Places to Stay While Fishing the Missouri River in Montana
Anglers come from all over the world to fish the famous stretch of the Missouri River between Helena and Great Falls.
As you’d expect, it’s a rural area! Still, you have your choice of big hotel chains in the city, local motels in smaller towns along the Missouri River, rental homes for your group, and camping sites at the water’s edge.
VRBO Rentals for Fishing the Missouri
There are dozens of rental homes available for fishing groups along the Missouri River.
You can plug your dates into this interactive map to see the options and rates for VRBO rentals. You’ll notice: hotels will pop up on the map, too, in the cities:
Hotels in Great Falls
Great Falls, a city of around 60,000 people, was built around the Missouri River. It’s home to its own great fishing spots, so if you’re traveling with a group that needs more activities aside from fly fishing, you can base yourself right in the city.
I’m biased, since I look fondly back on my year living in Great Falls, but 20 years later I still love going back to hike in the area, and see what new local restaurants have opened, and what new things to do have popped up.
As for hotels, Great Falls is home to 30+ options, but one of my favorites is The Gibson. It’s right downtown on Central Avenue, so it’s walkable to a number of restaurants.
It holds a special place in my heart, because when I lived there 20 years ago, the building was a run-down crime-ridden mess. It’s amazing to see the transformation!
Plus, they have wine on tap, and they’ll fill up a “welcome glass” when you check-in 🍷
Local Motels Catering to Fishermen
While Great Falls has a couple dozen hotels to choose from, anglers also have options in the small towns along the Missouri south of the city, like Craig and Cascade.
Trout Montana Motel
Trout Montana is a longtime Cascade staple. The motel is no-frills, and basically a perfectly convenient place to crash. You’re steps away from the river, and still walking distance to the shops and restaurants in town.
➡️ Click to Book: Trout Montana Motel
These areas cater to visitors here to fish, so you’ll also find:
- Fly shops with experts willing to share tips and advice
- Guide services
In fact, attached to the Trout Montana Motel, you’ll find a longtime fly shop, where you can get everything you need from flies to gear to your Montana State Fishing License.
My Favorite Fishing Lodge on the Missouri
Hidden Canyon Lodge is such a hidden gem, that I’ll have to write an entirely separate post on it.
It’s a historic Montana spot, tucked away in a little piece of paradise behind Tower Rock State Park. It’s definitely a lodging option to check out if you’re putting the Missouri on your list.
The lodge is home to only a few rooms, so you should book far in advance. As part of the charm, the chef serves a group dinner at a big dining table each night.
The Mountain Palace Fishing Access site is directly across the street from the lodge.
Camping Sites for Fishing the Missouri
When it comes to camping, you have a number of options in this part of Montana.
I’m partial to the area near the Hardy Bridge. There are campsites near the boat launch for $12/night at the Hardy Creek Campground.
You can learn some history while you’re there! The Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in the area in July of 1805 and again in 1806.
Plus, you never know who might stop by your campsite for a visit…
More Things to Do in Central Montana
If you’re considering a trip, and looking to expand beyond the Missouri River, there’s a wide variety of things to do in the Great Falls area beyond fishing.
Hiking options are endless, from the Swift Dam and Reservoir (part of the massive Bob Marshall Wilderness) to the uncrowded Bears Paw Mountains near Havre, MT.
Montana is home to world famous dinosaur digs and museums, plenty of historic towns and hotels, and of course a favorite spot for photographers: Glacier National Park.
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