If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Polson, look no further. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Polson campgrounds for you and your tent. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Polson, Montana's most popular destinations.
Yellow Bay-Flathead Lake State Park has 5 tent campsites that are first-come, first-serve.
$9 - $28 / night
Camp on an old trout pond with trees and Mountain Views. It’s best to arrive before sunset and not after dark. We have a lot of water running through the property and campsites are dispersed around the pond. Camp at your reserved numbered post.
$33 - $75 / night
This area has a large parking area and a primitive boat ramp located near the Holland Lake Campground. Please be advised this ramp is very shallow and will not accomodate large boats. This site is also near the group camping site, picnic and swimming area, and Holland Lake Nature Trail. Restrooms are available.
There is a boat ramp located within the Lindbergh Lake Campground. Day parking and restrooms are available. There is no trash service—please pack out what you brought in.
Camping can be limited due to the rugged terrain. If camping, please use Leave No Trace ethics, as this is an extremely fragile environment and a pristine area.
Backpacking is the perfect way to visit some very beautiful and unique areas in remote locations such as in designated wilderness. Please remember to bring adequate gear and supplies, and remember to check the weather before you strike out on the trail. Trail condition reports area start, but remember to call the ranger district for the area in which you will be traveling before you go for any specific information and current conditions.
This trail is typically clear and snow-free by early to mid-July
Follow Trail 690 as though heading to Glacier Lake through the mature forest along Glacier Creek. In about one mile the trail will approach the junction of Trail 690 and Trail 742, stay right on Trail 690 and start heading up the numerous, but well-graded switchbacks. While on the switchbacks don’t forget to look down onto Glacier Lake and into the basin in select locations. Trail 690 takes off to the hikers’ right towards Crescent Lake, while trail 708 will continue contouring the hillside, crossing rocky slopes and offering fantastic views of the area ahead. After climbing a couple more switchbacks, the forest becomes sparse and opens up into an alpine environment. Keep a close eye out for mountain goats on this trail. The trail then narrows and descends along rocky ledges down to Lagoon Lake. Due to rocky conditions, stock use in not recommended past Lagoon Lake From Lagoon Lake, an unmaintained trail skirts around, over, and down rock ledges to the roaring outlet of Turquoise Lake.
Close to the Ninemile Ranger Station and Grand Menard Picnic Area, this campground has several sites and offers mountain biking opportunities.
Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table.
This campground in a lodgepole and ponderosa pine forest is located near the Ninemile Ranger Station and Grand Menard Picnic Area adding to the fun things to do when camping here. And if that isn't enough, there are mountain biking trails too!
$10 / night
$35 - $130 / night
Guide
Pretty campground. Saw lots of deer running around. Pit toilets were clean and sites were nice. Enjoyed having a fire and it was free in the off season.
Ranger
The campsites are big and spacious. Even though the sites are open, they still feel private thanks to the natural layout and surrounding trees. The lake is incredibly clear and beautiful. One of the highlights of our stay was the stunning sunrise over the water—waking up to those colors reflecting off the lake was absolutely breathtaking. There was only a few campers when we were there. Warning: there are bears in the area. We didn't see any, but saw some evidence of them.
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.
GuideGreat camping spot. We camped over on a Friday night at the end of September. Free because it was out of the normal season, but because it was the last sliver of summer, it definitely filled up. However, they only had the first loop open (group and second loop of sites were closed). Being out of normal season, trash was all locked up but not a big deal.
Lake was spectacular and beautiful, would recommend!
Guide
Road to this location was closed. A closed gate that looks private prevented access.
ScoutNice and quite considering how close it is to town. There doesn't seem to be an official way to get from the camp sites to the river despite being only a few feet away. People have bushwacked their own trails through. We are here in mid September so not much in the way of bugs. The toilet is clean and well stocked for a pit toilet. Lots of bear warning signs around so be sure to bring your bear boxes and bear spray.
Scout
So gorgeous! Tent camped along the river! Very spaced out campsites, nice for lots of privacy and quiet! Signs to be aware of bear country but took precautions. Rock fire pits at each site. Super easy for quick stop road tripping (0.5 miles off main road)! Stayed in early September on a road trip to Glacier, was able to find our site decently well in the dark! Verizon cell service 3-4 bars! Loved it!
The west is the only safe way to enter onto the road to the campsites. On the map, it looks like you can enter/exit either way from 135… but the east side of the road to get back onto 135 is impossible… so we just had to turn around and exit the same way we came in (from the west).
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.
