Fishing enthusiasts will find Howard Lake Campground operates as a free Forest Service site accessible via a 15-mile drive on well-maintained roads. The campground sits near both Howard Lake and a creek in open terrain, with a 1.7-mile nature trail circling the lake and additional hiking trails departing from the area.
The site provides vault toilets stocked with tissue and allows 16-night maximum stays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Campers can access lake water directly, though no potable water system exists on-site. Cell phone service remains unavailable, and pets are prohibited. A nearby gold panning area adds recreational options for visitors exploring campgrounds near Kootenai National Forest. The campground typically sees light use even during peak summer weekends.
Description
Howard Lake campground is located south of Libby on road 4779. The campground has 10 sites (3 pull thru's) including one host site with tables and fire rings. Camground roads and parking spurs are gravel. Amentities include vault toilets and swimming beach. There are 2 day use sites with fire rings and picnic tables near the beach area.The camphost may close the gate to the campground each evening at 10:00 pm and open it again at 7:00 am. The gate closes for the season on December 1st and is opened again when access permits.Howard Lake and Howard Creek were prospected and named after the Howard brothers, Alfred and Benjamin. These two were among some of the the earliest miners to file and work claims on Upper Libby Creek from 1885 to 1915 when at the age__of 80 Benjamin died.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundHoward Lake Campground is located in Montana
Coordinates
48.10094444 N
115.5306667 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 53 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 3 hrs 23 min from Spokane, WA
- 3 hrs 29 min from Missoula, MT
- 4 hrs 49 min from Lewiston, ID










