281 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Columbia Falls serves as a gateway to various camping options near Glacier National Park in Montana, with accommodations ranging from dispersed sites to full-service RV parks. The Middle Fork Flathead River offers free dispersed camping areas with minimal amenities, while established campgrounds like Glacier Campground and Columbia Falls RV Park provide more developed facilities. Several campgrounds in the area feature tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, particularly along Highway 2 leading toward the west entrance of Glacier National Park.
Seasonal considerations greatly affect camping availability in the region, with most established campgrounds operating from May through September. Winter weather conditions typically limit camping options, though some year-round facilities exist. Columbia Falls RV Park remains open throughout the year, providing a reliable option during off-season months. Many campsites require advance reservations during peak summer season, particularly those closest to Glacier National Park. Road access to dispersed sites can become challenging after rainfall, especially along forest service roads. A visitor noted, "Our reservation at Glacier didn't go through and we were scrambling for a place to park for the night. Clyde's Camp was close to the beaten path, but quiet and clean."
Campers report varying experiences with amenities and privacy across the area's campgrounds. The proximity to Glacier National Park makes Columbia Falls campgrounds popular staging areas for park exploration. Several visitors mentioned clean facilities and convenience as key advantages of staying at established campgrounds. According to one camper, "Campsite was very clean and well kept. Nice gravel and grass area with picnic table." Some reviews highlight the tradeoff between convenience and spacing, with more developed RV parks offering excellent facilities but closer site placement. Dispersed camping locations along the Middle Fork Flathead River provide more solitude but fewer amenities. The region's campgrounds generally offer mountain views, with several situated near rivers or creeks for additional scenic value.
"It’s so close to the National Park entrance and a beautiful place to stay. The road is a bit bumpy getting down here but there’s plenty of room for tent camping and RVs. Be careful though!"
"Perfect spot for camping outside the west entrance, about 25 minutes away. That road is a little rough coming in but it’s short and manageable, even saw a little Mazda make it in."
"This is a big RV resort close to West Glacier town and park entrance. We came with our 25’ RV and reserved a tent pad site to ensure we were up against the edge of the resort."
"9/13/19 West Glacier, Montana West Glacier KOA Resort
Most beautiful location of the KOAs I've stayed at. Nestled against the mountains and less than 3 miles to Glacier National Park. "
"Montana is absolutely gorgeous! I may be biased because I go to college in Montana, but there is so many great outdoor activities. The mountains and scenery are my favorite."
"Great place tucked away from the road. Sites are smaller. Place was clear even the showers. Hot water in the morning not so much at night."
from $45 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Apgar is walking distance from the Apgar Visitor Center and park shuttles, as well as Apgar Village, camp store, equipment rentals, etc."
"I could see 6 or 7 other camp fires burning while sitting next to mine. We stayed three nights and every night heard someone a site or two over as he was talking too loud (and too much)."
from $45 - $90 / night
Check Availability"We have stayed in Many Glacier and Avalanche Creek but this is our favorite campsite in the park because of its proximity to Lake Mcdonald as well as Apgar village."
"Now the good: We were really close to Apgar village and other sites along the Road to the Sun road. The rangers were nice and pleasant to interact with."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Only about 15 minutes away from Glacier National Park Westgate. I was able to stay here for multiple days. Each time was no trouble in finding a place to park."
"Nice camping area with access to the river. Was a bit noisy during the day (stayed over the weekend) as the area is used by non-campers coming to fish, kayak, sightseeing, etc."
"It’s very close to the West entrance to Glacier National Park. We found fun things to do in nearby Hungry Horse, CowY, and Columbia Falls."
"Campground was relatively quiet despite its close proximity to the highway. Everything was very clean and organized. Camp host was friendly."
"Good Verizon cell signal and close to all the area attractions; Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, & Glacier NP."
"Awesome location. Quiet. Montana views ..."
from $30 - $56 / night
Check Availability"The road will likely cause need for a front end alignment as you drive from Columbia Falls."
