Holter Lake Campground

Campground · Montana · 55 bookable sites ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Butte Field Office (Bureau of Land Management MT) · Open Access

55
Bookable sites
68 ft
Max rig length
up to 10
People per site
3
Accessible sites
3,617 ft
Elevation
Overnight camping boat dock and slips
Photo: Joe Cobb · Recreation.gov

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 Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window

• Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

The recreation.gov cancellation policy can be found here: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

The facts

  • 55 bookable sites
  • 56 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 4 sites for day use only
  • 3 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 68 ft
  • Up to 10 people per site
  • Loops: A, HolterLake, TENT

Site types

  • 42 RV Nonelectric
  • 13 Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available
  • Sewer hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

56 campsites at Holter Lake Campground

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceWaterMax rigPeople
01ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—58 ft10 🐾
02ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—47 ft10 🐾
03ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—33 ft10 🐾
04ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—44 ft10 🐾
05ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—62 ft10 🐾
06ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—50 ft10 🐾
07ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—68 ft10 🐾
08ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—68 ft10 🐾
09ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—50 ft10 🐾
10ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—60 ft10 🐾
11ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—43 ft10 🐾
12ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—58 ft10 🐾
13ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—50 ft10 🐾
14ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—50 ft10 🐾
15ARv NonelectricBack InPaved—54 ft10♿ 🐾
16ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—54 ft10 🐾
17ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—53 ft10 🐾
18ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—64 ft10 🐾
19ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—56 ft10 🐾
20ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—49 ft10 🐾
21ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—58 ft10 🐾
22ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—41 ft10 🐾
23ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—55 ft10 🐾
24ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—58 ft10 🐾
25ARv NonelectricBack InPaved—63 ft10 🐾
26ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—60 ft10♿ 🐾
27ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—28 ft10 🐾
28ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—24 ft10 🐾
29ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—33 ft10 🐾
30ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—50 ft10 🐾
31ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—43 ft10 🐾
32ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—45 ft10 🐾
33ARv NonelectricBack InGravel—43 ft10 🐾
34HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10♿ 🐾
35HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
36HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
37HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
38HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
39HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
40HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
41HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
42HolterLakeRv NonelectricBack InPavedLakefront30 ft10 🐾
Day Use Shelter 1HolterLakeStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
Day Use Shelter 2HolterLakeStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
Day Use Shelter 3HolterLakeStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
Group Use ShelterHolterLakeStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
44TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
45TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
46TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
47TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
48TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
49TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
50TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
51TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
52TENTStandard Nonelectric————8 🐾
53TENTManagement————8 🐾

Getting there

From Great Falls, Montana take Interstate-15 South towards Helena. Take exit 234 to Craig. Turn left heading to Craig and cross the Missouri River. Come to a "T" and then take a right on Recreation Road. Travel approximately 5 miles. Before crossing the Missouri River/steel bridge, turn left onto Beartooth Road. Continue 2.3 miles to Holter Lake Campground. The Campground will be on your right. 

From Helena, Montana take Interstate-15 north towards Great Falls. Take exit 226 to Wolf Creek. Turn right towards Recreation Road and cross the railroad tracks. Turn left onto Recreation Road. After crossing the Missouri River/steel bridge, turn right onto Beartooth Road. Continue 2.3 miles to Holter Lake Campground. The Campground will be on your right.

46.99502, -111.99051 · 46°59'42.1"N 111°59'25.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 37°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F374049576775858574594537
Low °F202026323946515044362822
Precip in0.30.40.61.52.62.91.01.21.31.00.50.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Each RV/trailer/tent costs $25 with a max of two of any combination per site. 

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Holter Lake Campground

Can you reserve a site at Holter Lake Campground?
Yes, Holter Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Holter Lake Campground have?
56 sites in total, of which 55 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Holter Lake Campground?
68 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Holter Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Holter Lake Campground.
Does Holter Lake Campground have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Holter Lake Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Holter Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Holter Lake Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.