Kootenai National Forest, MT is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Kootenai National Forest campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Kootenai National Forest, MT. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$16 - $200 / night
"Water and vault toilets and garbage bins scattered throughout so each site is close to one. $16 for one vehicle and $5 for an additional. The highlight is the view of the lake."
"Great campground wooded easy walking to boat launch and swimming. Quiet. We would go back. The lake was low for swimming in the swimming area."
"We were fortunate to snag a spot next to the river. During the day it was hot, but cooled off nicely when the sun dropped behind the mountains. Libby is not too far away."
"While we weren't next to the river, we were right next to Dunn Creek. At this time of year the creek is dry but I can imagine it's lovely in the spring when the snow melts."
"Sites are tucked into the treeline and it has water access."
"Lake Koocanusa (Koo as in Kootenai, Can as in Canada, USA as in America) is huge, blue, and beautiful. I want to go back so badly. It's such a remote and scenic destination."
"It's only a short walk from the campsites to the restaurant, store, and marina. Koocanusa is beautiful lake with great fishing. Restaurant food was really good and the bar had great service."
"Tucked into the dense Kootenai Forest is a true gem off the beaten path. This was one of our favorite N F S campgrounds in Montana. The host was great. The campground well maintained."
"The turn-off from the highway wasn’t marked as a boat ramp, we just took the only road we could find that led down to the water."
"The views were amazing, even with the heavy smoke from the summer wildfires in the surrounding states. There are no services at the sites. There is water available. There is a vault toilet."
"Pros: Fairly nice RV campground Right off the highway just a couple miles from town. Super clean and private bathroom/ shower. Friendly staff, level sites, easy access."
"Close to town and 10 miles away from a great hiking trail too. Would come back."
RangerThis is a great place for a quick stop to rest or just an overnight. It’s not really a place for camping. This area is the town park and the county fairgrounds… there are no camping signs posted along the fence line, but there is plenty of parking lot space to not block the parking spots by the fencing. There are porta-potties available for use. Down by the tennis courts there is an RV dump station and water available. We were able to get about 50 gallons of potable water for 25 cents!
RangerThis little campground was an awesome find! We rolled in last minute while passing thru town and snagged a pull thru site with electric and water. Sites have fire pits and picnic tables. They also have adorable cabins, glamping wagons and a tipi avoidable to reserve. The office/camp store is great, they’ve got a good selection of cool stuff to browse through. Firewood was available for sale. Front porch of the office/store has a chest freezer with ice and ice cream for sale. There’s also a foosball table, a table for checkers and a little bookshelf library to take/leave a book. The bathhouse was hands down the nicest camp bathrooms we’ve ever used! Showers were amazing! The laundry was great… $2.50 a load, either wash or dry and conveniently accessible 24 hours a day. There’s a large lighted pavilion with picnic tables, cornhole boards with bags, and a dartboard. There’s also a small playground and a hot tub available to use! This campground was so well maintained, the employees friendly and helpful, and it’s just a really sweet, family-friendly, quiet campground. We loved it!
GuideStayed here with a couple of friends, and it was a bit cramped in there, as you might expect. The views were incredible, the morning sunrise was spectacular, and the sunset was amazing. The downside was climbing up a steep set of stairs multiple times each day. There are 2 beds and 2 pads for sleeping on the floor which were not very comfortable but adequate. There is a propane stove and lantern for your usage, which worked fine. Also included is pots and pans. The outhouse bathroom was clean and did not stink. It was a bit windy, but overall, we had a great time. The road up to the lookout is very rough and bumpy and not suitable for cars.
LegendTraveling through the area and chose to stay a couple days here based on the fact there's cell service and because the place looked decent based on their website. I have to say... it's a bit more rundown in-person, but the price is reasonable, so I can overlook that. There's a lot of road and train noise here, much like the rest of the campgrounds on this road. At the moment, the laundry is not available (which they should make note of that on their website). The showers have good pressure and are hot (just takes a couple minutes to heat up). The RV sites are the typical sardine row. The tent sites are in a grassy area near the trees. The tent area is a bit of a walk to the restrooms for late at night or early morning... especially since the owners warn about a mountain lion in the area and a bear that's been visiting the campground the last 4 years. The google reviews of the place are quite interesting--I wouldn't say the owners were friendly, but they also weren't mean to us.
