Hungry Horse, Montana sits at an elevation of 3,087 feet within the Flathead National Forest, experiencing cold winters with heavy snowfall and mild summers with temperatures rarely exceeding 85°F. The camping season typically runs May through October, with some facilities remaining open year-round. Cell service diminishes significantly as travelers venture closer to Glacier National Park and the Hungry Horse Reservoir.
What to do
Fishing at Hungry Horse Reservoir: The 34-mile long reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities just minutes from Lid Creek Campground. "Had a great time, stayed for several nights. Very clean sites, host did amazing job to keep things clean and make campers welcome. Reservoir access as well," notes a Lid Creek Campground visitor.
Explore West Glacier Village: Located just minutes from several camping options, the village offers shops and restaurants. A guest at West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort shared, "Riding bike or walking to West Glacier Village takes minutes. Sites are larger than we were expecting. Overall fantastic campground and location."
Visit local food establishments: The area features several local eateries worth visiting. "There is a brewery and restaurant close by. The Gunsight restaurant in downtown Columbia Falls is a must, especially on Taco Tues," recommends a camper from Columbia Falls RV Park.
What campers like
Secluded natural settings: Many campers appreciate the wooded sites available near Hungry Horse. "He did a wonderful job of keeping the site as natural as possible," mentioned a visitor at Clyde's Camp, highlighting the campground's focus on preserving the natural environment.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rank high on camper satisfaction. "Bathrooms are locked and private. Nice showers. WiFi worked well. The fishing and pond area was clean and well kept," noted a guest at Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several rv sites near Hungry Horse, Montana provide dedicated pet areas. A visitor at North American RV Park & Yurt Village reported, "LOVED our stay here. We got a prized corner spot with privacy of trees. So nice to have a grassy site, too. Super close to West Glacier, East Glacier is much more of a drive, but we knew that. Quiet and peaceful. Some highway noise but not terrible. Great dog park that we thoroughly enjoyed."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service and Wi-Fi vary significantly between campgrounds. "Internet and phone service is very weak," notes one Mountain Meadow visitor, while others report better connectivity at sites closer to Columbia Falls.
Tight spacing at some sites: Many rv parks near Hungry Horse stack sites close together during peak season. "There is a good amount of distance between sites and lots of trees so privacy is good," shared a camper at Lid Creek Campground, one of the less crowded options.
Bear awareness required: The region has active bear populations. "There are vault toilets throughout the campground and bear-proof food boxes - there are definitely bears in the area. Keep pets close by and please store food in the storage boxes," advised a Lid Creek Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: For families seeking water recreation beyond the lake, some campgrounds offer swimming pools. A visitor at Beargrass Lodging & RV Resort mentioned, "Very friendly, clean, small campground. Kids loved swimming in the heated pool. Clean bathroom and showers."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a small playground. Clean restrooms with showers. Not all the washers and dryers worked, but it's not super busy either," reported a visitor at Sundance Campground & RV Park.
Family activities nearby: Beyond camping, numerous family-friendly attractions exist within short drives. "Close by is a zip line attraction with a blow up slide in water for the little ones and bounce house obstacle with a slide. Also an adventure park that has go karts, bumper cars, lazy river etc. Great location with so much to do outside the park," shared a North American RV Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement challenges: At some rv sites near Hungry Horse, hookup locations may require planning. "At least on sites 11-16, pull-throughs, the hookups are fairly close to the front of the site. Some of the interior roads go in odd directions and can get a bit confusing at times," noted an RV camper at Mountain Meadow.
Level sites matter: Many RVers highlight the importance of finding level spots. A Columbia Falls RV Park visitor shared, "Easy in/out, clean, spotless bathrooms/showers. Close quarters, especially if you and your neighbor have slide outs. Has an RV parts store, helpful!"
Price-to-amenity value varies: Rates fluctuate between $50-150 per night for full-hookup rv sites. "This place offers most everything much more expensive sites do. A really pretty park, super clean, very helpful and nice staff. Easy in and out. Close to Glacier, Whitefish (really cute walkable town) Hungry Horse Reservoir, and lots of other tourist activities," noted a camper appreciating North American RV Park's value.
