Voyagers Rest Fishing Access Site (Worden, MT) – Campsite Review

Location: Worden, Montana
Type: Recreation Area
Access: Interstate 94, Exit 23
Coordinates: 45.997, -108.131
Elevation: 2,900 Feet
Road Conditions: Gravel
Phone Coverage: Verizon, 3 out of 5
Maximum Stay: 7 Days
Fee: $7 – $12
Amenities: Vault toilet, fire rings, picnic tables, gravel bar boat launch
Website: http://fwp.mt.gov/

Details

Voyagers Rest Fishing Access Site is a recreational site on the Yellowstone River that allows primitive camping. There are about six primitive campsites at this location (the number of open sites varies year to year).

This is primarily a fishing access site, but people do occasionally camp here as well. The sites are established and have fire pits and picnic tables. A vault toilet is located in the middle of the 20-acre site. Two roads lead from the campsite to the river, but are in poor condition and accessible only during summer months when the river is low.

The campsite is generally quiet, but there is traffic to the river. People often drive out to the river bank. Weekends can be busy with anglers, boaters, and those just heading out to the river for a bonfire or similar.

According to the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks website, there is a fee of $7 per night for campers who have a fishing license, or $12 per night for those who do not. There is no sign at the site that indicates that there is a fee, nor is there a self-registration kiosk or campground host. I have camped at this site a number of times over the past 10 years and was not aware of this “fee” until looking up the FW&P website for this review.

The nearest towns are Worden (one mile west on Highway 312) and Ballantine to the south. Billings, the largest city in Montana is 26 miles to the west on Highway 312. Billings has two WalMart stores, both a Home Depot and Lowes, and numerous other services. Worden does a small grocery store and gas station, but both are open limited hours.

Directions

Voyagers Rest Fishing Access Site is at the end of 18th Road, approximately 1.5 miles north of Highway 312. Highway 312 passes through Worden to the west and Pompey’s Pillar to the west. Ballantine, four miles to the south, also has a gas station. Access from Exit 23 on Interstate 94 will take you through Ballantine.