191 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Heron, Montana ranges from primitive tent sites and dispersed camping to RV parks with hookups and cabins, with options within 10-15 miles of town. Bad Medicine Campground and Bull River Campground are popular campgrounds offering both tent and RV camping within 10-15 miles of Heron. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness lies to the east, while the Clark Fork River and its associated reservoirs form natural boundaries to the south. Several campgrounds feature lakefront or riverside access, with accommodation ranging from primitive tent sites to RV parks with hookups and cabins like the Bull River Guard Station.
Road conditions throughout the region vary significantly with elevation and seasonal weather patterns. "We were there in mid-September 2019. The fresh water spigot was still on and no one else camped there," notes one visitor to Bull River Campground. Many Forest Service roads become difficult to navigate during spring snowmelt and after heavy rains, particularly those leading to dispersed camping areas. Most established campgrounds operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, though some remain accessible year-round with reduced amenities. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with coverage mainly limited to areas near Highway 200. Bear-proof food storage is required in most locations, and fire restrictions are common during the dry summer months.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest visitor ratings across all campgrounds in the area. The Clark Fork River and Bull Lake provide opportunities for fishing, paddling, and swimming directly from many campsites. A camper at Bad Medicine Campground described it as "a wooded campground where not much light gets in. But, it feels woodsy, not claustrophobic." The Bull River area features some of the clearest water in northwest Montana according to several reviews. Campgrounds in the Thompson Chain of Lakes area offer additional water access but tend to fill quickly during summer weekends. More secluded forest camping can be found along Forest Service roads branching off Highway 56, where visitors report greater solitude but fewer amenities. Train noise affects some campgrounds near the Montana Rail Line, particularly those closest to Highway 200.
"It is close to the Ross Cedars just up the narrow road. This is a wooded campground where not much light gets in. But, it feels woodsy, no claustrophobic."
"This is the Bull River Valley of western Montana after all."
"Excellent access to the river, small walking trails led to fishing areas, and we saw beavers, turkeys, and deer. Beware of ticks and mosquitos, but that's pretty common for this area of the state."
"Close to highway. Can fill up fast on the weekends."
"Our campsite was situated so we had good solar reception. Fire ring was good, as was the picnic table. Discovered a spring just a few miles west of the campground where water was easily available. "
"There are beautiful lakeside campsites with access to the lake. Unfortunately, those were all reserved when we stayed there. This place can get busy in the summertime, so you reserve early."
"It has a lot more to offer too though, as the lakeside location is pretty great. You can rent paddle boards and head out onto the water. Apparently this is one of the deepest lakes in the country."
from $30 - $116 / night
Check Availability"Walking distance from the river, where you can enjoy a dip in it. Feeling a little wild by the woods. Some of the parking sites have nice grassy areas. The wifi is weak and unstable."
"Train in the near distance, also didn't mind this. The water is wonderful. Very clear. We took our SUP's out one day."
"When we arrived midweek, there were already two campers along the riverbank, but the prime spot right in the corner was already taken with great access to the river but as soon as that person moved the"
"Off the highway and next to a lake there are 5 spots available. We stayed in site #5 and had a 27ft camper that fit great and parking for our truck."
"Be sure to read trail reports and weather reports before heading out. North Idaho weather can be pretty finicky, especially at high elevations. Make sure to be aware of wildlife as well!"
"Located not far from Thompson Falls, and lot of water ways. Fish are not as abundant as other areas, and there are no walking trails within walking distance."
from $75 - $150 / night
Check Availability"This old Guard Station is in the perfect location. Easy to drive to and close to miles and miles of trails in the Kootenai National Forest."
from $75 / night
Check Availability
TravelerOff the highway and next to a lake there are 5 spots available. We stayed in site #5 and had a 27ft camper that fit great and parking for our truck. Definitely hi way traffic, obviously no electric or water. It did have a privy toilet available even into late October. We really enjoyed this spot. Bumpyish road to get in, but can't complain because its FREE!
ScoutNo camping signs everywhere. Rules evidently changed.
