279 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
"The bathhouse near us was a dated design style but very clean and well stocked. Lots of families with kids onsite, I can see why with all the great amenities."
"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."
"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."
from $45 - $120 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $45 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Off road to access - need 4WD if real muddy. Not easy access for campers."
"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."
"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."
"about 6 spots to camp. plenty of people close by, felt safe. fire pits. vault toilet. right next to the river - beautiful! some bees around but weren’t bothersome."
"We had been searching around for a First come First served site and hadnt found anything that looked just right. We wanted to have a little space and be on water."
"The sites were all surrounded by trees. We had site 16, which is the area where they put most of the big rids. But many of the other sites had their own little secluded area. Full hookups."
"Enjoyed our stay here and the relative (it’s still a decent drive) proximity to Glacier."
GuideI stayed May 1 & 2nd. Still pretty cold with much of the park still closed. It felt like I had the place to myself. It was a wonderful experience I will never forget!
ScoutI stayed here for 2 nights this week, camping in my car. This campsite is pretty much just pull-off spots on the side of the road, but it's very peaceful and the road has nearly no traffic other than other campers going to sites. There's a couple decent spots with fire pits, but try to get there before ~7pm if you want first pick, as I can imagine spots fill fast when it's the busier season.
Great spot for a sunset, too! No service though so come prepared with maps downloaded for the morning.
ScoutI spent 3 nights here this week, camping in my car and had great success with this site. Every morning around 6:30-7 they start logging but it's not too loud. Just make sure you pick a site that's not directly next to where the machinery is.
When you get there, there's a sign with the camping information/rules and then after that there are sites signified with a wood post with a camping logo about every .25 mile that stretch up the road. There were a few other people camping here during my stay, but it's pretty quiet and no one bothers you.
The location is super great for being near West Glacier and the park entrance, only about 5 min away. I also had great service with T-mobile. If you want coffee and a shower, the West Glacier KOA down the road has restrooms and showers you can use if you're not staying there, and amazing staff!
GuideGreat Montana getaway. Facilities were very clean, lake was crispy and fun, sites were well maintained.
GuideClose to town and on the lake. Train tracks are close and many loud trains. Showers (tokens) and water.
GuideJust spent the night here while passing through. Seemed like a very nice campground with lots of parking and good amount of designated spots. I stayed in campsite 3 which had lots of roots but I had no issues even with low tire pressure. The place was full and got pretty noisy but enjoyed the atmosphere
GuideNo response from phone/email on this page. I found another phone number via Google. The person who answered said they are no longer a campground. She said maybe in the future.
GuideArrived to campground, had a reservation in Loop C, only loop open at this time. Only one bathroom was open, and no potable water. However, the views were great and sites were decent sized. Walked into Loop A and went down to river. Able to hang out and soak up sun! Overall, would stay again probably later in May or early June.
ScoutIt's exactly what you'd hope for. Great camping spot right off the highway with plenty of space view of a great River you get to fall asleep listening to. There's even trash disposal and campfire pits. The only thing I can say about it is when I went to last night there was something that kept making noise out in the woods my dog kept getting nervous about and she's not one to scare easily
Camping near Hungry Horse, Montana offers proximity to Flathead National Forest with elevations ranging from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day and drop to 40-50°F at night, making for comfortable camping conditions. The area's camping season generally runs from late May through September, with some primitive sites accessible into October depending on weather conditions.
Fishing the Flathead River: Cast for trout along the North Fork Flathead River where numerous dispersed camping sites provide river access. "The river was great to swim in for a little cold plunge. This might have been our best campsite on our two week road trip," notes a visitor at Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed.
Hiking from camp: Explore trails directly from several campgrounds without driving to trailheads. A camper at Fish Creek Campground shared, "A short stroll between sites 19 and 21 is a mini trail that leads to a staircase to the Southwest Side of Lake McDonald where kids and adults can take a dip in the water."
Stargazing after dark: Take advantage of minimal light pollution for astronomy. "The stars are so bright and the Milky Way seems so close you could touch it," writes a North Fork Flathead River camper, adding that "at night, it clears out and that's when the magic happens."
Proximity to park entrance: Most campers value quick access to Glacier National Park's west entrance. A Ryan Road Dispersed Camping visitor mentioned, "This spot is only about 5 minutes down the road from the West entrance to Glacier National Park," noting they saw "planes taking off and landing a couple times" from the nearby airstrip.
River access for cooling off: During hot summer days, waterfront sites provide relief. "The River was perfect for cooling off after being in the sun," wrote a camper at North Fork Flathead River, who stayed three nights and found it "a perfect site for our Bean Trailer."
