Yurt camping near Lakeside, Montana offers direct access to Flathead Lake from late spring through early fall. Situated at an elevation of 2,900 feet, this region experiences warm summer days reaching the mid-80s and cooler nights in the 50s. Most yurt accommodations in the area remain open from May through October, with some requiring booking three months in advance during peak summer season.
What to Do
Water activities on Flathead Lake: Rollins RV Park provides access to the lake for boating and water sports. "We rented a pontoon boat from the RV park and explored the lake. The boat rental for a whole day is equivalent to a 4 hour rental near Spokane. Great prices," reports Brett T.
Hiking nearby trails: Visitors staying at Glacier Campground can access hiking paths in the surrounding area. "There are showers but overall a nice simple campground. There are some hiking trails here, great wildlife, but boating is the main attraction," shares Justin S.
Recreational facilities: Some campgrounds offer on-site activities. "There's a restaurant on-site, but it has limited days and hours. The food was excellent," notes Brian C. about Rollins RV Park. "The park is clean, and the sites have a decent amount of space. You're close to Polson and Lakeside, where there are great beaches."
Winter camping options: For those interested in winter sports, Whitefish Lake State Park offers year-round access. "If you are into winter camping this is probably one of the best places to camp to get out to Whitefish to ski," explains Evan H.
What Campers Like
Spacious yurt accommodations: North American RV Park & Yurt Village provides comfortable yurt options. "Stayed in a yurt for a week. Loved the vibe of the campground. Free coffee was a life saver for early rising to get into the park at 6am. Loved the yurt and stayed warm," shares Katie C.
Tent sites at Big Arm: Big Arm State Unit — Flathead Lake State Park offers lakeside tent camping. "My daughter and I spent 2 nights in this campground in August 2017. Our site was right on the lake. We enjoyed a very lazy day hanging out, reading and swimming," says Stephanie S.
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Facilities are clean and well maintained. The staff is very helpful and friendly. It is located right under the train tracks so bring your earplugs," advises Heidi H. about Whitefish Lake State Park.
Community atmosphere: Some campgrounds foster social interactions. "You can't have a fire in your own spot but they have several community fire pits stocked with wood that you can use. Nice park for the kids to play," Brett T. mentions about Rollins RV Park.
What You Should Know
Train noise at some campgrounds: Whitefish Lake State Park Campground sits next to active train tracks. "Unfortunately, the busy train tracks pass right next to the park, with the tracks a couple hundred feet from campsites. Trains pass through regularly, all night long. It was so close that our tent shook!" warns Emily F.
Limited availability: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "Spots were booking up quick around the lake. Found this gem, got a spot reserved for Labor Day weekend," notes Brett T.
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs between campgrounds. "3 bars of AT&T 5g, good enough to work, and quiet all night," reports Hailey M. about Big Arm State Park.
Seasonal restrictions: Many facilities have limited operating seasons. "The campground is nicely shaded and quiet, but there are NO picnic tables for tent sites and no dedicated fire rings. So if you show up later in the day, you might be SOL for a fire," explains Lisa M. about Swan Lake Trading Post & Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Rocky Mountain Hi Campground offers child-friendly facilities. "Great place to camp with children because of the large, grassy playground and swimming area. Showers and a laundry are on site. Sites have trees and a fire ring. Pull through sites are available," recommends Kimberly Y.
Kid-friendly water activities: Children enjoy shallow water areas at some campgrounds. "Had a great time here in May despite the water still being cold it didn't stop my kids from plunging in. The reservable sites have lake access and views," shares Jed D.
Recreation options: Look for campgrounds with multiple activities. "We used today as a catch up day. The kids could play all day in the great park with a whole western town set up and swimming hole in the creek, volleyball net and paved roads to scooter and roller blade," Jennifer H. reports about Rocky Mountain Hi.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RVs: Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast offers various site types. "Nice campground, a bit tight if you are a bigger rig but doable in the right spot," mentions Hailey M. "We chose blindly online and was moved to a better site once we got there. They also offer Military and First Responder discounts."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer water and electric connections. "Sites are close together but everyone has enough space. Lots of large trailers in the b loop — big, flat spots," notes Nicki A.
Rental options: Many campgrounds offer alternatives to traditional RVs. "There are a few yurts here, which is where we stayed since some are ADA accessible," states Justin S. about Big Arm State Park.
