Libby, Montana sits in the northwestern corner of the state at an elevation of about 2,100 feet, surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains and Kootenai National Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F, while winter drops to 15-35°F with significant snowfall accumulation. Camping options near Libby include traditional campgrounds, RV parks with hookups, and several locations offering yurt accommodations for those seeking alternatives to tent camping.
What to do
Fishing access: Whitetail Campground provides direct river access for anglers. "We spent the afternoon with our chairs on the riverbank and dangling our feet in the water," notes Mical M., who appreciated the riverside location. The campground features 11 sites and a reservable yurt for $25/night.
Lake activities: Logan State Park Campground offers boat docks and a launch area on Middle Thompson Lake. "There is a boat launch and a dock, perfect for fishing," says Ashley F., who visits annually. The park has heated bathrooms and costs $18 for Montana residents, $26 for non-residents.
Swimming holes: The Yaak Falls area provides natural swimming opportunities. "In late July 2020 I arrived about noon and quickly rinsed off in the surprisingly clear bottom of the falls," shares Jenny H. about Yaak Falls Campground. The campground features primitive sites suitable for smaller vehicles and tents.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Kootenai River Campground offers well-spaced sites for various camping styles. Patrick B. notes, "About 2/3 of the sites are full hookups. Rest water and electric. Tent sites. They have a path you can walk down right to the Kootanie river with chairs and picnic tables to sit on."
Clean facilities: Many campers mention the well-maintained bathrooms throughout the area. At Whitetail Campground, Mical M. found "one of the cleanest vault toilets I have been in!" Similarly, Nancy C. appreciated Logan State Park's "very clean bathrooms and sites" and noted the "very nice hosts."
Mountain lake settings: Sylvan Lake Campground offers high-country camping with yurt options. "We love going camping and fishing at Sylvan Lake, always wanted to try the Yurts but also book out, great place for family," reports Dustin J. The lake sits at higher elevation and operates seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Libby area operate from late May through early October due to mountain weather conditions. Howard Lake Campground is typically open Memorial Day to Labor Day and offers free camping with a 16-night maximum stay.
Train noise: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Blue Lake RV Resort, Anil C. notes: "One of the major downsides was the campsite's unfortunate location between two railway lines. The constant sound of freight trains passing by throughout the day was quite disruptive."
Vehicle size limitations: Many forest campgrounds have restrictions for larger RVs. At Yaak River Campground, Cindy observes: "We have a 20ft camper and there was no way that I could back up into any spot that I saw. Looks like it would be nice for a van camper or tent but not ideal for anything longer than that."
Cell service gaps: Much of the area has limited connectivity. Jill S. mentions there is "no cell phone service" at Howard Lake Campground, while Nancy C. confirms "No AT&T for us and no wifi" at Logan State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Yurt options for kids: Yurt camping near Libby, Montana provides a good alternative for families with young children. At Yaak River Campground, Krista L. reports: "We stayed in a yurt it was clean and dry. The camp grounds were nice maybe a bit over crowded but I guess it was that time of the year."
Swimming access: Steven Y. from Kootenai River Campground shares his experience with young children: "We enjoyed our time at this camp. Most sites are for RVs, but we got a tent site. Unfortunately, my two year old son didn't settle for bed easily when camping."
Lake activities: Blue Lake RV Resort offers family-friendly water features. Don R. explains: "They have paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline. The little lake is full of catfish and turtles that you can feed."
Quiet options: For families seeking less crowded options, Howard Lake Campground offers solitude. Jill S. notes: "I was there a Saturday in July and only two campsites were being used. There is a 1.7 mile 'nature trail' that circles the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Trout Creek Motel & RV Park, Eric D. appreciates the "Long, pull through RV sites that are over 80 feet long," noting the park offers "prices well below the competition."
Seasonal considerations: Kris M. advises: "Bridge was under construction and could not get to north shore so stayed here. The host made late check in for us easy. Had full hookups. Nice level gravel site."
Power options: For those needing to plug in, Elysium Woods offers RV sites with electric, water, and sewer hookups, along with 30/50-amp service. The location also features award-winning yurt accommodations recognized by Business Insider as Idaho's best glamping option for 2020.
Shade availability: At Trout Creek Motel & RV Park, Kris M. appreciated the "Tall trees on site nice and shady," while acknowledging proximity to transportation corridors: "Is a little close to highway and there are trains all night, but the whole valley is like that."
