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Facilities
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Established Camping

Tobacco River Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tobacco River Campground is located near the Tobacco River in the Kootenai National Forest, Montana. The area features forested terrain with the river providing a natural setting for camping. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit in spring and fall to highs in the 80s during summer. Nearby attractions include Lake Koocanusa and the Libby Dam, offering opportunities for fishing and hiking.

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Location

Tobacco River Campground is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

48.894383 N
115.134986 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info


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Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2025

Really bad roads

The park itself is in a fabulous location for activities such as fishing, tubing, kayaking, etc., but the roads are so heavily rotted that it makes it very difficult for any vehicle to navigate the entrance. On the lower reaches of the park near the river. The ground is essentially dried up river silt and when it gets wet, it’s thicker than snot. I personally would never access this park without four-wheel-drive.

Siteit’s dispersed camping
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Feb. 24, 2025

It’s nice enough but not great

Nice open spots past the intersection but are typically full of trailers left on site for when locals want to come by. Rules not enforced and no one to complain to.

Large, wide open, not many on the river. The best spot on the river: drive in, go past the main sign to the right, turn left on the intersection where the chain link fence is, as soon as the road widens pull up on to the right and you’re there. Big rig friendly. Be aware of quicksand that is advertised to be in the area and bears fishing in the fall. Be advised, the one pit toilet at this point is almost full and filthy, it has not been cleaned in months or years.

Details: Don’t leave kids unattended High grizzly population in the fall Kokanee in the river, check reports Sandy and quick sand areas Quiet, mostly abandon RVs to keep sites on hold No water, toilet, trash Town is 5 minutes away Free, time limit seems to fluctuate but it’s clearly not enforced

SiteUnmarked sites
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Tobacco River Campground by Sadie P., February 24, 2025
  • Review photo of Tobacco River Campground by Sadie P., February 24, 2025
  • Review photo of Tobacco River Campground by Sadie P., February 24, 2025
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2023

Very popular, close to town

This is a very popular spot with locals and out-of-towners. The road in is fairly rugged and some parts particularly steep and rocky. Four-wheel drive is advisable for access to sites farther in. One vault toilet for more than a dozen campsites spread over about a half mile. Some sites have tables and some do not. Easy kayak launching at the mouth and lots of shoreline access. No potable water on-site. Still a beautiful spot to get away.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2022

Early Oct

Right on the river. Caution on approach road, ruts and mud potential. Here on a Monday, but has the look of partyville on the weekends. Tables are a bit warn and fire rings are well used.

Siteno numbers, just tables mark the spots.
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Tobacco River Campground by David P., October 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Tobacco River Campground by David P., October 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Tobacco River Campground by David P., October 3, 2022
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Tobacco River Campground located in Montana?

Tobacco River Campground is located right on the Tobacco River in northwestern Montana. The campground sits at a point where the river widens, providing riverside camping opportunities. Access to the campground involves navigating a somewhat rugged approach road that can be rutted and muddy at times, with some particularly steep and rocky sections. Four-wheel drive is recommended, especially for reaching the sites that are located further into the campground area.

Is Tobacco River Campground near Lake Koocanusa?

Yes, Tobacco River Campground is located near Lake Koocanusa in northwestern Montana. The campground sits on the Tobacco River, which is connected to the Lake Koocanusa reservoir system. This proximity makes it a popular destination for visitors wanting to enjoy both river and lake recreation opportunities. The area is frequented by both locals and tourists for activities such as fishing, tubing, and kayaking, taking advantage of the campground's waterfront location.

What amenities are available at Tobacco River Campground?

Tobacco River Campground offers basic amenities including some picnic tables and fire rings at campsites, though these may show signs of heavy use. There is one vault toilet serving more than a dozen campsites spread over approximately half a mile. The campground features several open camping spots, with some located directly on the riverbank. Some sites may have tables, but facilities are minimal overall, making this more of a primitive camping experience.