Goose Bay Dispersed Camping
Canyon Ferry Lake USBR
Write a Review Goose Bay Lane Townsend, MT 59644 406-475-3921 Official WebsiteGPS: 46.5421, -111.5733
Overview of Goose Bay Dispersed Camping
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by EnOne on 10/22/2022
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Class A)
Reported by Perpetual Moves on 3/16/2022
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 3,772 ft / 1,149 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Goose Bay Dispersed Camping
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 406-475-3921
Taylor asked on 3/21/2022
Which way should we come to avoid the 90 degree turn onto a bridge?
Reviews of Goose Bay Dispersed Camping 13 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 11 Users
Last reported 7/6/2023
Confirmed by 7 Users
Last reported 6/22/2023
Confirmed by 3 Users
Last reported 8/11/2022
“Wonderful Views Of Mountains And lake”
Reviewed 7/6/2023
| Days stayed: | 1 |
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| RV Length: | 25' (Truck Camper) |
Overall Rating
We stopped here on our way to Alaska, a bit more off the beaten path than we usually stay when staying only 1 night but quiet and safe. Lots of room with picnic tables and grill/ fire pit. Road in was a bit washboard but if you take it slow it’s ok. Would recommend if your staying more than a night
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Verizon 5G
Cathiebraz would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Many large spots and access to a the lake”
Reviewed 10/22/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | NA |
| RV Length: | 12' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
There are vault toilets, each site has a rock or metal fire ring. The sites are large and well spaced out. I stayed here for 4 days in mid-October. I had my pick of spots if I wanted a shady and sunny place. I picked something sunnier for solar and it was cold in the mornings. I had solid signal to connect remotely to work, no need... more
There are vault toilets, each site has a rock or metal fire ring. The sites are large and well spaced out.
I stayed here for 4 days in mid-October. I had my pick of spots if I wanted a shady and sunny place. I picked something sunnier for solar and it was cold in the mornings. I had solid signal to connect remotely to work, no need for a booster.
I did have a person with a generator show up on my last night but they were the only ones.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“One of the best”
Reviewed 8/18/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | Na |
Overall Rating
One of the best dispersed camping areas I've ever been to. It is federal dispersed so 14 day limit. Vault toilet in area. Many good spots. All pretty level. Parking in grass. Rock fire rings. Park bench at many sites. Beach access and swimming allowed. Here on a Wednesday and within an hour 3 more RVs came in. For the better sl... more
One of the best dispersed camping areas I've ever been to. It is federal dispersed so 14 day limit.
Vault toilet in area. Many good spots. All pretty level. Parking in grass. Rock fire rings. Park bench at many sites. Beach access and swimming allowed.
Here on a Wednesday and within an hour 3 more RVs came in. For the better slots I suspect it's pretty busy here on the weekends. Likely by Friday afternoon most are gone during prime seasons. It's a large space though and plenty of area to park and sleep or throw down a tent if you don't need or want a full blown camp site.
5g AT&T, 4 bar LTE Verizon. I'm streaming video calls here no problem.
Only negative. It is near water so be prepared for mosquitoes and flies. Holy lord the mosquitoes.
Road coming in is ridged pretty bad so drive slow and be prepared for vibration mode like you were hit by a red shell in Mario kart while using the old school rumble packs.
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AT&T 5G
Verizon 4G
@BigRedAdventureTruck would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Spot! ”
Reviewed 8/11/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| RV Length: | 34' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We arrived on a Monday around noon and there were a ton of sites. We picked one near some trees to get some shade. The lake is beautiful and clean! No HABs while we were there (early August) but we did keep a look out due to having our dog with us. The only complaints I have about this spot - the mosquitoes were relentless and the was... more
We arrived on a Monday around noon and there were a ton of sites. We picked one near some trees to get some shade. The lake is beautiful and clean! No HABs while we were there (early August) but we did keep a look out due to having our dog with us.
The only complaints I have about this spot - the mosquitoes were relentless and the washboard road is brutal. Definitely loosened some things in our 34ft airstream and in our truck lol. Take it very slow. Otherwise, any size rig will fit here! We won’t be leaving with our rig towards Helena. We are opting to avoid the winding roads and sharp narrow turn at the dam and instead will go back through Townsend and north from there.
ATT service was pretty good, T-Mobile was okay. Great Starlink visibility.
Filled up water at the Marina right beside dispersed camping for free and you can dump there for $10. I think they also sell propane!
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AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 4G
Taylor would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Peaceful & beautiful views”
Reviewed 7/12/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Many sites throughout the bay, quite & tucked away, bathrooms fairly clean, right next to a paid campground which you can shower at (pay showers) all sites had a table and fire place but we noticed spots fill up and people will still camp where no table/ pit are.
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Verizon 4G
Samantha would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice spot - windy at times - BUSY!”
