Best Dispersed Camping near Big Arm, MT

In this video we review 2 more of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Glacier National Park and Columbia Falls, Montana. This time we focus on the Middle Fork Flathead River(Blankenship Bridge) and Glacier Rim River Access Locations. All locations are located in the Flathead National Forest and there is a 3 day stay limit at Middle Fork and 16 day stay limit at Glacier Rim. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO8kY0x0BoY&t=27

I was traveling to meet up with a group of friends in Glacier NP as a stop along my solo cross country road trip. We didn't set reservations and all the campgrounds were full, so we opted to "dirt bag" it and take advantage of some free dispersed camping by the Middle Fork Flathead River. It's a popular spot for people to do this, as well as for folks to spend a day on the river, swimming and floating etc. There are plenty of large, flat spots to camp so you can usually find a place even late in the evening. A nice location with river access, incredible night skies, easy access via 15min drive to the west side of Glacier NP (photos), flat ground, perfect for a quick camp fix! Of course, it's busy and so not very quiet or private and since it's dispersed camping, there were no facilities - but we're not picky. We took advantage of the space to play some camp games, too.

I loved this spot! I was able to get a spot back in the trees and shade a bit, but could still just walk down to the river. When I was there they also had porta potties available, because it’s illegal to even bury waste in this location. Super convenient and free spot for anyone traveling to Glacier National Park! I stayed 3 nights and it’s one of the coolest dispersed camp spots I’ve found.

This free camping area has unbelievable breathtaking views especially at sunrise/sunset! The stars are also extremely visible since you’re staying on the rocks right along the river. The only reason I rate this place a 4/5 is the potholes leading up to the camping! There’s ways through it softer than others but almost no way you won’t bottom out. My fiancé and I have a Chevy truck and a 16ft camper and we bottomed out about 3-4 times before reaching the rocks. It’s Worth it I’d say, everyone who’s stayed around us has had friendly pets (cats and dogs) and they’ve all been extremely friendly and welcoming as well! You can stay long than the 3 day limit as well that’s what we have been told, BY LAW you can’t stay long than 14 days dispersed camping but we had been told by a man who visits here monthly that the locals just have an issue with people staying longer than 3 days because they want their own space. Sharing caring, and I’m glad we had the friendly people around us that we did, made the experience so much better. The water was too cold to bathe in so we fished instead! Caught nothing. Locals were jumping off the bridge, lots of flys but not many bugs. All rocky unless you’re staying in the trees where it’s mostly tent camping! Overall we loved this spot! It’s amazing and we are staying longer than expected and definitely coming back here!

The GPS coordinates for this place are slightly off. Look for Hungry Horse Rd and follow it 4 miles until you reach the Hungry Horse Reservoir Dam. Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere along the road after the dam.

Plenty of places to pull off, the road goes for miles. There are also many established state campgrounds along the road. The sites that I saw were nothing fancy, some with fire rings and some not. I read about some places that are nicer if you take the fire roads that branch off the main road, but I came in late and just used a pull-off. I'd recommend going to the Ranger station located in Hungry Horse and ask for some dispersed camping information (The area is very large).

No services, pack in, pack out. No reliable service for Verizon.

Awesome location near the west entrance to Glacier. The road in was muddy and filled with potholes but doable for vans and four wheel drive vehicles. Saw a few cars. It fills up at night but a lot of space. True dispersed camping experience

Lovely dispersed camping area. Very pretty. We stayed for a night and were in good company. By the end of the day each site was filled and there were several folks driving through still looking for sites.

They’re spaced out well from one another giving all campers lots of privacy. Very wooded with paths down to the water. We hung out on a hammock most of the day but it rained throughout the night and into the next day so I wasn’t able to snag any good photos.

We small camper trailers, tents, single cots, and full RVs in this campground. Our site and seemingly most sites could have supported a 50 footer.

Although a popular spot, it wasn’t loud and we didn’t really interact with other campers.

There is a single vault toilet but no hookups. It’s dispersed camping. No water source beyond the river.

Great spot, highly recommend. I would try to get there early to grab a spot (first come first serve.) We went late September and every spot ended up filled.

ATT & Verizon service work well. Sites very unlevel

The road is nice gravel for most of the way in, but the last 500 ft to the shore is a very bumpy dirt road so trailers might have an issue. But that road leads you to a open expanse of rocks next to the rivers edge you can camp on or drive back a bit into a sparsely wooded area. Primitive camping because it’s free, no amenities. But there is a lot of drift wood to use as fire wood and many perfect fire pits made from the rocky ground.