LegendDid a day hike yesterday up Scotchman's Peak. Did notice just a couple dispersed opportunities up the National Forest Road. Looks like people have quick overnighted at the trailhead before. Saw one obvious campsite most of the way up the hiking trail--saw a couple groups head out on a Friday afternoon.
LegendBEWARE! Had I known the trains were going to be so loud and constant, I wouldn't have stayed here. The campground is near an intersection, so every train that went by (which was several in the afternoon, and especially after 10PM through about 5AM, at least once or twice per hour) their horn would blast. But I had the tent already set up, no cell service to see what else was around, and so I just had to deal with it. Definitely would not stay again.
GuideThe camp area is pretty full even in the off season, because it is absolutely beautiful. Located not far from Thompson Falls, and lot of water ways. Fish are not as abundant as other areas, and there are no walking trails within walking distance.
GuideThe area was beautiful, plentiful fish, and peaceful. I’m not sure if it was because of the end of the season, but the restrooms were very smelly. I would go again, but it’s just a heads up about the stank!
ScoutThis used to be a great place to camp, especially at the Pavilion. However, two recent camping trips were not so great. There is no water, even though there are cisterns everywhere. There is no trash pickup. Restrooms are visited and "cleaned", but there is no evidence that anything was done. There are still tons of bugs and webs. I think they just replace the TP. Last visit was at the Pavilion with a men's campout with around 20 individuals. No trash containers, no bear boxes, and no water. We brought 250 gallons of water with us and pulled up to where the fire pit was, so it would be close to the fire for safety and convenience. The day after we left the site, a ranger called and accused us of "off-roading" and not placing our food in the non-existent bear boxes. We weren't "cited," but the temperament of the management is that they want you to pay the same price for camping without a host, water, trash, bear boxes, or clean restrooms. If you wish to dry camp, there are plenty of spaces, but it is definitely dry camping. Beautiful campground with severe management issues, all blamed on"lack of funding".
Camping near Kootenai National Forest, Montana, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.
Camping near Kootenai National Forest, Montana, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but be ready for a few quirks that come with the territory!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Kootenai National Forest?
Kootenai National Forest offers diverse camping experiences across its vast wilderness. Tally Lake Campground stands out with clean facilities, hiking trails, and water activities like fishing, boating, and swimming. The campground features friendly hosts who deliver firewood directly to your site. For a more secluded experience, Lake Creek Campground provides peaceful sites about 6.5 miles off the highway with basic amenities including vault toilets. Other noteworthy options include Peck Gulch Campground with stunning views and boat access, and Sylvia Lake Campground tucked within the forest. The area also offers unique accommodations like Bull River Guard Station and Upper Ford Cabin Rental for those seeking historic lodging with modern comforts.
Can you camp near Kootenai Falls and what are the options?
Several camping options exist near Kootenai Falls, with the closest established sites located within a short drive of this natural attraction. Blackwell Flats provides convenient access with boat-in, drive-in, and hike-in options, featuring water and toilet facilities. For RV travelers, Woodland RV Park near Libby offers full hookups, reservable sites, and amenities like water and toilets that accommodate big rigs. Those seeking cabin accommodations might consider Heritage Cabin Property, which serves as an excellent jumping-off point for explorers visiting various attractions in the region. The Kootenai National Forest also permits dispersed camping in many areas following Leave No Trace principles, allowing for more primitive camping experiences near the falls.
What amenities are available at Yaak Falls Campground?
Caribou Campground in the Yaak area offers primitive but beautiful camping near the creek with access to northern Yaak wilderness. While not directly at Yaak Falls, this campground provides pit toilets but no potable water (creek water is available but must be treated). The sites are tucked alongside the creek despite being situated off the road, offering a balance of accessibility and natural beauty. For those exploring the broader Yaak region, Smith Lake Campground provides basic amenities including vault toilets and drinking water from standard Forest Service pumps. The campground has approximately six spaces suitable for cars or vans but not large RVs. Both locations offer excellent access to hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities in the surrounding forest.
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