Reviewed 6/29/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | N/A |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Super solid spot on the lake/reservoir. Good cell service (+Starlink visibility). Unclear what previous reviews meant about 3 loops given there are maybe 15-20 spots total (if you double/triple up with others). Rangers are frequent and will ticket for unoccupied or over staying here. Winds coming off the lake can be fierce yet calm... more
Super solid spot on the lake/reservoir. Good cell service (+Starlink visibility). Unclear what previous reviews meant about 3 loops given there are maybe 15-20 spots total (if you double/triple up with others).
Rangers are frequent and will ticket for unoccupied or over staying here. Winds coming off the lake can be fierce yet calm days are fantastic. Don’t trust weather forecasts as it comes in from the opposite side of the water.
As a solo female, I felt primarily safe, with an eye on locals who can feel a bit territorial and will claim their space for days without occupation. I felt lucky to snag a spot and saw very little availability, even during the week.
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Verizon 4G
kzoocamp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Waterfront Dry Camping- Wide Open Spaces”
Reviewed 3/16/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 6 |
| RV Length: | 40' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
We camped here in July 2021 in a 40’ Motorhome. Caution: if you’re coming Helena in a longer rig/setup, there is a bridge with a 90 degree turn with rocks and barriers on both sides. The sign says not to continue down the road if you’re longer than 50 feet in total. If you pass the sign, there’s nowhere else to turn around and you’... more
We camped here in July 2021 in a 40’ Motorhome.
Caution: if you’re coming Helena in a longer rig/setup, there is a bridge with a 90 degree turn with rocks and barriers on both sides. The sign says not to continue down the road if you’re longer than 50 feet in total. If you pass the sign, there’s nowhere else to turn around and you’ll be forced to go over the bridge.
Other than that minor heart attack, we had no issues accessing this campsite. There was lots of wide open spaces and plenty of lakefront spots. It’s a great place to come with a group.
Plenty of cell service on Verizon and ATT for work.
The nearby marina/ RV park offers water fill and dump for a fee (I think it was $10 for both). Very easy access.
The nearby town of Townsend was cute and has a few amenities- a small grocery store, a bakery, a coffee shop (with wifi), gas stations, etc.
We loved our time at the lake with friends and would definitely camp here again.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Perpetual Moves would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Big Rig Friendly Water Views Aplenty”
Reviewed 9/19/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| RV Length: | 36' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
Free Camping at Goose Bay Dispersed Camping Area in Montana is administered by the US Bureau of Reclamation. In this video, I show you some of the best campsites for free camping at the Goose Bay Dispersed Camping Area located on Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena, MT. We found plenty of big rig friendly dispersed campsites here, all with... more
Free Camping at Goose Bay Dispersed Camping Area in Montana is administered by the US Bureau of Reclamation. In this video, I show you some of the best campsites for free camping at the Goose Bay Dispersed Camping Area located on Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena, MT. We found plenty of big rig friendly dispersed campsites here, all with water views. Verizon cellular service clocked in at 34.2 Mbps download speed and 6.77 Mbps upload speed. AT&T cellular service clocked in at 54.3 Mbps download speed and 6.45 Mbps upload speed. T-Mobile cellular service clocked in at 103 Mbps download speed and 4.71 Mbps upload speed.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
LivingOurDreamNow would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“No one respects the rules in place. ”
Reviewed 9/2/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| RV Length: | 10' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Would be an awesome spot if there weren’t large dogs running all over the place off leash and people ignoring the “no campfires” signage. This is why campgrounds get shut down. I’ve called both offices of the rangers and no action has been taken. Entitled people galore here. Enjoy.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“What. A. Spot. ”
Reviewed 6/12/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 6 |
Overall Rating
This spot was PERFECT. Everything you need: waterfront view, fire ring, picnic table, vault toilet & amazing cell service. The sunsets were beautiful, the water was clean and it was so peaceful during the week. Weekends get PACKED. There are 3 loops to this dispersed camping. I recommend loop 3. It was the least packed during the week ... more
This spot was PERFECT. Everything you need: waterfront view, fire ring, picnic table, vault toilet & amazing cell service. The sunsets were beautiful, the water was clean and it was so peaceful during the week. Weekends get PACKED. There are 3 loops to this dispersed camping. I recommend loop 3. It was the least packed during the week and has access to 2 clean vault toilets. There’s great spots towards the end that have easy water access for a kayak or SUP. I used my SUP in that little bay and it was perfect. Only 45 minutes to Helena and surrounded by beauty! And it’s free! You can stay up to 14 days.
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AT&T 4G
Abby would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Goose Bay is an area along Canyon Ferry Lake, at its eastern shore, about 30 minutes east of Helena, Montana. There’s actually two campgrounds at Goose Bay, this one, the dispersed area,...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- water access
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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