Want to go dispersed camping near Polebridge? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
“Dispersed camping” is the term used for camping anywhere outside of a developed campground, including in some campgrounds with minimal development. Dispersed camping is free, and permitted almost everywhere on the Flathead National Forest. Camping in undeveloped areas requires you to help keep the sites in good condition. Rules for dispersed camping Groups over 75 people are not allowed. Dispersed camping is NOT allowed near developed recreation areas including campgrounds, trailheads and day-use areas. Water, restrooms, and trash cans are not provided. Pack out all your trash. There is a 16-day stay limit at any site. After that you must move 5-miles away, and you can not return to your original campsite for 7 days. Use existing fire rings. Avoid creating new fire rings. Your fire must be attended at all times and be dead out before leaving. Contact a local office about possible campfire restrictions before you go. Be bear aware and know the food storage regulations before camping. These regulations are strictly enforced. Additional rules or regulations may apply to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and Flathead Wild and Scenic River corridor.
At an elevation of 5,500 feet, Red Meadow Campground has 6 campsites near Red Meadow Lake. Bring your own drinking water, a vault toilet is available. Red Meadow Lake Campsite Food Storage
Upper Stillwater Lake Campground has 5 designated campsites, restroom, gravel boat launch, and day parking. The area has several hiking trails near by and the Stillwater River borders the campground.
Scout
The road in was narrow. Glad I didn’t have any problems with on coming riggs
Guide
I really enjoyed this boondocking site. They have great tent options right beside the river but not too close for flooding. Also they have a hard structured bathroom which was nice. Would stay here again. Also the road was bumpy but I managed it with my Honda Accord.
Guide
Road to this location was closed. A closed gate that looks private prevented access.
Guide
You can only park on the one side of the river and it’s very crowded. Additionally the road going down to the camping area has huge pot holes and and water so you need high clearance to get down there.
GuideOnly about 15 minutes away from Glacier National Park Westgate. I was able to stay here for multiple days. Each time was no trouble in finding a place to park. This area is popular for rafting and fishing. The surrounding area is also beautiful. There are outdoor restrooms located nearby. The camping limit for this area is 3 days. I was able to have good Verizon signal. Overall a great spot to camp.
Scout
Could’ve been a really cool camping spot but after setting up camp a couple came yelling right by my van. They were part of the homeless camp and I just didn’t feel super comfortable because they were saying really aggressive things.
ScoutAt first it looked crowded but we managed two vans side by side right in the river. Everyone was respectful of each other. Fire rings available. We heard that it can be very loud and crowded on the weekends with groups/parties
Guide
This campsite was very accommodating for our rig (40ft long x 13.5ft tall) and the road in wasn’t too bad either. Plenty of space for lots of rigs and turning around.
Pros:
Cons:
GuideDrove in on a Wednesday and found a site right on the water. A number of spots were occupied with campers/tents with no one there. Really peaceful spot in my experience and an unbeatable view. Rented SUPs from in town to enjoy on the reservoir.
Pit toilet, well maintained, and walkable from all spots in the area.
Traveler
Got here on a Monday at about 1pm.
There were about 3-4 sites available, 2 of which could fit a camper. We grabbed one. It could fit a 20-25' camper with vehicle at most.
The place emptied out pretty well mid week (peak season).
Pros:
Many sites Some flat/level sites Some very big sites (2-3 could probably fit a larger 30'+ rig) Very quiet 15 min to west glacier entrance gate Clean Full 5 bar Tmobile
Cons:
Not much for turn around space, especially for a larger rig. If sites at end of road are packed you may be up a creek. Weekends it's packed. Still quiet, just nit much availability. No water. The spigot that used to be available outside the park gates are no longer available. Closest water is inside the park at the picnic areas.
We stayed 6 nights and it was great. Very quiet, and an easy 25 minute drive to Columbia falls for grocery. 15-20 to hungry horse for gas.