Traveler
Old lady was sweet to us, I saw the reviews about her being not so sweet but she was nice and got us in last minute. The gentleman brought us a whole tractor full of wood and was nice as well. Trees were down like other reviews stated, they mentioned they had a massive storm. Not something I feel they should be judged for, they were concerned about my kids and asked them to keep away from the left side because of that.
TravelerDispersed camping at the "Peninsula" Recreation Area. 6 day stay limit according to the sign. No potable water. Stone fire rings throughout.
We stayed mid week during August. Stayed in a medium sized site on the river. Small steep slope to the water.
Pros:
Plenty of space, both large and small sites.
Room for a 30' in a couple of the sites.
3 bars Tmobile.
Some sites on the water with a short steep slope down.
12 miles to gas station.
Beautiful views.
Cons: No pit toilets (edit: another camper said they are at the end of the campground) No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)
Overall we loved this spot. Being ok the water in a mostly private setting with such amazing views is our goal. Little bit of road noise but hardly noticeable over the wind in the trees.
Sites were clean but well used, so thank you to all the campers that took care of this place!
TravelerI was alone while camping, parked my car at the first fire pit I saw open and it was perfect. Absolutely beautiful river, beautiful spot. Great for fishing, swimming, etc.
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.
Guide
Reserved this deamy site right on the water. Tent 1 is closest to parking but has the most traffic going by to the other sites.
Pit toilet nearby and a quick drive to flushable toilets. Showers available with tokens from the camphost ($3 for 6 minutes) but camphost weren't around when I was looking so no personal experience here.
Guide
Got a walk in site when I showed up in the afternoon. All that was left was an RV site and they let me tent there. Even though I wasn't on the water, still got a water view! Pit toilet bathroom was close by, and sometimes the smell wafted over when the wind changed.
SUP, kayak rentals on water, reasonably priced. The beach was rocky and perfect!
In the morning, I spotted a black bear on a hill. Follow bear protocol well.
Guide
Do not follow maps directions to this spot. Click the one a little south east next to the river titled “Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area”. This is the right location. Good spot.
GuideTurn onto the road, once you reach end of that road, there’s more spots to the left. If you drive far enough you’ll find pit toilets. We had good service on Verizon and T-Mobile to work. River is beautiful. Would definitely come back
Scout
Very nice campground. Rod, caretaker, is the best. We had a wonderful 3 days camping.
Scout
The further you drive on the road the closer you can get to the river! There are some pit toilets too! Absolutely beautiful!
Ranger
This was a great stay right on the river with night sites and a vault toilet. Only issues I had was the train across the river runs throughout the night and it sounds like it’s coming right through your tent
TravelerPulled off, quickly found decent dispersed site. A bit buggy, no mosquitoes though. Great night sleep until OHVers came screaming through early
TravelerGreat location. Road is in great shape. All the sights are great.
Traveler
Tried for Lost Johnny point but it was full. Lid Creek had two open spots on a Friday of July 4 weekend- we were thankful. Got site 23. No water, no electric, generators allowed and at least 6 were going in the morning. Vault toilets but VERY clean. Hosts very helpful and available. Some sites like 13-17 were slanted somewhat. 23 was deep and pretty even. Lake is very nice, decent temp for us. Preferred Lost Johnny Point from last time we stayed, but this was a very nice second. 30 minute drive to road, another 10 to West Glacier. Some limited cell reception on Mint Mobile.
ScoutNice large tent sites. They also have a geodesic dome you can rent. Website was not set up yet.
Guide
I stayed at Whispering Pines for three nights in a July heatwave. It was a work trip, and I tried to book a hotel but was offended at the high prices in the Flathead, so I opted to take my teardrop and camp.
This place was great. It is a really nice place with plenty of space, a very clean porta-potty and an outdoor shower. No electric hookups, but there is great cell reception and it’s only 10 minutes from downtown Kalispell.
The price was reasonable, compared to nightly hotel room rates, but for camping, anything over $35 a night really should have power. But, all things considered, this place does what it does really well, and that’s fine. Bottom line: if you are looking for a clean, quiet place to camp in Kalispell, give this place a try. Proximity to Whitefish, Glacier NP is excellent.
GuideAbsolutely love this campground. They were so accommodating when we booked a site our unit wouldn’t fit on they gladly moved us.
If you aren’t right on the water, you’re definitely a short distance away.
The amenities are great and the camp hosts are always friendly. Definitely worth staying here.
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Montana, Polson offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Polson, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Polson, MT is Yellow Bay State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Polson, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
