Fort Harrison RV Park

We had just picked up our new camper that was made in Canada, but due to the Coronavirus border crossing restrictions, we had to pick it up in Montana. Helena looked to be a good spot for our first night of camping, so I was happy to see that there was a FAMCAMP here. Unfortunately, I noticed the date on the FAMCAMP website said it was only open until Sept 30 and we were deep into October. Decided to give them a call anyway and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were actually open until Oct 31st! We made our reservation, and actually made it through the main gate with plenty of room to spare (our camper is a 19' trailer so fairly nimble). The easier RV gate for large RVs is actually in view of where you check in at billeting. We found the billeting office and got registered and picked up our electric/water keys. There is no shower at the campground, but the base gym is only a block away and you can exercise and shower there. The museum was closed during the time we went, but they do have several outside displays that we checked out.

We were glad they have this campground in Fort Harrison at Helena, MT. It was a long drive from Rapid City, SD on our way visit family in Great Falls, MT but we don’t want to arrive late and dark. This campground is clean and well maintained, and it’s true that the camp host is hard at work. We were park right next to the camp host and had the pleasure of meeting him. Very nice gentleman and offered his assistance right away if needed. But, mentioned by others the black hose connection is very elevated. Luckily we are in a 5th wheel but still we have to use a lot of leveling blocks to get it at least straight. Another thing to consider is if you are staying just for couple of nights and going to another campsite, might be a good idea to skip dumping here and wait until the next campsite. We did not have that option because we have to moochduck in our next stop. Also, we were traveling with a family friend and were to book a room in the billeting with no problem. Lastly, do not go front gate but instead go truck entrance. Call the gate guard and they will be there to open the gate in 2 minutes. Billeting office or welcome center is just in n the next building after the gate and we are allowed to park in the street so it is very convenient.

Not the biggest- but clean and well taken care of. Personnel on the post have been very helpful. Helena is close with tons of shopping and restaurant's. The spots are about 50’ long. We are an HDT set up (semi, smart, 45’ trailer). The trailer and smart fit in the spot but several areas to park the semi so not issues and streets are plenty wide enough. Come in the North gate- you wont make it in the main gate but its only half a mile down the road so not out out the way at all and the office to check in is directly ahead of the north gate so very convenient. This is a diamond in the rough an we will be back here again.

Although we did not make it by the 5 p.m. closing time, we were able to find an open site, and use the sewer line. This was our greatest need for the night stay seeing as our tanks were full from the previous night. The next morning we went to pay, and learned that if we had spoken to the gate guards we would have received a key for the other utilities. Not a big deal but good to know for our next visit when we reserve a site. The campground was pretty full for a week day, the base is well kept but pretty empty of personnel when the national guard is not drilling. Very nice little guard base!

We just left this nice little campground. I read the previous reviews and I assure you, the person who wrote the glowing review and further stated that all roads are asphalt and all sites are level did not stay at this campground. We have been RV'ing a long time as I am a mid 80's retired Navy Veteran, disabled and this campground is quiet, secluded, beautiful and could be (should be) rated up there with the very best EXCEPT the bad and the ugly far out way the good. From the point of arrival and check-in, one immediately recognizes that no one knows a thing about RV's. Aside from an unreadable map, the guest receives absolutely no information, you don't get a receipt and you don't dare ask questions because the young clerks cant give an answer because they don't know a dam thing. Rules? Every campground has them and aside from a few bad apples and experiences, we all know, respect and abide by the rules. This campground makes them up as they go and then does not abide by their own rules. Now get this, a disabled vet was just turned away because the campground is full. Full because a contractor, with two campers (in one slot) and a full utility trailer measuring about 30 feet long somehow took precedence. All the while, that disabled vet who was here to visit the VA Hospital - was turned away and forced to dry camp at Walmart. The park itself has an asphalt drive leading in and around the park. Half of the park (in the rear) is designated tent and dry camp made up of rocky gravel and mowed weeds separated by a drainage area, a filthy latrine, and no showers. The other half is two gravel rows (roads) with unleveled, gravel sites. The first row is 50 amp, the second row is 20/30 amp and this is where the bad turns ugly. If you require 50 amp, good luck because the knuckleheads in the office may have filled all the 50 amp slots with trailers requiring just 30 amps. But it gets worst - the 50 amp sites are smaller than the 30 amp sites and the "islands" between the sites are just 8 feet wide leaving 4, maybe 5 feet (I'm being generous) between you and your neighbors slide, rendering the great big boat anchor of a picnic table between you and your neighbor useless because the slides hang over the picnic table bench. Between each site is an "island" containing two trees, red rock gravel, a small cement pad and a huge cement picnic table. The island is bordered by a cement retaining wall which can measure between 8 and 18 inches tall, depending on where you are measuring from, (front or the rear of the site). This presents serious safety concerns for us seniors and those with balance/mobility issues as it poses a real threat when entering and exiting the RV. That said, my 91 year old wife did take a hard fall and became stuck between the RV and that monstrous retaining wall and although the command was notified of the fall "no one from the office or the command bothered to visit or call to check on her!" The "slots" between the islands are small leaving little room for basement hatches to safely clear retaining walls with the real and dangerous risk on the other side of mis-stepping and falling when exiting RV. Now comes the ugly, the retaining walls are so high and the sites are so out of level that the handling of black water becomes an uphill battle. Good luck! Some rigs have jacked up and set down on cement patio blocks. Others are raised with tires high off the ground. The sites are no where close to level and as crazy as all this is, my electric hookup was on the wrong side as is the case of many of the sites. So, we have water and sewer on one side and a shared electric panel with cords causing even more unsafe walking/tripping hazards as we try to navigate the narrow space between two coaches and that unusable boat anchor of a picnic table. The good - we met some of the best people of our lives, we love them and extended because we desired to spend more time together. This is why we RV and I truly look forward to spending time together again, but unless serious changes are made, it will not be here at Ft Harrison. By the way, as I checked out, I was charged $800 for "winter rate". We arrived in August and stayed six weeks and who the heck charges more for winter rates? I also learned that Ft Harrison will be limiting stays to two weeks, seems to me they are most interested in serving their weekend reservist and those reservists on two week summertime training exercises. Ft. Harrison, a beautiful, unmanaged (FamCamp?) RV park for a short, peaceful overnight stay.

