Columbia Falls sits at the doorway to Glacier National Park at an elevation of 3,087 feet. RV camping options near Columbia Falls range from heavily wooded sites with mountain views to open facilities with full hookups. Most campgrounds remain open from May through early October, with overnight temperatures dropping into the 30s even during peak summer months.
What to do
Fishing pond access: Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins maintains a fishing pond on their property that campers praise for its accessibility. "The fishing and pond area was clean and well kept. Super close to the park entrance," notes Tracy O. about the facility located 10 minutes from West Glacier entrance.
Rodeo nights: The weekly Thursday night rodeo during summer months provides authentic Montana entertainment. "Close to the grocery(Super 1 Foods) and 2 miles from the rodeo grounds and Blue Moon Nite Club where they have a weekly Thursday Rodeo in the summer. It was fun!" shares a visitor at Mountain View RV Park.
Biking paths: Several campgrounds connect directly to biking routes leading toward Glacier. At North American RV Park & Yurt Village, one camper mentioned, "Rented a ebike from rental place next door and was able to ride ebike to the park on a walking trail," demonstrating the accessible non-vehicle options for park access.
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Many RV parks near Columbia Falls feature individual bathroom units rather than communal facilities. "Bathrooms were amazing! 2 large stalls and 3 large showers, 1 was handicap. Very clean, nice tile and spacious," writes Kimberly W. about Columbia Falls RV Park.
Natural camping spaces: Despite being developed sites, several parks maintain wooded areas. A camper at Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins noted, "Spacious campsites nestled in the trees with full hookups or electric and water only. Firepits and picnic tables gives you the authentic camping feel."
Dog-friendly amenities: Pet areas are a priority for many campers. "Great dog park, kids area ok, walking distance to store. Driving (15 min) to Glacier National Park," explains a visitor at North American RV Park, highlighting the practical amenities that matter to pet owners.
What you should know
Train noise: Railway lines run close to most Columbia Falls campgrounds. "Like a lot of RV parks from Whitefish over to the park, trains come through frequently. Closer to the front you don't hear it as much, but the trade off is the hwy noise," explains Nancy C. from Sundance Campground & RV Park.
Limited wifi and connectivity: Most campgrounds offer wifi but performance varies considerably. A visitor at Sundance noted, "Wifi is iffy unless you are close to the office. AT&T was decent for 4G only," while Mountain View campers report needing to "Hotspot on cell for video calls and Netflix."
Sites vary in levelness: Not all camping pads provide ready-to-park surfaces. At Sundance, "Some sites are level, some will require a little work. Some sites are larger than others so I suggest you look at the sites available before committing if possible."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several RV sites near Columbia Falls include play areas. "There is also a small basketball court. Minimal bugs- just a few knats that would seek out the lights at night," notes a Mountain View RV Park visitor, highlighting the practical recreation spaces available.
Local attractions: The area offers numerous family activities beyond the national park. "Lots of things for kids and teens close by. Amazing Fun Center, Glacier Highline, Putt Putt in West Glacier and many others," according to a review from West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort, which is located less than a mile from the park entrance.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds organize community events. "They light a group campfire at 7 PM every night for great conversations about what folks saw each day," mentions Michael G., emphasizing the social opportunities at West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: RV drivers consistently note the importance of checking actual site measurements. "Parking my truck was easy and getting into town was quick. Perfect for what my trip needed!" notes Sean L. about the newly developed Clyde's Camp, which maintains wooded sites while accommodating vehicles.
Hookup locations: Several campgrounds have utilities positioned in ways that affect RV parking. At West Glacier RV Park, a visitor observed the "power pedestal way forward so it's either park your tow vehicle behind your trailer or have a lot of length for all your connections."
Laundry considerations: Facilities vary significantly between parks. North American RV Park users appreciate that "Laundry and bath houses were very clean," while others note limited machines at smaller parks: "The laundry room has 2 washers and 2 dryers, but only one of each works."
