Riverside Campground
Canyon Ferry Lake — riverside, fishing
Location: Helena, MT, MT
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$106 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (123 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Riverside Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, below the dam at the northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Riverside Campground provides space for campers, day users, and large groups. 27 paved campsites, a group use area with a picnic pavilion, 6 pit toilets, an accessible fishing dock, a boat ramp and day use picnic area.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/riverside-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Riverside Campground is a well-maintained federal campground located 30 miles east of Helena below Canyon Ferry Dam, featuring 27 paved campsites with a diligent camp host who keeps the grounds and facilities clean. Campers consistently praise its quiet atmosphere, scenic reservoir views, and excellent amenities for boating and fishing.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Common Loons, Bohemian Waxwings, and Northern Flickers documented in the area
Insider tips for Riverside Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly Camp host is actively maintaining grounds daily, ensuring clean facilities Accessible fishing dock available for anglers of all abilities
Skip Riverside Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites. You require a dump station — none on-site. You prefer solitude during peak season — this is a popular family and boating destination.
Best time to visit Riverside Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though advance booking is essential due to high demand.
Nearby campgrounds: Court Sheriff Campground (Helena, MT), Chinamen’S Campground (HELENA, MT), Cave Point Group Use Area (Helena, MT), Jo Bonner Campground (HELENA, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Riverside Campground
Cell signal at Riverside Campground (Helena, MT): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Riverside Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, below the dam at the northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Riverside Campground provides space for campers, day users, and large groups. 27 paved campsites, a group use area with a picnic pavilion, 6 pit toilets, an accessible fishing dock, a boat ramp and day use picnic area.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly
Camp host is actively maintaining grounds daily, ensuring clean facilities
Accessible fishing dock available for anglers of all abilities
Campground operates year-round, though advance booking is essential due to high demand
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Helena, MT: Head east along Co Rd 430/Canyon Ferry Rd from Helena, MT, continue for 18 miles to Jim Town Road and turn left. Continue straight until you reach the campground. From Townsend, MT: Head north on Hwy 284 for 34 miles and turn right at Jim Town Road. Continue straight until you reach the campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Canyon Ferry Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Canyon Ferry Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Riverside Campground cost per night?+
What season is Riverside Campground open?+
Does Riverside Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Riverside Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Riverside Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Riverside Campground?+
What season is Riverside Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.