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.
"The website is accurate: campsites are primitive, there is at least one boat ramp, there are two islands when the water is high, and there are several picnic tables scattered over the islands."
$7 / night
"Our site had a nice open meadow and was right next to access to the river. We spent the afternoon with our chairs on the riverbank and dangling our feet in the water."
"Clean bathrooms and water close by. The tent pads are level and usually rock free. The park keeps the campgrounds clean and accessible. We spend a lot of our summer here. 🤙🏼"
"Lot’s of deer walking around, very safe , locals are very friendly."
$10 - $15 / night
"The drive here wasn’t easy, but once you’re there it is worth it. You are camping right along Kintla Lake where many kayak, swim, etc."
"Very nice campground on the lake and next to the drainage creek. Off the beaten path and takes some commitment to get to, but well worth the drive."
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!
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.
GuideLess than five miles from the highway, this is a nice sized lake stocked with fish. There were a pair of white swans on the lake when I was there but no one else around. A large parking area, could accommodate a travel trailer or two in addition to a couple tent sites with fire rings. One picnic table with a fire pit and rock fire rings at the tent sites. There are two access roads, the first is more appropriate for van, truck or hike in to tent site. Not a lot of turn around room, wouldn't bring a trailer in. Second turn off goes to a much larger area, multiple sites and boat launch access to the lake.
RangerTalk about a hike! This is a pretty steep trek, with rewarding views at the top. Be sure to read trail reports and weather reports before heading out. North Idaho weather can be pretty finicky, especially at high elevations. Make sure to be aware of wildlife as well! Scotchman's is known for mountain goat sightings, but as they become more accustomed to people they can be a little aggressive. Keep a safe distance!
Guide2020 cost is $16 + $8 extra car, half off with Federal parks pass, & it's average for a Forest Service pay campground. There's water, & you can fill a holding tank, but no power or dump. The lower loops are very close together & less shade. The upper loop has more shade, bigger sites, but sound rises from below. You can hear the conversations and generators of your lower neighbors. Our site was next to a vault toilet - we could smell it. There was lots of noise, e.g., road, train, barking dogs, etc. The 2020 camp hosts were very intrusive. They stopped us in the middle of the road while they inspected our front license plate (we aren't required to have one), then interrogated us, without masks, about where we were from, what we were doing & how many dogs we had. We have a nice RV and look like average middle class folks. Maybe it was because we were in a Class B Van, but our van cost more than most class As. This is a self-pay campground so unless I need firewood I don't need to be forced to stop & be questioned by a volunteer. While we drove through looking at sites one host tailed us on foot through the CG. Five minutes after we began to set up they showed up, not wearing masks, wanting money. I didn't think volunteers were supposed to handle any money. We'd already paid at the iron ranger pay station & they seemed disappointed to not get the money directly from us. Then, within a minute, they returned, not wearing masks, & fussed because we hadn't gotten the tag on our campsite post yet - we were still setting up & hadn't had time yet. They weren't social distancing & we thought they were very peculiar and intimidating.
GuideJust stayed a single night here. It's a first come, first serve site with no fee. We camped in the back of our truck. Our site was the farthest from the river but that was perfect with three doggos. Nice level site with fire pit, grill included, and a nice picnic table. 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. Bear-proof trash cans were located at each site, there was a boat launch and dock as well as large boat trailer parking area featuring a basketball hoop. A hand pump for potable water was centrally located as well as a vault toilet for campers. This campground was a short distance from the highway but we didn't notice any road noise. What we did hear and see were helicopters as it is fire season and they were scooping water from the river for fire mitigation. The campground sites are spaced far apart which is nice for privacy. Will definitely stay here again.
GuideLocated with Kootenai National Forest all around and GNP West entrance just an hour and a half drive, Heritage Cabin and Heritage Park Campground has been the chosen jumping off point for many explorers. Not only that, the Rooseville border crossing is roughly an hour north so it's a convenient waypoint coming from or going to our Canadian neighbor. There is a nicely stocked fuel station complete with produce, hot case and beer just about four miles away. There are so many destinations for the outdoors folk from swimming and paddleboarding to fishing and mountain biking. The campground consists of a single site which can accommodate a group of up to six people and an RV or Travel Trailer up to 24'. Potable water on site in addition to both 30 & 50amp receptacles. There is even an off leash yard for doggos to run.
At the Heritage Cabin guests share the grounds, kitchen, bath, living and dining areas with two rooms upstairs which each have a max occupancy of two people as well as an adjacent one room cabin that has a single bed. There's a fenced yard off the back porch and a large lawn area that sweeps down to a seasonal irrigation creek.
GuideSuch a gorgeous spot off the river. Has multiple site with picnic table and fire rings. A vault toilet available. Also possibly water, but it wasn’t working when we went.
LegendIt’s Saturday and no one is here but me. Picnic tables, metal fire rings with grills, vault toilets. Big pretty pine trees! I get one bar of Verizon service but it’s not very useful.
Tent camping near Kootenai National Forest in Montana offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to different preferences and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kootenai National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kootenai National Forest is Yarnell Island Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Kootenai National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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