Montana's Blackfoot River corridor near Bonner features numerous campgrounds within the Missoula Valley at approximately 3,500 feet elevation. Summer temperatures often fluctuate between daytime highs around 90°F and nighttime lows in the 40s, requiring campers to prepare for both conditions. The region's camping options range from riverside fishing access sites to full-service RV parks with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
River access for swimming: The Blackfoot River offers several swimming opportunities, especially at Thibodeau where "Great tubing down tibodeau falls and you finish up at the campsite. Good day spot!" according to Bradley S. Sites often provide direct access to the water, with Nick T. noting that at Thibodeau, "The site I was at had its own little stair set down to the river."
Sapphire hunting day trips: Within driving distance of several campgrounds, visitors can experience Montana gem mining. Travis B. from Jim & Mary's RV Park recommends "heading out to gem mountain for some Montana sapphire hunting. Fun day trip, and was great for the kids."
Miniature golf and recreation: Multiple campgrounds offer on-site recreation beyond fishing. Craig L. notes that Missoula KOA Holiday has "all the amenities... From the bike rental to the playground, putt putt golf, swimming pool" making it family-friendly. Similarly, Yellowrock Campground provides games as Kari L. mentions: "There are games available for free (horseshoes, cornhole, frisbee golf, and more)."
What campers like
Quiet riverside sites: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings along the water. BarbDave B. says of Beavertail Hill State Park Campground, "We loved the site we were in (9). It was along the water and opened up to a grassy area and the river." Similarly, Ben F. values the "good river access" at Thibodeau, noting that "the spaces are somewhat spread out but only 8 or so total."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Yellowrock Campground, Lisa K. reports the "bathhouse is immaculate and the showers are like you wish you had at home." For dog friendly campgrounds near Bonner, the cleanliness factor matters, with Brenda L. noting at Jim & Mary's RV Park that "the laundry and bathhouse was very nice and clean."
Spacious tent sites: Several campgrounds provide ample room for tent campers. Rene S. describes Chief Looking Glass Campground: "I have camped with 4 tents in one space and still had room for more." At Missoula KOA Holiday, Craig L. reports, "the grass here in Missoula is perfect... They have several very creative approaches to tent sites. The one that I am staying at has a tent circle, five sites in the round."
What you should know
Pet restrictions vary: When seeking pet-friendly camping options near Bonner, be aware of varying policies. Benjamin R. reports that Yellowrock Campground charges a "fee if your dog is on a leash longer than 6ft" and a "fee if your dog poops or pees in the wrong area."
Fire restrictions: Rules regarding fires differ significantly between campgrounds. At Granite Peak RV Resort, fires are not permitted. Meanwhile, at Ekstrom's Stage Station, fires are allowed with Andrea B. noting they provide a "$53 charge for our no water / no electric site."
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railway disruptions. David H. reports at Beavertail Hill that "The train mentioned in another review is a pretty big deal breaker though honestly. The tracks are right next to the wall in spaces. And during my visit on a weekday it was about every 2 hours."
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds experience water problems. At Ekstrom's Stage Station, Reames C. reports "There was a water advisory during our visit so drinking water was provided."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Bonner offer child-specific features. Desiree D. enthusiastically reports Missoula KOA Holiday has a "Playground, pool, mini golf, clean showers, restrooms and laundry! It was great!" At Ekstrom's Stage Station, Wendy W. notes there's a "Nice playground for the kids."
Wildlife viewing: Some campgrounds offer wildlife encounters that children enjoy. Craig L. mentions at Missoula KOA Holiday, "My daughter wanted me to add that they have three very large bunnies that roll around the campground. She loves them."
Campground-specific attractions: Beyond standard amenities, some locations offer unique features. At Jim & Mary's RV Park, Travis B. notes the train visibility is actually a positive for some families: "The train noise is not as bad as previous posts and actually looks pretty cool chugging along the mountain side."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: RV maneuverability varies between campgrounds. Mary Ellen H. notes that at Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground, "Campsites are the reason for not giving 5 stars. Very tight and not great space for maneuverability. Was not full so we were fine with a big rig. Had it been full would be a little uncomfortable."
Facility maintenance issues: RVers report varying experiences with hookups and facilities. At Chief Looking Glass Campground, Ray & Terri F. noted "$18 for non-residents is a bit steep for no hookups," while also reporting "AT&T coverage was ok, with 2 bars of LTE and speeds up to 2 MB/s."
Seasonal operation changes: Some campgrounds have limited seasons or reduced services. Linda O. reports at Ekstrom's Stage Station, "We called the number on their sign when we arrived. It's pretty shut down with no services but we dry camped. Owner was super nice."