We really lucked out finding this camp stop! It’s so close to the National Park entrance and a beautiful place to stay. The road is a bit bumpy getting down here but there’s plenty of room for tent camping and RVs. Be careful though! We were told my the national forest rangers that berry bushes grow close by which bears frequent! All this means is put your food and other smelly products (lotion, toothpaste, etc) in your car at night! This spot made our trip!

This is a large dispersed camping area with a river-side "beach" suitable for RVs and what not (it's rocky not sandy, so tents might be pretty uncomfortable), as well as a dirt-ground area further in with trees that are great for tents and hammocks. Rock firepits are easily found, although I didn't see much wood around to gather so might want to bring some. When I was there it wasn't too crowded but there we always other people around. Two clean portable latrines when I was there as well - nice plus. 

All in all, a great place to settle in and take in the scenery or do some fishing. Not too far from town either, for supply runs, and using Verizon I had perfect reception. Big plus for those of us working on the road!

This place is incredible. Great views on a river. Great fishing, great people, and a fantastic overall environment. Lots of camping spots on the beach and some more secluded spots as you move down the site. I would recommend a vehicle with decent clearance to get down to the sites but don’t stress too much.

Dispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout.

We stayed mid week during August. Stayed in a medium sized site on the river. Small steep slope to the water.

Pros:
Plenty of space, both large and small sites. Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites. 3 bars Tmobile. Some sites on the water with a short steep slope down. 12 miles to gas station. Beautiful views.

Cons: No pit toilets (edit: another camper said they are at the end of the campground) No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)

Overall we loved this spot. Being ok the water in a mostly private setting with such amazing views is our goal. Little bit of road noise but hardly noticeable over the wind in the trees.

Sites were clean but well used, so thank you to all the campers that took care of this place!

If you’re looking for absolute primitive camping, this is your spot! Down by the water, some campfire rings are already built for you out of the rock! I used the drift wood that was washed up to have a fire for myself. Was plenty around. Was quiet at night, but when I arrived around 6-7, it was pretty crowded. Ended up camping on rocks in a tent because all of the good spots were taken. Thankfully I had a blow up pad with me, but still wasn’t comfortable. So, I recommend getting there a little early. Short little trail to drive back, lots of dips and holes! Be careful with a car that sits low to the ground for sure.

If you love a night out away from everything, check it out! Sit by the fire, relax and enjoy the beautiful night sky above you!!! Can’t wait to go back!!

Could’ve been a really cool camping spot but after setting up camp a couple came yelling right by my van. They were part of the homeless camp and I just didn’t feel super comfortable because they were saying really aggressive things.

This is a good spot for smaller rv’s or tents but any spot I seen for rv larger than 30’ was taken or really not available. Some paid for camping spots but they were full, after dragging my 38’ rv up the road I wished that they had signs at the bottom noting all the paid for sites were full. Otherwise narrow road and no cell services.

Make sure to go across the bridge and to the left! The camping spot is not the little parking areas. They clearly state No Camping. You have to go across the bridge and to the left. There are some potholes and then you get to the river side and that is where you are allowed to camp. I almost didn’t stay because I didn’t want to get in trouble but it was just a little further. It’s super cute and the rocks and hills around are very pretty. Don’t park too close to the water tho!

Nice camping area with access to the river. Was a bit noisy during the day (stayed over the weekend) as the area is used by non-campers coming to fish, kayak, sightseeing, etc. Cell service is adequate, clean porta-potties, max stay is 3 days. I’m assuming locals don’t approve as some vehicles laid on their horns while crossing the bridge. Overall I enjoyed my stay. The trail coming down to the river is rough but witnessed multiple different vehicles such as cars and trailers. You can camp right next to the river (rocks) or there are camp spots in the wooded area in the back.

Pulled off, quickly found decent dispersed site. A bit buggy, no mosquitoes though. Great night sleep until OHVers came screaming through early

Beautiful spot. Very bumpy road on the very short drive from road to beach. Beach spots and spaces away from the pebble beach in small wooded area. Exceptionally beautiful. There are maybe 10 other camper dispersed around the site today - late September.

Most sites have river access. This is bear country so plan accordingly. No water available. Pack in, pack out. The road is somewhat close and train tracks across the river. Not really secluded but nice for a night or two.

If your lucky, you'll get one of three epic campsites right on the river at the end of a mile gravel logging road. The road is rough, but has room at the end for a boat ramp, campsites, toilet and an overflow camping field that can accommodate several low fuss campers. Look for the sign "Blair Flats" for access.