Best Tent Camping near Heart Butte, MT

Small and pretty area but there were big deal breakers for us. We spent 2 nights here tent camping as part of a longer motorcycle camping trip.

First and foremost, the store was closed. They have a store on site but it's closed until 2022. It would have been nice because the closest thing to a grocery store is 15 miles away.

Second, there are no defined campsites. It's first come first served around a little pond on the property. It's nicely shaded and quiet, but there are NO picnic tables for tent sites and no dedicated fire rings. So if you show up later in the day, you might be SOL for a fire. The RV sites have picnic tables. I bring this up because it's a really nice thing to have when you're tent camping.  A place to cook, sit, put some of the crap you're hauling (especially if you're like us and on motorcycles with limited storage).

Third, the bathrooms and showers were cleaned up on a regular basis which was really nice but no hot water later on in the day. After a long, hard day of riding I just wanted to wash all the grossness off and was in freezing cold water.

For full disclosure we were compensated for this trip for testing the Dyrt's reservation system.

Our trip to Swan Lake Trading Post & Campground started out by reserving the campground through The Dyrts's new reservation system. Reserving the site was extremely easy and fast to use, way better than other systems we have used before. We had a confirmation from the campground with in a few hours of using the reservation system.

Now for the campground. We were highly impressed by this small campground. The tent camping area was located around a small pond/lake. The site has picnic tables and fire rings as well as plenty of chairs available for siting around the fire or along the little lake. The campground has 8 RV sites, 3 cabins and 3 yurts (the yurts had not been set up for the season during our visit). The trading post has all your basic camping needs and anything you need if you forget something, they even have Ice Cream. If you don't want to cook breakfast the trading post will take care of that for you by cooking up a breakfast sandwich for you. The campground provides clean restrooms and showers. Tent sites were very reasonable at $20, just two more dollars than the Forest Service campground down the road which does not have flush toilets or showers. The camp host are very friendly. We were provided with the camps wifi password, but you do have to be on the trading post back porch to use it. The porch has plenty of table an chairs for sitting at. They also have games you can use to pass the time, we didn't use them but was nice to know they were available. It was nice and quiet at night with very little traffic on the highway, plus the creek running by really muffled any noise from vehicles driving by. This campground will definitely be on our list to stay at the next time we visit the Swan Valley and Swan Lake.

I really want to give this campground 5 stars but the tent sites left something to be desired. The sites with the views that sit on top of a hill are for RVs (even for RVs, they are pretty tight spots). The tent sites sit in a field and like a previous review states, have little privacy. However the sites are flat which is a huge bonus. We were lucky and the tent sites were not very busy so we were not terribly disturbed. Site 68 is decent as there is an opening set back in the trees for your tent. Most of the fire rings and picnic tables are set pretty close together. The bathrooms were nice and there was always plenty of hot water, even when showering during the busy evening times. The restaurant is fantastic and we ate there 3 nights in a row. The night time stars are fantastic and the location is great for east glacier and many glacier (30 minute drive to many glacier). The campground is VERY clean and staff is super friendly.

This is a well loved for family owned campground. We stayed in the tent camping area and felt like it gave great privacy vs. the typical rows of RVs. There is tons of shade in the tent camping areas were as the RVs were more in the open but have the opportunity to have gorgeous distant lake views. We would stay here again as the location is perfect for getting into the park while being family owned and responsible priced.

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Loved this campground. Great amenities. Loved the pool/hot tub. Nice big site with electric/water. Tent camped and the bathrooms clean and close by. Amazing store and they even delivered pizza right to our site. Pancake breakfast was wonderful.

Stayed in a primitive site with no hookups. Rv sites are close together. Tent sites are nice. We were in a little circle area with one other camper. Was a nice stay. Has dump station, laundry. 5 minutes from East Glacier entrance and 20 min to Many Glacier.

This small campground packs a tremendous punch! RVs (if I had to guess, accommodates 8-12 total), rustic cabins, two yurts, and pondside tent sites - there are no defined tent sites; anywhere along the pond perimeter is fair game.

We stayed just one night in one of the yurts ($35 summer 2021), which is equipped with two cots and a battery-operated lantern. After checking in with the camp hosts (who are lovely!), we got a key to the showers, bathrooms, and laundry room. The hosts keep these areas immaculate, cleaning often. There's also very limited wifi on the porch just outside the bathrooms/showers.

The campground has a great vibe and everyone is very friendly. Between the pond and Swan Lake just across the street, it is buggy, but you cannot beat the location! 

The general store is still closed due to flooding last summer, but new construction is well underway.

