Best Campgrounds near Big Arm, MT

Camping in Big Arm, Montana centers around Flathead Lake, with multiple state parks offering lakeside sites. Big Arm State Unit and Finley Point Unit provide developed camping with both tent and RV sites along the shoreline. Several campgrounds in the area feature full hookups for RVs, while others maintain more primitive tent camping areas. Public lands surrounding Flathead Lake support a range of accommodation types, including cabins at Rollins RV Park and traditional campsites at Yellow Bay State Park, allowing visitors to choose between amenity-rich or more basic camping experiences.

Many campgrounds in the Flathead Lake region operate seasonally, with most sites open from early May through late September. The Big Arm State Unit typically closes by late September, while Finley Point remains accessible until mid-November. Road conditions generally allow standard vehicles to access major campgrounds, though some sites have limitations for larger RVs. Drinking water availability varies significantly between locations, with some parks like West Shore and Lake Mary Ronan offering potable water while others require campers to bring their own supplies. Advance reservations are recommended during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly. According to one visitor, "Most of the sites are along the water, but seem a little close to one another... sites T1 and T3 are both walk-in sites at the end of the campground and are SO worth it."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews throughout the Flathead Lake area. Campers particularly appreciate the clear water access and mountain views at Yellow Bay State Park. One visitor described it as having "gorgeous hikes, great campground!! I love a camping spot that has great hikes and beautiful scenery and views. This campground has all of those!" Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area, with deer commonly sighted near campsites. While most state park campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, facilities such as showers are limited. The region includes both reserved and first-come, first-served sites, with pricing typically ranging from $20-50 per night depending on location and amenities. Campgrounds on the western shore tend to have more developed facilities compared to the eastern side of Flathead Lake.

Best Camping Sites Near Big Arm, Montana (187)

    1. Big Arm State Unit — Flathead Lake State Park

    24 Reviews
    Big Arm, MT
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 837-3041

    $18 - $90 / night

    "Most of the sites are along the water, but seem a little close to one another. Fortunately, the woman at the gate told me about sites T1 and T3."

    "Flathead Lake is a very large wonder of nature and the town of Polson is perfectly situated.  You will not see a more gorgeous mountain range.  "

    2. Finley Point Unit — Flathead Lake State Park

    17 Reviews
    Polson, MT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 837-3041

    $6 - $54 / night

    "It’s about 3 miles of the main road around Flathead lake , nestled in a beautiful lakeside neighborhood."

    "There are a select few sites yards away from the water, each with a bit of beach. The biting bugs were minimal, but the swarms of other bugs were impressive, and the fish obviously loved them."

    3. West Shore Unit — Flathead Lake State Park

    18 Reviews
    Lakeside, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 844-3044

    $18 - $24 / night

    "West Shore State Park was a beautiful way to spend an afternoon after kayaking to Wild Horse Horse Island State Park nearby. The water was clear and the dogs throughly enjoyed splashing around."

    "On Flathead Lake with views of the lake. Choose loop B if you want electric. Loop A doesn't have electric and is closer to the highway. Good trails to the lake."

    4. Blue Bay Campground

    10 Reviews
    Polson, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 982-3123

    $10 - $90 / night

    "My site is right on the lake with lake access. It’s a short walk to water, trash, and bathrooms (not all in the same location)."

    "This is a private, tribal run campground about half way up the eastern shore of Flathead Lake."

    5. Lake Mary Ronan State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Proctor, MT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 849-5082

    $18 - $144 / night

    "My wife and I headed to Montana on a whim. We knew it would be difficult to find a campsite just for one night. After, many calls, Dennis had a single night availability."

    "This was our first time visiting Lake Mary Ronan or the state park. The layout of the campground was very nice and spacious. It was extremely clean."

    6. Rollins RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Dayton, MT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 844-0572

    $26 - $55 / night

    "My family and I recently stayed at Rollings RV Park on Flathead Lake in Montana, and we loved it!"

    "Our first time to Flathead lake. Spots were booking up quick around the lake. Found this gem, got a spot reserved for Labor Day weekend. The park is very clean and well maintained."

    7. Yellow Bay State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dayton, MT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-5501

    $9 - $28 / night

    "You are surrounded by beautiful mountains, crystal clear water and a place where you can do a lot of great outdoor activities!"

    "I absolutely love Montana the yellow Bay Area keeps me coming back I live in beautiful Idaho however Montana just has something different to offer and I I'm always looking for excuses to go back to Montana"

    8. Polson Motorcoach and RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Polson, MT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 883-2333

    $79 - $300 / night

    "Nice view, nice people and about 1.5 hours from Glacier west entrance. We unhooked, drove through west entrance then through park and then back on highway 2."