Clean facilities in established campgrounds: Maintained bathrooms rank high on camper priorities. At Apgar Campground, a visitor observed, "The bathroom has flush toilets and is much nicer that I expected for an older park like this. Go at the end of April or early May to avoid massive crowds and feel like you have to place to yourself!"
Road conditions vary significantly: Many dispersed sites require navigating rough roads. At Blankenship Bridge, campers noted "deep rutted muddy holes filled with water" and advised "you need high clearance to get down there," though some report making it in standard cars.
Seasonal timing matters: Spring and fall visits offer fewer crowds but different experiences. "Go at the end of April or early May to avoid massive crowds and feel like you have the place to yourself," recommended an Apgar Campground visitor.
Bear safety is essential: The area has both black and grizzly bears. Fish Creek Campground reviews mention, "Wildlife frequent this campground and do not feed them. Be Bear Aware, and always carry your bear spray, and flashlight especially at night. Properly store food or smelly attractant items in a hard-sided vehicle or special bear containers."
Campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Some locations offer dedicated facilities for children. A visitor to West Glacier KOA Resort reported, "There's live music, pool, ice cream shoppe, Gaga ball, hiking trails and so much more," making it an excellent choice for families with children.
Quieter options for family camping: If you prefer less crowded environments, explore Forest Service roads. "This is both a campsite review and a Dyrt Ranger product review. We almost cancelled our trip to Glacier due to the current forest fires that have closed some of the park. We decided to take a chance on it though, and stayed just outside the west entrance of the park, at the privately owned Glacier Campground," wrote a camper at Glacier Campground.
Swimming access for hot days: Look for sites with safe water access. At Fish Creek Campground, "a short stroll between sites 19 and 21 is a mini trail that leads to a staircase to the Southwest Side of Lake McDonald where kids and adults can take a dip in the water."
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all dispersed camping areas accommodate bigger vehicles. At Ryan Road Dispersed Camping, an RVer noted, "We have a 42' trailer and thought we would give this spot a shot. There were about 3-4 sites that could fit our RV. We chose the very last site before the gate leading back to the Ryan air strip."
Full hookup options: For those needing amenities, several campgrounds offer comprehensive services. A visitor to Moose Creek RV Resort appreciated the conveniences: "We ended up doing 2 nights at the bed and breakfast and 1 night at one of the campsites. The bed and breakfast was fantastic; nice clean rooms and shower and a tasty breakfast."
Generator-free camping: Some campers prefer quieter, non-generator areas. At Fish Creek Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "Camped loop C (non-generator) which was perfect for our teardrop camper. Sites vary in how level they are, but most are decent sized and have fire rings and picnic tables."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near the town of Hungry Horse, Montana?
Mountain View RV Park offers convenient camping near Hungry Horse with good amenities and is located close to attractions like the Hungry Horse Dam. It's also near local breweries and restaurants in Columbia Falls. For those seeking a more natural experience, Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed camping is available along Hungry Horse Road about 4 miles from town at the reservoir dam. While this requires driving on some unpaved roads, it provides free lakeside camping with numerous pull-off spots suitable for both tents and RVs.
Where are the best campgrounds at Hungry Horse Reservoir?
Lid Creek Campground is a top option at Hungry Horse Reservoir, offering lakefront sites with views of the Salish Mountains. Located 15 miles off U.S. 2 on a winding but paved road, it features picnic tables and fire pits, with friendly hosts who sell firewood. For those seeking a more remote experience, Emery Bay Campground provides gorgeous views of the reservoir from perch sites on a hillside. With good tree cover and a unique layout, it's a great base for exploring both the mountains and waters of the reservoir while still offering basic amenities.
Are there RV rental services available in Hungry Horse, Montana?
While Hungry Horse itself has limited RV rental options, there are several RV-friendly accommodations in the area. Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast offers a variety of RV sites with asphalt and gravel pads, along with a well-stocked store and amenities like games for kids and a sauna for adults. For RV rentals, you'll likely need to look to larger nearby towns like Columbia Falls, Kalispell, or Whitefish. Many campers choose to rent RVs in these larger centers before driving to Hungry Horse, which is conveniently located for exploring Glacier National Park and the surrounding area.
Do I need reservations for camping at Hungry Horse Reservoir in Montana?
Reservations are generally not required for most camping options at Hungry Horse Reservoir. Lost Johnny Point Dispersed operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a reasonable daily fee of $22. Similarly, dispersed camping areas along the reservoir operate without reservations—simply find an available spot after the dam. However, during peak summer months (June-August), especially weekends, established campgrounds like Dorris Creek Road can fill quickly. Arriving mid-week or early in the day improves your chances of securing a spot without reservations.
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