Gist Bottom Recreation Area campground
Gist Bottom Recreation Area
Nearby points of interest include the Fort Peck Dam, which is one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world and offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of the area and the construction of the dam. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, bighorn sheep, and pronghorns, which can be seen in their natural habitat.
The Gist Bottom Recreation Area Campground offers a variety of amenities for visitors, including RV sites, tent camping areas, showers, and picnic areas. There is also a boat ramp and dock for boaters, as well as a playground area for children.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the Fort Peck Reservoir was created in the 1930s as part of a public works project during the Great Depression. The reservoir is now a popular destination for fishing, with a variety of fish species available, including walleye, northern pike, and catfish.
The best time of year to visit the Gist Bottom Recreation Area Campground is in the summer, when temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, visitors should be aware that the area can experience sudden changes in weather, including thunderstorms and high winds. It is important to check weather forecasts and be prepared for changing conditions.
What's on-site at Gist Bottom Recreation Area
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Gist Bottom Recreation Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodhawk Recreation Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Woodhawk (Middle) | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Woodhawk (Upper) | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Hideaway Recreation Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Greasewood Bottom | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Gist Bottom Recreation Area -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River Near Landusky Mt | 7,440 cfs | → |
| Judith River Nr Mouth | 356 cfs | → |
| Peoples Creek Near Hays Mt | 1 cfs | → |
| Milk River Near Harlem Mt | 547 cfs | → |
| Milk River Near Dodson Mt | 18 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Chinook Mt | 6 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Gist Bottom Recreation Area -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Boy | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Rocky Boy | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Valentine | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fort Belknap 2 Sw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
Boat launches
- Gist Bottom Recreation Area
- Cow Island
- Woodhawk (Lower)
- Woodhawk (Middle)
- Woodhawk (Upper)
- Homestead - Gus Nelson
Fishing spots
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Gist Bottom Recreation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Gist Bottom Recreation Area
Can I make reservations at Gist Bottom Recreation Area?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Gist Bottom Recreation Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Gist Bottom Recreation Area.