Camping near Charlo, Montana offers varied terrain and amenities within the Flathead Indian Reservation. Nestled in the Mission Valley between the Mission Mountains and Flathead Lake, the area sits at approximately 3,000 feet elevation and experiences warm summer days with cool evenings. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing temperatures and potential snow, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Lake recreation at Flathead Lake: Big Arm State Unit — Flathead Lake State Park provides direct access to water activities. "My daughter and I spent 2 nights in this campground in August 2017. Our site was right on the lake. We enjoyed a very lazy day hanging out, reading and swimming," notes Stephanie S.
Hot springs soaking: Wild Horse Hot Springs offers multiple therapeutic pools for relaxation after hiking. "They have a huge variety of separate pools to choose from. $35 for tent spot and $14 per person to soak in their hot spring pools. Beautiful views all around," shares Melita B.
Hiking nearby mountains: Trail systems throughout the area provide access to alpine views. A camper at Kreis Pond Campground recommends: "Neat, fun area especially with the Sleeping Woman hike so close. Once you drive up the mountain, the trailhead is off to the left and it's a heavy incline to the top so be prepared with lots of water."
Stargazing: Clear mountain skies create optimal night viewing conditions. According to a visitor, "Almost no light pollution at night, I've never seen the Milky Way like this before!"
What campers like
Waterfront campsites: Many sites offer direct lakefront access. "Campsites are among the trees and at least half of them are right along the lake. There are showers but overall a nice simple campground," Justin S. writes about Whitefish-Kalispell North KOA.
Secluded forest spots: Smaller campgrounds provide quieter experiences. "7 well spaced campsites all around the pond. Truly enjoyable stay. Clean toilet facilities. Be prepared for several miles of dusty, gravel, washboard road," shares Tom N. about Kreis Pond.
Yurt camping near Charlo: Several campgrounds feature yurt accommodations with varying amenities. "There are a few yurts here, which is where we stayed since some are ADA accessible," explains a camper at Big Arm State Park.
Family-friendly facilities: Missoula KOA Holiday offers numerous amenities for kids. "Playground, pool, mini golf, clean showers, restrooms and laundry! It was great!" writes Desiree D.
What you should know
Weather variations: Summer days can reach 90°F while nights drop to 40-50°F. Pack layers for all seasons.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak summer months. "We planned a last minute trip (2 weeks in advance) to Glacier NP in mid July. These guys still had tent sites available for the four nights we wanted," shares a camper about Whitefish KOA.
Access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approaches. "Be careful camping next to the rivers as in early spring, waters rise in the evenings and will flood out the lower Plains," cautions Sierra V. about Jocko Hollow Campground.
Noise considerations: Some sites experience ambient noise. "The I-90 highway runs fairly close to the campground & the noise can be distracting at times. The bigger noise maker is the train that runs on the other side of the Clark Fork River," notes Kenneth F. about Sloway Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Choose campgrounds with built-in activities. "This is a really fun spot a little ways off busy Hwy. 93. You got your mini golf, outdoor go carts, paddle boats, arcade, donkey petting, pizza and all level of camp sites," explains Bjorn S. about Whitefish KOA.
Water safety precautions: Always supervise children near Flathead Lake where depths change suddenly. "Great campsite with lakefront views. Had a great time here in May despite the water still being cold it didn't stop my kids from plunging in," shares Jed D.
Traditional yurt experiences: Consider yurt camping for a unique family adventure. "There are a few yurts here, which is where we stayed since some are ADA accessible," notes a visitor about Big Arm State Park.
Wildlife education opportunities: Rollins RV Park provides access to observe native species. "The park is clean, and the sites have a decent amount of space. You're close to Polson and Lakeside, where there are great beaches," shares a camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require adjustment. "Nice campground, a bit tight if you are a bigger rig but doable in the right spot, 2-3 bars of AT&T 5g, good enough to work, and quite all night," notes Hailey M. about Big Arm State Park.
Utility hookups: Availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are close together but everyone has enough space. Lots of large trailers in the b loop — big, flat spots," shares Nicki A.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal before arrival. "We were right next to the river which was amazing. But some of the sites are for permanent residents, which feels weird. They have a laundry room, showers and bathrooms," explains Stephanie G. about Cascade Campground.
