Montana campground turned the power off October 1

When your RV campsite loses its pedestal power, heat, water, and medical-device plans all change at once. Tongue River Reservoir State Park in southeastern Montana shut off electricity at most campsites for winter during the week of October 1, 2026, leaving 11 Campers Point sites powered. It is a routine seasonal change the park makes each year, so you can plan for it as a regular fall condition.

01What happened at Tongue River Reservoir

Tongue River Reservoir State Park turned off electricity at most campsites for winter during the week of October 1, 2026; only Campers Point sites CP1–CP11 kept power. The seasonal change also shut off campsite water, closed the fish cleaning station, and closed the marina.

This is the park’s annual winter shutoff, not an outage or a new policy. The park’s Tongue River Reservoir page describes the recurring seasonal pattern and identifies the 11 powered sites.

In summer, the park has 81 reservable electric sites with 50-amp, 30-amp, and 120-volt outlets. The change to 11 powered sites is significant if you rely on a pedestal for your RV furnace, battery charging, or medical equipment. The remaining powered spots are at Campers Point, so confirm availability before you travel if a hookup is essential.

02What's still open there and what it costs

Every Tongue River Reservoir campsite stays open year-round, with all sites first come, first served during the off-season. You pay at the self-pay station by cash or check, and the dump station remains open for $5, with no water available there.

At least one restroom remains open in each camping area. Montana State Parks’ off-season rates are $10 per night for a non-electric site for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Electric sites are $20 for residents and $30 for nonresidents; confirm the powered-site rate with the park at (406) 757-2298.

FWP has proposed fee increases that would not start before 2027. The public-use fee schedule with proposed changes marked, the fee schedule justifications, and the public and commercial use fees information sheet explain the proposal and timing.

03Montana parks don't all do it the same way

Montana campground utility shutoff dates vary by park, so check the specific park’s Seasons & Hours page before you go. Cooney keeps power on through winter but shuts off water, while Black Sandy keeps hookups available through November 30.

Lewis & Clark Caverns shuts off water and showers after September. White Earth at Canyon Ferry is a Bureau of Reclamation campground with no hookups, and it becomes free during the off-season.

These schedules affect what you need to bring and which services are available. A campground that keeps electricity may still have no water, and a park with open campsites may have closed facilities. Check the individual park’s Seasons & Hours information for current dates and services; the statewide page does not provide the park-by-park detail you need.

04How cold it gets at night

October and November lows in the region reach near or below freezing, so plan for cold nights at Tongue River Reservoir. NOAA climate normals for the region show overnight temperatures around the freezing mark in October, with November lows below freezing.

With campsite water shut off, arrive with enough water in your freshwater tank and protect any exposed lines in your own setup from freezing conditions. Check your CPAP’s operating-temperature range against the forecast; the ResMed AirSense 11, for example, is rated down to 41°F. Cold nights also increase the need to track battery capacity and leave a reserve for overnight equipment.

05If you depend on power: CPAP, furnace, batteries

**Plan to power medical equipment and heat from a battery system or reserve one of the 11 powered sites early.** A ResMed AirSense 11 draws about 56 watts typical and 73 watts peak, operates down to 41°F, and uses roughly 450 watt-hours over an eight-hour night with the humidifier on.

A power station rated around 600 watt-hours gives you a practical buffer above that estimated overnight use, though the actual runtime depends on the connected equipment and conditions. Turning off the humidifier reduces energy demand. A compatible DC cord also avoids some of the conversion loss involved in powering the device from an AC outlet.

Your RV propane furnace still needs 12-volt battery power to run its blower. A Suburban SF-30 draws 6.5 amps, so include furnace runtime in your battery plan alongside the CPAP. If you need dependable power, call the park about CP1–CP11 and arrive early; otherwise, plan for dry camping with charged batteries and a backup for essential medical equipment.

06Before you go checklist

Call Tongue River Reservoir at (406) 757-2298 to confirm current site and service details before you leave. Bring cash or a check for the self-pay envelope, and arrive with a full freshwater tank because campsite water is off.

Charge your RV batteries before departure and account for overnight furnace use if you rely on propane heat. Keep a backup plan for medical devices in case your battery setup falls short or the powered sites are occupied. Check the park’s alerts page close to your trip for any changes to access, facilities, or seasonal services.

Sources (4)

• fwp.mt.gov
• fwp.mt.gov
• fwp.mt.gov
• fwp.mt.gov

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