Searching for the best camping near Lolo National Forest, MT? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Lolo National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Montana camping adventure.
"Wonderful little campground located just south of Whitefish Montana on highway 93. This KOA has a lot to offer from cabins to RV parking and several tent camping locations."
"our site was nice and tucked off in the trees on the edge, but near the showers. they also provide free breakfast in the morning. newish washers/dryers were great too since we were starting a two week"
$10 / night
"Bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around. Neat, fun area especially with the Sleeping Woman hike so close."
"7 well spaced campsites all around the pond. Truly enjoyable stay. Clean toilet facilities. Be prepared for several miles of dusty, gravel, washboard road."
$15 / night
"It is very close to the highway which makes it easily accessible for a one night stop while driving through. With a senior access pass I was able to pay half price ( $7.50 as opposed to $15 (."
"Campground is located behind the rest stop. Run by the USDA campground is well maintained. Free firewood in June 2025. $15.00 night rate. $10.00 just to use dump station if your not camping."
"3 sites in a beautiful spot, about 5 minutes off the highway. We pulled in about 7pm and we were the only ones there."
"and do a 180° turn ok to exit. We stayed one night 9/23/24 and had the place to ourselves. Nice rock fire pits."
$10 - $80 / night
"Beautiful spot with great views of Flathead Lake. The RV sites were nice and spacious and level with their own patio and chairs. They also offer cabins and tent sites."
"The pics say it all so close to glacier national Park without the glacier prices don't miss this one. Also the lake looks like Caribbean"
"Driving through Montana heading to a friends house. we were not in a hurry and wanted camp and fish on the way. Picked up an out of state fishing license and ouch."
"A little off the beaten path, this small camp/recreation area is quaint and quiet. My husband and I spent a night in the spot closest to the Big Pine (the area namesake)."
"Stunning views, several sites to choose from, some have access to the river. The road conditions are wonderful—towed a 20 ft trailer. Some spots are more open to use Starlink."
"It’s a nicely maintained gravel road to the campsites and there are two tracks that give you access to the river. I didn’t get any Verizon service here, however."
"On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from"
"Arrived very late in the dark on Friday night coming back from Canada, and found an amazing site next to the river which drowned out all surrounding noise."
$31 - $47 / night
"Highway is close by as well, so you will hear some traffic noise. A train occasionally runs slowly across the river. Campground nicley maintained. But, the lawnmower is out there everyday!!!"
"Close to interstate but noise not too bad. Free laundry was a bonus."
"A couple of times they rolled thru at 2am but all the positives outweigh getting woken up a few times.
Very easy access, two pit toilets in the camping area."
"By the end of the day each site was filled and there were several folks driving through still looking for sites.
They’re spaced out well from one another giving all campers lots of privacy."
ScoutMain dirt road is well maintained but narrow and curves up the mountain. Lots of spots if you keep on going, but some offshoots are steep and rocky. We took the second right offshoot and got an awesome view with plenty space to spread out. We car camp in a Wagoneer
TravelerWe are on the way to Glacier Park and needed to be close enough to get there in a few hours the next day. Pros: convenience. Close to highway and town. Large site, we were on the first loop site 1. Picnic tables and fire rings provided at each site. Site was free (after Labor Day 2025) Cons: Logging has created Mess, downed trees litter the area, however this resulted in plenty of available firewood. Vault toilets are not clean(understandable as there are no hosts on site this time of year) Synopsis: this site accommodated us for the purpose we were looking for, It would be hard for me to stay here longer than one day, however it may be suitable for longer periods if you have an interest in touring the area.
TravelerIt was free. It provided nothing, but was close to the river. We pooped in a bag, and provided our everything. We made a made a campfire. We didn’t shoot anything, but there were a lot of shells around.
TravelerOff the side of the road, with no amenities near some pretty cool stuff. The sight is ugly, but free. Close to some good trout fishing via river. There is a pretty lame fire pit already established, and people fire their guns out here. There is no toilets, but if you’re looking for free, and absolutely zero neighbors this is your spot. Yes, I said zero neighbors!
TravelerWater and electricity hook up only. Bring a portable RV waste tank to the pump out station. Or walk to the bathroom /showers. Tent sites are also available. Restaurant / Bar / hot Springs pool is across the road. Spacious.
ScoutIt’s kinda noisy from the highway and the train tracks. But other than that good
GuideLoads of flat space, some noise from I90, few other cars camping nearby. Beautiful river nearby.
GuideBest spot with 50 amps I could find! We pulled up and was surprised by how serene the setting was, beautiful creek, awesome big rocks and of course the hot springs across the street. We ended up not even going to the hot springs, there was lots to do! If you get a spot right on the creek it would be super nice, it’s very quiet here and you can hear the water. Definitely recommend.
ScoutSpots are very private and spacious overlooking river. Minimal road noise. Only a couple spots taken.
Camping near Lolo National Forest, Montana, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there’s something for everyone.
Camping near Lolo National Forest, Montana, offers a variety of experiences, from quiet retreats to family-friendly adventures. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's a spot waiting for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Lolo National Forest?
Lolo National Forest offers diverse camping experiences across its expansive terrain. South Fork Lolo Creek Primitive Camping provides quiet, off-road spots with open field views and enough space for larger vehicles like 23' Sprinter vans. For lakeside camping, Lake Inez Campground features fire rings and picnic tables at most sites, with options for tents and small trailers. Other excellent options include Lolo Creek Campground along the river and Chief Looking Glass Campground with riverside sites. The forest also offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking more solitude and a primitive camping experience.
When is the best time of year to camp in Lolo National Forest?
The prime camping season in Lolo National Forest runs from late spring through early fall (May to September). Missoula Lake Campground is particularly beautiful in late spring when wildflowers bloom and the weather warms, yet crowds remain manageable. Powell Campground along the Lochsa River offers excellent summer camping with access to water activities. July and August provide the most reliable weather, though they're also the busiest months. Early fall brings cooler temperatures and spectacular foliage. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically closing by mid-October as snow becomes possible. Higher elevation sites often remain inaccessible until June due to snowpack.
What amenities are available at Lolo National Forest camping areas?
Amenities vary widely across Lolo National Forest camping areas. Quartz Flat Campground offers developed sites suitable for RVs and tents. Chief Looking Glass Campground provides basic facilities including pit toilets and a water pump near the entrance. Most developed campgrounds in the forest typically include fire rings, and some feature picnic tables, vault toilets, and potable water sources. Dispersed camping areas like those along Petty Creek Road offer no amenities but provide free camping opportunities. For those seeking more comforts, areas near the forest boundaries connect to private campgrounds with full hookups, showers, and other modern conveniences.
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