Wade Lake
Open mid-May through mid-September, weather dependent. Reservations through Recreation.gov. Drinking water available May through September. Garbage service operates May 15 to September 15; pack out trash outside those dates. Food storage order in effect requiring bear-proof containers.
Air Quality Alert issued August 11 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, Gallatin, Granite, Madison, Park, Flathead, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, and Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/12/2026 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 8AM on 08/11/2026, particulate levels in Missoula are Unhealthy. As of 8AM on 08/11/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Frenchtown, Great Falls and Hamilton are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 8AM on 08/11/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Choteau, Columbia Falls, Cut Bank, Helena, Lewistown, Libby, Malta, Thompson Falls and West Yellowstone are Moderate. 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
Wade Lake Campground is located in southwestern Montana at the southern end of the Gravelly Range, about 35 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. The spring-fed 200-acre lake is known for its beautiful clear aquamarine water and offers fishing for rainbow and brown trout, boating, canoeing, and swimming. The campground sits on a steep hillside in dense Douglas Fir forest, with many sites having limited flat tent space outside the parking driveway. The campground includes 25 sites with two group sites and two walk-in tent sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Five vault toilets and drinking water taps are provided throughout the two camping loops. Water is available May through September. An undeveloped natural-surface boat launch provides lake access with a no-wake speed limit in effect. Boats can also be rented at nearby Wade Lake Resort. Reservations are made through Recreation.gov with staggered booking windows: most sites open six months in advance, sites 6, 13, 17, 20, and 25 open two weeks in advance, and sites 2, 9, 14, and 22 open four days in advance. The campground enforces a food storage order requiring bear-proof containers. Garbage service operates May 15 through September 15; pack out trash outside those dates. Cellular service is unavailable at the campground but may be found 1.5 miles away near the forest boundary.
Directions
Located about 37 miles south of Ennis on Highway 287. Turn west at Wade and Cliff Lakes signs, then take Forest Road 241 west for 5 miles.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $15 - $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 24ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 24ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 682-4253 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS - Wade Lake Campground |
Availability
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