"about 6 spots to camp. plenty of people close by, felt safe. fire pits. vault toilet. right next to the river - beautiful! some bees around but weren’t bothersome."
"Walking distance to a fun coffee shop. There is often a farmers market in Columbia Falls. Great location to explore Glacier National Park. Nice clean bathrooms."
"You are close to your neighbors. There is a brewery and restaurant close by. The Gunsight restaurant in downtown Columbia Falls is a must, especially on Taco Tues."
from $100 - $180 / night
Check Availability
GuideJust spent the night here while passing through. Seemed like a very nice campground with lots of parking and good amount of designated spots. I stayed in campsite 3 which had lots of roots but I had no issues even with low tire pressure. The place was full and got pretty noisy but enjoyed the atmosphere
GuideNo response from phone/email on this page. I found another phone number via Google. The person who answered said they are no longer a campground. She said maybe in the future.
TravelerArrived to campground, had a reservation in Loop C, only loop open at this time. Only one bathroom was open, and no potable water. However, the views were great and sites were decent sized. Walked into Loop A and went down to river. Able to hang out and soak up sun! Overall, would stay again probably later in May or early June.
ScoutIt's exactly what you'd hope for. Great camping spot right off the highway with plenty of space view of a great River you get to fall asleep listening to. There's even trash disposal and campfire pits. The only thing I can say about it is when I went to last night there was something that kept making noise out in the woods my dog kept getting nervous about and she's not one to scare easily
ScoutCurrently closed due to high water on May 8, 2026
ScoutSolid pull out on dirt road..not super remote or quiet/very small spot but safe enough and not too bad too access
LegendFlathead lake started my love affair with Montana. The campground is right on the lake with amazing views, lots of hiking trails.
Very friendly camp hosts. My site did not have a view of the water, but there were so many places to sit and enjoy the lake.
ScoutClean Modern with tons of space and area to spread out.
ScoutFinding a boondocking free campsite looking over Flathead reservoir was absolutely the best campsite my husband and I have ever gone to with a travel trailer. Definitely recommend! And it was FREE!
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.
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.
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."
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)."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Columbia Falls, Montana?
Columbia Falls offers excellent camping options for every style. Columbia Falls RV Park provides solid WiFi, clean bathrooms, and a convenient location within walking distance to town amenities including a coffee shop and farmers market. For those seeking free camping experiences, North fork Flathead River dispersed camping offers riverside sites with the soothing sounds of flowing water, though it has a 3-day maximum stay and can get busy at the boat launch. Other notable options include Moose Creek RV Resort with its variety of site types and amenities, and Rocky Mountain Hi Campground with full hookups for those needing to recharge after boondocking adventures.
What activities and attractions are near camping areas in Columbia Falls?
Columbia Falls serves as an ideal base for exploring numerous attractions. From Big Creek Campground, you're just 20 miles from Columbia Falls shopping and close to the west entrance of Glacier National Park, with whitewater rafting opportunities nearby. The Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping area provides access to the Middle Fork Flathead River. Downtown Columbia Falls offers dining options like the Gunsight restaurant (known for Taco Tuesday) and local breweries. The Hungry Horse Dam is worth visiting for its scenic beauty and interesting history. For those looking to explore local flavors, Montana Distillery in Coram and several breweries in the area make for excellent day trips.
Are there RV rental options available in Columbia Falls, MT?
While Columbia Falls itself has limited RV rental companies, the broader Flathead Valley area offers several options. Mountain View RV Park and Moose Creek RV Resort are excellent locations to park a rented RV, with the latter offering a variety of amenities including an on-site store and adult sauna. Most visitors typically rent RVs from companies in the larger nearby towns of Kalispell or Whitefish, then bring them to Columbia Falls campgrounds. For those planning to camp with a rented RV, it's advisable to make reservations well in advance, especially during the peak summer season when Glacier National Park visitation is at its highest.
Keep Exploring
