Camper submitted image from Thain Creek - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Thain Creek - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Thain Creek - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Thain Creek - 4
Camping
Camper submitted image from Thain Creek - 5
Water

Established Camping

Thain Creek

Thain Creek, near Great Falls, Montana, is a hidden treasure for those seeking a peaceful escape into nature. This campground offers a rustic experience with well-maintained sites that provide a perfect backdrop for camping right by the creek, where the soothing sounds of water enhance your stay.

Visitors rave about the spacious sites, complete with fire rings and picnic tables, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors. The clean pit toilets and potable water add to the convenience, ensuring you can focus on relaxing and soaking in the beautiful surroundings. One camper noted, “The drive in and out is stunning hills, pastures, and meadows,” which sets the tone for a truly immersive experience.

For outdoor lovers, Thain Creek is surrounded by scenic hiking trails that lead through lush landscapes and offer opportunities for wildlife spotting. Reviewers have enjoyed the nearby Windy Mountain loop, which provides a rewarding hike just a stone's throw from your campsite. If you're looking for a quiet getaway with a touch of adventure, this campground is definitely worth checking out.

Description

National Forest

Lewis and Clark National Forest

Thain Creek Campground is the only campground in the Highwood Mountains. One of the 19 campsites can accommodate a maximum trailer length of 40 feet. The campground is usually open from May through the middle of fall.A nearby trailhead leads up to Windy Mountain and back on a 6 mile loop trail, offering scenic views of the surrounding plains and faraway mountains. Other hikes are along Briggs Creek or from the North Fork Highwood Creek Trailhead. Please heed seasonal trail closures, as all trails in the Highwoods close either September 1st or Oct 15th .All campgrounds on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not available. Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days in one location. A campground fee is required. Please pay at the self-serve campground fee station. Campsites cannot be reserved by simply paying for the site; camper must be present. A food storage order is in effect from March 1st to December 1st to prevent human-bear conflicts on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Store all unattended food and attractants properly. Please see Food Storage Order for specifics. Open and close dates can vary depending on snowfall conditions. Please call the local district office or check our website. Leashed dogs are welcome. Horses are not allowed in campgrounds. Motorized OHVs must stay on the campground road. The campgrounds include access to potable water during the warmer months, and all have at least one handicap accessible vault toilet. Each campsite has a fire ring and/or grill, and a picnic table. Even if water is unavailable, campground fees are still required.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Thain Creek is located in Montana

Detail location of 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

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Contact

General Info


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

63%
38%
0%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

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

  • Does Thain Creek have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Thain Creek does not have wifi.