Best Tent Camping near Charlo, MT
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.
