27 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Flathead Indian Reservation near Charlo, Montana offers several tent campgrounds surrounded by dramatic mountain views of the Mission Range. Sites like North Crow Creek provide primitive tent camping options, while Mere's Magic Trout Pond offers tent campsites with more amenities including drinking water and fire rings. Most tent sites in the region are on tribal land, requiring visitors to obtain camping permits before arrival.
Tent campsites in the Charlo area vary widely in terrain and access. Many sites have dirt or gravel pads with minimal grading, and some require high-clearance vehicles to reach. North Crow Creek requires tribal permission, especially important during pandemic restrictions when access has been limited to tribal members. "This campground was difficult to find online so we drove out anyways. Campers should know that it is on Tribal land and permits are required for use," one visitor noted. At Mere's Magic Trout Pond, tent sites cost approximately $30 per night and include access to potable well water, though campers must fill their own containers for shower use.
Areas beyond Charlo provide additional primitive tent camping options. Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site, accessible only by hiking in, offers pristine tent campsites surrounded by mountain terrain. The rugged setting limits tent placement, with most sites accommodating only small backpacking tents. As one camper explained, "There are a few spots that can fit stuff bigger, but they're a pain in the butt and you'll probably have to walk far to set up a cook site/bear hang." Wildlife encounters are common at these primitive tent sites, requiring proper food storage and bear-aware camping practices. Campers must pack out all waste and can filter water from lakes. Tent campers visiting in early summer should prepare for variable weather conditions, as mountain sites can experience winter-like conditions even in June.
"Great place .has all the hook ups.and public restrooms and laundry room. Place for tents. Great place to stay"
"Tent spot is around $30. This place was great. The porta potty was the cleanest one I’ve ever been to. You have to fill up your own water for the shower."
from $33 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Absolutely beautiful backpacking loop! About 6 miles in you will reach your destination of turquoise lake."
"Several sites grouped together by lake down an access road. only one other camper here on a Sunday night. Nice wooded sites and easy access to lake for swimming or boating"
"Nice little lake, was there in fall so not busy. Wooded and sites are along the lake, but views aren’t fantastic. Saw bear prints, definitely lock up foods. Bring water treatment methods."
"There’s only about 5 spots and summer will be crowded when it’s hot and awesome weather! Bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Parking is good, and it’s easy to get the the restrooms."
"This small tent only campground is located on Yellow Bay at Flathead Lake. There are 6 spots, all just 25 yards from a parking area. There is a wheelbarrow for moving your items if you need it."
"You are surrounded by beautiful mountains, crystal clear water and a place where you can do a lot of great outdoor activities!"
from $9 - $28 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $145 / night
TravelerPulled off i-90 for a stop, plenty of campsites available. Able to reserve online thru recreation.gov as well as first come first serve. saw maybe 4 other cars. Only downside is proximity to freeway and loud train. Would go off multiple times throughout the night waking us up every time. Well maintained, plenty of restrooms they were closed though but a bear box and dumpster were available for trash/food storage.
GuideGreat place to stay. First come first stay 8 day max stay. Vault toilets, picnic table, sites are spread out. $18 dollars per day
GuideThis is a free campground. There are five sites with generous spacing. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a privy and one bear box in the middle of the circle. This campground doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping. Although it sits along the river, it doesn't really have great river access. The campground is no more than 10 minutes from Thompson falls, so it's easy to get to town if you need to.
Traveler$20 a night for a spot right on the crystal clear water. Native land & no alcohol. Fire ring with grill attachment and a picnic table. There’s electric/water sites not on the water and I believe the ones right on the lake are not. Dogs allowed. Spacious spots, some with a decent amount of privacy. Bathrooms.
TravelerWe had a hard time leaving this spot! Beautiful views of the lake, lots of hiking trails, and lake access. Our spot didn’t have quick access to the water- we had to hike down 1/2 mile or so to reach the rocky shore. There’s one hike in spot that allows you to camp right on the water that looked amazing. Our spot was walk-in with plenty of parking nearby. Well maintained pit toilet, water, bear box, and recycling all within easy access. Firewood and ice available for purchase and paddle board and kayak rentals down by the boat launch.
TravelerSpacious sites, lots of trees, double level paved sites, no hook-ups. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The lake has a nice beach area with picnic tables plus there's a boat launch. There are pit toilets, no showers. There is water spigots. Our only complaint was the 1000's of flies! Bring citronella and a fly swatter if you want to sit outside!!
GuideStayed one night, 10/14/22 on a road trip. It was a beautiful night, MANY sites available, saw maybe one other camper. Our site had a fire pit and picnic table, flat ground for our tent and plenty of trees for privacy. There can be potable water, bathrooms, showers, and an outdoor dish washing station but water was shut off for the season. There were bear boxes around the campsites but appeared to only be around the walk in sites. Plenty of hiking trails and plenty of day use visitors on those trails. Very pretty camp and well cared for camp. Heard lots of noisy animals in the meadow at night and some noisy folks that seemed to be coming from the boat ramp.