TravelerThis was a nice site for the night. I came around 6pm and all 4 sites were full so we just car camped in one of the parking spots. The four spots look really nice, but they most likely fill up quick, as we came on a Monday night. It’s a very beautiful place to camp and the bathroom is a perk! I definitely recommend if wanting a free place to camp outside of the West Glacier entrance!
Scout
DO NOT CAMP HERE. Got a citation even though there are roads leading here with no signs while others have signs stating camping is prohibited.
GuideMany little sites, some with stone rings for fire, some without. Road is easily doable without 4WD. But has some potholes. You will sleep surrounded by forest in nature and close to the west entrance of the glacier National Park.
TravelerAbsolutly beautiful view of st. Mary lake and glacier park east. Another lake in the background im not sure of right now. Just a dirt road off the highway that nobody comes to and is good to park an rv for the night and let the dogs run around. Anti people camping!!
TravelerBrought our 24 ft trailer here. Multiple spots that accommodate the size and larger. The gravel road in was a bit bumpy at times but not too bad. Very nice spot.
GuideNot sure where we were going g to spend the night, but discovered this great campsite through the Dyrt! Large campsites but was pretty full for the night. We were able to get a space for our Mercedes Sprinter next to another van. Score!
ScoutIt's a good spot right on the river. Rocky Beach that has a somewhat difficult road to get into. Any stock 4 x 4 truck SUV can do it though. Are some sketchy types sometimes in peak season. There are porta potties, but they are not recently pumped out.
GuideThis spot is so close from the west entrance. There's plenty of spots and it's absolutely free. This is an absolute gem of free national Park camping. Very easy to access with minimal clearance needed. I had absolutely no issue finding a spot with a Subaru Crosstrek pulling a square drop for 4 days over the 4th of July weekend. Truly a fantastic find.
RangerIt was a nice stay near glacier but something just felt off about it. There was someone shooting a little too close for comfort, people walking down the dirt road late at night, and cars coming and going throughout the night. It was a nice spot though just felt off
Scout
Good spot lots of space. Need a little bit of clearance to get down here.
TravelerWe have a 42’ trailer and thought we would give this spot a shot. There’s a slightly rough dirt road to get to the camp spots. There were about 3-4 sites that could fit our RV. We chose the very last site before the gate leading back to the Ryan air strip. Our site was quiet, loaded with trees and flowers and had a fire pit. We could have easily got a 2nd trailer back there as well. This spot is only about 5 minutes down the road from the West entrance to Glacier National Park. It is next to a used airstrip and we did hear planes taking off and landing a couple times.
Travelerabout 6 spots to camp. plenty of people close by, felt safe. fire pits. vault toilet. right next to the river - beautiful! some bees around but weren’t bothersome.
Traveleri have a subaru crosstrek and the potholes were too flooded to drive down. super unfortunate bc looked absolutely beautiful! only trucks and jeeps were able to make it down the treacherous road.
GuideTook my RV down there, lots of spaces, fire pits, bathrooms, walking trails, swimming. Was lots of fun! ❤️
GuideVery clean, open space, next to the river. Had clean toilets, big rig safe. Dry camping/dispersed camping. Beautiful views! 😍
GuideLocated close to the west entrance, this dispersed camping location is quiet and easily accessible to most vehicles. It did fill up, so get there early. Mosquitos were pretty bad.
ScoutI used this spot for the four days I was visiting Glacier NP. It's pretty easy to find and close to West Glacier. The dirt road is DUSTY, but it is what it is (turn your lights on so you're more visible). The dirt road and driveway is a little rough and pothole-y, but my Town and Country handled it just fine.
Lots of sites to choose from; I was joined by a couple others each night and there was a bit of road traffic and people coming to put their rafts in the river, but it wasn't bothersome at all for me.
Right on the Flathead River, surrounded by mountains, and it has a pit-toilet! As a solo female traveler, I would absolutely stay here again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Polebridge, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Polebridge, MT is Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Polebridge, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 dispersed camping locations near Polebridge, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
