Wood Lake Campground

4.67

20 reviews

Featured in:Tent Camping Montana RV Camping Montana

Quick Facts

5,500 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Late spring to early...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,500 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Late spring to early...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Wood Lake Campground

$5.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight camping costs $10 per single site per night and an additional charge of $5 per extra vehicle per night. Interagency Senior/Access...

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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What Campers Say

4.67

Top-Rated

Based on 20 reviews

16 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspacioushikingsites

Some mention

noise

"User reviews for Wood Lake Campground are mixed. While many praise the natural beauty, spacious campsites, and recreational opportunities like fishing and hiking, others criticize the poor condition of the lake, noise issues, and the rough gravel road leading to the campground."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Wood Lake Campground

47.4278, -112.7933

Driving directionsWood Lake Campground is located 24 miles west of Augusta on Benchmark Road 235.

Access involves approximately 20 miles of washboard gravel road. User reviews state that the drive 'took about an hour' with a small Geopro trailer in tow. Roads can be rough but manageable.

Best Time to Camp at Wood Lake Campground

The camping season beckons from late spring through early fall, when wildflowers carpet the meadows and warm summer days invite endless outdoor exploration. Daytime temperatures create perfect conditions for hiking and swimming, while evenings bring a refreshing mountain coolness that makes for comfortable sleeping under the stars. As autumn approaches, crisp mornings give way to golden afternoons. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-laden wonderland, though heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures make the campground inaccessible during these months.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Mid-summer reviews praise fishing, facilities and wildflower displays; season peak.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Open into early fall; cooler, scenic but fewer activity notes than summer.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 10% in MT

Late spring brings wildflowers and opening of season; good but variable conditions early season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground is open late spring–early fall; winter use not described.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Late spring to early fall. Specific dates vary and users should contact the District Office to verify.

About Wood Lake Campground

Nestled in the heart of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, Wood Lake Campground offers an intimate mountain retreat where tranquility meets adventure. This charming 2-acre sanctuary sits at 5,500 feet elevation, providing just 9 carefully spaced campsites that ensure privacy while fostering a sense of community among outdoor enthusiasts. Modern amenities including restrooms and fresh drinking water complement the rustic setting. Days here unfold with the gentle splash of fishing lines breaking the mirror-like surface of Wood Lake, where motorboats are thankfully prohibited, preserving the pristine quiet. As evening falls, the absence of light pollution transforms the campground into one of the region's premier stargazing destinations, where the Milky Way stretches across the sky in breathtaking clarity.

Wood Lake Campground accommodates tent camping, RV camping for trailers up to 22 feet, and possibly group camping. Group sites and primitive options are not specified.

Weather and SeasonsThe camping season beckons from late spring through early fall, when wildflowers carpet the meadows and warm summer days invite endless outdoor exploration. Daytime temperatures create perfect conditions for hiking and swimming, while evenings bring a refreshing mountain coolness that makes for comfortable sleeping under the stars. As autumn approaches, crisp mornings give way to golden afternoons. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-laden wonderland, though heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures make the campground inaccessible during these months.

ElevationPerched at 5,500 feet in the majestic Rocky Mountain Front, the campground occupies a sweet spot where the air is crisp and clean, yet the elevation remains comfortable for most visitors. This positioning offers cooler temperatures than the valleys below while providing easier access than the higher alpine zones.

Natural Features and SceneryWood Lake Campground immerses visitors in a tapestry of natural wonders. Towering pines and firs create a verdant canopy overhead, while seasonal wildflowers paint splashes of color across sun-dappled meadows. The crystalline waters of Wood Lake reflect the surrounding peaks like a natural mirror, creating postcard-perfect scenes at every turn. Well-maintained hiking trails wind through this mountain paradise, each bend revealing new vistas of the grand peaks that define the Rocky Mountain Front. Whether you're seeking the perfect photograph or simply a moment of quiet contemplation, the scenery here never fails to inspire.

Geological RegionSet within the dramatic Rocky Mountain Front, where ancient geological forces created towering limestone cliffs and deep mountain valleys, Wood Lake Campground occupies a privileged position in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. At 5,500 feet elevation, visitors experience the unique ecosystem where prairie grasslands transition into mountain forests, creating a diverse landscape that has captivated explorers and nature lovers for generations.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Anytime after 12 PM

Check-out

By 11 AM

Stay Limit

14 days maximum per stay.

Groups

No specific details about group camping sites are provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations may be made through applicable platforms but no specific website or system is provided.

Cancellation PolicyReservation fees apply for reservable sites but details about cancellation rules are not provided.

AccessibilityNo information about accessibility features is provided.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as spacious and nicely dispersed. One user mentioned, 'The sites are spacious, wooded, and abundant in wildflowers.

PrivacyThe campsites offer a good level of privacy. User reviews describe the sites as 'nicely dispersed' and 'clean and well laid out.

Total Campsites9 campsites

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Wood Lake Campground offers several recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, and non-motorized boating. The surrounding beauty of the area enhances these experiences, but users have noted some challenges with the condition of the lake.

HikingThe campground is surrounded by scenic hiking trails that allow campers to explore the area. These trails are described as 'skirting the camp' and offer opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain Front.

FishingFishing is available at Wood Lake, and user reviews mention catching 10 to 12-inch trout. However, one user pointed out issues with the lake's condition, stating, 'The trodden banks were covered in cow manure, there was a disgusting green slick over the lake.'

SwimmingSwimming is permitted in Wood Lake, but user reviews express concerns about the lake's condition, which may affect the swimming experience.

BoatingNon-motorized boating is allowed on Wood Lake. However, some users were hesitant to use the lake due to its poor condition, including cow manure and a green slick on the water.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBears are frequently reported in the area, requiring mandatory food storage in approved containers. Cow manure around the lake and a green slick have been noted in reviews.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Wood Lake Campground

Reviews

4.7

20 reviews

Top-Rated

Wood Lake Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Wood Lake Campground are mixed. While many praise the natural beauty, spacious campsites, and recreational opportunities like fishing and hiking, others criticize the poor condition of the lake, noise issues, and the rough gravel road leading to the campground.

Review Summaries

Based on 20 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlights include spacious and well-laid-out campsites, clean vault toilets, and opportunities for fishing, hiking, and enjoying scenic surroundings. One user praised the 'clean vault toilets' and...

Based on 20 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the poor condition of the lake, which was described as 'covered in cow manure' and 'a disgusting green slick.' Noise from generators and nearby road traffic, including horse...

Based on 20 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring cash or checks for payment. Fishing gear is recommended, but users advise being prepared for the lake's poor condition. A high-clearance vehicle is suggested for the gravel road.

Based on 20 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is best enjoyed in late spring to early fall, per the operating season. Reviews from mid-summer highlight fishing opportunities and clean facilities, while some note noise and lake...

Based on 20 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Wood Lake is one of the prettiest places we've ever camped. The sites are spacious, wooded, and abundant in wildflowers.' 2. 'Vault toilet cleaned monthly, $10 per night. No sights on the lake...

Based on 20 reviews