GuideSites Right along the river. A few sites are in a cul de sac style and would be great for group camping. The other two are fairly secluded. No water. No garbage. There is a Vaulted toilet. Each site has fire ring and a picnic table.
LegendThe campground offers many lakeside campsites complete with picnic table and fire rings. There were 3 yurts for those interested. all vehicles, including camping vehicles, park alongside road; there are few, if any, pull-in sites. There is room for a tent or two in the sIte. Most of the lakeside sites also have a small amount of slope.
The camp hosts were absolutely fantastic! There is firewood and ice for sale at the park. Polson is about 20-30 mInutes away and has grocery stores, etc. If you go to Polson, check out The Cove Deli for some really great ice-cream.
The showers were really awkward, but did the job. They take $ coins (available from host if needed) and quarters.
If you aren’t bringing your own boat, Boat Rentals and Rides is only 2 miles down the road. We rented 2 glass bottom kayaks. Warning: lake conditions change suddenly and we saw the waves blow in 2 dIfferent directions durIng the 2 days we were there. There were no bear boxes at the sites, only one by the bathroom.
Tent campsites near Charlo, Montana scatter across an elevation range of 3,000-4,000 feet in the Mission Valley, where the climate transitions from mild summers to snowy winters. The region sits on the Flathead Indian Reservation with camping regulations that vary seasonally depending on wildlife activity and tribal governance. Most primitive camping sites require advanced preparation with limited or no facilities available.
Fishing at small ponds: Mere's Magic Trout Pond offers stocked fishing with rental equipment available. "There is potable well water and a canoe if you wanted to row in the pond," notes camper Melita B.
Hiking nearby mountains: Several trails lead into the Mission Range from camping areas. The Kreis Pond Campground serves as a basecamp for nearby hikes. "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 and an awesome view at the end," advises Kirsten R.
Swimming in Flathead Lake: During summer months, the rocky shores of Yellow Bay State Park Campground provide access to swimming areas. "The bay itself is relatively shallow, protected a bit from the wind and the bottom is smooth mid sized rocks, all making for an excellent place to swim," explains Todd M.
Quiet, secluded sites: Many tent campers appreciate the small capacity of area campgrounds. "Great little hidden gem. Just a handful of spots to camp but absolutely beautiful!!" reports Gina M. about Kreis Pond.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campsites offer chances to observe Montana wildlife. At Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site, "you will more than likely be neighbors with some goats," according to Haley L.
Clean facilities: Despite primitive settings, some campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean amenities. At Mere's Magic Trout Pond, one camper noted, "The porta potty was the cleanest one I've ever been to."
Water access: Proximity to lakes and ponds ranks high among camper preferences. "Yellow Bay is the deepest part of Flathead Lake and it's a very cool spot to swim or fish," writes Juliana H.
Tribal permits required: Much of the camping around Charlo sits on reservation land requiring special authorization. Access may change seasonally or during special circumstances.
Limited cell service: Many camping areas have spotty reception. Prepare navigation details in advance as some sites prove difficult to locate without proper directions.
Road conditions vary: Several campgrounds require travel on unprepared roads. At Holland Lake Boating Site, launching boats can be challenging as "the water depth can be very low at times, depending on time of year and runoff," warns Caroline L.
Weather preparedness essential: Mountain weather changes rapidly year-round. "I camped here on 6/19 and it was absolutely beautiful despite the 'winter weather,'" notes one Turquoise Lake visitor, highlighting the need for cold-weather gear even in summer.
Select established sites with amenities: For camping with children, choose locations with basic facilities. Yellow Bay offers "fire rings at the campsites, and a pit toilet at the parking area. Yellow Bay is also a state park, and there are regular restrooms at the parking area just a short walk away from the camping area."
Consider cabin options: For families wanting more shelter, The Holmestead - Dry Cabin provides structured accommodation with natural features. "This cabin is so lovely, my dogs had a blast playing in the stream. I was happy to have a big real bed!" reports Carolyn H.
Pack water treatment supplies: Most tent sites near Charlo lack treated water. "Bring water treatment methods," advises Harry H. about Kreis Pond.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Teach children proper food storage protocols. Multiple campgrounds report bear activity, with one Kreis Pond visitor noting, "Saw bear prints, definitely lock up foods."
Size limitations apply: Most tent camping areas near Charlo cannot accommodate large RVs. At Mission Meadows RV Campground, "there are a few spots with hookups, but the ground is very uneven. The best spots are W&E, and the dumpstation is at the Cenex in Ronan," explains Liz S.
Consider alternatives for motorized boating: RVers with boats should research launch conditions carefully. For Holland Lake, one camper suggests, "If you want to open up the throttle to water slow etc., you're better off at Seeley or Flathead."
Prepare for dusty access roads: Approach routes often feature challenging conditions. "Be prepared for several miles of dusty, gravel, washboard road," warns Tom N. about accessing Kreis Pond Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Charlo, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Charlo, MT is Mission Meadows RV Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Charlo, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Charlo, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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