Big Nelson Campground
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Big Nelson Campground
This campground, on the shoreline of Cooper’s Lake near Ovando, Montana, is a semi-remote, developed campground which offers shady rest and a beautiful view of the lake and adjacent mountains. The Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wildernesses are 7 miles away by trail. Big Nelson has tent camping only. No camping is allowed in the parking lot and no trailers are permitted.
Before you go
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
At this time we are not charging any use fees at this recreation site.
Restrictions
Tent camping only. No trailers and no camping in the parking lot. Food storage orders are in place. Please see our Bear Safety and Food storage Information for important information about food storage to protect you and the bears from unwanted encounters.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.