Jo Bonner Campground

Star4.17
61 reviews
7700 CANYON FERRY RD, HELENA, MT 59602
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

3,832 ft

Price

$10 - $18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Reservable season is...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Jo Bonner Campground site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Jo Bonner Campground
$10.00 - $18.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Peak Season fees are $10 per night, but an $8 reservation fee applies. Total cost can be $18 per night during the reservable season (May 6 - Sept...
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Standard Site Fee$10.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
406-475-3921dagallagher@usbr.gov
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What Campers Say

4.17

Satisfactory

Based on 61 reviews

44 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanlakefriendly

Some mention

reservation

"User reviews for Jo Bonner Campground are mixed but generally favorable, highlighting the scenic location, clean facilities, and friendly camp hosts. Complaints center around the reservation system, generator noise, and occasional overcrowding."

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Campground Map

7700 CANYON FERRY RD, HELENA, MT 59602

Jo Bonner Campground

7700 CANYON FERRY RD, HELENA, MT 59602

Driving directionsHeading north along MT Highway 12/287 from Townsend, MT, turn right onto Spokane Creek Road. Follow Spokane Creek Road for 4.6 miles and turn right onto County Road 430/Canyon Ferry Road and continue 7.9 miles. Turn right on to East Shore Drive and continue straight .3 miles to Jo Bonner Campground.
Easy access from paved roads. Located 30 miles east of Helena, MT. No significant navigation challenges noted.
Nearby places
Helena, MT: 30 miles (approximately 40 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Closest dump station at Kim's Marina, about 1 mile away. Other camping supplies are likely available in Helena, MT.

Best Time to Camp at Jo Bonner Campground

Each season paints Jo Bonner Campground with its own distinct palette. Summer days bring warm, dry weather perfect for lakeside adventures, while evenings occasionally wear a veil of smoke from distant wildfires, creating dramatic sunsets across the water. As autumn yields to winter, the landscape transforms into a frozen playground where ice fishing enthusiasts drill through crystal surfaces and families glide across nature's own skating rink. The moderate climate during peak camping weeks makes this an ideal basecamp for outdoor pursuits.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season (May–Sept) with full boating, swimming and water-sports offerings.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Shoulder-season is quieter and scenic; occasional distant smoke can affect conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Shoulder-season offers milder weather; full reservable services begin in May.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Out-of-season stays not reservable; services and warm-weather activities are limited in winter.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 2 - September 14. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Reservable season is May 2 - Sept 14. Out-of-season stays are not reservable.
  • Current Alerts: No specific active alerts mentioned.

About Jo Bonner Campground

Nestled at the northeastern shores of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Jo Bonner Campground offers an intimate escape where the rhythm of seasons shapes your adventure. This charming retreat, honoring the legacy of Josephine Agnes Martin Bonner, welcomes visitors year-round with its thoughtfully maintained facilities. During peak season, modern conveniences blend seamlessly with the natural setting—vault toilets, fresh potable water, and waste disposal ensure comfort without compromising the wilderness experience. Just beyond the campground entrance, a well-maintained gravel boat launch and courtesy dock invite anglers and water enthusiasts to explore the reservoir's expansive waters.
Jo Bonner Campground supports a variety of camping types, including tent and RV camping. Although the campground does not explicitly offer group camping or cabin accommodations, it provides a range of basic facilities for both types of campers.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
5PM
Check-out
4PM
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit. Maximum total stay allowed is 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Jo Bonner Campground offers easy access to a variety of year-round recreational activities connected to Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing, and water skiing in summer, as well as ice fishing, ice boating, and ice skating during winter.
FishingFishing is a popular activity at Canyon Ferry Reservoir, with opportunities to catch various fish species. No specific details on the types of fish or fishing conditions are provided.
SwimmingSwimming is mentioned as a recreational option. One user review highlights its appeal: 'Excellent for Kids to swim, kayak, and explore' (Jodi C.).
BoatingCanyon Ferry Reservoir supports a wide range of boating activities, including sailing, motor-boating, canoeing, and kayaking. The campground features a gravel boat launch with a courtesy dock nearby.
Wildlife viewingWildlife is occasionally sighted in the campground, as noted by Anita Daly: 'Enjoyed seeing the wildlife wandering about.'
Beach activitiesSome campsites, like those mentioned by Ariel L. and Cheyloh E., have access to small beaches and lake shores that facilitate beach-related activities.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsReports of noisy generators and parties disrupting quiet hours. Smokey skies may occur during peak season due to regional fires.
Active AlertsNo specific active alerts mentioned.

Weather at Jo Bonner Campground

Reviews

4.2
61 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Jo Bonner Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Jo Bonner Campground are mixed but generally favorable, highlighting the scenic location, clean facilities, and friendly camp hosts. Complaints center around the reservation system, generator noise, and occasional overcrowding.
Review Summaries
Based on 61 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects frequently mentioned include clean vault toilets, friendly and helpful camp hosts (e.g., 'Jonny the camp host is warm and friendly and the campers were all the same' - George D.),...
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Based on 61 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include issues with the reservation system ('There are no first come, spots left. Reservations are quickly booked up and yet many spots sit there empty when people don't show up' -...
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Based on 61 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers suggest checking reservation tags for accuracy upon arrival and recommend visiting during weekdays to avoid crowds. Ariel L. advises that campsites 001 and 003 offer excellent lakefront views.
Based on 61 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that the campground is quieter and more pleasant during weekdays and off-peak seasons. Mid-summer weekends can be noisy and crowded, with generators running and parties extending...
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Based on 61 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'It was literally the perfect place for my 3 small children (ages 10, 8, and 4) to explore, play in the water.' - Emily M. - 'Nice clean restrooms. Beautiful campground with easy boat launch and...
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Based on 61 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific campsite reviews highlight that sites 001 and 003 offer excellent waterfront access. These sites are praised for their privacy and scenic views.
Based on 61 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews specifically address experiences with accessibility features.
Based on 61 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Users generally note that the campground is pet-friendly, though no specific details or policies are frequently mentioned in reviews.
Based on 61 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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