ScoutRight in the middle of civilization, and packed in, but very nice. Nice trees, nice facilities, well maintained. Families are here, well behaved. Booked online. The owner noticed us and introduced himself. Will use again when I want the amenities.
TravelerPerfectly clean bathroom and private showers. Laundry facilities and easy hookups.
LegendA few sections are closed for the season. Our spot had a water bib cock and power hookup. Had trouble finding a bathroom so I dont think there are many. Access to the water as well! Very pretty spot
LegendIts a beautiful large camp ground. Lots of sites have access down to the river. A few CLEAN pit toilets sprinkled throughout. It looks like there are 2 loops. One on either side of the river. The sites are not right on top of eachother. But, you can still see into the other sites due to the sparse shrubs mixed between the trees.
I really love that each site is paved. I hate always getting dirt into the van when at dirt spots. Especially when its wet out.
Not great starlink signal.
You can hear the trains. Train tracks are right across the river and they are LOUD. Pretty often throughout the day. They slowed down at night. But started back up by 5 am.
LegendTiny tiny campground. 2 spots maybe? But the spots are large in size.
Bonus points for being free and having a clean pit toilet!
Nothing too exciting about this soot otherwise. A little sun getting through the trees
LegendIts a nice site. You can smell the pit toilets from all the sites unfortunately. There is some noise from the road that you can hear. Wasnt too bad throughout the night thankfully. You are right by the river that has a small waterfall area you can walk to.
Not really any bug issues either. No cell signal. No sky sight for the starlink
GuideThere were a couple spots on the peninsula and a few other roads that may have led to more sites. The road to get there was called Boundary Mtn Rd, which wasn’t clearly labeled on the Dryts location. There was 2 fire rings and room for multiple cars/tents. Great spot to swim or boat.
Camping sites near Heron, Montana provide access to the Cabinet Mountains with elevations ranging from 2,200 to 8,700 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during July and August, while spring and fall can bring unpredictable weather patterns. Most dispersed camping areas in this region require high-clearance vehicles, especially after seasonal rain.
Swimming and paddling in Bull Lake: Bad Medicine Campground offers direct lake access with clear water. "Amazing views of Bull Lake. We went in late July and there were a few sites left when we arrived. The camp volunteer is super sweet! Awesome stay," notes Emily B. The lake maintains swimmable temperatures from mid-June through early September.
Explore ancient cedars: The Ross Creek Cedar Grove trail system is accessible within a short drive from several campgrounds. "Our site was next to a vault toilet - we could smell it. There was lots of noise, e.g., road, train, barking dogs, etc... In the area, check out the Kootenai Falls and swinging bridge. Beautiful aqua water rushing over the rocks. Wow! Also, Ross Creek Cedars (giant cedars) was well worth a visit," shares Nancy C.
River fishing and wildlife viewing: Bull River Campground provides excellent fishing access with limited competition during weekdays. "Stayed here for nine nights this spring, and had a great time. Excellent access to the river, small walking trails led to fishing areas, and we saw beavers, turkeys, and deer. Beware of ticks and mosquitos, but that's pretty common for this area of the state," explains Rachel M.
Privacy and natural setting: Campers consistently rate sites with natural buffers highest. "Sam Owen is a nice place to camp for a few days, or spend some time on the water. It is surprisingly quiet for a campsite, considering it's location! Pend Oreille is a beautiful lake and is a great place for boats, kayaks, and paddle boards!" reports Celine K. about Sam Owen Campground.
Lakeside camping options: Waterfront sites provide easy water access without driving. "The lakeside campsites were perfect! We spent the week there, enjoying the water and nearby hiking. Nice spacious sites with good shade. Will definitely camp there again!" writes Melissa P. about her experience at Bad Medicine Campground.
Mountain views and solitude: Off-season camping offers significantly more privacy. "We stumbled upon this GEM after having a hard time finding campgrounds that weren't full. There are two parking areas, and you have to hike down a short hike (moderately steep hill) to get to the campsites. Campsites are marked and have picnic tables and fire pits. They are all right on the water and offer the most incredibly serene views of Pend Orielle," shares Melissa G. about Green Bay Campground.
