Spillway Campground
Open for the season. The campground operates late May through mid-November depending on weather conditions. All 12 sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Fire restrictions may be imposed during hot, dry conditions.
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
Spillway Campground occupies three acres on the northwestern shore of East Fork Reservoir, a 500-acre impoundment surrounded by timbered hillsides with views of the Anaconda Range. At 6,500 feet elevation, the 12 campsites are spread through mature lodgepole pine forest. Some sites sit directly along the reservoir shoreline while others are positioned slightly up the hillside. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The campground has two double vault toilets, one hand-pump water spigot, and bear-resistant food storage lockers. The reservoir provides good fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout. East Fork Rock Creek, which feeds the reservoir, hosts the largest bull trout population in the Upper Clark Fork drainage; targeting bull trout is prohibited and any caught must be released immediately. The nearby East Fork Trailhead accesses Page Lake Trail and East Fork Trail, both of which quickly enter the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness and connect to the Continental Divide Trail. Other recreation includes boating, hunting, OHV riding on designated routes, and mountain biking outside wilderness boundaries. The campground operates first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Payment can be made via the Recreation.gov mobile app's Scan and Pay feature or by cash/check at the self-serve fee station. The maximum stay is 16 days. Grizzly and black bears inhabit the area, so proper food storage is required under the forest-wide Food Storage Order.
Directions
From Philipsburg, drive south on Highway 1 for 6.5 miles to the junction with Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38). Turn right onto Highway 38 and continue west for 6.1 miles to the signed turn for East Fork Reservoir/Wilderness Access/Forest Road 672. Turn right onto County Road 672 and follow signs for 5.4 miles. At the junction, continue straight as the road becomes County Road 5141 for 1 mile. At the reservoir, turn right and continue 0.3 miles to the campground entrance on the left.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 22ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 859-3211 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS Spillway Campground |
Availability
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