Charles Waters Campground
Open seasonally from May through October. Individual sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Camping limited to 16 consecutive days. Food storage order in effect.
Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/10/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls are Very Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Libby and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Cut Bank, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Malta and Missoula are Moderate. When air quality is Very Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
About
Charles Waters Campground sits at the gateway to the Bass Creek Recreation Area in Montana's Bitterroot National Forest, about 2 miles west of Highway 93 near Stevensville. The 27-site campground features paved asphalt roads and pads, making it accessible for all vehicle types including large RVs and trailers up to 70 feet. Four pull-through sites are available, along with a dedicated bicycle site, horse site with stock facilities at the back of the campground, and one ADA-accessible site with electric hookup. Amenities include accessible vault toilets, potable water from hand pumps, and picnic tables. A campground host is present from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis for individual sites. A food storage order is in effect to minimize human-bear interactions. The Bass Creek Recreation Area adjacent to the campground offers four picnic sites, an interpretive nature trail, a fire ecology trail, and numerous trailheads for hiking, biking, and stock travel with access to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Larry Creek Group Site within Bass Creek Recreation Area is available by reservation through Recreation.gov.
Directions
From Stevensville, take the Stevensville cut-off road to Highway 93. Travel north 3.7 miles and turn west (left) onto Bass Creek Road. Travel approximately 2 miles to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 - $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 70ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 70ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 777-5461 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
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