Best Tent Camping near Lakeside, MT

Dispersed tent camping dominates the landscape surrounding Lakeside, Montana, with several no-fee primitive options within a short drive of Flathead Lake. Yellow Bay State Park Campground offers one of the few established tent-only camping areas, with just six sites located on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake. Additionally, Ryan Road Dispersed Camping provides tent campers with free backcountry sites near the western entrance to Glacier National Park, roughly 30 miles north of Lakeside.

Sites at Yellow Bay require minimal preparation as they include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets. A short 25-yard walk separates the parking area from the tent sites, with wheelbarrows available for transporting gear. At dispersed camping areas like Blankenship Bridge and Ryan Road, tent campers should prepare for primitive conditions with no potable water, often no toilets, and pack-in, pack-out requirements. A visitor commented, "The camping limit for this area is 3 days," though Forest Service rules technically allow up to 14 days at most dispersed sites. Most primitive tent locations feature established fire rings, but seasonal fire bans may be in effect during summer months.

Areas farther from developed campgrounds offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking a quieter experience. The tent sites at Yellow Bay State Park sit near a small stream before it empties into Flathead Lake, creating natural white noise that helps mask occasional road sounds from the nearby highway. Many primitive tent locations throughout the region provide direct water access, particularly valued by tent campers who fish or paddle. Several reviews mention spotting wildlife, with one camper noting, "Be bear aware! Practice bear safety!" at dispersed tent sites. Most tent camping areas around Lakeside fill quickly during summer weekends, with limited cell service at many primitive locations, so arriving early on weekdays provides the best chance for securing ideal tent sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Lakeside, Montana (53)

    1. Yellow Bay State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dayton, MT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-5501

    $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!"

    2. Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping

    32 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    32 miles

    "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."

    3. Ashley Lake South Campground

    4 Reviews
    Kalispell, MT
    21 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Ryan Road Dispersed Camping

    23 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-3800

    "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!"

    6. Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Martin City, MT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-3800

    "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!"

    7. SpiritWorks Herb Farm Campground

    1 Review
    Whitefish, MT
    23 miles
    Website

    $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."

    8. Dorris Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Martin City, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-3800

    9. Whitefish Bike Retreat

    3 Reviews
    Whitefish, MT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 260-0274

    $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."

    10. Mission Meadows RV Campground

    2 Reviews
    Ronan, MT
    31 miles
    +1 (406) 676-5182

    "Great place .has all the hook ups.and public restrooms and laundry room. Place for tents. Great place to stay"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lakeside, MT

937 Reviews of 53 Lakeside Campgrounds


  • Elizabeth  N.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Lid Creek Campground

    Great little spot, short walk to lake

    We 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.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Quartz Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Off the beaten path

    There 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.

  • Morgan M.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Site D173 along Lake McDonald

    Situated 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.

  • Angela G.
    May. 15, 2021

    Apgar Campground — Glacier National Park

    Great location!

    Really 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.

  • M
    Sep. 18, 2021

    Blue Bay Campground

    Beautiful spots right on Flathead Lake

    $20 a night for a spot right on the crystal clear water. Native land & no alcohol. Fire ring with grill attachment and a picnic table. There’s electric/water sites not on the water and I believe the ones right on the lake are not. Dogs allowed. Spacious spots, some with a decent amount of privacy. Bathrooms.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Big Creek Campground (flathead National Forest, Mt)

    Nice and shady

    Nice little forest service campground with two small loops for a total of about 20 sites, reservable. I lucked out and was able to get a site last minute as a walk in, and my site was pretty good! Site 9 site on the river side and has water access (with a bit of walking), and is close to the vault toilet (which is in need of service). Quiet with a good number of trees (bring your hammock), you may need to kick some pine cones out of the way to pitch your tent. There is a nice picnic table and fire ring as well. I watched a doe nose around in the site opposite mine for a while.

  • Stacia R.
    Jul. 14, 2019

    Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Glacier...jewel of the Continent

    This is a very busy campground in a stunningly beautiful park. We selected this campground because it is one of only 2 in Glacier National Park that accepts reservations, and its close proximity to Lake McDonald. We stayed in the D loop (loops are A-D). Of the four loops, this one was my favorite. The A loop had larger sites, but they were less private. The A loop is the only loop with showers as well, so a lot of campers come thru to hit the shower. We hit the shower mid-day and were lucky that there was no line and a little hot water. Our loop had a mix of sites, but mostly tent campers. Some have direct views to the lake, some are along Fish Creek, and many are little more than a driveway with a picnic table & fire pit. We had to put our tents, one medium size & one small, in the driveway due to no other space available. The ground was incredibly hard to put stakes into and the gravel drive put a hole in my sleeping pad. The bathroom was within a minute walk and there are several water spickets around each loop. Being “bear aware” is essential in this area, so all food & food prep items have to be stored in your vehicle or one of the communal bear boxes. The camp hosts offer wash basins for dishes and there is a grey water dump at the bathroom. For the most part, it is a relatively quiet campground, as most people are off exploring the park every day. We did have a large group of loud campers/partiers next to us one night that resulted in a small swarm of park rangers showing up, but I think this is probably unusual. Apgar Village is nearby where you can get everything you may need and more...gifts/souvenirs, ice cream, firewood, boat & bike rentals, coffee, etc. Glacier is amazing!...but very busy & with really only one road going thru the park for the most part. Be prepared for crowds but relax & take in the beauty of it all.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Big Arm State Unit — Flathead Lake State Park

    Lakeside Camping on Flathead

    The campground offers many lakeside campsites complete with picnic table and fire rings. There were 3 yurts for those interested. all vehicles, including camping vehicles, park alongside road; there are few, if any, pull-in sites. There is room for a tent or two in the sIte. Most of the lakeside sites also have a small amount of slope.

