Tent camping opportunities throughout Kootenai National Forest provide access to some of Montana's most remote wilderness areas. The forest encompasses over 2.2 million acres across northwest Montana, with elevations ranging from 1,800 to 7,700 feet. Most tent sites don't require reservations, though summer weekends fill quickly at established campgrounds near water bodies.
What to do
Swimming and wading: Island Lake offers water access during summer months, though campers note water quality concerns. One visitor explained, "The lake itself was rather gross. Probably the dirtiest lake I've ever been to in Montana. It was disappointing because we were camping on a very hot weekend."
Paddling: Yarnell Island Campground provides a boat-in tent camping experience with established sites. "The boat ramp we took was more than a half mile from the island. 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," reports one visitor who found the paddle took "close to an hour" despite being relatively close to shore.
Fishing: Kintla Lake Campground offers productive fishing for those who make the journey. "We fished here and within 30 seconds of dropping my line I caught my first lake trout! Can't beat that!" notes one angler who visited this remote site with only 13 tent spots.
River relaxation: Yaak River access points provide cooling options during hot summer days. A visitor to Whitetail Campground explains, "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."
What campers like
Simple amenities: Whitetail Campground maintains clean facilities despite remote location. "Clean bathrooms and water close by. The tent pads are level and usually rock free," reports one camper. Another praised, "One of the cleanest vault toilets I have been in!"
Remote locations: Several campgrounds require significant effort to reach but reward with solitude. At Kintla Lake, a visitor explained the trade-off: "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."
Wildlife viewing: The forest supports diverse wildlife including grizzly bears. "Lot's of deer walking around, very safe, locals are very friendly," notes a visitor to Grave Creek Campground, who also cautions, "You are in grizzly country."
Budget-friendly options: Many sites in the forest have minimal fees or none at all. Whitetail Campground offers reasonable rates where "the tent spots where $7" and includes a yurt rental option at "$25/night with reservation."
What you should know
Bear safety: Food storage requires careful planning throughout the region. At Martin Lake, one camper recommends storing "food by hanging from high tree branch to discourage bear investigations" at this hike-in location.
Road conditions: Access to remote sites often requires navigating rough roads. For Kintla Lake, one visitor cautions: "We got a flat tire heading up, be careful on the roads!" Another describes "a rough, but beautiful, drive in (will take near an hour and a half)."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites lack amenities. Yarnell Island presents unique challenges where "it's primitive, the openness makes it a bit awkward when you need to find a place to 'take care of your business' so to speak, especially when you're trying to put it where the rain won't wash it into the lake."
Seasonal water access: Water availability changes throughout the year. At Kintla Lake, a fall visitor noted "No potable water at this time of the year (late September) so plan ahead."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible fishing: Several lakes provide good opportunities for children to catch fish. Yarnell Island offers a "great place to swim on the northern side of the small island that has a rocky shelf thigh deep in the water where you can hang out and stack rocks."
Avoid crowded weekends: Popular sites fill quickly during peak summer months. At Riverside Park, a visitor cautions that "The town of Eureka closed this park to overnight camping as they had trouble with people over staying there welcome."
Wildlife concerns: Small animals may disturb camp. At Yarnell Island, one camper reported, "The wildlife I saw was a variety of birds (including 2 bald eagles!) and some adorable but VERY bold round fat mice who explored our equipment and left little 'presents' inside the boat."
Pack insect protection: Stinging insects can be problematic at water sites. A visitor to Yarnell Island experienced "very small bees (or maybe wasps??) that were very insistent on swarming our tuna and I got stung twice. It wasn't a problem for me, it was just a bit itchy. But fair warning."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many forest roads cannot accommodate larger vehicles. For Kintla Lake, visitors note it's "not for trailers or RV's due to the road in, but tent campers and truck campers are fine."
Limited turnaround space: Boat launches sometimes serve as impromptu camping areas despite not being designated for overnight use. At Island Lake, a local explains, "This area is a small lake with only one boat ramp access and parking area and people are using the boat launch and parking area as a campsite."
Finding level ground: Many forest sites lack developed pads for larger rigs. Whitetail Campground offers "11 camp spots, pit toilets and 1 yurt" with easy water access, making it more suitable for small RVs than many surrounding options.
