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Dispersed Camping

Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed, near Columbia Falls, Montana, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the frills of a traditional campground. This area allows for a true back-to-basics experience, where you can pitch a tent or park your RV right by the river, enjoying the stunning views and the sound of rushing water.

The location is known for its beautiful scenery and ample space, making it a favorite among visitors. Many campers have noted the gorgeous views, especially at sunset, and the chance to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride to get there; some folks have mentioned that the road can be rough, so a vehicle with good clearance is a plus.

While there are no amenities like drinking water or electric hookups, the freedom to have fires and the pet-friendly policy make it a great choice for those wanting to unwind in a natural setting. As one camper put it, “What a great place to stay during your adventure!”

If you're into fishing, the fast-moving river offers some opportunities, and there are plenty of spots to set up camp away from the crowds. Just keep in mind that during peak times, it can get busy, so arriving early is wise. Whether you're looking to relax by the water or explore the nearby Glacier National Park, this location has a lot to offer for a memorable outdoor experience.

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Location

Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

48.46353589645803 N
114.07273496634478 W

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Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed needs a permit.

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45 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 14, 2025

Amazing Booddocking spot

Wow! We really enjoyed this spot! Stayed 2 nights and if ever in area again will come back! Met some really nice people. Some people need to learn flashlight/headlight manners but overall felt safe and saved cash!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by BoGwen J., September 14, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by BoGwen J., September 14, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by BoGwen J., September 14, 2025
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Reviewed Sep. 13, 2025

Great Views

We stayed down on the rocks the first night but if you go back there are more secluded spots still on the river. Watched a Prius make it down the road but not sure how, we took our SUV.

Siteback campground
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Reilly S., September 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Reilly S., September 13, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Reilly S., September 13, 2025
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Reviewed Sep. 3, 2025

Busy beach, rough road

I parked in a turnout across the street and walked down to this location. The road was filled with huge pot holes. The beach was crowded with several campers and other boaters that weren't camping there. It would be worth it, probably, with kids, but I'm alone with my dog and decided i want her to have more freedom, so I moved on. However, there are several other turnouts on the road, so it is worth exploring if you don't have a large vehicle.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2025

Beautiful

This place is just around the corner from Glacier NP and a handful of restaurants and beer joints. We came in around noon on a Sunday and there were a few spots left so we backed in close to the water. Several fire pits already established. Daily swimming in some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen. Fish jumping constantly. Amazing sunrises. Opportunity to float from the bridge to the end of the campground so bring your tubes/sups/pfds, not to mention a good pull-out spot if you get dropped off up the road approx 5mile float for yaks& sups! This is a very popular place that holds a lot of campers so be prepared for that, but still totally worth it. Especially considering the $100+ nightly rate of local rv parks. We got our 31’ class c in here, definitely full flex on the suspension coming in, wouldn’t feel comfortable going in and out daily, luckily we have a toad for daily shenanigans. Was a couple schoolies when we arrived, have no idea how they made the road in with a sharp bend at the end. Wouldn’t recommend any rv longer than 30’. Likely max for tow behind camper approx 20’. Still be prepared for a few scratches on the way in from narrow drive + low hanging limbs. Still a great place though.

Siteriverside
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by TheFoxphire F., August 26, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by TheFoxphire F., August 26, 2025
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Reviewed Aug. 24, 2025

Great spot outside of glacier

Perfect spot for camping outside the west entrance, about 25 minutes away. That road is a little rough coming in but it’s short and manageable, even saw a little Mazda make it in. Big lot on the river with people next to each other and then multiple sites a little further back for some privacy.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Brent P., August 24, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Brent P., August 24, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2025

Cool Campsite Outside Glacier

When we found this on the Dyrt we knew we had to stop. This site was perfect on the flathead river. You can’t be afraid of being too close to people because it is just a busy site. Even if you get in late you can probably still find a spot, it just won’t be riverfront. The little dirt road into the river spot is well worn but nothing a stock pickup truck or higher clearance SUV like a Subaru could not handle. The river was great to swim in for a little cold plunge. This might have been our best campsite on our two week road trip. Highly recommend!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Joshua M., August 8, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Joshua M., August 8, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Joshua M., August 8, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2025

Perfect place right outside of glacier

This was our favorite spot that we camped at on our 2 week trip out west. The road to the beach is quite rough. We were glad to have 4WD and high clearance. The beach spots are packed, but plenty of space and lots of rafters having themselves a good time, so if thats your scene go for it! We kept on going past the main beach to the tree covered area and found our slice of heaven. Less crowded but still with river access. We were able to sit in the river and relax. We also saw a bald eagle! Porta potties are dispersed throughout.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Lynsey M., August 2, 2025
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Lynsey M., August 2, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2025

Road is a really big iffy!

