Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Kalispell, MT is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Kalispell is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Kalispell and user-submitted reviews.
"Nice camping area with access to the river. Was a bit noisy during the day (stayed over the weekend) as the area is used by non-campers coming to fish, kayak, sightseeing, etc."
"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."
"Ashley Lake never disappoints. The camp sites are a bit rough to get too but as long as you're tent camping or have a very small and agile pull behind you'll be okay."
"The lake is crystal clear and the campground is very clean."
"Rolled in around 8pm and easily found a spot for a car and multiple tents toward the beginning of the road, before we reached the dropped pin."
"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!"
$30 - $60 / night
"No food in the camping areas due to wildlife. Communal area for cooking, eating and campfire. Outside shower open to the Montana sky is awesome at sunset or under the stars."
"The sites that I saw were nothing fancy, some with fire rings and some not."
"Huge open space with a fire circle and everything! But we lost a set of keys while we were there… we were on the left hand side of the site.
Here’s the coordinates of the site!"
$50 / night
"Nearby Whitefish, MT has a growing reputation for fantastic trails, hikes and mountain bike areas, and this full-service oasis takes advantage of all of it. "
"Bike trails for all abilities and ages. The owners are so rad. A family business and they make you fell part of the tribe. Very clean and maintained. And a lot of extra for mountain biking."
$9 - $28 / night
"This small tent only campground is located on Yellow Bay at Flathead Lake. There are 6 spots, all just 25 yards from a parking area. There is a wheelbarrow for moving your items if you need it."
"You are surrounded by beautiful mountains, crystal clear water and a place where you can do a lot of great outdoor activities!"
$10 - $15 / night
"Be prepared for a dusty, bumpy, narrow, pot-holed drive in on the road."
"Nice NPS campground within walking distance to Bowman Lake and several trailheads. This is a good spot to camp if you plan on hikeing or boating near/on the lake."
GuideWe ended up at Lid Creek after the first few campgrounds along the lake were full.
Sites are on the small side, and most are not very flat. There is a good amount of distance between sites and lots of trees so privacy is good.
There are 2 clean vault toilets and trash dumpsters.
Bear boxes are spread throughout.
Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.
Host on site sells fire wood.
Lake access is a just short walk down a trail. There is a great rock beach with plenty of room for kids to play and splash.
We encountered 2 thunderstorms during our stay... Montana weather is always unpredictable.
We had a deer walk through our site early morning, so wildlife is definitely near by.
LegendBe prepared for a dusty, bumpy, narrow, pot-holed drive in on the road. There's a sign at the beginning of the incline that indicates parking availability… pay attention to the sign, it will tell you if no parking is available. If the road is wet, it is treacherous! Remember to bring bug spray and bear spray, be aware of your surroundings.
You'll be a high elevation so be ready for cooler nights. I used my 0-degree sleeping bag, and that worked great. Limited campsites so get there early on the weekend. Several trails lead into the mountains, one leads along the lakeshore. There is drinking water, pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, plus some bear-proof storage boxes.Highly recommend taking the time to explore and camp at this location.
GuideJust about a mile from the highway, this site is right on the river with some nice deep pools. There are three separate fire rings with a vault toilet and picnic table. It's a short drive in but more suitable for truck camping, van, tent camping or very small trailer like 13' max due to narrow track and limited maneuvering area. High clearance required!
LegendNice NPS campground within walking distance to Bowman Lake and several trailheads. This is a good spot to camp if you plan on hikeing or boating near/on the lake. Super clean, lots of shade and hammock trees, vault toilet, first come. I was surprised there was only one bear box for the whole campground to share instead of one at each site. Especially after seeing a leather deposit of bear scat on the Bowman Lake trail. No showers here but you can pay for a shower down at Polebridge Market Place, which you want to visitor anyway for their amazing baked goods (pizza after 3 pm too!). There was a ranger hanging out in the parking lot of the trail head area if you have any questions (though her job looked to be more traffic management than anything else).
LegendThere are about 8 sites here, several miles down the road from the —- Glacier ranger station. It’s quiet, all you can hear is the creek and the wind in the trees. Sites 4 and 5 are the best as they are right on the creek with water access. There is one central bear box, one central water pump (currently NO water), and one clean vault toilet. You are close to a couple of trailheads as well.
TravelerSituated along the southwest side of Glacier National Park's Fish Creek Campground, I snagged two nights at site D173 - right on the lake!
Follow the paved road to Loop D, and it's one of the last sites you come to. The site was extremely spacious and very clean (many of the sites at Fish Creek Campground are very small). It contained a fire pit, picnic table and outline for tent location. Plenty of close trees for hammocks.
Just a short walk down the hill from the site and you're on the lake! Because of the trees, there's not a great view of the lake from the site. Site D174 has fewer trees with clearer views of the lake.
The site was extremely close to the dumpsters (but not too close!), the bear vault was across the road and the bathrooms were maybe 100ft away (M/W - two stalls with flushing toilets and two sinks with a hand dryer).
