Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Polebridge? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Inside North Fork Road is long, narrow, and winding dirt road to the campground. RVs and truck and trailer combinations are not recommended.
Sprague Creek is a small campground located on the northeast shore of Lake McDonald, just off Going-to-the-Sun Road. The maximum size limit allowed for all vehicles as well as combinations of vehicles and towed units in Sprague Creek Campground is 21 feet in length (including bumpers) and/or 8 feet in width (including mirrors). The campground is located within trees, providing shade during warm summers. Some sites near the shore have unobstructed views of Lake McDonald.
Amenities such as a camp store, resturant, gift shop, tour buses, boat tours, and horse rides can be found at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, about a mile away from the campground. Evening programs with a ranger are also located at Lake McDonald Lodge. Use Glacier's free shuttle service at this campground to access other shuttle stops on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Sprague Creek is heavily forested with partial shade. Some sites have views of Lake McDonald. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages almost 10,000 years ago. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 270 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as harlequin ducks, dippers and golden eagles.
One must-see attraction is Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier's sister park across the Canadian-U.S. border. As the other half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park offers great hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the townsite of Waterton.
$25 / night
Inside North Fork Road is long, narrow, and winding dirt road to the campground. RVs and truck and trailer combinations are not recommended.
“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.
Inside North Fork Road is long, narrow, and winding dirt road to the campground. RVs and truck and trailer combinations are not recommended.
From the foot of Quartz Lake in Glacier National Park, this vantage point provides a great view of several peaks of the remote Livingston Range, such as Logging Mountain (right) and Vulture Peak (left). This beach in the photo above is a great place to enjoy a nice lunch while you take in the view. Quartz Lake, Glacier National ParkOnce the trail descends nearly 950 vertical feet during your Glacier National Park hiking adventure, you will find yourself at the foot of Quartz Lake. The view of remote peaks of the Livingston Range that are looming at the head of this long lake are stunning, and will prompt you to get your camera out. Some of the more prominent peaks are Logging Mountain, Vulture Peak and Cerulean Ridge. Vulture Peak is a major peak within the Livingston Range that is extremely remote and seldom visited or climbed. This huge peak is home to two glaciers, and can be seen from the Granite Park Chalet and Highline Trail from the east. The beach at the foot of Quartz Lake is a great place to rest and enjoy a lunch as you take in the beauty of this amazing landscape... Next to the foot of Quartz Lake is the Quartz Lake Campground. This back country campground is for those hikers who chose to make the Quartz Lake Loop Trail an overnight, multi-day experience. At the foot of Quartz Lake is Quartz Lake Campground. This backcountry campground is for those hikers who prefer to make this 12.8 mile Glacier Park hike an overnight, multi-day experience. A water filter is required to get water from the lake.
Moose Lake Campground has 3 designated campsite and a vault toilet. Drinking water is not provided. Fishing may be enjoyed in the lake. Moose Lake Campsite Moose Lake camp fire ring
$50 / night
ScoutThe town of Eureka closed this park to overnight camping as they had trouble with people over staying there welcome.
Scout
The road in was narrow. Glad I didn’t have any problems with on coming riggs
Guide
We picked this park for convenience while having travel trailer brake issues. Came at close of season, and thankful for a later evening check in. A little disconnect to obtain a bathroom Code. Fortunately we saw camp hosts walking dogs to gain access. Dog friendly, including nice gated area for off leash.
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.
Guide
Less than five miles from the highway, this is a nice sized lake stocked with fish. There were a pair of white swans on the lake when I was there but no one else around. A large parking area, could accommodate a travel trailer or two in addition to a couple tent sites with fire rings. One picnic table with a fire pit and rock fire rings at the tent sites. There are two access roads, the first is more appropriate for van, truck or hike in to tent site. Not a lot of turn around room, wouldn't bring a trailer in. Second turn off goes to a much larger area, multiple sites and boat launch access to the lake.
Guide
Just about a mile from the highway, this site is right on the river with some nice deep pools. There are three separate fire rings with a vault toilet and picnic table. It's a short drive in but more suitable for truck camping, van, tent camping or very small trailer like 13' max due to narrow track and limited maneuvering area. High clearance required!