Road has huge and I mean huge puddles. Very tight fit for truck and trailer for sure in a lot of the spots. The best spots for rvs were taken up by tents.

Sitena
Month of VisitJuly
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Reviewed Jul. 12, 2025

Busy but nice

Be prepared for lots of traffic. This is a local entry and exit for guides, fishers, floaters, and swimmers. But there’s a lot of area to camp and a beautiful river to enjoy.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2024

Chill spot

Good spot lots of space. Need a little bit of clearance to get down here.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 8, 2024

Not for Camping

Part of the area is closed due to flooding until at least June 24. There are also signs that say no camping.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Pallah B., June 8, 2024
Reviewed May. 30, 2024

Fantastic views

Gorgeous place to camp. We arrived on Memorial day late in the evening. Everyone was leaving at this point. I could see how in the summer and on holidays it could busy. River is very fast for fishing, could maybe get away with fly fishing. Plenty of places to camp.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by David H., May 30, 2024
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by David H., May 30, 2024
Reviewed May. 16, 2024

Area closed!! 05/16/24

High waters led to the camping area being closed when we arrived, relocated closer to glacier

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Ethan , May 16, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 26, 2023

Wow!

Beautiful spot. Very bumpy road on the very short drive from road to beach. Beach spots and spaces away from the pebble beach in small wooded area. Exceptionally beautiful. There are maybe 10 other camper dispersed around the site today - late September.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Jennie S., September 26, 2023
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Jennie S., September 26, 2023
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Jennie S., September 26, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2023

Fantastic River Site

Even through the road looks scary going in, out 2wd Promaster had no issue and the spots past the rocky bank are pretty sweet - Riverside and quiet! Also, oddly enough there were port a potties scattered about the campsite!

SiteN/A
Month of VisitSeptember
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Reviewed Jul. 27, 2023

No big rig (30’ +) access!

The road getting to these are actually great, but the site itself is very bad roads to the river side. You want tall 4x4 vehicles or short ones that can handle being twisted like an ice tray.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2023

Crowded but the river is beautiful

Easy to find, right off the road, we arrived the night before July 4th and as expected it was very crowded. We went across the street to the beach on the other side of the river and stayed 2 nights and were the only ones there, although the last night we had a cop come up in the middle of a rain storm to tell us it was private property but we could stay until morning because of the weather. If not for that incident it would have been a perfect spot. Gets crowded and busy during the day with kayaks/drift boats

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Mandi W., July 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Mandi W., July 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Mandi W., July 5, 2023
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Reviewed Sep. 12, 2022

Pretty

Lots of other campers but there was plenty of room. The porta potty’s were really nice! Some trash and food left by previous campers. Nearby train woke us up a few times in the night.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Abby D., September 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Abby D., September 12, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 8, 2022

Blankenship Bridge

This is the same campground as the Blankenship Bridge. These coordinates just take you to the road. You have to keep going a ways away. When you get to the bridge you can’t camp on the parking lots on both sides. There are signs for No Camping. You have to go across the bridge to the left, over some potholes (pretty manageable) and then you will park by the river side. It’s beautiful and definitely worth the visit and bumpy road. The directions here are just a little misleading so I wanted to help clarify!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Sophia H., September 8, 2022
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Sophia H., September 8, 2022
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Sophia H., September 8, 2022
Reviewed Mar. 6, 2022

Winter Spot

This is a great little location right next to the river note that the map is incorrect just keep driving until u hit the river. There are pull offs on both sides of the road. The one on the west side of Blankenship road has a vault toilet. both have very small signs stating no camping I didn’t notice them until this morning so be warned you may get evicted I had a glorious evening it clearly is a local lovers hang out I had a number of young couples drive in while I was cooking dinner. They moved on to the other side of the road.

Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Weird local activity but OK

Nice for a quick pinch, it’s kind of deep off the main road but it is truly close to Glacier. There was some weird local activity across the river where they kept shining their brights at our van and revving their engines- not sure what the hooplah was about but it stopped around midnight. Pretty river- be careful driving in. Depending on your vehicle you could bottom out pretty severely as there’s a lot of washout.

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 7, 2021

Amazing (be smart where you park)

TLDR; quick & easy drive (minus a little stretch to drive down to the river), beautiful riverside view, pleasant and generous neighboring campers.

Caution: be smarter than your average chump and don’t park on the lose rocks close to the river....but if you do, thank the wonderful locals for being so helpful for the tow.