Water access varies seasonally: Lake levels fluctuate significantly, especially at Bull Lake. "Bad Medicine was just what the Dr ordered for us over the 4th of July! Very rural location. 30 minutes, at least, to closest store, so there weren't many people there. Excellent for doing your own fireworks. Amenities were lacking unfortunately," notes Natascha A.
Road conditions can be challenging: Many campgrounds require driving on rough forest roads. "The camp is small and very quiet. The road in is awful. Would be real hard on any low RV," reports Sonja R. about Big Eddy Campground.
Limited facilities at most sites: Most campgrounds offer basic amenities only. "This campground sits on the Bull River as it enters the Cabinet Gorge Reservoir. We were there in mid-September 2019. The fresh water spigot was still on and no one else camped there. We could hear the truck traffic on 200 and also the trains on the Montana Rail Line train tracks nearby," explains Judy T. about Kootenai National Forest Bull River Campground.
Choose established campgrounds with amenities: Families find more comfort at developed sites. "The camping spots at Sam Owen have picnic tables and some have fire pits. There are dumpsters and water available as well. I have camped here mid-May and came for day visits during busier summer months and never felt that there were too many people or I needed a reservation," reports Celine K.
Bring wildlife viewing equipment: The area offers exceptional wildlife spotting opportunities. "We saw beavers, turkeys, and deer. Beware of ticks and mosquitos, but that's pretty common for this area of the state," shares Rachel M. about Bull River Campground.
Visit during shoulder seasons: Mid-May to mid-June or September often provides better family camping experiences. "This is a wooded campground where not much light gets in. But, it feels woodsy, no claustrophobic. We were worried about grizzlies but the camp hostess said there weren't any there. This is a USFS campground so your Senior Pass cuts the $16 camping fee in half," notes Judy T.
Site selection matters for RVs: Limited level sites exist in most campgrounds. "We had a huge, level spot (#56) at the end of the campground (not all sites are so level). A little tight to get into with a 40' 5th wheel, but doable. The lake is just a very short walk away (great paddle boarding!) and though there is no cell service within the CG, there is on the far side of the swimming beach," advises Sarah at Sam Owen Campground.
Cell service considerations: Coverage is extremely limited throughout the region. "We have a 30 ft class A, with a tow. Unhooked it before attempting to find a site was necessary. Water spicket available and vault toilets. In the area, check out the Kootenai Falls and swinging bridge. Beautiful aqua water rushing over the rocks," shares Nancy C.
Generator restrictions vary: Check individual campground rules before arriving. "2020 cost is $16 + $8 extra car, half off with Federal parks pass, & it's average for a Forest Service pay campground. There's water, & you can fill a holding tank, but no power or dump," explains Dave S. about Bull River Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I camp with an RV in Heron, Montana?
The Heron area offers several excellent RV camping options. Birdland Bay RV Resort is a hidden gem just a short drive from Thompson Falls with generously spaced sites among pine trees, beautifully maintained grounds, and convenient access to the Clark Fork River for fishing and kayaking. For those seeking a public option, Bull River Campground offers sites along the Bull River as it enters Cabinet Gorge Reservoir. While some sites can accommodate RVs, note that the campground has a loop design that may limit larger rigs to around 32 feet. Both locations provide a peaceful mountain experience with varying amenities, though reservations are recommended during peak summer months.
What RV rental options are available in Heron, Montana?
While Heron itself is a small town with limited dedicated RV rental services, visitors can find rental options in the surrounding region. The nearest RV rental services are typically available in larger towns like Thompson Falls (about 30 minutes east) or Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (about 1.5 hours west). These services offer various RV types ranging from small camper vans to larger motorhomes. For convenience, many travelers choose to rent from these larger hubs before traveling to the Heron area. Alternatively, some visitors arrange RV deliveries to local campgrounds like Trout Creek Motel & RV Park for a hassle-free camping experience near Heron.
What camping is available near Heron, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Heron, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 191 campgrounds and RV parks near Heron, MT and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Heron, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Heron, MT is Bad Medicine Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Heron, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Heron, MT.
What parks are near Heron, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Heron, MT that allow camping, notably Lake Pend Oreille and Kaniksu National Forest.
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