- Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The best camping in Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, MT
Discover the wild prairies and wetlands of Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
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Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.Top-rated campgrounds near Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Montana Country & Stone Barns
Montana Country & Stone Barns
97%
(138)
19mi from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Our 100 year old stone barns are on 20 acres just a few miles from Great Falls. Next to us is an alfalfa field with a great view of our maple tree and cottonwoods. Our home is nestled in trees with a patio deck for a picnic or drink.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$30
/ night
Hardda Farm Site
Hardda Farm Site
100%
(10)
24mi from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge · 1 site · Tent, RV
Hardda Farm is our family homestead and flower farm. We raise animals, vegetables and flowers using regenerative agriculture practices. You may meet our family dairy cow, our milk & wool sheep, and a variety of poultry and waterfowl. We are very near the Sun River and less than an hour’s drive to the Missouri River or the Rocky Mountain front. We enjoy fly-fishing, climbing, and hiking and are happy to recommend some great spots.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$30
/ night
Choteau Mountain View RV Campground
Choteau Mountain View RV Campground
100%
(16)
38mi from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge · 26 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Our family built a cabin in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in the 1970’s. We’ve been coming out for over 20 years to visit and now are making this our home. One thing about this area that really strikes me is the gorgeous Ear Mountain. It hovers with the rest of the Rocky Mountain Front making a beautiful back drop for the quaint town of Choteau.
We are located 90 miles from St. Mary’s in Glacier park. If you are looking to go to Glacier we are an excellent spot to stay and rest on your journey.
The town of Choteau has several restaurants, gas stations with propane, a drug store and Rex’s grocery. If you feel like walking downtown, you’ll see the historic buildings like the Courthouse built in 1906.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
$30
/ night
A Canyon Stay with Mini A-frame
A Canyon Stay with Mini A-frame
100%
(20)
43mi from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge · 2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Experience an unforgettable getaway at our canyon retreat. Our property is located on 190+ acres, and is surrounded by mountain, canyon and river views. Find a secluded campsite or stay at our mini A-frame, with Blue-Ribbon trout fishing right nearby. Guests will find a private and peaceful setting to relax and connect.
LOCATION DETAILS
☀ 2 min from I-15 exit on a private road
☀ 10 min to nearest grocery and gas station in Cascade, MT
☀ 5 min to nearest bar & grill, Missouri River Inn
☀ 3 min to nearest boat ramp/fishing access for the Missouri River
☀ 30 min to Holter Lake
☀ 12 min to fly fishing stores, restaurants and bar & grills in Craig, MT
☀ 18 min to fly fishing stores, restaurants and bar & grills, gas station in Wolf Creek, MT
☀ 45 min to downtown Helena, MT
☀ 3.5 hours to Yellowstone National Park
☀ 2.5 hours to Glacier National Park
☀ 30 min to Great Falls International Airport
☀ 50 min to Helena Regional Airport
☀ 2 hours to Bozeman International Airport
☀ 2.5 hours to Missoula International Airport
Important notes:
- Please bring your own water
- 4WD recommended for closest access to our sites.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$23
/ night
Farm Valley Retreat
Farm Valley Retreat
63%
(4)
27mi from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge · 1 site · Tent, RV
Nestled in a valley in rustic Montana, this peaceful retreat on a working regenerative farm offers a serene escape. A small creek runs through the property, and nearby Belt Creek provides excellent fishing access. Enjoy the sunsets and unwind. The farm offers tours upon request, allowing you to visit the adorable pigs and alpacas. Rest and relax in this quiet valley, just 25 minutes from Great Falls.
Pets
Full hookups
from
$25
/ night
Rodeo Basecamp Along the Mighty MO
Rodeo Basecamp Along the Mighty MO
27mi from Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge · 1 site · Lodging
Mid century original vintage ranch home located on acreage adjacent to Missouri River and state fishing access site.
3 bedrooms with 2 full sized beds and 2 queen sized fold-out sofas. Indoor half-bath (shower and sink) with serviced portable toilet outside. Fully equipped kitchen and generous living room with big windows.
Immediate yard is partially fenced due to ongoing water/sewer projects and pets are welcome. Mudroom adjacent to kitchen is indoor pet area.
Hundreds of conservation and grazing acres available to enjoy abundant wildlife: pheasants, eagles, osprey, bull and rattle snakes, ground squirrels, owls, deer, and coyotes exist amongst grazing cattle and horses. Beautiful morning and evening light.
Third and fourth generation family members are restoring property to friendly use so areas open to access are clearly flagged/signed.
More information in house binder and on-site.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
$100
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
J
Jeff
October 2025
16 ft car
Great spot, exactly as described. Private, quiet, beautiful. Instructions were incredibly specific and helpful. Will absolutely book again if I'm headed back in this direction.
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M
Michael
September 2025
19 ft campervan
Exactly as advertised. This is a great stop if heading north to the GNP area. We loved it.
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Krystl
September 2025
With pets
The hayloft was closed for maintenance, but the bunkhouse was very comfortable and beautifully decorated. The heater kept my little dog and I cozy all night. A great place to stay!
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C
Chelsea
September 2025
Weekend Trip to A Canyon Stay with Mini A-frame
Absolutely beautiful property. Thoughtful accommodations(games, solar powered flashlight/radio, books, hiking poles). Truly a wonderful experience. We didn’t encounter any bears but we did get to see a few deer. I recommend getting there during the light hours so you can find your way. Easy to follow instruction. Hosts are responsive and welcoming. Propane fire pit was a nice bonus. Our indoor heater was out of propane but we were comfortable. Bathroom and shower are down a little ways from the a-frame but not a bad walk. Definitely set up for a camper ready for a little glamp :)
See moreV
Victoria
September 2025
Tent
The land looked very nice, but I was only there for a few hours to sleep before leaving again. Seemed great, but didn’t get to spend a lot of time there
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Jean
September 2025
1 night at Choteau Mountain View RV Campground
This is the second time I have stayed at Choteau Mountain cabins. The cabins are unchanging in their simplicity and comfort, which suits me fine. We made a campfire in the firepit, only to have to quickly put it out due to thunderstorm winds. The hosts are cheery and as helpful as we wanted them to be. At night the campground is very quiet and the rural community comes to life at sunrise, which suited us.