What a gem, so quick and easy to get to. We don’t like to plan and prefer the “universe is on our side” method, so this was such a fantastic find when we couldn’t snag a last min spot in glacier. It took about 15min to get to from the park exit and we loved being right by the river! The current is obviously strong but there’s a nice nook to take a morning swim.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2021

Our favorite camp site from our trip out west

Really cool spot right on the river and free and really close to glacier west entrance. Very clean porta potty’s. As some have mentioned it felt like a hippy community but that was okay. There are sites on the rock beach and then if you go past you will find some more spots that are on sand so maybe better for a ground tent. We came in late and we’re able to pick of a a few spots I would suggest getting there before sunset at least tho.

Sitenear the river
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by matt E., July 2, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2020

Kinda like a hippy commune but great

I’m not familiar with communes. But hippies are quite common where we are from. This place had the vibe of people just out there living in the outdoors. Locals and travelers alike. All very friendly. Not too loud. It is not regulated here by any means and you can camp anywhere. People seem to give you space though.

We parked in the rocks close to the river. It was beautiful to wake up here in the morning. Serene. Would have stayed longer. It’s close enough to town to get supplies and a short drive to glacier. The river is peaceful here. Plenty of good quality skipping rocks for the kids.

The “road” down to the beach from the asphalt is, well, as described in other posts. Not smooth. We made it though barely. We have. 22’ trailer with NOT good clearance. It scraped a couple times gently to remind us to go slowly. Scout it first if you’re unsure. It’s only 200-300’ of sketchy part but no getting out easy if you change your mind halfway. But if you can make it, do it. The beach area is much flatter and easy to navigate a trailer around once you’re down there. Do it.

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2020

Perfect for car camping

All reviews here are accurate. Last stretch of dirt road down to the river is a doozy, go super slow... cell service was fine. Loads of people. Clean up after yourself. Super close to west entrance of Glacier. Wish we could have stayed longer!!

Reviewed Sep. 25, 2020

Free, lots of sites, beautiful location.

This is a large dispersed camping area with a river-side "beach" suitable for RVs and what not (it's rocky not sandy, so tents might be pretty uncomfortable), as well as a dirt-ground area further in with trees that are great for tents and hammocks. Rock firepits are easily found, although I didn't see much wood around to gather so might want to bring some. When I was there it wasn't too crowded but there we always other people around. Two clean portable latrines when I was there as well - nice plus. 

All in all, a great place to settle in and take in the scenery or do some fishing. Not too far from town either, for supply runs, and using Verizon I had perfect reception. Big plus for those of us working on the road!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Quinn Z., September 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Quinn Z., September 25, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 15, 2020

First timer

If you’re looking for absolute primitive camping, this is your spot! Down by the water, some campfire rings are already built for you out of the rock! I used the drift wood that was washed up to have a fire for myself. Was plenty around. Was quiet at night, but when I arrived around 6-7, it was pretty crowded. Ended up camping on rocks in a tent because all of the good spots were taken. Thankfully I had a blow up pad with me, but still wasn’t comfortable. So, I recommend getting there a little early. Short little trail to drive back, lots of dips and holes! Be careful with a car that sits low to the ground for sure.

If you love a night out away from everything, check it out! Sit by the fire, relax and enjoy the beautiful night sky above you!!! Can’t wait to go back!!

  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Jake H., September 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Jake H., September 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed by Jake H., September 15, 2020
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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best dispersed camping spots along the Middle Fork Flathead River?

The Middle Fork Flathead River dispersed camping area offers two distinct camping experiences. The riverfront beach area provides open, communal spots right on the rocky riverbed with stunning views and easy water access. This area is popular and more social. For those seeking seclusion, continue further back into the sparsely wooded areas where more private sites can be found. These wooded spots offer more shade and privacy but require navigating rougher roads. Both areas are primitive with no developed facilities. The beach camping is particularly unique, allowing you to set up camp right along the beautiful river with mountain views.

Is a permit required for dispersed camping along the Middle Fork Flathead River?

No permit is required for dispersed camping along the Middle Fork Flathead River. This is free primitive camping on public land. The area is intentionally kept undeveloped to limit overcrowding. While no permits are needed, standard dispersed camping regulations apply - practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and respect fire restrictions when in place. There are typically two portable toilets available during peak season, but no other amenities. Always check with the Forest Service for any seasonal restrictions or fire bans before your trip.

How do I access the Middle Fork Flathead River for camping from Blankenship Bridge?

Access to the Middle Fork Flathead River camping area from Blankenship Bridge is via a partially maintained road. The first portion is well-maintained gravel, but the final 500 feet becomes a very bumpy dirt road requiring careful navigation. Vehicles with decent clearance are recommended, though not necessarily 4WD in dry conditions. The road can become more challenging when wet, potentially requiring 4WD. RVs and trailers may struggle with the roughest sections. Once past this challenging section, the road opens to the expansive camping area along the rivershore. The area is just a few miles from West Glacier, making it convenient for park visits despite the rugged access.