Can you reserve a site at Riverside Campground?

Yes, Riverside Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Riverside Campground?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Riverside Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Riverside Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Riverside Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Riverside Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Riverside Campground, Montana — 28 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Riverside Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, below the dam at the northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Riverside Campground provides space for campers, day users, and large groups. 27 paved campsites, a group use area with a picnic pavilion, 6 pit toilets, an accessible fishing dock, a boat ramp and day use picnic area. This popular location below the dam attracts many families, boaters and fisherman.

Recreation

Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers a wide range of year-round recreational opportunities. Water related activities include everything from swimming and fishing to sailing and motor-boating. Canoeists and kayakers explore the many quiet backwater bays. Jet skiers, windsurfers and water skiers skim the summer waves, while winter draws ice fishermen and ice skaters.

Facilities

Riverside Campground has 27 campsites, a group use camping area, a boat ramp, parking area for boat trailers and several day use picnic sites. Each campsite has a paved camping pad, a fire ring and picnic table. During the peak summer months services include vault toilets, potable water, dumpsters and campground hosts.

Riverside Group Campsites include exclusive access to a picnic shelter, accessible vault toilets and 7 campsites. The picnic shelter is 30' X 45' with 8 picnic tables and a large fire ring. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. The group campsites and pavilion are set apart from the rest of the campground, providing adequate space and privacy for groups to enjoy.

Natural Features

Riverside Campground sits below Canyon Ferry Dam along the banks of Hauser Reservoir. The current is swift, and swimming is not advised. Ample fish in the water makes this a prime location for bird watching. Loons, cormorants and pelicans are often present patrolling the waters; while bald eagles and osprey make appearances to showcase their fish hunting skills.

Nearby Attractions

Riverside Campground is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. The city of Helena, Montana, the state capital, is 25 miles away. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (406) 475-3920.

The facts

28 bookable sites
5 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 75 people per site

Site types

27 RV Nonelectric
1 Group RV Area Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

28 campsites at Riverside Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
001	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
002	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
003	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
004	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
005	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
006	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	—	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
007	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
008	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
009	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	8	🐾
010	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
011	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
012	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
013	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
014	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
015	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	8	🐾
016	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
017	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
018	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
019	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	8	🐾
020	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	8	🐾
021	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
022	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
023	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	35 ft	8	🐾
024	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
025	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Paved	Slight	—	40 ft	8	♿ 🐾
026	—	Rv Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
027	—	Rv Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
Riverside Group Use Campsites	—	Group Rv Area Nonelectric	—	Paved	Slight	—	—	75	♿ 🐾

Getting there

From Helena, MT: Head east along Co Rd 430/Canyon Ferry Rd from Helena, MT, continue for 18 miles to Jim Town Road and turn left. Continue straight until you reach the campground.
From Townsend, MT: Head north on Hwy 284 for 34 miles and turn right at Jim Town Road. Continue straight until you reach the campground.

46.65636, -111.73482 · 46°39'22.9"N 111°44'5.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 32°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	32	37	48	57	66	75	86	85	73	58	43	33
Low °F	14	17	25	32	42	49	55	53	45	34	23	14
Precip in	0.4	0.4	0.5	1.0	1.9	2.2	1.1	1.0	1.0	0.8	0.6	0.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 11.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

We only charge fees during "Peak Seasons" the 1st weekend of May through the second weekend of September.

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

Common questions about Riverside Campground

Can you reserve a site at Riverside Campground?: Yes, Riverside Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Riverside Campground have?: 28 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Riverside Campground?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Riverside Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Riverside Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Riverside Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Riverside Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Riverside Campground

Court Sheriff Campground 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Chinamen's Campground 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cave Point Group Use Area 1.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jo Bonner Campground 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Devil's Elbow Campground 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hellgate Campground 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bar Gulch Cabin 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Devil's Elbow Recreation Site 4.6 mi · Facility
Clark's Bay Day Use Site 4.7 mi · Facility
Never Sweat Trailhead 6.6 mi · Facility
Vigilante Campground 8.6 mi · Campground

Contact

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

Riverside Campground