ABOUT NELSON RESERVOIR RECREATION AREA, MALTA, MONTANA: We have no information about the campground. These are just the things we observed by staying here two nights.
We found this campground in All-Stays, a campground locator app. And thank goodness for that! It’s a boondocking campground – no fee for staying there, no hook-ups, no one to monitor activities at the campground (no rangers or campground hosts – this can be good, or bad). In this case, it was great. There were 10 to 15 campsites, not numbered, overlooking Nelson Reservoir. There are restrooms and a couple of campsites are designated for handicapped, and those are paved. The rest are dirt/grass.
Our campsite, like the others, was by the Lake. The view was wonderful. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There was a boat launch, and we suspect it would be busy on the weekends. There was hardly anyone here when we were here. We would definitely camp here again.
NOTE: Online reviews said that this campground had a big bug problem, even as late in the year as October. We had fairly high winds during our stay – 15 to 20 miles and hour. The bugs were no problem except the brief time when the winds stopped. Then we indeed saw plenty of bugs.
Nelson Reservoir Recreation Area, Malta, Montana: the campground is located 20 miles east of Malta off Highway 2. There is a sign for the Reservoir, and Sleeping Buffalo, before you reach the turn-off from Highway 2 to Highway 243. Off the 243, turn left on the dirt road at the Sleeping Buffalo sign and drive on this road a short distance to the sign for the Recreation Area on the left. Follow that road down to the Lake and the campsites.
- 2022 – 09/19-09/21