Traveler
The road into Many Glacier campground is a challenge but well worth the agonizing ride in. There is nice spacing between the sites. There are no hookups and there are generator hours that people have no trouble complying with. The hosts are very nice and are willing to help in any way possible. They do a mandatory bear awaretalk for new arrivals. The campsites are predominantly shaded so solar really doesn't work well there. The restrooms are clean and there are utility sinks for emptying gray water waste if you are a tenter. The water and dump station are just out side the entrance between. There is a ranger station just past the dump station. Located on the north side of the campground is a store, lodge, restaurant, laundry, and shower. The laundry is coin operated.
Guide
Small 5 site campground. Primitive. A couple large potholes in campground road. Only sites 4 and 5 can accommodate larger campers as the road is fairly narrow to allow turning into sites.
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:
Scout
Needed just a fast stop for the night, in a TT, after getting repairs.
Lots of noise, loud music, loud motors, cars in and out that obviously didn’t stay there off of the back of camp, and just loud racket until late at night.
Just a basic setup, but good shade. Connections were appropriate, pull in sites accommodated a standard pickup and 29 ft TT.
Guide
We stayed at B87 and A44 with our 19 foot camper van. Both sites were semi private, close the the restrooms. Bathrooms were ok sites were not shaded but you just can’t beat the location! Would definitely stay here again if we can’t get into MG.
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!
ScoutToo many rangers wandering around with not enough to do. They leave nasty notes at campsites and sit around all day visiting with each other at the station.
Scout
We checked in and found our site half underwater due to deluge night before. Drove around CG before going back to office and noticed ours was only site like this. "Josie" at front desk supposedly had no other FHU sites, only electric only, so we went back to ours site to figure out how to deal with. Trailer next ours decided to plug into our 1 and only outlet ( a 30 amp) with his 50 amp step down adapter. Called Josie who said this is the 2nd time today people have done this who DID not pay for electric and to unplug the people who weren't around. We did and plugged in, hooked up water, ran swere line, all while standing in 6-8 inches of disgusting water. Found out water pressure was ridiculously low ( 6-8 lbs) and bathrooms had no tp!!!! Lawn also doesn't seem to EVER be mowed. This place needs to step up there game!!!! Drop them God Sam!!!!!
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.
Scout
Very nice campground. Rod, caretaker, is the best. We had a wonderful 3 days camping.
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!
Guide
Stayed 7-7-24
Nice stop along the GDMBR. Campsite was next to the creek that flows from the lake. Words lack how beautiful the place is, but the picture help give you an idea.
Me and my friends cycle in, but I also saw several cars, bring water or filter.
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.
Guide
We've camped all over...all over Glacier and all over the country, and this is hands-down one of our favorite campgrounds. 100% our fave national park campground! An authentic unplugged, quiet camping experience.
The remote location is amazing, and the campsites are nicely spread out in a moody, dark forested area with near full shade. There are a couple of paths directly to the lake, literally a 2-3 minute walk from anywhere in camp. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and there are a few vault toilets and several trash bins and potable water spigots. No showers or sinks. Deer galore! The visitor tent is pretty cool, especially for families with kids. It has activities and games like scavenger hunts, books/tools for identifying wildflowers/plants/scat etc. And there's a camp host onsite seasonally, also.
Note that all sites are FCFS. Rangers at the entrance usually have a fair idea of whether you'll get a spot.
Even though the park has gotten much busier in the past few years, Bowman still remains a quietER gem. The long road keeps people away, I guess - although some 2023-24 construction/improvements has made it quite a bit better.
GuidePerfect location for alpine start at trails along GTTSR and at Logan Pass. Exactly 30 mins from Logan Pass without traffic. We stayed in site A14, which has a decent amount of privacy thanks to plenty of foliage (it's not one of the open sites) and sits on a'corner' with a trail running directly to the river. Fresh water right across the road and a bathroom and trash cans within a 2-minute walk. This loop is closest to the campground entrance, just a couple minutes from both the St Mary park entrance and Sun Road. It's also the furthest from the showers (loop C) and no generators are allowed, but that's what makes it the most peaceful loop here. Certainly not a secluded campground, but fantastic for the location and convenience.
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.
Camping near Polebridge, Montana, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Polebridge, Montana, is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Just be prepared for the unique challenges and rewards that come with it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Polebridge, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Polebridge, MT is Bowman Lake Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 31 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 100 tent camping locations near Polebridge, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
