Boat launch and campground on reservoir reopen

The Riverside Boat Launch and the Murray Bay Campground, on the east side of the Hungry Horse Reservoir, reopened to the public on Aug. 2.

A capital improvement project to increase safety and to upgrade the facilities is completed. Camp sites and facilities have been retrofitted to accommodate more family and group camping, including double sites and pull-through parking.

The boat ramp at Riverside, 22 miles from Martin City, was rebuilt, the boat trailer parking area was expanded, and three pull-in camp sites suitable for truck campers, motor homes and small camp trailers were built.

The Forest Service hopes that developing hosted camp sites with bear-proof storage boxes and eliminating dispersed camping at the boat launch will prevent bear-human conflicts.

At Murray Bay, 20 miles from Martin City, three camp sites were established in place of the picnic area, with two of those being double sites. Individual camp sites were enlarged, three toilets in disrepair were torn down in the closed B-Loop and picnic area, and one new toilet was built. The B Loop remains closed but may be developed in the future. Bear-resistant food lockers were installed to prevent habituation.

Both Riverside and Murray Bay are fee sites managed by the Flathead Forest’s new concessionaire, Barta Enterprises, Inc. Single sites are $11 per day, double sites are $22, and there is a $5 day-use fee.

Visitors will need to bring their own water, as water will not be available at these sites until next season. For more information, contact the Hungry Horse Ranger Station at 406-387-3800 for additional information on the project.