Nelson Reservoir Recreation Area
Bureau of Reclamation
Write a Review Hwy 243 Saco, MT 59261 406-759-5077 Official WebsiteGPS: 48.4928, -107.531
Overview of Nelson Reservoir Recreation Area
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Clean Slate, Dirty Tires on 9/12/2020
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Class A)
Reported by SonjaB on 7/19/2017
Number of Sites 9
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 2,230 ft / 679 m
Max Stay 7
Tent Camping Yes
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Reviews of Nelson Reservoir Recreation Area 7 people have reviewed this location.
“Absolutely beautiful and quiet”
Reviewed 9/12/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
We read all the reviews about the mosquitoes but, we stayed here after Labor Day and a few freezing nights. Some flies, lots of midges (they don't bite) and some moths. We parked right on the water near the camp host. Who was very nice and offered to move his boat in case it was in our way. We have a picnic table and fire ring with... more
We read all the reviews about the mosquitoes but, we stayed here after Labor Day and a few freezing nights. Some flies, lots of midges (they don't bite) and some moths. We parked right on the water near the camp host. Who was very nice and offered to move his boat in case it was in our way. We have a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Great for kayaks and smaller fishing boats. We wish we had a kayak! It is a rock beach with glassy water. Some patches of green algae but, not a full on bloom. I grew up on lake Erie in the 80's, so most water is okay for me.
The sunset on the reservoir is beautiful, though you can see a lot of smoke in the western sky due to the wildfires. Can we talk about the stars at night?! These city kids are not used to picking out the details of the milky way with the human eye.
Great boondocking, free pack it in, pack it out sites. There are picnic pavilions and quite a few day users on the water. We were only going to stay one night but, decided to stick around for one more to enjoy the area. There are towns with groceries within 30min. We like being in the middle of nowhere. The gravel hwy is a bit of a washboard. So, take it slow if you are in a motorhome like us.
Clean Slate, Dirty Tires would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Pros and Cons”
Reviewed 8/25/2020
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | NA |
Good: spacious spots, lots of places to park and pick from, nice views, decent facilities, FREE Perfect cell service on both Verizon and TMobile. Saw two other sites working from their rigs. Bad: absolutely nothing around for miles (which also means it was quiet!) Ugly: as mentioned, the bugs were pretty bad. We’re not high m... more
Good: spacious spots, lots of places to park and pick from, nice views, decent facilities, FREE
Perfect cell service on both Verizon and TMobile. Saw two other sites working from their rigs.
Bad: absolutely nothing around for miles (which also means it was quiet!)
Ugly: as mentioned, the bugs were pretty bad. We’re not high maintenance campers and we thought they were a lot. Flies, mosquitoes, and water bugs. We still spent plenty of time outside but lots of swatting was happening.
Also, the water has TOXIC blue green algae. I’m not sure if it’s seasonal but your aren’t supposed to swim in the water. That eliminates one of the main things to do at this campsite.
Best for: remote workers spending time in their rigs looking for nice water views. Wouldn’t recommend for tent campers since the bugs were nonstop and thick.
Working Adventure would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful place but mosquitos terrible”
Reviewed 8/1/2018
When we drove up, we were amazed at how pretty the place was. Right on the lake, and FREE as well. But things that look too good to be true usually aren't, and as soon as we set foot out of the coach we found out why. We were covered like a blanket with mosquitos and swarming ones around us. There is no way to do anything outside the c... more
When we drove up, we were amazed at how pretty the place was. Right on the lake, and FREE as well. But things that look too good to be true usually aren't, and as soon as we set foot out of the coach we found out why. We were covered like a blanket with mosquitos and swarming ones around us. There is no way to do anything outside the coach, so maybe coming in the colder times would be great. Disappointed because that would have been a really nice stay.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Skeeter central...”
Reviewed 8/7/2017
Days stayed: | 1 |
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Clean, easy access, waterfowl, uncrowded, no ATV (ie, no dust), but the skeeters absolutely swarmed us. Even a steady 10-15 mph breeze didn't help. In August this place was uninhabitable...
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Lovely view but a bit smelly and lots of mozzies.”
Reviewed 7/19/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
7/19/17 lots of spaces, very clean and neat. Great views of the reservoir, everything mowed, some picnic tables, some covered group picnic tables, boat launch, pit toilets. Pack it in and pack it out, also no water. There are a number of rigs left here week after week. We were the only people here, all the other rigs had no one in the... more
7/19/17 lots of spaces, very clean and neat. Great views of the reservoir, everything mowed, some picnic tables, some covered group picnic tables, boat launch, pit toilets. Pack it in and pack it out, also no water.
There are a number of rigs left here week after week. We were the only people here, all the other rigs had no one in them. Obviously weekenders.
We had planned on staying here a week but I was outside for less than 5 minutes and got 3 mosquito bites and that is with a nice breeze off the water. I've covered myself in repellant and I'll see if it works!
The lake is down so there is (to me) a strong marshy smell.
If we can't sit outside because of the mozzies we will definitely move on tomorrow. If you want to stay here make sure you have lots of repellant.
SonjaB would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Fall Color & Snow Geese”
Reviewed 9/19/2016
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
We agree with the other review. We were the only ones there Sept 18, 2016. Beautiful views of the Reservoir. Altho it was very low at this time. The geese were coming and going while we were there. Enjoy listening to their honking! As far as a level site: we rolled over a slight hill until we were level and worked out great. I could se... more
We agree with the other review. We were the only ones there Sept 18, 2016. Beautiful views of the Reservoir. Altho it was very low at this time. The geese were coming and going while we were there. Enjoy listening to their honking! As far as a level site: we rolled over a slight hill until we were level and worked out great. I could see if it was busy it might be harder finding a level site. Internet was awesome.
PnL would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wonderful spot with lakeside sites”
Reviewed 9/13/2015
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
This free, primitive campground is not far off Hwy 2, with just a short stretch of gravel before the access. The 9 sites (1 handicapped) are complete free of any litter(!), and very open, but there are a lot of trees in the area, as well. We were here almost by ourselves and were able to drive right down by the water's edge. The reserv... more
This free, primitive campground is not far off Hwy 2, with just a short stretch of gravel before the access. The 9 sites (1 handicapped) are complete free of any litter(!), and very open, but there are a lot of trees in the area, as well. We were here almost by ourselves and were able to drive right down by the water's edge. The reservoir has 30 miles of shoreline with a nice rocky beach and a boat launch so I imagine it gets quite busy here on the weekends. Sites are immaculate and there are 3 pit toilets and a few covered picnic tables. 4 stars for site quality only because I don't think they are very level.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- water access
Site Amenities
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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