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Camping in the Bonner, Montana area encompasses both established campgrounds and riverside access points along the Blackfoot River corridor. Several campgrounds are situated within a 15-mile radius of Bonner, including Thibodeau Fishing Access Site directly in Bonner and Turah RV Park approximately 7 miles southeast. The region provides a mix of accommodation types, from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV facilities and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, typically open from April through October, though some like Turah RV Park operate year-round.
Access to camping areas varies by season and weather conditions in this mountainous region. Many campgrounds near Bonner require reservations, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity. The area experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall that limits camping options from November through March. Most established sites offer varying levels of amenities, with fishing access sites providing basic facilities like vault toilets, while RV parks offer full hookups, showers, and camp stores. Cell service can be inconsistent in canyon areas and at more remote sites. "Clean and green," noted one camper about Turah RV Park, while also mentioning last-minute availability was limited to less desirable sites near service areas.
Riverside camping receives consistently positive reviews, with many campers citing the proximity to fishing opportunities on the Blackfoot River as a primary attraction. The Thibodeau Fishing Access Site campground provides direct river access for anglers and boaters, while nearby Johnsrud Park offers day-use facilities for picnicking and river recreation. Campgrounds with tree cover are particularly valued during summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F. Reviews indicate that sites closer to Missoula tend to have more highway noise and rail activity that can disrupt sleep. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers should be aware that the more developed RV parks like Turah often fill quickly during peak summer weekends and holiday periods, with one visitor noting the "bathroom and laundry rooms clean and functional" at these established facilities. When planning your Bonner camping trip, consider booking campsites well in advance, especially for popular riverside campgrounds along the Blackfoot River.
"Great friendly and clean place to stay in Missoula Montana!"
"This KOA is conveniently located for a quick overnight stop. We were passing through Montana and needed a full hookup site to rest and recharge before another long day of driving."
from $75 - $192 / night
Check Availability"Lots of shade to keep cool during the hot Montana summer. We wish we would have stayed a few more nights."
"The pull through sites on the outer edge do not but others inside do. The laundry and bathhouse was very nice and clean. 2.00 per load to wash."
"We had been staying at different sites as we traveled to Montana from Iowa and this one was a favorite!. We will make it a point to stay there again when coming out west."
"The 1 mile Nature Trail around the area is really well maintained and beautiful. There are 2 Tipi sites you can rent as well."
from $24 - $30 / night
Check Availability"We were in a site along the outside, and our site was rather short, it fit our 174BH, but there was not much room to spare and we had to back it all the way in. "
"Large dog play area, and hiking trails Close to the interstate, but road noise isn’t bad."
from $40 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful location, classic Montana with trees mountains and rivers! Great restaurant on site. Campsites are the reason for not giving 5 stars. Very tight and not great space for maneuverability."
"Sites are very close to each other, so don't expect solitude, but they have free wifi, bathrooms, showers, and laundry on site. Gorgeous surroundings and generally quiet."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Full hook-ups are available, and it's close to everything yet nestled in the forest."
"Can walk to the river. Two Porto ponies nearby. On main bathhouse. Cold washers. Medium 5G. $27/night"
from $27 - $47 / night
Check Availability"We got a nice spot next to the river. It was really relaxing. There’s two pit toilets and 1 water pump near the entrance. It’s first come first serve."
"Entry fee is $12 per camp and gate closes to get back in at 10pm I have camped here multiple times by tent and always enjoyed my stay."
from $6 - $18 / night
Check Availability"The sites are nice and fairly well dispersed with lots of trees and foliage near the water. The park is a common pull out spot for boaters and tubers who run the Blackfoot."
"Quiet, tree-lined location. Friendly people. Bathroom and laundry rooms clean and functional."
from $25 - $55 / night
"Drove here at night look peaceful loved the drive made it to the spot parked set up my roof-tent grabbed my chair and flash light went past the wooden fence to one of 2 hand made fire pits set up **next **"
"On my drive up I did not see any established distributed campsites. However there are some turn offs that you could park at. This area would probably not be ideal for RVs."