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Jay
September 2025
Tent
The farm/ranch and setting are beautiful and far enough out to keep it peaceful, but close enough to town that it's not inconvenient. Maybe even more importantly, Becky was such and kind and considerate host - it made the whole experience very positive. Above and beyond my expectations for a new Hipcamper!
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Molly
September 2025
20 ft campervan
We enjoyed our stay on Tristan’s land. His family greeted us on arrival and made us feel welcome. Beautiful farm and sunset ski views. Would recommend staying here again.
See moreH
Heidi
September 2025
1 night at A Canyon Stay with Mini A-frame
Secluded canyon stay near beautiful Cascade, MT. The scenery was amazing and we really enjoyed our stay at the mini A-frame.
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Tim
September 2025
16 ft car
Very simple camp site with clean amenities and quiet surroundings
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Annette
September 2025
With pets
AC in the cabin made it a more comfortable stay. Nice bathhouse as well.
See moreTim
September 2025
16 ft car
Great little site to sleep and regroup along the way.
See moreM
Megan
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Elicia and her family were wonderful and very welcoming! My two young sons (2 & 4) and I were passing through while on an extended road trip just after my husband deployed. I felt very safe, and my boys loved interacting with the farm animals! I hope we have another opportunity to pass through, so we can stay again!
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Nathan
September 2025
Tent
Was awesome!!! So peaceful and pretty. Very nice people that own the property as well! Definitely would go back!
See moreS
Shombuly
August 2025
Weekend Trip to A Canyon Stay with Mini A-frame
What a wonderful spot in the world. Just outside cell reception is a little piece of heaven! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. As a couples weekend away, this was perfect. We will be back again.
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Kathy
August 2025
10 ft pop-up camper
We really love this location. It’s away from it all
We came with our teardrop camper and a side tent and had a lot of space. When we showed up we were greeted by two welcoming puppies!
Becky was an amazing hostess! She greeted us when we came, and the morning we were leaving, she brought us some muffins and other snacks for our road trip.. We would visit this Hipcamp again!
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K
Kelli
August 2025
1 night at Montana Country & Stone Barns
We stayed in the rustic bunkhouse and it was so nice. I think it’s nicer in person than it looks in the pictures. Their dog OLF was an excellent host and made my dog feel very comfortable. Becky checked to make sure we had everything we needed and it was a very comfortable stay.
See moreJ
Joshua
August 2025
1 night at A Canyon Stay with Mini A-frame
Kate and Ben's A-frame was awesome. Just a few minutes from the highway, but still very secluded. No other buildings or anything around. The cabin was super cute and cozy. And with the side open, there's a great view of the canyon during the day and the stars at night. Highly recommend!
See moreG
Gabriel
August 2025
Tent
An exceptional place to set up camp. The campsite, both tent and A frame, sit in a small valley between two mountain sides. You get excellent views all around, there was no pest bugs like mosquitoes, and there is plenty of opportunity for hiking on the property, though trails are still a work in progress. The bathroom and shower are clean, and Kate and Ben were excellent hosts. No signal, but that can be a bonus depending on how you look at it. Overall, sincerely recommend giving this campsite a stay
See moreT
Tricia
August 2025
With pets
Amazing spot! Extremely quiet and calm. Everything was clean and comfortable! Exactly what we needed after traveling the PNW for two weeks!
See moreThe best camping in Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, MT guide
Overview
About
Camping near Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers an enriching experience for outdoor enthusiasts. While the term "lake" might suggest a deep body of water, Benton Lake is actually a sprawling 6,000-acre shallow wetland, a testament to the transformative forces of the last continental glacier that shaped this landscape thousands of years ago. Campers will find tranquility in this unique setting, where the delicate ecosystem formed by ancient geological events unfolds in front of them. The wetland environment, a product of the Refuge's management as part of the Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, nurtures a variety of flora and fauna that add a layer of natural intrigue to your camping journey. Days can be spent exploring the diversity of the wetland, observing the dance of ecosystems functioning in harmony. Birds of all shapes and sizes can be spotted, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Nature photography takes on a new level of challenge and satisfaction in such a diverse habitat. After a day filled with exploration, campers can unwind under the wide Montana sky, the peaceful sounds of the wetland providing a calming soundtrack. The rhythmic croaking of frogs, the gentle rustling of reeds in the breeze, all under a sky teeming with stars. It’s these moments that make a Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge camping trip an exceptional outdoor adventure. The surrounding areas offer a host of outdoor activities. Nearby trails provide hiking options for all skill levels, and local rivers are perfect for canoeing or fishing. Camping near Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is more than just a trip; it's a dive into an ancient world, an ecological marvel waiting to be explored.
When to go
The best time to visit Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall migrations, when waterfowl and shorebirds are abundant. Summer offers warm exploration days, while winter provides a serene, snowy landscape for cross-country skiing. Avoid the wettest months when trails may be inaccessible.
Know before you go
- Check the refuge's seasonal closures to protect nesting birds and their young.
- No overnight parking or camping is allowed on the refuge.
- For your safety, pets must be leashed and remain on designated trails.
- Prepare for your visit by checking the weather and dressing appropriately.
- Remember to carry out all trash and respect the protected wildlife and plants.
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