Ruby Reservoir

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

Ruby Reservoir is a large reservoir that is around nine miles from the city of Hinsdale in northeast Montana the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages one out of every ten acres of US land, including Ruby Reservoir. The reservoir offers both boating and fishing. You can drive down to the rocky beach in your car to get in the water. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby help you stay close to the water and enjoy the reservoir on your Montana vacation. BLM RV camping involves "roughing it" as there usually are no services or hookups. If you want to take a road trip, Glacier National Park is 5 hours and 24 minutes northwest of Ruby Reservoir.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Trafton Campground Trail

Located 58 minutes west of Ruby Reservoir in Malta, Trafton Campground Trail is an out-and-back route that winds along the Milk River. There are many trees and birds, and dogs are allowed on a leash.

Length: 1.3 miles

Intensity: Easy

The "M" Trail

The "M" Trail is an extremely popular out-and-back trail located an hour northwest of Ruby Reservoir in Missoula. It provides spectacular views of the Story Hills and Gallatin Valley.

Length: 1.2 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing & Boating

Ruby Reservoir offers more than just Bureau of Land Management camping as there are eight types of fish found in the water, including brook trout and brown trout. The reservoir covers more than 940 acres and has a maximum elevation of more than 5,000 feet. You can fish from one of the rocky beaches or head directly into the water. The Ruby Dam Fishing Access Site makes it even easier to find the right spot.

If you plan on bringing a boat or renting one, look for the boat ramp near the BLM campground. This boat ramp accommodates boats of varied sizes and is easy to use. You may need to wait for a chance to use it on busy days.

Wildlife Viewing

Southwestern Montana is home to dozens of wild and tame animals. Grizzly bears and wolves often live in the woods near the reservoir and may come down when they need water. You'll also find many birds near the reservoir, including house finches and woodpeckers.

Picnicking

You may feel tempted to picnic near the water, but keep in mind that the beach has a lot of rocky areas. Spreading a blanket on the ground helps you avoid the rocks. You may prefer staying at your campsite and using the on-site picnic table.

Garnet Hunting

Garnets are large rocks that come in different shades of red. The area around the reservoir has hundreds of these stones hidden below the surface. Use your hands or a small shovel to dig for garnets by the water.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Search for "BLM camping near me" to find nearby facilities for RV camping. Trails West Campground, 44 minutes southeast of Ruby Reservoir in Glasgow, provides 35 RV sites with full hookups. In addition, there are laundry facilities, a swimming pool, and a camp store. Also located in Glasgow is Shady Rest RV Park. The 40 RV spaces feature full hookups with 20-/30-/50-amp electricity. The park also provides showers, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi.

Free Camping

BLM RV camping is available at the Ruby Reservoir Campground. The rural location means that using your phone is rough, and you will only find a handful of sites with water hookups. There are vault toilets nearby and both standard and group sites. You can spend up to 14 days at this campground. Bureau of Land Management free camping is also available at the Nelson Reservoir Campground, which is 42 minutes northwest of Ruby Reservoir in Saco. The campground provides an area for tent and RV camping, but there are no RV hookups or showers. The boat launch allows visitors to go swimming, fishing and boating. You can stay here for a maximum of seven days.

RV Rentals Near Ruby Reservoir Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Ruby Reservoir BLM trip

As the Ruby Reservoir Campground does not have many spots with water, you should fill your tanks on your way. Once you arrive, you won't find any signs to direct you to the campground. Drive past the dam and take the first right you see. The campground is at the end of this gravel road. You cannot reserve spots in advance and can only stay for 14 days.

While there are more than 10 campsites here that accommodate groups, you'll likely find that none of the sites is level. It's helpful to use the leveling feature in your RV to get it as even as possible. Bring sunscreen with you too. The reservoir is quite sunny and does not have many shady spots. Use caution when using the toilet also as many visitors reported seeing rattlesnakes.

Get help planning your Ruby Reservoir with BLM camping tips designed for trips to BLM sites across the country.

Leave No Trace

Using Leave No Trace principles ensures that you keep BLM sites clean and safe for future generations. Plan for your trip ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need. Ruby Reservoir does not have clean drinking water, so you must bring it with you. Though the campgrounds do not come with metal fire rings, they do have rings made of native rocks. This allows you to burn some of the trash that you would otherwise leave behind. Always cover the fire with sand, and make sure it's not burning before you head to bed or leave. If you come across any animals, leave them be. Do not feed them or disrupt the areas around their nests and other habitats.

Ruby Reservoir Location

Take Montana 287 until you reach Alder. Turn onto Road 357 and head south until you see the sign for Ruby Reservoir. The sign and parking lot are on your right.

Ready to visit Ruby 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.