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Best Campgrounds near Columbia Falls, MT

1,338 Reviews

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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Columbia Falls, Montana (276)

    1. Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed

    49 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    8 miles
    Website

    "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."

    2. West Glacier KOA Resort

    49 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5341

    "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. "

    3. Glacier Campground

    51 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5689

    $45 - $120 / night

    "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."

    4. Apgar Campground — Glacier National Park

    59 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $45 - $90 / night

    "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)."

    5. Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    62 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $30 / night

    "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."

    6. Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping

    32 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    8 miles

    "In this video we review 2 more of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Glacier National Park and Columbia Falls, Montana."

    "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."

    7. Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast

    22 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5280

    "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."

    8. Rocky Mountain Hi Campground

    16 Reviews
    Kalispell, MT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 755-9573

    $30 - $56 / night

    "Good Verizon cell signal and close to all the area attractions; Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, & Glacier NP."

    "Awesome location. Quiet. Montana views ..."

    9. Columbia Falls RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Columbia Falls, MT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (406) 892-1122

    $100 - $180 / night

    "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."

    10. Ryan Road Dispersed Camping

    23 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-3800

    "Arrived August 1st...was hoping to find a spot close to Glacier NP with some privacy but I think I was asking for too much lol. However, I am happy to have a place close to the park free of charge!"

    "Located close to the west entrance, this dispersed camping location is quiet and easily accessible to most vehicles. It did fill up, so get there early. Mosquitos were pretty bad."

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Recent Camping Photos near Columbia Falls, MT

404 Photos of 276 Columbia Falls Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Columbia Falls, MT

1338 Reviews of 276 Columbia Falls Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Cut Bank Campground — Glacier National Park

    Beautiful, but crowded

    Leaving going to the sun road headed east we camped at Cut Bank campground for two nights. Heading back into the campsite it seemed secluded until we got back there to see that half of the sites were taken and they were pretty close to one another. The campground is also at a trail head where many people go. The next morning we found ourselves waking up to people talking loudly and showing up to hike or take wedding photos. The view of the mountains were amazing.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Blair Flats

    Paradise

    We stayed here for 4 or 5 days while on our 5 week trip across the west in our campervan. We stayed at the most wonderful places and this was hands down our favorite! It was mainly just us the entire time. We stayed through the week, so the only people who came through were bikers looking for a spot to sleep. Other than that it was just us. The vault toilet was clean also! Site 1 offers sun, shade and access to the river.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping

    Big rigs not recommended

    Pulled out Alliance Valor 32A10 down the horrible access road. Had to do a walk around after to verify no damage. Bed rails touched under my front cap a few times but luckily no damage.

    Best for overlanding vehicles. Beautiful location if you can get down the access road.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Edgewater RV Resort & Motel

    Flathead Harbor Resort RV Luxury Condos and Cabins / Edgewater RV Resort & Motel

    Stayed in a cabin for a couple nights and had a great stay! You can hear a bit of road noise due to being in town and near the main road, but everything else was great: clean, showers, laundry facilities, near groceries/restaurants, pet-friendly, etc.

  • Kurt W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Late season stay

    We camped here for one night. Everything is super clean and well maintained. Beautiful spot

  • Giavanna P.
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast

    Adorable camping spot

    I absolutely loved this camping spot. Staff were friendly and the lovely couple at the cafe were super helpful for advice on where to check out. Having a hot shower after hiking was bliss. There’s even a communal fire at 7pm if you feel like being social

  • Raul C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Camp off North Fork Road

    Large and open

    The area down the road was full and had limited car camping / roof top tent camping so my buddy and I moved this way and found plenty of opportunity.

  • Vinny A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed

    Riverside Camping

    Very nice spot close to Glacier NP. As others have mentioned, the road getting in is very rough, but i made it up/down several times with my Promaster 2500 van with no issues, just got to be strategic about how you take the ruts. Awesome views of river. Road is a little noisy at times, but nothing to complain about. Plenty of other people camping there. Cell service was pretty good.

Guide to Columbia Falls

Camping near Columbia Falls, Montana, offers a fantastic mix of stunning scenery and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Glacier National Park: Just a short drive away, Glacier National Park is a must-see. One camper mentioned, “Glacier provides world-class hiking and scenery. Be bear prepared,” highlighting the park's breathtaking views and wildlife encounters.
  • Visit Lake McDonald: Many campgrounds, like Fish Creek Campground, are right by Lake McDonald. A reviewer noted, “We were able to walk directly to the lake from our campsite in less than 2 minutes to enjoy sunrises and sunsets.”
  • Hiking: Trails abound in the area. One camper shared, “We enjoyed our hike around the lake,” emphasizing the accessibility of beautiful hiking paths.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Bowman Lake Campground stated, “The remote location is amazing, and the campsites are nicely spread out in a moody, dark forested area.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many prefer the peacefulness of campgrounds like Sprague Creek Campground. One camper said, “The lake access, tree canopy, and small non-generator campground was just our style.”
  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Campgrounds like West Glacier KOA Resort offer fun activities for kids. A family shared, “The grandkids loved the pool and the Gaga ball pit.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Facilities: Some campgrounds, like Fish Creek Campground, have minimal facilities. A camper noted, “The bathrooms were closed when we drove in, so had to walk quite a bit to use bathrooms.”
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly. One camper mentioned, “If you are looking for a little additional adventure, take the forest service roads to Polebridge,” suggesting that planning ahead is wise.
  • Wildlife Precautions: Bears are common in the area. A reviewer advised, “This is in bear country and you should definitely take the precautions seriously and follow park guidelines.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places like West Glacier KOA Resort that offer family-friendly amenities. A camper said, “Kids loved the music each night.”
  • Pack for All Weather: Weather can change quickly. One family shared, “Be prepared for all types of weather; we saw it all during our 4 days in late May.”
  • Bring Games and Activities: Keeping kids entertained is key. A reviewer noted, “The visitor tent is pretty cool, especially for families with kids. It has activities and games.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spots. A camper at Glacier Campground mentioned, “Many of the sites are small pull-throughs on both sides of the road.”
  • Look for Hookups: If you need amenities, choose campgrounds like Glacier Campground that offer electric hookups. A reviewer said, “The showers were small, but were hot and free!”
  • Plan for Parking: Some campgrounds have limited parking near facilities. A camper noted, “If you opt to drive to the showers, there is nowhere to park nearby.”

Camping near Columbia Falls, Montana, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and be prepared for the beautiful wilderness that awaits!

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.

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