TravelerJust go in and get a players card and you can stay with free electrical hook ups, 20, 30, and 50 amp. Good food in the restaurant and we did ok on the machines as well. Would definitely stay again. They only thing is the road noise but if you take advantage of the free power you can run your fan or ac and it isn’t an issue.
ScoutGreat spot that is far enough away from the highway. Almost a 30 minute drive from the highway. Close to some houses though. There was no one there! Had it to ourselves
GuideThe sites back into a clear stream. Sites are also spread out quite a bit. 30 amp service. Toilets and shower. Mom and pop feel.
RangerI typically eschew State Parks due to all of the people, but this one ain't bad, and the reservoir was the perfect temperature for swimming.
ScoutGreat campground, clean bathrooms. Friendly camp hosts. Right on the lake. Sandy Beach. Lake has a muddy bottom.
GuideIt’s a KOA, nice level sites, although close, clean bathrooms, nice pool, “free” breakfast one day but didn’t have staff to do it the other day. The lawn mowing felt like it happened every day and the staff were driving the loud carts by our site all day. But things were very clean and the staff were nice. It was easy to grab an uber to go places but also walkable to a few stores. We used an uber to go downtown to catch a shuttle to Kettlehouse amphitheater for a concert.
GuideLove this place right on the Lochsa River. Small and peaceful. Pit toilet.
GuideGood access to the lake and peaceful during the week. Very friendly host! Had so much fun kayaking, biking, hiking and relaxing.
TravelerClose to highway so for sure road noise, but I’m used to that when in places like this.
You can actually stay for up to 4 days/3 nights by signing up for their player card and gambling a bit.
Security does need to unlock the electric boxes, sadly I just wanted to run my mini split AC and their 20amp didn’t support that amount of power needed. But I won’t ding them for that, just wanted to make people aware. They also have 30/50 amp ports.
Bathrooms are clean and they also have free beverages. This is a smoking casino, so if you go in during a busy time it may be pretty smoky. I went in around 3pm
Also nice area for dogs to potty, they had picnic tables to sit at.
By front door there are also outdoor activity stuff for people to play games and couches to lounge in.
Overall I think this is a very well thought out location that’s super convenient.
Also 1 bar Verizon cell
*restaurant was closed during my stay.
The Bonner area sits at approximately 3,300 feet elevation where the Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers converge. Camping options in this region extend beyond the immediate Bonner vicinity into surrounding locations including Clinton, Florence, and Lolo. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F, while spring and fall temperatures range from 40-70°F with overnight lows sometimes dropping to freezing levels.
Fishing at Blackfoot River: The river provides excellent fishing opportunities at Thibodeau Fishing Access Site in Bonner. "Great place to stay. First come first stay 8 day max stay. Vault toilets, picnic table, sites are spread out. $18 dollars per day," notes a camper at Thibodeau.
River activities: For those seeking water recreation beyond fishing, the Bonner area offers excellent tubing and rafting. "Great tubing down tibodeau falls and you finish up at the campsite. Good day spot!" mentions a visitor about Thibodeau. The area is known for its accessible river put-ins and take-outs.
Mini golf and games: Some campgrounds offer recreational amenities beyond natural attractions. At Granite Peak RV Resort, campers can enjoy "mini golf, horse shoes, pool, dog park," all while staying "close enough to town."
Riverside access: Direct river access ranks highly among campers visiting the Bonner area. At Thibodeau, one camper appreciated that "The site I was at had its own little stair set down to the river" and noted "Plenty of space between sites for a more private experience."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and facilities receive consistent praise from campers. At Jim & Mary's RV Park, campers appreciate the "very nice and clean" facilities, with one visitor noting the park was "beautifully maintained" with "flowers everywhere."
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing between sites at several campgrounds. At Chief Looking Glass Campground, a reviewer mentioned that "Sites were well marked with okay spacing. Definitely plenty of room, but not secluded. Each had a picnic table and a fire ring."