    "First, as we were driving up to the site, I saw these large Class A motorhomes with gazebos and lush green lawns and thought “I wish I knew about this RV park before booking,” only to find out it was the"

    9. Wild Horse RV Resort - LOT 1 - Big Arm, MT

    1 Review
    Big Arm, MT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (406) 531-5582

    $60 / night

    10. Wayfarers State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Bigfork, MT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 837-4196

    "I love living in Montana and being able to hike some of the best spots ever. Flathead is also an amazing spot, so really any campground in the area is good in my opinion."

    "Very close to the beautiful town of Bigfork and great amenities, yet it feels tucked away. Right on Flathead lake, can’t beat the views!"

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Recent Reviews near Big Arm, MT

799 Reviews of 187 Big Arm Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Swan Lake Campground

    Favorite Spot in 2025

    Our family stayed a couple nights here in July and it was a terrific experience. Very well laid out. Super accessible bathrooms that were nearby and clean. The hosts did an outstanding job of managing this campground. They never stopped to snoop on us or get nosey. This place is fantastic for families. Our site was next to a big open field so you could throw a frisbee or whatnot. Our dog had come along and he was at the very end of his life and it was nice to have him along. The lake is a 3 minute walk across the highway. Our kids had a fantastic time out in the water. I did 35 nights of camping this summer and this was my favorite family spot/experience.

  • Jeff R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Camp off North Fork Road

    Beautiful spot

    Just a big field, room for about 20 figs of any size. About 20 minutes from West Glacier, Columbia Falls closer has everything you'd need.

  • Greg J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blair Flats

    blair flats

    Stayed for two days in site #2 . Awesome experience.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed

    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.

  • Matthew R.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Beaver Creek

    Peaceful, Private, and Picturesque

    The sites are just spaced out enough to feel private. In our site, we could barely see any other fires at night. It was great having easy access to the abandoned "D Loop" walking trail.

    As others have said, these were some of the cleaner vault toilets we've seen.

  • Reagan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Glacier Rim River Access 10363

    Peaceful, sandy beach

    This was much more private than Middle Fork, only 3 spots and you can only stay for 3 days

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    GooseHead Camping Area

    Beautiful little spot

    Stayed 2 nights while I visited Glacier National Park. Found an incredible spot. But if you are a car camper or tent camper there are even more amazing spots than this one, if you can believe it. Only downside is the road getting here is not great..rough and a lot of potholes. Bonus…it’s only 12 miles from the West Glacier entrance.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Top Tier Campground

    The grounds are impeccable. The facilities are extremely clean and accessible. But to have live music available each night in a very open inviting area that looks out at the mountains is pretty amazing. You’re gonna pay for it, but if you’re gonna stay in the area and you want to splurge on your stay this would be the place. My wife really enjoyed the fact that it had an electric fence around the perimeter to try and preclude wildlife from entering the park area. It keeps everything out, so you won’t see deer walking through your campsite. But at the same time you don’t have to worry about a bear trying to steal your stuff. It’s a beautiful place. I don’t think we’ll ever make it back up this far to the north but if we did I’d consider staying here again for sure.


Guide to Big Arm

Camping near Big Arm, Montana, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Explore Flathead Lake: This massive lake is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. One camper mentioned, "SUP, kayak rentals on water, reasonably priced. The beach was rocky and perfect!" at Finley Point Unit — Flathead Lake State Park.
  • Hiking Trails: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. A visitor at Wayfarers State Park Campground noted, "There are little trails all over the grounds. Many leading down to the lake."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One happy camper at Big Arm State Unit — Flathead Lake State Park shared, "An eagle came and sat in a tree next to us for hours."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Swan Lake Campground said, "Stunning park across the street from the lake."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. One visitor at Honey's Place RV Spot said, "Steve was very accommodating. We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area!"
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A camper at Rocky Mountain Hi Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms good. Wifi is better than most campgrounds."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Finley Point Unit — Flathead Lake State Park, do not have showers or electric hookups. A camper noted, "There aren’t many trees between sites but they are well spaced."
  • Crowded Sites: Certain campgrounds can feel packed. A visitor at Wayfarers State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites look kind of tight and not very level."
  • Bear Country: Be cautious of wildlife, especially bears. One camper at Swan Lake Campground advised, "Bears are active in this area."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Rocky Mountain Hi Campground appreciated, "Full hookup sites, big rig friendly, and great location."
  • Plan for Space: Some sites can be tight for larger RVs. A camper at West Shore Unit — Flathead Lake State Park noted, "The roads are quite narrow in places, only allowing one vehicle to pass at a time."
  • Stay Connected: Check for Wi-Fi availability. One camper at Spruce Park On The River mentioned, "The RV park is very well maintained, clean and organized."

Camping near Big Arm, Montana, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful scenery, friendly hosts, and plenty of activities, it's a perfect getaway for nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Big Arm, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, Big Arm, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 187 campgrounds and RV parks near Big Arm, MT and 27 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Big Arm, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Big Arm, MT is Big Arm State Unit — Flathead Lake State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Big Arm, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Big Arm, MT.

What parks are near Big Arm, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Big Arm, MT that allow camping, notably Flathead National Forest and Lolo National Forest.