Nelson Creek Recreation Area
Army Corps Of Engineers
Write a Review Nelson Creek Rd. Circle, MT 59215 406-526-3411 406-526-3493 Official WebsiteGPS: 47.5626, -106.224
Overview of Nelson Creek Recreation Area
Access road may become impassable when wet.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by camper-722176 on 8/24/2022
Longest RV Reported: 37 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Frazersonaroll on 7/26/2021
Number of Sites 25
Elevation 2,296 ft / 699 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Nelson Creek Recreation Area
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 406-526-3411
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Reviews of Nelson Creek Recreation Area 7 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 7 Users
Last reported 8/24/2022
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 7/8/2022
“Stunning, Quiet.”
Reviewed 8/24/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 13 |
Overall Rating
Beautiful. A little off the beaten path but worth it. Very quiet. Would be a challenge for a bigger RV if recent rain/mud, but was fine for our 26’ Class A.
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Verizon 4G
camper-722176 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfect Boondocking spot. ”
Reviewed 7/8/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | Fork 1 |
| RV Length: | 21' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Stopover on way to Glacier. As per previous reviewers this is fantastic if you love Boondocking. Cell coverage is decent. Gravel trails are ok but for safety I’d say 4wd if any rain on forecast or already wet. Big rigs would be fine if you take it slow. I saw 1 other camper on a different fork. Almost no bugs mid July.
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AT&T 5G
Verizon 4G
OffWeGoRV would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Incredible spot ”
Reviewed 7/26/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 1003 |
| RV Length: | 37' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
The road to get to the camping area is rough so drive with care. Only a few pot holes, but compact and hard throughout (though we didn’t have any rain so road was dry). Our spot was incredible. Plenty of room for our big rig (37’). We always had signal. We had easy access to the lake. We couldn’t have asked for a better boondocking spo... more
The road to get to the camping area is rough so drive with care. Only a few pot holes, but compact and hard throughout (though we didn’t have any rain so road was dry). Our spot was incredible. Plenty of room for our big rig (37’). We always had signal. We had easy access to the lake. We couldn’t have asked for a better boondocking spot. Highly recommend.
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Verizon 4G
Frazersonaroll would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Remote and beautiful”
Reviewed 11/14/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 5 |
| Site Number: | none |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This was my first true boondock and I loved it. I was a little nervous about driving my rig into an unknown area but I took it slow and had no problems. The road was washboard and very bumpy. It was getting late when I arrived so I chose the first open area for the night. The next morning I drove around and found a perfect spot. I on... more
This was my first true boondock and I loved it. I was a little nervous about driving my rig into an unknown area but I took it slow and had no problems. The road was washboard and very bumpy. It was getting late when I arrived so I chose the first open area for the night. The next morning I drove around and found a perfect spot.
I only saw four other campers the entire stay. This is a huge area. There is plenty of room for rigs of all sizes.
I didn't see any trash laying around. The site I choose was level and overlooked the lake.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Juleyt would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing lakeshore camping”
Reviewed 7/17/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 7 |
| Site Number: | 1003 |
| RV Length: | 28' |
Overall Rating
This is technically part of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and as such, you're camping out in the wilderness, immersed into nature, but easily accessed by hard-packed gravel road. As the first reviewer pointed out, the strongest Verizon 4G signal is at the first arm, which leads into the south-eastern most section of t... more
This is technically part of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and as such, you're camping out in the wilderness, immersed into nature, but easily accessed by hard-packed gravel road.
As the first reviewer pointed out, the strongest Verizon 4G signal is at the first arm, which leads into the south-eastern most section of the Area (sites 1001, 1002, 1003). As you move more north and to the west, you lose Verizon signal. However, these sites are grassy pads and are somewhat unlevel. If you want gravel, level pads, then set up towards the western end, closer to the boat ramp.
Campsites here get fully packed by Friday. Campers start moving in here by Thursday night. Meanwhile, from Monday to Wednesday, the sites remain half-full.
You will see lots of deer and pronghorn here. Plenty of songbirds to listen to in the morning. Lots of great fishing here too.
There is a free RV dump station with potable water at Downstream Campground, by the dam.
The winds do blow in the evenings, and some nights it gets pretty fierce.
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Verizon 4G
RoadPickle.com would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Gorgeous Lake View!”
Reviewed 2/1/2018
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
This is a very beautiful and secluded camping spot overlooking the Fort Peck Lake. As you drive in Nelson Creek Rd there are multiple roads that lead to multiple different camping spots. Each one has a concrete picnic table and fire ring. There are also vault toilets. We had good Verizon cell service with our WeBooster. It is very far ... more
This is a very beautiful and secluded camping spot overlooking the Fort Peck Lake. As you drive in Nelson Creek Rd there are multiple roads that lead to multiple different camping spots. Each one has a concrete picnic table and fire ring. There are also vault toilets. We had good Verizon cell service with our WeBooster. It is very far from any town so make sure to stock up on supplies before camping here! We enjoyed watching gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, biking, viewing wildlife, and simply relaxing.
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Verizon 4G
MeyersTravelJournal would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful, peaceful, and free”
Reviewed 2/15/2017
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
I stayed at Nelson Creek Recreation Area on a summer weeknight, and it's perhaps the best boondocking spot I've ever been to. This is not just one campground! The main road (Nelson Creek Road) has a bunch of forks and sub-forks that bring you to individual camping areas with anywhere from one to four spots in each. So, if someone else ... more
I stayed at Nelson Creek Recreation Area on a summer weeknight, and it's perhaps the best boondocking spot I've ever been to. This is not just one campground! The main road (Nelson Creek Road) has a bunch of forks and sub-forks that bring you to individual camping areas with anywhere from one to four spots in each. So, if someone else is camping in the recreation area but not in your area, chances are you won't see or hear them. I was alone in my section, and I saw another RV in another - that was it.
There are no hookups (no power, no fresh water, no dump site) but there are a few vault toilets. There are 25 official spots (I think some people just park wherever they want though), and you can see the bright white concrete tables at each on Google Maps satellite view. In August 2016, Fork 1 had great Verizon coverage (no booster), but there was no cell service in the other forks or down by the dock/boat launch. If you're in an RV/trailer, Nelson Creek Road isn't too bad, but you might want to scope out the sub-fork roads on satellite view so you know if you should back in. The photo I uploaded was taken from the campsite at (47.566339, -106.213613). 14 day limit at the campground.
I think camping is free? There was no pay station or cost listed anywhere. VisitMT, Recreation.gov, and the Army Corps of Engineers site all don't mention any costs. Recreation.gov does not (at this time) accept reservations. There are MANY other campgrounds in the region, here's the Corps' map: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Portals/23/siteimages/recreation/FtPeck.pdf
There are no nearby amenities. There is a pretty new rest area with running water down at 24 & 200 (20 minutes south down 24) that does have six big parking spots for RVs.
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Verizon 4G
webster would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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35 reviews
Free Camping at Nelson Creek Recreation Area, Montana - Road Pickle
Fort Peck Lake loomed large on Google Maps, taking up a huge chunk of real estate in the north-east quadrant of “Big Sky Country”, otherwise known as Montana. I wanted to camp there. Seem...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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