Seasonal closures and rules: Many campgrounds near Bonner have specific seasonal operating windows and rules. One camper at Chief Looking Glass noted "The gate to the campsite is closed from 10 PM to 8 AM so if you need to leave early, you cannot do so."
Train noise: Rail lines run through the area, affecting some campgrounds. At Beavertail Hill State Park Campground, a visitor observed, "The park is not far off of the interstate. While the traffic can be heard, it was not distracting. There is also a set of RR tracks that run along the freeway. There were 8-10 trains that went by daily."
Water issues: Some campgrounds experience water quality challenges. At Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground, a camper reported, "Staff provided jugs of water due to the water boil notice, but we would have preferred a discount from the $53 charge for our no water / no electric site."
Availability patterns: During peak season, many campgrounds fill by mid-day. At Chief Looking Glass, a visitor noted "We got there about 4:30 in the middle of the week in late September and there was only one spot left."
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's facilities. At Missoula KOA Holiday, one family found "Playground, pool, mini golf, clean showers, restrooms and laundry! It was great!"
Swimming access: Safe swimming spots are important for families. A visitor at Yellowrock Campground mentioned they "can walk to the river" and appreciated the "big dry camping spot under trees."
Shade importance: Summer temperatures often reach the 90s, making shaded sites valuable for families. At Jim & Mary's RV Park, a camper praised "Lots of shade to keep cool during the hot Montana summer" and suggested visitors might "enjoy the flowers!"
Hookup availability: Full-hookup sites are limited in the immediate Bonner area. One RVer at Yellowrock Campground reported they "got a big dry camping spot under trees. Can walk to the river. Two Porto ponies nearby. One main bathhouse. Cold washers. Medium 5G. $27/night."
Site sizing and leveling: Some RV sites have limitations in size or levelness. At Granite Peak RV Resort, a camper noted "Sites small, internet horrible, pool cold" while another mentioned "paved roads between gravel pad sites."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds have onsite dump stations. At Yellowrock Campground, a visitor observed their strict policies including "no totable black and grey disposal allowed - but you can pay a fee of $25 to have them come dump your tanks."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Blue Slide Campground near Bonner?
While specific reviews for Blue Slide Campground are limited, similar campgrounds in the Bonner area typically offer basic amenities. Most public campgrounds in this region provide picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. For comparison, Chief Looking Glass Campground offers riverside campsites with pit toilets and a water pump near the entrance. Similarly, Lolo Creek Campground offers standard Forest Service amenities. Blue Slide likely follows this pattern with basic facilities designed for a more rustic camping experience. The campground is primarily accessed by drive-in, and visitors should be prepared to bring their own water as running water may not be available.
Where are the best campgrounds near Bonner, MT?
The Bonner area offers several excellent camping options. Beavertail Hill State Park Campground is about 30 minutes east of Missoula and features mountain views, a small river, and short hiking trails. The park provides a scenic and peaceful setting for campers. Another great option is Monture Creek, which offers five campsites and excellent trout fishing just 100 feet from the sites. Other nearby options include Johnsrud Park FAS, Thibodeau, and Upsata Lake, which has five well-maintained sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Most campgrounds in the area are small with basic amenities including vault toilets and are best for those seeking a quieter outdoor experience.
Is dispersed camping allowed in the Bonner-West Riverside area?
Dispersed camping is generally allowed in National Forest areas surrounding Bonner-West Riverside, following standard Forest Service regulations (camp at least 100-200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings, and practice Leave No Trace principles). The Lolo National Forest and Blackfoot River corridors offer opportunities for dispersed camping. For more established options, Harpers Lake offers an accessible alternative with $12/night fees for those with Montana fishing licenses, and no time restrictions or gates. Upsata Lake fishing access also provides a small campground with five sites. Always check current regulations with the Lolo National Forest office or Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before setting up a dispersed campsite.
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