Chief Joseph Park and Deadmans Basin

A visit to Harlowton Montana and more…

I’m sharing this part of my journey with you from Harlowton Montana on May 6th, 2026. Last night the temperature dropped to 20F by dawn – yeah, really, 20F on May 6! That was after a day (May 5) where temps stayed in the 40’s with periodic snow showers as I visited a natural sulphur hot spring.

It’s now mid-afternoon, temperatures have recovered nicely to near 70 with a stiff west wind. I decided to extend my state here at Chief Joseph Park in Harlowton, Montana for a 3rd night.

Incidentally, Harlowton is almost dead-center in Montana. I entered Montana a few days ago at Lookout Pass after spending the winter in Idaho. I’m heading to the Rapid City area of South Dakota. My goal? Simply to renew my license! After that, I plan to spend a fair amount of time in Wyoming.

While visiting Harlowton, I headed out to Deadmans Basin Campground and Reservoir. That was earlier this morning BEFORE the wind kicked up. I was able to grab about an hour of paddling and explored the campsites along the water’s edge. My video and photos in this post show you the campsites from a terrestrial as well as an aquatic view. Deadmans Basin is just about 23 miles from Harlowton (to the east.)

Gotta Love these Names…Chief Joseph Park & Deadmans Basin

Chief Joseph Park, is my current “home” while here in Harlowton for 3 nights.. The park is named for Chief Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce Indians. It is believed he passed through this region as he was trying to escape the “white man.” Ultimately, he surrendered in 1877 near Chinook, Mt. just south of the Canadian border.

Deadmans Basin: According to local lore, Deadmans Basin was named for a horse thief who was hung “back in the day.” I did some quick research, found several references to this being the source of the name, but I could not find anything more about the hanging or when it occurred. I can only guess it occurred in the latter half of the 19th Century. If you know more, please leave a comment below.

Camping at Deadmans Basin

I’m glad I drove through the camping areas WITHOUT my trailer. My trailer was sitting (safely) back in Harlowton. While the campsites look great overall, I’d be inclined to bring only shorter trailers or motorhomes to most of the sites here.

Navigation through some of the loops is difficult and turn-arounds are very tight. Some of the roads are very narrow and at times you may find your camper on a steep angle. IF you intend to camp here, I would definitely spend a night or two at Chief Joseph Park in Harlowton and drive into Deadmans Basin FIRST.

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Camping and Recreation Fees

For a dry camping area, Deadmans rates are high. Camping at Deadmans will cost you $18/night unless you have a Montana fishing license, then it’s $12/night. This is a state run facility, so I saw no indication that a Federal “America the Beautiful” pass would apply any discount.

In contrast, Chief Joseph Park charges just $23 per night for a site with electric. There is also water available for communal use to campers at no extra fee. If you elect to forego the electric, their rate is $17./night.

My original plan was to camp for a few nights at Deadmans Basin. When I saw the layout at Deadmans, in combination with variable weather expected over the coming days, I decided to spend one more night here at Chief Joseph and then move on to Miles City, Mt. before heading to South Dakota.

Incidentally, even to just paddle this morning, I needed to hold (electronically) a Montana Conservation License. Fortunately, I had previously purchased that last Autumn when I was staying at Clark Canyon Reservoir near Dillon Montana.

WIND

Wind is a common “feature” across this region. Know that mornings are less likely to be windy, hence this is why I headed out to paddle as early as I could. Of course, I waited it to warm up from a balmy 20F at 6am! Even in Harlowton, the wind is kicking up pretty good this afternoon. Tomorrow as I depart for Miles City, I will do so early as to not potentially encounter high cross winds.

“Main Street” Harlowton – otherwise known as Central Avenue North or Harlowton’s Historic District

As with many rural communities across our nation, Harlowton is struggling. Its population is in decline, now with about 850 residents in 2026. I believe the 2020 Census reported 1000 residents. There is one restaurant, the Loco Grill open most evenings. It looks like a wreck from the outside. Its a bit better inside and the food is pretty good. I had a burger and fries tonight and the fries were excellent! (I don’t eat like that often.) The Loco Grill is on the highway at the east end of town.

Central Avenue North is the main historic commercial district. It is marked by a 1974 Electric Train at the head of the street as the last electric train that was in service. As you walk down Central Ave., you’ll find Klo’s Kitchen, a very nice coffee shop, luncheonette and bakery across from the historic train.

The State Theatre

As you proceed Southeast down Central Avenue, you’ll find a few businesses and several abandoned storefronts. One that stood out to me was a building with a neon sign out front called the “State.” Turns out it is (was) the State Theatre. Built in 1917, opened in 1920, it hosted Vaudeville and introduced “talkies” to its patrons in 1930.

It appears the last movie shown there was in 1948. The building was damaged in 1997 and again in 2012. To provide a bit more insight on this historic building, I copied this comment from HERE to share with you –

“The AMERICAN STATE Theatre in Harlowton was purchased by The American State Theatre Corporation in 2013 and details have been completed for restoration of the original theatre built between 1917-1920 as the American Theatre, designed by noted Montana architects Link & Haire. It’s auditorium was identical to Link & Haire’s Judith Theatre in Lewistown. (See CT auditorium view). In the last fire in 2013, the stage and dressing rooms were not destroyed. The building deemed safe and structurally sound by a leading engineer’s report to the Wheatland Council.

Found in the dressing room were over 100 blue prints of the original Link & Haire drawings, while a further 30 designs were located in the Montana State Archives. To read about the future plans for the American State Theatre Restoration look in the Harlowton “Live” site. There is a complete historical report about theatres and cinemas in Harlowton. In the new concept the building will be multi-purpose! Any cinema will operated in complete co-operation with the Harlowton High School’s Harlo Theatre, and provide alternative cinema fare. John David Love.”

I know there were plans in the 2010’s to restore the theatre. My research uncovered evidence of this as recently as 2018. I guess it’s likely that covid delayed or derailed these plans.

Central Avenue Continued…

The remainder of the street offers a couple of bars that have likely been there for decades and an old theater called the Harlow that is clearly still in operation.

One other business that stands out is the Musselshell Restaurant. It is upscale, carries excellent reviews online, but it is expensive and is only open 4 evenings each week from 4-8pm.

All in all…

Harlowton was a pleasant stop along my journey. It is safe, quiet, and Klo’s Kitchen was a great place to enjoy some coffee and do some writing. I departed Harlowton early on the 7th, arriving in Miles City just after mid-day where the journey continues, so more soon!

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