Great Camping Location: Full hook ups for Water / Sewer and Electric Follow link to contact base prior if there are any questions. You have to pay for the sites at the BOQ building and the main gate can direct you to it. They also give you a key to unlock the water and power. The guards at the gate are pretty familiar with all of the sites. The sites were extremely clean and well cared for. Not much shade but all of the sites are pull through and easy to get in and out. The only issue with the sites are that the sewer ports are built on the islands and are about 8 inches higher than the pads for the trailers so you have to get a little creative with your sewer lines. There is no wi-fi and no shower but there is a public bathroom that is one of the cleanest I've seen for that type. For any with weapons, the guards at the gate will lock them prior to being allowed on, (Post commander has sign at the gate forbidding personally owned weapons on the post but the guards will just put gun lock on them and give them back to you) and when exiting the base you will need to exit a different (north) gate with a camper higher and wider than 9 feet. If you let the guards know when your leaving they will open the gates for you. The base has 24 hour gym close to site and a small exchange with varied hours during the week. The camp site is cared for in the best manner and is a great place to camp or just stop over.

Eleven sites have full electric/water/septic hookups. The layout may have the electric hookup on the passenger's side (i.e. site 11), but our 25ft standard electric line was enough to connect. Water and septic connections were on the driver's side. All full sites are pull-through, but pay attention to the location of the hookups. The overflow sites are back-in sites. The traveler's facilities, such as laundry and PX, are in the main base, but within walking distance. All in all, a very nice facility with amazing support in the billeting office. Note that the electric connections are locked with a padlock, and each site has a key to unlock and access the 30amp connections. Did not see a 50amp connection, so bring your dongle if need to go 50-to-30. We were able to enter the main gate, but should have used the north gate for RV entrance.

I had to do some work at the tng site, which made the RV park very convenient. Ours was the only RV in the park during our stay; perhaps, because the park closes at the end of October. The park is not paved and most of the lanes between power and water pedestals are not all that level. It rained while we were at the park, but the park surface has a lot of gravel and there was no mud as a result of the rain. There are no showers at the park and only a pit toilet. Our toilet failed while we were at the park and we were able to move into nice billets for the last part of our stay. We continued to use the RV during the day and for fixing dinner in the evenings. The rate for the site was only $10 per day, which they offered to waive when we moved into a room, but I opted to pay since we still used their power during the day. Everyone we met at Ft. Harrison was very friendly.

Very important - Bldg #1007 that has keys to locks is only open M-F till 4. This is not stated above in the web page so i will email them and beg them to add this info. We got there after 4 and were shocked to find out we will have no elec till the next day. It was 95 degrees and we had our 4 yr old daughter and two dogs with us. Not happy at all. That being said, while there were some weeds (they recently mowed so they weren't too bad) the location and good nature of the security guards made a huge difference for us. And we met AWESOME other RVers there. The facility is kept spotless, quiet paved roads and sidewalks galore. Being inside the facility made us feel safer. My daughter and I walked to the gym and showers at midnight, something i would never do anywhere else. We were treated so wonderfully. The weather (after having electric for AC) was glorious. Right up the road is Spring Meadows State Park. What a fabulous place, swimming, paddle boats, canoes, etc) Convenient to everywhere in Helena and beyond, and of course the VA hospital. The military base also has a museum (we didn't have time to explore but will be back). Yeah, the RV sites are not fancy by any means, but with all the high points as noted above, it is so worth while. We will definitely be staying here again.

Good place if you want to explore the local area, to far from I-15 for just one night. For the daily rate should get more for you money. Watch out for the winds, do not leave your awnings down and leave your site.

J.M. left this review using the Directory software: There were a lot of weeds in the electric and water sites. It is a small campground. There are 50 Amps available. Lots of deer roam the base and campground.