during peak summer weekends.
Context for the broader area surrounding Chinamen's Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Canyon+Ferry+Dam">Canyon Ferry Dam</a> and reservoir are located in Montana about 50 miles downstream from where the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers join to form the Missouri River. The reservoir has approximately 35,200 water surface acres, 9,360 land acres and 76 miles of shoreline, and offers excellent fishing opportunity for rainbow trout, perch, ling, and walleye. There are three marina concessions (Goose Bay Marina, Kim's Marina and Yacht Basin Marina) on the reservoir which provide a variety of public recreation facilities and services such as boat launching, camping, rental docks, small stores, etc. Reclamation also provides campgrounds, day use and picnic areas, concrete boat launches, and a seasonal visitor center. A wildlife management area at the end of the reservoir is managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and is home to a colony of terns and pelicans. The upland areas around the reservoir provide habitat for Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Long-billed Curlews, as well as hundreds of Pronghorn antelope, mule deer and white tail deer. <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_cfr.pl">Current Reservoir Levels</a>
About 21 miles east of Helena, Montana on US 12-287.
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Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, spectacular color, and quieter campsites — daytime highs usually 45–65°F with crisp nights in the 25–40°F range. Fishing picks up as trout and walleye feed ahead of winter, boating and shoreline walks are peaceful after the summer rush, and the Big Belt and Elkhorn ranges light up with golden aspens and cottonwoods. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, so you’ll get easier access to boat ramps and trails while still enjoying relatively dry Peak months: September, October, June, July
Described as the 'sweet spot' with crisp days, aspens, and good fishing activity.
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The campground features 38 campsites, many of which are described as being too small for RVs larger than 20 feet. Facilities include gravel roads with campsites containing a picnic table and a fire ring. During the summer months, services such as vault toilets, potable water, trash disposal, and the presence of a campground host are provided. User reviews highlight the availability of a fresh water pump and the lack of electrical or water hookups. Campsites are close to the northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, providing easy access to water activities and a scenic natural environment.
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Pulled from per-site mentions in 147 reviews.
Some users highlighted specific sites, such as site 36 being spacious but close to the vault restrooms, and sites 7 and 8 offering scenic lake views.
Site 1 is noted as very small, while sites 19-21 are recommended for small groups due to their cul-de-sac layout.
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