Best Tent Camping near Olney, MT
Tent campers seeking primitive sites near Olney, Montana can find several options within Glacier National Park and surrounding national forest lands. Blankenship Bridge offers dispersed camping with river access, while Bowman Lake Campground provides established tent sites in a more remote section of Glacier National Park. Ryan Road Dispersed Camping offers free tent sites with minimal amenities just outside the park boundaries.
Most tent sites in the Olney area require preparation for primitive conditions. Bowman Lake Campground features vault toilets, potable water, and bear-proof storage boxes, but requires navigating a challenging dirt road with potholes and switchbacks. According to one visitor, "The drive to Bowman is anxiety inducing with the ever changing potholes, tight curves, and white knuckle driving. But it is 100% worth it for the secluded sites and lake views." Dispersed camping areas like Blankenship Bridge and Ryan Road have portable toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Bear safety is essential throughout the region, with proper food storage mandatory.
Backcountry tent camping in this region offers exceptional solitude and natural beauty. The tent sites at Bowman Lake Campground are set in a forested area with nearly full shade, providing privacy between campsites. The lake is typically a short 2-3 minute walk from any campsite. Dispersed camping at Blankenship Bridge allows tent setup directly next to the river on rocky terrain or in more wooded areas set back from the water. Ryan Road Dispersed Camping provides quiet tent sites with fire rings and good proximity to Glacier National Park. A camper noted that "It was fairly quiet on a Monday but there is a train that runs through in the distance and blows the whistle." Most primitive tent areas enforce a 3-day maximum stay limit.