I'm not much of a campground person (I prefer backpacking to avoid screaming kids and the sounds of generators), but this was sufficed for my time exploring Glacier National Park.
You'll see I had a tent/tarp set up the first night (I refused to be wet in my tent!), but the second night I slept in my car since I knew it would be pouring rain the next morning and I didn't want to break down camp in the rain.
Beware! You cannot collect sticks from the area for your fire. You must purchase firewood at Apgar Village (around $6/bundle) or collect dead branches/wood from the road to Bowman or Kintla Lakes.
The site host was at the start of Loop D, so she was close by for any issues (she's super nice!).
The campground is dog friendly (I had mine with me), but know that there are NO dog-friendly trails in Glacier NP.
RangerReally excellent location right inside Glacier National Park limits and walking distance to Lake McDonald. I had very limited cell phone service with Verizon at the campground but I had 4G at the lake. The sites were spacious enough. Most sites had a semi circle type parking so easy to get in and out for trailers. Bathroom was ok but there was no soap. No wifi. Trash receptacles were available. The showers were not great. Deer frequented the sites. Proper food storage is very important. It was nice and quiet while I was there but during peak summer months would likely be very busy and crowded.
GuideWe've camped all over...all over Glacier and all over the country, and this is hands-down one of our favorite campgrounds. 100% our fave national park campground! An authentic unplugged, quiet camping experience.
The remote location is amazing, and the campsites are nicely spread out in a moody, dark forested area with near full shade. There are a couple of paths directly to the lake, literally a 2-3 minute walk from anywhere in camp. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and there are a few vault toilets and several trash bins and potable water spigots. No showers or sinks. Deer galore! The visitor tent is pretty cool, especially for families with kids. It has activities and games like scavenger hunts, books/tools for identifying wildflowers/plants/scat etc. And there's a camp host onsite seasonally, also.
Note that all sites are FCFS. Rangers at the entrance usually have a fair idea of whether you'll get a spot.
Even though the park has gotten much busier in the past few years, Bowman still remains a quietER gem. The long road keeps people away, I guess - although some 2023-24 construction/improvements has made it quite a bit better.
TravelerThe campground is very beautiful located by Two Medicine Lake and between large mountains. There are many campsites which offer different views and allow for different types of campers (rvs, cars, walk-ins). The sites had water spickets, dumpsters, and bear boxes near by, but not all sites have them. If you use a tent be prepared to not put your anchoring spikes in to hold the tent down as there is a thick rock layer just under a thin layer of dirt. Another downside to the campground is the road to get there is very rough. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There was a park ranger who held camp gatherings which was a fun option to have. The wife and I really enjoyed utilizing the numerous trails around the campground. One of our favorite campgrounds we have gone to!
Kalispell, Montana, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and natural beauty. From serene lakeside spots to rugged forested areas, there's something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best places for dispersed camping near Kalispell, Montana?
For dispersed camping near Kalispell, Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping offers river access with adequate cell service and porta-potties. The maximum stay is 3 days, and it's popular for fishing and kayaking. Another option is Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed, which provides free camping with big-rig-friendly areas. When dispersed camping near Kalispell, remember to practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and be aware that most dispersed sites lack facilities like water and restrooms. Always check current regulations with the Forest Service office in Kalispell before heading out, as rules can change seasonally.
What are the most popular tent camping sites near Kalispell?
Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park is highly popular for tent camping despite the dusty, bumpy 6-mile drive in. Campers love its quiet, authentic unplugged experience with sites spread out in forested settings near the lake. The campground offers access to hiking trails and boating opportunities. Yellow Bay State Park Campground is another favorite tent-only option with 6 spots located just 25 yards from the parking area. While there's limited privacy between sites, its location on Flathead Lake offers beautiful mountain views and crystal-clear water for various outdoor activities.
Do I need reservations for tent camping in Kalispell or are there first-come-first-served options?
Both reservation-based and first-come-first-served options exist near Kalispell. Quartz Creek Campground — Glacier National Park operates on a first-come-first-served basis with about 8 sites. It's located several miles from the Glacier ranger station and offers a quiet experience with creek access. Yarnell Island Campground also offers primitive first-come-first-served camping with picnic tables. During peak summer season (June-August), arrive early for first-come sites, especially on weekends. For more predictable planning, campgrounds in developed areas of Glacier National Park typically require reservations, which can be made through recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance.
Are there free tent camping sites available near Kalispell?
Yes, free tent camping is available near Kalispell, primarily through dispersed camping options. Ryan Road Dispersed Camping offers free sites with basic accommodations. Skyland Rd Dispersed Camping is another free option in the area. When utilizing these free sites, remember they typically lack amenities like restrooms, running water, or trash service. Most free dispersed camping in national forests has a 14-day stay limit. For the best experience, bring plenty of water, pack out all trash, and prepare for no facilities. Always check current Forest Service regulations before heading out, as rules and road conditions can change seasonally.
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