Tent camping near Paradise, Montana offers multiple options within the surrounding Lolo National Forest and along the Clark Fork River. The Paradise area sits at elevations ranging from 2,500 feet in the river valleys to over 6,000 feet in the surrounding mountains, creating diverse camping microclimates. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-90°F with cooler nights at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Forest Grove Fishing Access Site provides direct river access for anglers. "We boated around and actually bought some fish! I guess that's what happens when you go with people who have the right equipment and frequent this area often," reports one camper who notes this is an "all season spot" for when you get "stir crazy indoors."
Mountain hiking: Several trailheads are accessible near tent sites around Paradise. Near Kreis Pond Campground, campers can access the Sleeping Woman hiking trail. "Once you drive up the mountain, the trailhead is off to the left and it's a heavy incline to the top so be prepared with lots of water and an awesome view at the end. 360 view of the Missoula Valley, Bitteroot Mountain Range, Flathead in the distance and Mission Mountains as well," advises one hiker.
Explore lesser-known trails: The Gold Rush Campground area offers excellent opportunities for secluded hiking. According to one visitor, there's a "great trail for hiking and exploring. This camp is not heavily used so you could possibly get the place to yourself." The campground provides a good base for day expeditions with "lots of shade" and serves as a jumping-off point for backcountry exploration.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful spacing between tent sites in the Paradise area. The Copper King Campground features "five sites with generous spacing. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring." One camper notes there is "a privy and one bear box in the middle of the circle," making this free campground particularly appealing for tent campers seeking solitude.
Cool weather options: The elevation changes near Paradise create opportunities for camping in cooler temperatures. At Forks Montana FWP, campers enjoy the quiet atmosphere with "some sites very dispersed from each other," though one camper warns it "was very cold at night though. In the 30s at the end of June. We thankfully brought lots of blankets, but it would have been very cold had we not."
Small water bodies: The ponds and small lakes in the area provide intimate water experiences. Kreis Pond has only "7 well spaced campsites all around the pond" creating a "truly enjoyable stay" with "clean toilet facilities." Another camper describes it as a "great little hidden gem" with "just a handful of spots to camp but absolutely beautiful."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires driving on rough forest roads. One camper notes about Kreis Pond: "Be prepared for several miles of dusty, gravel, washboard road."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds can be difficult to locate. One camper reported about Kreis Pond: "Honestly I never made it to this campsite because my GPS couldn't figure out how to get me there without going on private property."
Water availability: Most tent sites require campers to bring their own water or treatment systems. At Forks Montana FWP, "the only water source is the stream which when the water is high it can be difficult and you've got to carry it up a bit of a hill."
Public vs. private land: When exploring the Ninemile Area, one camper reported feeling "awkward hiking around in case we were accidentally crossing into private land, when exploring the Lolo National Forest." They noted the area "would be great for hunting" but recommended awareness of property boundaries.
Tips for camping with families
Pond activities: Families with children may enjoy the small body of water at Kreis Pond where you can "bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around."
Quieter campgrounds: For families seeking less crowded options, Gold Rush Campground is "not heavily used so you could possibly get the place to yourself" with "lots of shade" making it comfortable during hot summer days.
Bear awareness: The Paradise region has active bear populations. At Copper King, campers appreciate that there is "one bear box in the middle of the circle" for food storage. Another camper at Kreis Pond reported "saw bear prints, definitely lock up foods."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most tent camping areas near Paradise have limited capacity for larger vehicles. At Copper King Campground, one camper notes it "doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping."
Town proximity: Some campgrounds offer a good balance between seclusion and services. Copper King "sits along the river" but "doesn't really have great river access. The campground is no more than 10 minutes from Thompson Falls, so it's easy to get to town if you need to."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely across the Paradise camping area. One camper compared nearby campgrounds: "Big pine campground has cell phone service this one does not."
