Tongue River Reservoir State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Found in southeast Montana is Tongue River Reservoir State Park, the ideal park for fishing enthusiasts. At the park, the western shore of the Tongue River Reservoir can be accessed, which is a 12-mile-long lake created by a dam on the Tongue River. The park itself is 642 acres large and sits at an elevation of 3,468 feet. Plenty of state record-breaking fish have been caught in the lake, including crappie, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. The terrain of this park is categorized as rolling prairie hills, and there are multiple campgrounds at the park. Sub-areas of the park include Campers Point, Pee Wee Point North, Pee Wee Point South, Riverside, Rattlesnake, and Sand Point, which offers seasonal swimming. While the peak season of this park lasts from May through September, ice fishing is popular at the park during the off-season.
Spring 45-64 F
Summer 62-85 F
Fall 41-59 F
Winter 23-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Tongue River Reservoir State Park
81 campsites are available at Tongue River Reservoir State Park with electrical hookups. These sites also accept reservations during the peak season, which extends from the third Friday of May through the third Sunday of September. 69 additional sites are available for walk-ins without electrical hookups. All sites have access to water faucets during the peak season as well as a dump station. The maximum length of RV that can be accommodated at this state park is 79 feet.
What to Do at
Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Boat rentals are available at Tongue River Reservoir State Park in the summer months. Firewood may also be for sale for campers, and fishing licenses may be purchased for Montana state fishing. Playgrounds are located in some of the campgrounds, and there is a camp store for all visitors to check out.
Fishing
Fishing is the most popular activity at Tongue River Reservoir State Park, and visitors can catch 25 different fish species in the reservoir. All fish that can be found in the reservoir are warmwater species aside from the coldwater brown trout, and categories of fish include catfish, sunfish, trout, minnow, pike, perch, and sucker. Before you head out on your fishing trip, be sure to obtain a Montana state fishing license, which is available for purchase at the park’s store. Some of the best fishing spots are located just below the dam.
Boating
A lot of visitors enjoy boating at this state park, and nearly every campground features a boat ramp on Tongue River Reservoir. Motorized and non-motorized boating is permitted.
Swimming
A swimming beach is open for the public to use at Tongue River Reservoir State Park from May through September, weather permitting. The beach can be found at Sand Point, where there are also picnic tables.
How to Get to
Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Tongue River Reservoir State Park is located approximately 120 miles from Billings, Montana. To get to the park from Billings, take I-90 East for about 57 miles, then take exit 510 toward Little Bighorn/Battlefield/Broadus. Turn left and take the ramp to US-212 East. Turn right again onto County Road 314, and then continue for 10 miles. Continue onto Montana 314 and drive for 24 more miles, then turn left onto Tongue River Road to enter the park.
Entering Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Tongue River Road can be taken through the length of this state park, and it provides access to all of the campgrounds. Parking can also be found at each of the campgrounds or at the day-use areas found at Campers Point or Sand Point.
Tongue River Reservoir State Park Entry Fee per vehicle : $8.0
Tongue River Reservoir State Park Entry Fee per pedestrian : $4.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Many people like to visit Tongue River Reservoir State Park during the peak season, from May to September, to enjoy swimming and boating that is not accessible during the winter. Other visitors like to come to the park in January and February to go ice fishing on the lake.
Lots of Montana wildlife roam at this state park, including osprey, blue herons, deer, and antelope. Bald eagle sightings are also common at the park.
There are 166 campsites at Tongue River Reservoir State Park, and all sites are available for RVs to use. However, not all sites offer electrical hookups, and some sites can only accommodate small RVs up to 45 feet in length.
Reservations for camping are only accepted for select electrical campsites at this state park during the peak season, and all campsites are available for walk-ins only during the off-season. Sites with double electrical hookups cost about $48 per night, campsites with single electrical hookups cost about $24 per night, and campsites without hookups cost about $18 per night.
Yes, pets are allowed at this state park and its campgrounds so long as they are kept on a leash that is no longer than six feet in length. You should note however that pet owners are required to pick up after their animals, and pets may not be left unattended in vehicles or RVs at any time.