Near the West Glacier area, several campgrounds provide convenient access to recreational areas around Hungry Horse Reservoir. Located 15-30 minutes from Glacier National Park, these campgrounds offer varied terrain and seasonal availability. Sites typically range from primitive tent spaces to full-hookup RV sites with pricing from $14-90 per night depending on amenities and proximity to park entrances.
What to do
Reservoir activities: Hungry Horse Reservoir offers boating and fishing access from Lid Creek Campground. "Our site was very secluded and the picnic firepit area was like our own little cubby in the woods. There is also a general store in the office with a small gift shop, fire wood and kayak rentals," noted one visitor at Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins.
Cycling opportunities: The area features multiple cycling trails. "We rented a ebike from rental place next door and was able to ride ebike to the park on a walking trail," shared a visitor at North American RV Park & Yurt Village. Another camper mentioned "a great bike path right in front of the park that goes for miles and miles."
Shopping and dining: Local shops offer regional specialties. "There is a brewery and restaurant close by. The Gunsight restaurant in downtown Columbia Falls is a must, especially on Taco Tues," recommended a camper. Huckleberry treats are available at several locations, with one visitor noting "Willows, that has wonderful ice cream and huckleberry treats" near their campground.
What campers like
Bathroom facilities: Many campers highlight clean facilities as a priority. "Bathrooms/showers are some of the best I've ever seen. Very nice. WiFi is poor due to area/tree cover but WiFi works near the main building," reported a guest at Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins. At another location, "The private showers are wonderful! There are four, each with a toilet, sink, vanity and huge shower."
Access to nature: Campgrounds with wooded settings receive positive reviews. "He did a wonderful job of keeping the site as natural as possible," noted a camper about Clyde's Camp. At Lid Creek Campground, "Most of the campsites face the lake and if they don't it is only a short walk away. Vault toliets, no water so bring your own."
Dog-friendly features: Several rv sites near Martin City, Montana accommodate pets with dedicated areas. "Great dog park that we thoroughly enjoyed. We were sad to leave after five days!" mentioned one RVer. Another appreciated "two dog parks" at their campground, while a third noted a "nice gated area for off leash" pets.
What you should know
Site spacing concerns: Many campgrounds pack sites closely together. "The sites are very close together but still very nice. It's tough turns for bigger rigs though," cautioned a camper at Mountain Meadow. Another visitor at Columbia Falls RV Park observed, "Close quarters, especially if you and your neighbor have slide outs."
Train noise: Railroad tracks run through the area affecting multiple campgrounds. "Closer to the front you don't hear it as much, bit the trade off is the hwy noise," explained a camper. Another mentioned, "We were there near end of August 2018...Close by train noise every 40 minutes or so."
Connectivity limitations: Internet access varies widely by location. "AT&T coverage good, with 2-3 bars of LTE and speeds up to 7 MB/s, but throughput did fluctuate a bit. The CG has WiFi, but we could never get more than about 20 KB/s, which is effectively useless." A different camper stated, "Internet and phone service is very weak."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds provide play areas for children. "Has a playground," mentioned one camper simply. At West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort, facilities include "a playground" among other amenities like "a small camp store, bath house, laundry facility, ice for sale."
Swimming access: Heated pools offer reliable swimming regardless of weather. "Kids loved swimming in the heated pool," shared a visitor at Beargrass Lodging & RV Resort. Another mentioned that "The pool was very nicely maintained but overchlorinated to the point of burning your eyes."
Budget considerations: Prices vary significantly between campgrounds. "Although a bit expensive, these are the prices around Glacier," noted one camper about the going rates. A more budget-conscious visitor found "Value for your money. This place offers most everything much more expensive sites do. A really pretty park, super clean, very helpful and nice staff."
Tips from RVers
Utility placement: RVers note hookup positioning affects parking options. "The power pedestal way forward so it's either park your tow vehicle behind your trailer or have a lot of length for all your connections," explained a visitor at West Glacier RV Park. Another mentioned, "Our site was not very level front to back and side to side, and though we got close, we couldn't get fully level."
Storage amenities: Bear-proof storage is essential in this region. "There are vault toilets throughout the campground and bear-proof food boxes - there are definitely bears in the area. Keep pets close by and please store food in the storage boxes," advised a visitor.
Resource limitations: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "NO WATER available at the campground so bring your own or you'll be frustrated," warned a camper about Lid Creek. While other RV sites near Martin City, Montana offer full hookups, primitive camping options require self-sufficiency.
