Holter Dam Campground
Holter Dam Recreation Area Located immediately below Holter Lake Dam, this stretch of the Missouri River is recognized as a premier Blue-Ribbon fishery, drawing anglers nationwide for its exceptional rainbow and brown trout fishing. The area is also popular for camping, river floating, fly fishing, picnicking, walking, scenic viewing, and wildlife observation. Holter Dam provides: Camping & Day-Use: 17 campsites, picnic shelters, shade structures, and accessible shoreline fishing areas. Boating Access: A 2-lane concrete boat ramp with adjacent parking. Visitor Services: Information kiosk, fee station, potable water system, garbage collection, and lawn with night lighting.
More like this: reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
Site guide
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 3 | Yes | |
| 02 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |
| 03 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |||
| 04 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |||
| 05 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |||
| 06 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |||
| 07 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 08 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |||
| 09 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes | |||
| 10 | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 10 / 3 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 65 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Each RV/trailer/tent costs $20 with a max of two of any combination per site. Day Use is $5 per vehicle per day or $50 for annual pass. |
| Accessibility | Site 07 is listed accessible |
The 17 campsites accommodate RVs, camper trailers, and tents, with amenities designed for comfort and convenience. Facilities include a parking lot, a two-lane concrete boat ramp, concrete vaulted latrines, picnic tables, grills, shade structures, and picnic shelters. Visitors will also find an information kiosk, fee station, accessible shoreline fishing areas, potable water, garbage collection, a maintained lawn, and night lighting. Reservations are required and must be made in advance, as Holter Dam is a popular destination and sites fill quickly during peak season.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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. After crossing the Missouri River/steel bridge, turn left onto Holter Dam Road.
| Nearest town | Wolf Creek, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.9955° N, 112.0119° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHogum Creek Road Piles Rx
24 mi from the campground · 5 acres
- PrescribedBear Gulch Rx
29 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedWakina Sky Rx
31 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedSure Thing Swamp Rx
41 mi from the campground · 180 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Prewett Creek Inn and Fly Shop ↗ | 15.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 18.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | D & D RV Center ↗ | 27.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Holter Dam Campground — Chain Of Lakes, MT from Rob R.
Worth a stop
- Holter Dam Campground is conveniently located between Helena and Great Falls, making it an excellent basecamp for both outdoor recreation and cultural exploration.
- On Holter Lake:
- Log Gulch Campground & Day-Use Area – A large BLM-managed site on the west shore, with developed campsites, group picnic shelters, boat ramps, and a swim beach.
- Departure Point – A smaller 4 site campground with direct access to the lake and beach.
- Holter Lake Campground – Located upstream of Holter Dam, offering lakefront campsites, a swimming beach, and a boat ramp.
- Fishing & Boating – Holter Lake is popular for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, walleye, and perch, with multiple boat ramps providing access.
- Wildlife & Birdwatching – The lake attracts pelicans, bald eagles, ospreys, and waterfowl, while bighorn sheep and mule deer are often seen on surrounding cliffs.
- South to Helena (about 45 minutes):
- Montana State Capitol – Tour the historic seat of Montana’s government.
- Last Chance Gulch & Reeder’s Alley – Explore Helena’s vibrant downtown with shops, restaurants, and gold rush history.
- Cathedral of St. Helena – A striking neo-Gothic cathedral dominating the skyline.
- Mount Helena City Park – Trails lead to panoramic views of the Helena Valley.
- Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum – A colorful retreat in Jefferson City.
- Great Northern Carousel & ExplorationWorks – Family-friendly attractions in the heart of the city.
- Montana Historical Society Museum – Exhibits showcasing Montana’s history and culture.
- North to Great Falls (about 1 hour):
- Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center – Immersive exhibits tracing the Corps of Discovery’s journey.
- C.M. Russell Museum – Celebrating the art and legacy of famed Western painter Charles M. Russell.
- Giant Springs State Park & Fish Hatchery – Home to one of the largest freshwater springs in the world.
- River’s Edge Trail – Miles of paved pathways along the Missouri River, with access to waterfalls and scenic overlooks.
- 10.1 miMeriwether Picnic Area ↗Day use
Public land it sits in
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness begins about 8.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.9 miGates of the Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 28,460 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Missouri River BridgeStructure · Wolf Creek · 1.6 mi
- Wolf Creek HotelBuilding · Wolf Creek · 2.8 mi
- Sheep Creek BridgeStructure · Wolf Creek · 3.5 mi
Natural features
Every campsite offers views of the Missouri River and the surrounding mountains. Poplar and green ash trees are scattered throughout the campground and day-use area, providing welcome shade during the height of summer. The setting lies within a shrub-steppe landscape dominated by sagebrush and bunchgrasses, offering a true sense of Montana’s open spaces. Wildlife is abundant in the area. Bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons are often seen along the shoreline, while mule deer, bighorn sheep, and other native species roam the nearby hillsides. The reservoir’s clear waters provide excellent opportunities to observe waterfowl and enjoy the region’s natural beauty year-round.
Recreation
This stretch of the Missouri River is recognized as a premier Blue-Ribbon fishery, drawing anglers nationwide in search of rainbow and brown trout. In addition to world-class fishing, visitors enjoy camping, river floating, picnicking, wildlife observation, and scenic viewing along the shoreline. While there are only a few short walking paths at the site itself, multiple fishing access sites and hunting areas nearby provide additional opportunities to experience Montana’s outdoors. Recreation in the Holter Dam area is varied and abundant.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Holter Dam Campground?
Sites at Holter Dam Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Holter Dam Campground?
Each RV/trailer/tent costs $20 with a max of two of any combination per site. Day Use is $5 per vehicle per day or $50 for annual pass.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Holter Dam Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Holter Dam Campground?
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Holter Dam Campground have?
17 sites, including 17 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Holter Dam Campground?
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Holter Dam Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Holter Dam Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Holter Dam Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Holter Dam Campground?
Site 07 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Holter Dam Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Holter Dam Campground?
This stretch of the Missouri River is recognized as a premier Blue-Ribbon fishery, drawing anglers nationwide in search of rainbow and brown trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Holter Dam Campground?
Wolf Creek, Montana. Holter Dam Campground is conveniently located between Helena and Great Falls, making it an excellent basecamp for both outdoor recreation and cultural exploration.
Source: Getting there