Payola Reservoir

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Payola Reservoir is one of eight reservoirs managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Montana. BLM is a federal agency tasked with managing public lands so that they can be used for various purposes, including recreation. Camping is permitted at the reservoir, though there isn't a developed campground. Rather, there are some pull-offs to the west and north of the picnic area. More than camping, people come to the reservoir to enjoy fishing and picnicking at the shoreside cabana.

The reservoir is located on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountain Range, 309 miles northeast of Yellowstone National Park. About 315 miles to the northwest of the reservoir, you'll find Glacier National Park. The surrounding Montana plains keep you close enough to the mountains to view them in the distance while enjoying wide open spaces directly around the campsites.

What to See and Do

Fishing

There are various options for fishing in the area. You can fish directly from Payola Reservoir. Less than a mile to the southwest is Little Bear Lake, which is a well-known fishing spot for westslope cutthroat trout. If you prefer angling for common carp, head about three miles west to War Horse Lake.

Wildlife Viewing

While the War Horse National Wildlife Refuge is just west of the reservoir, you'll have to travel back to MT-200W and then take Blakeslee Road to access the refuge. It's about a 45-minute drive. This wildlife refuge is a great place for birding, with more than 50 species of marsh, water, and shorebirds. You may also catch a glimpse of predator birds like the northern harrier, ferruginous hawk, or even the golden eagle. The refuge is also home to mule deer and pronghorn.

Picnicking

The reservoir is a beautiful place to have a picnic. It has fire pits and picnic tables under the cabana. If you're headed to town, you can stop for a quick picnic at George Orr Memorial Park, which has a couple of picnic tables under a shelter and is next to the public swimming pool.

Other

While in the area, take a short trek about an hour southwest of the reservoir to visit the Bear Gulch Pictographs. This park offers a hiking tour of preserved Native American pictographs and petroglyphs. Since you'll want to allow a few hours for this tour, wear good shoes and bring snacks.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

While there aren’t any designated RV camping sites at Payola Reservoir, there are a few nearby. About 10 miles southeast is the Hilltop Campground in Winnett. This offers nine basic RV sites and provides electric, sewage, and water hookups. To the northeast is the Dovetail Campground off 79 Trail. This site offers electric hookups but no water or sewage. About 20 miles due north of the reservoir is the James Kipp BLM campground, which offers 34 sites and has an RV dump station.

Free Camping

Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM-managed lands throughout Montana. For RV camping, you'll just need to find a flat place large enough for your rig. If you can navigate the road leading to the reservoir, you'll be able to find a site to set up camp. There are a few pull-offs available on the dirt road that heads west behind the picnic site. There is even a site directly behind the cabana. Head north on the road past the picnic area pull-off, and you'll find an area to set up at the northeast corner of the reservoir.

RV Rentals Near Payola Reservoir Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Payola Reservoir BLM trip

Given the remote nature of the Payola Reservoir, you'll want to bring plenty of supplies with you. Start by making sure you have enough food and water. Given the proximity to the water and the lack of shade, be sure to bring plenty of bug spray and sunscreen.

The evenings get chilly, with summer temps dipping into the 50s during the warmest stretches. Be sure to bring warm clothing and blankets. You'll be able to enjoy the sun setting across the reservoir, so bring camp chairs to sit outside.

Keep in mind that dispersed camping is on a first-come first-served basis, so the earlier you arrive, the more options you'll have. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

RV camping is an exciting adventure and incurs much less cost than going to managed campgrounds. However, it comes with some responsibility. When engaging in BLM camping, you're going into nature and should leave it as you found it. That's why BLM requests that you leave no trace of your visit, and this is a point of pride for many RV campers. Bring plenty of trash bags, and meticulously clean up before you leave. Be careful not to dump food or anything else that may attract wildlife to the site. Help others enjoy the area as much as you did by leaving it in as good or better condition than you found it.

Payola Reservoir Location

Payola reservoir is located about 10 miles outside Winnett, Montana. From the center of town, you'll head north on Cemetery Road for about 8 miles. Then you'll follow the BLM signs to find the reservoir. To reach the reservoir from Lewiston, the closest large town, you'll travel east on US-87 for about 30 miles, then continue straight on MT-200 East for about 23 miles. Then you'll turn north on Cemetery Road.

Ready to visit Payola Reservoir? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.