Camping in Montana

Camping is a great way to experience Montana’s natural beauty first-hand. Being out in the midst of nature acquaints you with the sights, sounds, scents, and ambience of this unique area. Morning birdsongs, forest aromas wafting in the breeze, warm sunshine, the fresh smell in the air after a rain shower – it’s all yours when you camp out in Northwest Montana.

• * Pitch your tent at one of the five lakeshore locations of Flathead Lake State Park, where you can swim, boat, fish, hike, and fall asleep to the lapping of the waves. Learn more about camping in Northwest Montana State Parks here.
• You can rent a yurt – a circular, insulated, tent-like “cottage” with most of the comforts of home – at Big Arm State Park. From here you can take your boat out to Wild Horse Island State Park , a primitive island rich in wildlife, hiking trails, and historic homestead sites. You can also rent a boat in the town of Big Arm.
• Most Flathead Valley campgrounds have RV accommodations and hookups, so you can bring your home comforts with you while enjoying Montana’s natural surroundings.
• The Flathead National Forest offers 34 campgrounds with about 400 family campsites. Some campgrounds charge a small fee, while others are free. You can download a chart and map of Flathead National Forest campgrounds here.
  

Camping is allowed throughout the Flathead National Forest, including the wilderness areas. The Bob Marshall, Great Bear, and Mission Mountains Wildernesses comprise nearly half of the Forest's total land area. Please follow posted rules and regulations wherever you camp and recreate.

• Camping in Glacier National Park’s campgrounds brings you up close to the park’s beauty and tranquility. More than 700 miles of trails connect hundreds of Glacier’s lakes, streams and valleys. Stunning panoramas await you at every turn.

Wildflowers abound during the spring and summer, with different varieties blooming as you move through different altitudes and climate zones. Almost anywhere in the park, you may see deer, elk, moose, bears, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.

Camp amid old forests, by crystal-clear lakes, near legendary hiking trails, close to scenic overlooks – sometimes all at once! Spend your days hiking back country trails, fishing, rafting, bicycling, climbing, horseback-riding, boating, or just admiring the view.

Learn more about camping in Glacier National Park here.
Find out which campgrounds have available sites here.

If you want your Glacier experience a little wilder, buckle on your backpack and camp in the back country. Glacier’s back country camping web site explains what you need to know to prepare for your trip, how to apply for a back country camping permit and check on campsite availability, and much more.