I could only get WiFi at the office, so don’t go thinking to work remote. But, view is spectacular. Bathrooms are clean. The staff is just - incredible. 2 minutes from entrance of going to the sun road. Would definitely not hesitate to stay again. Tent sites are nice - little to no shade just FYI.

We found this campsite on our way to Glacier National Park when we needed a tent site for the evening. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. Only $22 for a site without electric hookups or $24 for one that does. The campground is very clean and offers showers, restrooms, laundry, dishwashing station, picnic table, cooking grill, fire pits, and WiFi included.

Not the most scenic spot, but for a safe spot to sleep for the night it was perfect. $10 for tent camping, +$5 for the showers. Showers/bathrooms were very clean and the campground staff was very polite. No laundry for some reason, but they did have ice for $2 a bag. We camped here for two nights because it was so close and cheap, couldn’t really ask for much more. Would reccomend calling ahead for a spot, as they were pretty full the second night especially.

We stayed here while on a hiking trip to Glacier National Park. We stayed in one of the small cabins, but they had RV and tent sites as well. They had a small shop with snacks/food, and souvenirs. We didn't use the pool but it looked nice. The cabin had a nice porch with swings. While small on the inside, it had everything we needed. It was good proximity to hiking within the park.

Gorgeous views, and a fox even visited our campground! There are actual bathrooms at this campground, with sinks and running water. Our site had a picnic table and a fire pit. We tent camped while we were here (August), and this was one of the few campgrounds which would allow it, as bears had been spotted in a few of the other campgrounds recently. There was a general store nearby, which sold firewood and basic food items, along with the typical kitschy souvenirs. I can’t wait to visit again!

We happened upon this place later in the evening as we were traveling from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone. We were getting worried because it was getting dark. We got to the campsites after hours and the host was kind enough to come out and greet us even though their office had closed. It was $25 for a tent spot. They have clean restrooms and showers, a dishwashing sink, coin-op laundry, games of corn hole, a game/reading room, and a coin-op pool table. Our tent site provided privacy, fire pit, and table. We loved it. We didn’t get to enjoy it much since we got there late and left early, but it was wonderful! We would go back! Only downside was a loud siren going off around 6AM that sounded like an air raid siren from a nearby mill.

Loved the location to Glacier. It’s a small park and a tight squeeze between campsites. Our awning nearly touched the neighbors window shade. We really didn’t mind since we were inside while it rained and exploring the park when it was sunny. We had #1 which was on the end under trees. We prefer shade rather open exposed spots. Staff was sweet as could be! Laundry room clean with a new large front loader washer and dryer. Many tent sites tucked along the perimeter.

Make the trip to Many Glaciers! Be aware, there’s a few miles of dirt road that’s bumpy and some large ruts. You’ll be paid off when you reach Swift Current Lake. I felt transported to Switzerland! Absolutely beautiful! Wish we knew sooner so we could have camp there for a day or two. Although I’d be a little hesitant on bringing the RV over the dirt road.

We stayed at St. Mary's for 1 night, then got up early the next day and found a spot with a tree at Rising sun. Many of the tent sites at St. Mary's are out in the OPEN prairie and so very blazing hot in July and August. Remember the sun doesn't set up here until 10pm. Our neighbors washed dishes IN THE fresh water spout, DON'T DO THIS, gross and you might kill me. I also saw people washing in the RV dump room, DON'T DO THIS, gross and you might kill yourself. Showers were hot and pretty clean. Camp hosts were super kind and helpful. Be sure to eat at Johnson's of St. Mary's. Fried Chicken and Good Soup are AMAZING after a 10 mi hike. I don't have a picture because I was so miserable roasting in the throws of Hades.

Whether you're needing a tent space, are car camping, or have an RV/camper, Johnson's of St Mary's has you covered. No matter your plans, schedule 1 meal of your stay to check out the cafe, which has some excellent food, decor, and family history.

The tent sites come with a picnic table and a fire pit. I noticed from walking around not all have a grill, so if that's important to you I'd specifically ask during reservations.

The grounds are located very close to the national park, and given how quickly the national park campgrounds reserve each year, having this oprtion close by and available was a life saver.

If you're looking to do some backcountry in the park but don't have a permit, you are well advised to show up to the backcountry offices as early as possible, and this place is nearby a station, so I liked having this option for arriving late the night before with a guaranteed spot. It was nice to be able to fill up the water bladder with potable water before all the excursions as well.

It's got token operated showers, and you get 1token/person/day with your reservation, which should be fine. Showers last 6 minutes. From the offices you can also purchase ice and firewood.

WiFi is free at the office and cafe, and available for a fee at your campgrounds. I had full bars of service at my site. It will take you 5 minutes to get to the National Park entrance, gas stations are down the road. Views from the grounds are OK, and shade is plentiful.