Best Campgrounds near Hungry Horse, MT
Camping options around Hungry Horse, Montana range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on public lands, with many locations providing access to Hungry Horse Reservoir and Glacier National Park. The area includes several developed facilities like Glacier Campground and West Glacier KOA Resort offering full hookups for RVs, tent sites, and cabin rentals. Dispersed camping opportunities exist along the Middle Fork Flathead River and North Fork Flathead River, where campers can find more primitive experiences. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through September or early October, with the highest concentration of facilities located within 15 miles of West Glacier.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, particularly for accessing dispersed camping areas and sites along Hungry Horse Reservoir. Many forest roads require careful navigation, especially those leading to remote camping locations. The main season runs from late spring through early fall, with most established campgrounds closing by October due to winter conditions. Campers should prepare for limited cell service in more remote areas, particularly along the reservoir where several campgrounds and dispersed sites are located. A review noted, "37 miles from Hungry Horse to this location, almost 25 of the unpaved and some of the road is really rough and extremely narrow, much of it along steep Cliffs but when you take 895 around the reservoir...it will lead you directly down to numerous spots along the lake."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Hungry Horse area, with several campgrounds providing direct access to Hungry Horse Reservoir or nearby lakes. Many campers highlight the scenic views and recreational opportunities these water-adjacent sites offer. Developed campgrounds like Emery Bay and Lid Creek provide amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets while maintaining proximity to the water. A camper wrote, "Lid Creek Campground is in the Hungry Horse Recreation area on the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The lake, Salish Mountains and Montana's big sky are all front and center here." Bear safety remains an important consideration throughout the region, with many campgrounds providing bear-proof food storage boxes and posting guidelines for proper food storage and waste disposal.
