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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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!"
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
