Camping around Columbia Falls spans from densely forested sites along river valleys to mountain terrain at elevations between 3,000-4,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during peak season, with overnight lows dropping to 45-55°F. Access roads to dispersed sites often feature challenging conditions with deep ruts and water-filled potholes, especially after rainfall.
What to do
River access: Middle Fork Flathead River offers direct river recreation with multiple dispersed camping options. "Massive lot right on the river, would not recommend for larger RVs or trailers as the road in gets pretty bumpy," reports one camper at Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed.
Boat rentals: From Apgar Campground, visitors can walk to Apgar Village to rent watercraft. "You can run over to Apgar village if you want to rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, or motor boats by the hour," notes one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Forest areas provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Fish Creek Campground, one visitor observed that "Wildlife frequent this campground and do not feed them. Be Bear Aware, and always carry your bear spray, and flashlight especially at night."
E-bike exploration: Several campgrounds now offer bike rentals for exploring the area. At Moose Creek RV Resort, "They also rent ebikes at super reasonable rates," making it easier to navigate nearby trails.
What campers like
Private sites: Despite proximity to Glacier National Park, several campgrounds offer secluded spots. At Glacier Campground, "There are lots of trees which made it feel private, at least in the spot we had. The management team were extremely nice."
River swimming: Natural water features provide relief during summer heat. At Blankenship Bridge, "We were able to park on the beach, right on the flathead river and watch the rafters go by."
Mountain views: The surrounding landscape creates scenic backdrops at most sites. According to one visitor at Rocky Mountain Hi Campground, "It was a nice location with Mountain view's all around. Beautifully manicured sites with trees that are starting to gain size for shade."
Nighttime skies: Clear mountain air creates excellent stargazing conditions. One camper noted, "Incredible night sky. Only other place I've seen so many stars/the Milky Way was Death Valley."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to dispersed campsites requires vehicles with appropriate clearance. At Middle Fork Flathead River, a camper warns, "Road has huge and I mean huge puddles. Very tight fit for truck and trailer for sure in a lot of the spots."
Seasonal closures: Some dispersed campsites close unexpectedly due to logging or high water. At Ryan Road Dispersed Camping, visitors reported: "I showed up to the Ryan road turn off from highway 2 and there was a bunch of signage that said temporarily closed to public access due to logging work going on."
Bear safety: All campgrounds require proper food storage. "Properly store food or smelly attractant items in a hard-sided vehicle or special bear containers. Coolers are not bear proof," advises a camper at Fish Creek Campground.
Train noise: Railway lines run through the Columbia Falls area. A camper at Blankenship Bridge mentioned, "There is a train that runs through in the distance and blows the whistle (it didn't disturb me but it might bother some)."
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming: Several campsites near Columbia Falls, Montana feature shallow water access. At Rocky Mountain Hi Campground, families appreciate "the large, grassy playground and swimming area. Showers and a laundry are on site."
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities enhance children's camping experiences. At Fish Creek Campground, campers "enjoyed the nightly ranger programs."
Community areas: Some campgrounds provide social spaces for children. One visitor at West Glacier KOA Resort mentioned, "There's live music, pool, ice cream shoppe, Gaga ball, hiking trails and so much more."
Compact exploration: Family-friendly activities concentrate near park entrances. "Close to Apgar village and west glacier so you never feel like you're far from any amenities. Right next to the entrance to going the sun road, so super easy to wake up early and get into the park," noted an Apgar Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Slide-out space: RV sites vary significantly in width between campgrounds. At Columbia Falls RV Park, one RVer noted "Easy in/out, clean, spotless bathrooms/showers. Close quarters, especially if you and your neighbor have slide outs."
Extension cords: Electrical hookup locations may require additional equipment. According to a visitor at Glacier Campground, "Make sure you bring an extension cord to hook up your electric just in case you have a short standard cord on your camper."
Limited dump options: Plan ahead for waste disposal. One RVer mentioned that Glacier Campground has "a dump station, and propane fill up on site. It's $25 to dump."
Reservation timing: Summer season requires advance planning. "Our site is one of the better ones. We have a separate fire pit area, with kind of a split level effect," shared a camper who secured a premium site at Glacier Campground.