    The camp hosts were absolutely fantastic! There is firewood and ice for sale at the park. Polson is about 20-30 mInutes away and has grocery stores, etc. If you go to Polson, check out The Cove Deli for some really great ice-cream.

    The showers were really awkward, but did the job. They take $ coins (available from host if needed) and quarters.

    If you aren’t bringing your own boat, Boat Rentals and Rides is only 2 miles down the road. We rented 2 glass bottom kayaks. Warning: lake conditions change suddenly and we saw the waves blow in 2 dIfferent directions durIng the 2 days we were there. There were no bear boxes at the sites, only one by the bathroom.

  • Chris S.
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Nice Camp

    Stayed here in late June. Rained everyday for 4 days but the site stayed nice and relatively mud free. Sites are a little close for my taste so it's a 4* instead of 5, but it's a national park not a backcountry hideaway. Short walk to the restrooms and water dump. Water/trash/food storage facilities are placed frequently throughout camp. Lots of families and tons of RVs. Our rooftop tend set up quite nicely in the pull through site. Buy your wood ahead of time as it is not available at this Campground but is sold in other areas of the park. We reserved online ahead of time but the board at the main gate showed open sites that weren't listed online. Would recommend. Also, all bear camping rules and regs in place, be smart. Sprint had service and internet, Verizon did not, wierd I know.


Guide to Lakeside

Tent camping around Lakeside, Montana offers diverse environments from shoreline sites to forested mountain retreats. The area sits at approximately 3,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from June through August. Morning fog often rolls off Flathead Lake during spring and fall camping, creating cooler morning temperatures that require layered clothing.

What to do

Swimming in crystal waters: Yellow Bay State Park Campground features exceptionally clear water perfect for swimming. A camper noted, "The bay itself is relatively shallow, protected a bit from the wind and the bottom is smooth mid sized rocks, all making for an excellent place to swim. There is a roped off public swim area, along with a small boat dock nearby."

Mountain biking nearby: Whitefish Bike Retreat offers access to extensive trail networks. A reviewer mentioned, "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. There's a bike skills area, trails for all levels…all intertwined with the Beaver Lake series of trails and small lakes."

Fishing from shore: Many dispersed camping areas provide direct lake access for fishing. At Yellow Bay, one camper commented, "The rocks are gorgeous and it was a wonderful place to fish!" The clear waters around Flathead Lake support several trout species and northern pike.

What campers like

Lakeside proximity: Ryan Road Dispersed Camping offers free sites with close access to Glacier National Park. A visitor shared, "This is a good spot for smaller rv's or tents... This spot is only about 5 minutes down the road from the West entrance to Glacier National Park."

Stream sounds: Camping areas with water features provide natural noise barriers. One camper at Yellow Bay noticed, "There is a small stream running along the side of the campground before dumping into Flathead Lake just 200 yards away." These water sounds help minimize traffic noise.

Dark night skies: Remote dispersed camping areas away from towns provide excellent stargazing. According to one visitor at Blankenship Bridge, "The location is breathtaking. A beautiful location, lakeside access, incredible night skies, easy access via 30min driving to the west side of Glacier NP."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many dispersed sites requires navigating rough roads. A camper at Blankenship Bridge warned, "Deep rutted muddy holes filled with water to get to site. Sketchy low trees and narrow road." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many remote sites.

Campsite availability strategy: Most tent camping spots fill quickly during peak season. One camper at Ashley Lake South Campground advised, "There are only about 6-7 spots, first come first serve, and it's on a real rough road to get there."

Bear safety measures: Wildlife encounters require proper preparation. A visitor at Hungry Horse Reservoir warned, "No food in the camping areas due to wildlife." Bear spray and proper food storage are essential for tent camping throughout the region.

Tips for camping with families

Child-friendly water features: Shallow swimming areas provide safe recreation. A camper noted about Yellow Bay: "The bay itself is relatively shallow, protected a bit from the wind and the bottom is smooth mid sized rocks, all making for an excellent place to swim."

Bike-friendly campgrounds: Whitefish Bike Retreat offers facilities designed for cyclists of all ages. A reviewer mentioned, "Bike trails for all abilities and ages. The owners are so rad. A family business and they make you feel part of the tribe."

Wheelbarrows for gear transport: Some sites provide equipment to help with setup. At Yellow Bay, a camper shared, "There are 6 spots, all just 25 yards from a parking area. There is a wheelbarrow for moving your items if you need it."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Many dispersed camping areas have limited space for larger vehicles. A camper at Hungry Horse Reservoir advised, "This is a good spot for smaller rv's or tents but any spot I seen for rv larger than 30' was taken or really not available."

Private spacing: Some areas offer more separation between sites. At Ryan Road Dispersed Camping, one RVer noted, "We have a 42' trailer and thought we would give this spot a shot. There were about 3-4 sites that could fit our RV. We chose the very last site before the gate leading back to the Ryan air strip."

Uneven terrain challenges: Level parking can be difficult to find. One camper at Mission Meadows RV Campground observed, "There are a few spots with hookups, but the ground is very uneven. The best spots are W&E, and the dumpstation is at the Cenex in Ronan."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lakeside, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lakeside, MT is Yellow Bay State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lakeside, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 53 tent camping locations near Lakeside, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.