Hiking enthusiasts will find Thain Creek Campground serves as a trailhead base camp in Lewis & Clark National Forest, with Trail #431 departing directly from the grounds. The campground sits roughly 20 miles down a gravel road from the nearest paved access, requiring careful navigation of what multiple visitors describe as a "teeth jarring" surface with significant potholes. RVs and larger trailers can reach the site, though several reviewers caution against bringing oversized rigs on the rough approach.

The Forest Service maintains approximately 12-15 individual sites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets and potable water are available on-site, with campers consistently noting the cleanliness of facilities. A camp host makes evening rounds to check on visitors. Sites closest to Thain Creek itself offer the sound of running water, while the forested setting provides natural shade and separation between camping spots.

Wildlife activity includes regular elk calls at night and daytime woodpecker sounds, with multiple species of birds active throughout the area. The creek provides fishing opportunities, and hikers can access meadows filled with seasonal wildflowers within a 40-minute walk from camp. "We had the place to ourselves," reports Alex K., noting the campground's tendency toward low occupancy even during peak summer weekends.

At $10 per night with no reservation system, sites operate on a first-come basis. Campers seeking additional options in the region can explore campgrounds around Lewis & Clark National Forest for comparison.

Check AvailabilitySuggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsThain Creek is located in Montana near Highwood

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Great Falls, go east on US 89 6 miles, east 13 miles on MT-228, 16 miles east on County Road 121, then 2 miles east on Forest Road 8840. The latter are dirt & gravel.

Coordinates

47.47555556 N
110.5852778 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Thain Creek

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

63%
38%
0%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, shaded sites and clean facilities at this secluded campground just an hour from Great Falls. Visitors often highlighted the quiet atmosphere, helpful host, and excellent $10/night value, though the long gravel road access requires careful driving.

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2024

Thaine creek campgound

This is a nice back in the woods campground with spots right on the creek. Our spot was 4 nice table on the creek with lots of sound. A lot if shade. Semi secluded from other campsites. The fire pits are really high so standing up is required for heat. Need chainsaw to gather wood. Lots of birds in the area. Lewis and Clark national forest. Highwood mountains. Lots of potholes drive with care.

Site4
Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2022

Great Weekend Getaway

This is probably one of the best campsites around the Great Falls area. The site are really well maintained and beautiful with a lot of trees and vegetation in the area. You are also not too close to other campsites (not side by side, but fairly close). I didn’t find a single problem in the site. 10/10 for campin!

Site10
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Sterling C., July 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Sterling C., July 18, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 13, 2021

Nice place

Great place if you want a very secluded campground. They had clean pit toilets, a nice fire ring and picnic table for $10 a night. Nice hiking trails are available that go through the summer pastures for local ranchers. Be aware that this is a long rough gravel road of at least 12 miles to get there. I would not suggest trying to haul a large rig into it.

Site3
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Lisa Z., September 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Lisa Z., September 13, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2020

Hidden gem! Great escape and so close to Great Falls.

We were shocked this campground wasn’t full, it’s only an hour from Great Falls and the road is your typical gravel, a few larger potholes but completely doable in any car (or towing). Lots of shaded spots (available on a Friday and Saturday night in mid-August!), super clean facilities, and a very helpful camp host. The partiers stay down below on the road so it was super quiet and had some nice wildlife in the area. We did the Windy Mountain loop, so it was a treat to finish the hike and be back at our campsite 100 yards from the end! Highly recommend for campers looking for an easy, quiet escape.

Site6
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2019

Legit.

This place is pretty neat. 12 permanent campsites each with a fire ring and picnic table. Potable water and vault toilets are also available on site. We stayed for a weekend and had the place to ourselves. Easy access to plenty of hiking and decent fishing. Definitely worth checking out.

  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Alex K., August 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Alex K., August 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Alex K., August 25, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

Backcountry camping by car

Great almost-primitive site. Truly middle of nowhere, we only knew about it because a friend into fishing took us. The last 30 miles or so are dirt roads and I wouldn’t want to try it in most sedans (or an RV). Pros: rustic, cheap, good hiking and fishing nearby, wooded, pretty empty, middle of nowhere, wildlife, cowboy history feel, all tents, varied landscapes. Cons: no reservations, dirt access road can be rough.

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2016

Thain Creek Campground, MT

When the directions include "drive down the dirt road for 20 miles," you know you are in for an amazing experience. Thain Creek Campground did not disappoint. The drive in and out is stunning hills, pastures, and meadows.

At the campground, there are about 15 sites. RVs and campers are welcome if they can survive the teeth jarring gravel road there. The campsite features vault toilets (very clean) and potable water, according to Ray, the camp host who drove through every evening to check on everyone. Each campsite has a huge picnic table and fire pit.

The trailhead for #431 is on the campgrounds and there are multiple routes you can take once you start. The path I followed for about 40 minutes opened into an incredible meadow with wildflowers.

There is a nearby creek. Birds chirp all day, woodpeckers peck all day, and at night, there were a couple of elk calls and at least two owls hooing back and forth. A wonderful getaway for your soul!

  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Donna S., June 19, 2016
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Donna S., June 19, 2016
  • Review photo of Thain Creek by Donna S., June 19, 2016
  • (14) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Thain Creek Campground compare to Highwood Campground?

Thain Creek Campground offers a more secluded, rustic experience than many other campgrounds in the Great Falls area. It features about 12-15 sites with fire rings and picnic tables, potable water, and vault toilets. The campground is known for its natural setting with plenty of trees, shade, and creek-side sites. Access requires navigating 12-20 miles of gravel road, making it less suitable for large RVs or sedans with low clearance. At $10 per night, it provides an affordable wilderness experience with good hiking and fishing opportunities nearby. The campground's remote location typically means fewer crowds even during peak season.

Are there photos available of Thain Creek Campground?

While specific photo galleries aren't mentioned, Thain Creek Campground offers picturesque scenery worth capturing. The campground features approximately 12-15 permanent sites nestled among trees, with some spots situated right along the creek. The surrounding landscape includes stunning hills, meadows, and pastures, with wooded areas providing ample shade. Many visitors appreciate the natural beauty of this secluded campground with its vegetation, wildlife, and hiking trails. For current photos, consider checking the Forest Service website or contacting the ranger district that manages this campground.

Where is Thain Creek Campground located in Montana?

Thain Creek Campground is located about an hour's drive from Great Falls, Montana. To reach the campground, you'll need to travel down approximately 12-20 miles of gravel road. The campground sits in a remote, wooded area, surrounded by hills, pastures, and meadows. This secluded location offers access to hiking trails that wind through summer pastures used by local ranchers. The campground's remote setting provides a peaceful wilderness experience while still being relatively accessible from a major Montana city.