Downstream
Downstream Campground is located just below Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River in northeastern Montana. Recreation enthusiasts and sportsmen enjoy the beauty of Fort Peck Lake's 1,500 miles of shoreline. A variety of high quality outdoor activities are available, including camping, boating, fishing, hunting, sightseeing and wildlife viewing. Fort Peck Dam, which impounds Fort Peck Lake is the first dam built in the upper Missouri River Basin. The area surrounding Fort Peck was first charted by Lewis and Clark in 1804, and the pristine natural condition of the river and surrounding area awed the renowned explorers. When President Franklin D.
More like this: electric hookups in Montana · full hookups in Montana · reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana · group sites in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV with electric | 70 |
| Tent-only | 12 |
| RV, no hookups | 2 |
| Walk-in | 1 |
| group standard electric | 1 |
| Host/management | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 90 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
86 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 78 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 20 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 79 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 80 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 81 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 82 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 83 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 84 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 85 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Full | 30 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 86 | Faranuf | RV electric | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | 50 amp | 10 / 2 | Yes | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 90 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Camping and shelter reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Accessibility | Sites 77, 78, 79, 80 and 21 more are listed accessible |
Downstream Campground offers 86 family campsites, 71 of which have electrical hookups; 16 sites are tent-only. One large group campsite is available with electrical hookups. The campground offers flush and vault toilets, showers, playgrounds, cornhole boards, a basketball court and horseshoe pits. A dump station is available on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Nashua, MT, travel on Highway 117 south for 10.5 miles continue straight onto Yellowstone Rd for 1 mile and the campground will be on the left. From Glasgow, MT, travel on Highway 24 south for 18 miles to Fort Peck Dam. Turn Left onto Highway 117 travel 2.5 miles.
| Nearest town | Fort Peck, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48.0067° N, 106.4281° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHell Gate Rx
19 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Camp Hosting at Fort Peck Montana Downstream Campground Tour
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Administration BuildingBuilding · Fort Peck · 0.8 mi
- HospitalBuilding · Fort Peck · 0.8 mi
- Employee's Hotel and GarageBuilding · Fort Peck · 0.9 mi
Natural features
A shady grove of cottonwoods covers the grassy campground, making Downstream a pleasant place during the heat of the summer. In autumn, the leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow. Three fishing ponds, including scenic Winter Harbor, dot the landscape below the dam.
Recreation
The vast size of Fort Peck Lake and its remoteness from major population centers provide a variety of high quality outdoor experiences. Popular recreation activities include camping, boating, fishing, hunting, sight-seeing, picnicking, biking, hiking, photography, watching wildlife and just relaxing. Fort Peck Lake: Fifteen hundred miles of pristine shoreline serve as a haven for those wishing to get away from the stresses of modern life. There are 27 recreation areas located around the reservoir. The areas near and around the dam offer paved roads, electricity, showers and playgrounds while facilities around the rest of the lake are more primitive with gravel roads, picnic tables and vault toilets. Access roads to many of the remote areas may be impassable in inclement weather. Fishing: Fort Peck Lake enjoys nationwide recognition as a hot spot for walleye fishing. Fort Peck Lake provides excellent boating and fishing opportunities. The lake also offers excellent fishing for sauger, smallmouth bass, lake trout, chinook salmon and northern pike. The introduction of cisco as a forage fish in 1983 proved successful and has increased both the size and number of game fish.
Nearby
- Fort Peck Lake is a Montana treasure for its vast size and outdoor recreation opportunities. Six recreation areas within a few miles of the dam provide access for water sports, fishing and hunting.
- The Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum, is located just downstream of Fort Peck Dam. For more information, call 406-526-3493.
- The Leo B. Coleman Wildlife Pasture, located just outside the Town of Fort Peck and Downstream Campground is home to Fort Peck's Bison Herd and provides an excellent wildlife viewing auto route.
- The Historic Fort Peck Theater is located in the town of Ft. Peck is a popular historic destination in summer months.
- The 1.1 million acre Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge surrounds Fort Peck Lake and helps preserve the natural habitat for numerous wildlife species.
Guidebooks for Montana
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Downstream?
Sites at Downstream 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 Downstream?
Camping and shelter reservations can be made at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Downstream?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Downstream have?
94 sites, including 70 RV sites with electric, 12 tent-only sites, 2 RV sites without hookups, and 1 walk-in site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Downstream?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Downstream have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Downstream?
The campground offers flush and vault toilets, showers, playgrounds, cornhole boards, a basketball court and horseshoe pits.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Downstream?
Yes, pets are allowed at Downstream. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Downstream?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Downstream?
Sites 77, 78, 79, and 80 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 25 sites in all. 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 Downstream?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Downstream?
The vast size of Fort Peck Lake and its remoteness from major population centers provide a variety of high quality outdoor experiences. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation