Best Campgrounds near St. Ignatius, MT

St. Ignatius, Montana sits within a diverse camping landscape where the Mission Mountains meet the Flathead Indian Reservation. Campers will find options ranging from developed RV parks to remote backcountry sites within an hour's drive. Diamond S RV Park in nearby Ronan offers full hookups and operates from March through November, while Jocko Hollow Campground in Arlee provides a mix of tent and RV camping with cabin options. The region's proximity to Flathead Lake creates opportunities for waterfront camping, with several state parks and fishing access sites scattered throughout the area. Backcountry enthusiasts can explore wilderness sites like Lucifer Lake, which requires hiking access but rewards visitors with solitude.

Camping permits and regulations vary significantly across the region, with tribal lands requiring special recreation permits from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Many fishing access sites offer discounted camping rates for those with Montana fishing licenses. According to one camper at a nearby fishing access site, "It's $12 a night per campground if you have your Montana fishing license, with camp spots right next to the river for easy access." Road conditions can challenge travelers, particularly at higher elevations or during spring runoff. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through September, though some RV parks remain open year-round. Cell service becomes increasingly limited in mountain areas and remote lakeshores, requiring advance planning for navigation and emergencies.

Fishing opportunities consistently receive high ratings from visitors to the St. Ignatius area. Numerous small lakes and streams offer trout fishing, with several campgrounds specifically designated as fishing access sites. One reviewer noted, "Monture Creek has good trout fishing with the creek being only about 100 feet from the campsites." Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting elk, moose, and various bird species. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near major rail lines. Visitors frequently mention the spaciousness of sites at state parks and fishing access areas, with one camper appreciating "how spaced out each campsite was. I didn't feel like I was right next to someone." Vault toilets are standard at most primitive sites, while developed campgrounds typically offer showers and flush toilets.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Ignatius, Montana (140)

    1. Jocko Hollow Campground

    5 Reviews
    Arlee, MT
    10 miles
    +1 (406) 726-3336

    "This campground is nice and small and tucked away so that you can explore the woods and wilderness around it. It is very well kept and a great value for the price."

    "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."

    2. Jim & Mary's RV Park

    24 Reviews
    Frenchtown, MT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 549-4416

    "Lots of shade to keep cool during the hot Montana summer. We wish we would have stayed a few more nights."

    "The pull through sites on the outer edge do not but others inside do. The laundry and bathhouse was very nice and clean. 2.00 per load to wash."

    3. Missoula KOA Holiday

    44 Reviews
    Missoula, MT
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 549-0881

    $75 - $192 / night

    "Great friendly and clean place to stay in Missoula Montana!"

    "This KOA is conveniently located for a quick overnight stop. We were passing through Montana and needed a full hookup site to rest and recharge before another long day of driving."

    4. Lucifer Lake Wilderness Backcountry

    1 Review
    St. Ignatius, MT
    8 miles
    Website

    "Nonresident reservation conservation permit required, available at fwp.mt.gov Accessed by mission falls trailhead, trail is steep and unmaintained after you reach the waterfall."

    5. Diamond S RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Ronan, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 676-2267

    $63 - $68 / night

    "This RV park in Roman, MT is about an hour or so away from the Western entrance of glacier National Park. Easy to find on Highway 93 on way to the park."

    6. Holland Lake Campground

    19 Reviews
    Condon, MT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-7924

    $22 - $250 / night

    "The hike to the waterfall is beautiful, and swimming and snorkeling in this lake are wonderful due to the clarity and purity."

    "This is one of my favorite spots in Montana. The lake itself is gorgeous, and the camping spots are beautiful. There's even one site on the island, if you brought a canoe or kayak, as we did!"

    7. Polson-Flathead Lake KOA

    5 Reviews
    Dixon, MT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 883-2151

    $10 - $80 / night

    "Beautiful spot with great views of Flathead Lake. The RV sites were nice and spacious and level with their own patio and chairs. They also offer cabins and tent sites."

    "The pics say it all so close to glacier national Park without the glacier prices don't miss this one. Also the lake looks like Caribbean"

    8. Lindbergh Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Condon, MT
    19 miles
    Website

    $12 / night

    "The lower loop is more desirable as it is lakeside is where the only outhouse is. Bring your boat... Lindburg Lake is beautiful."

    "Free, close to lake quite campground. The bathroom ran out of TP but what do you expect to get for free? I’ll be back with my own TP"

    9. Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site

    1 Review
    St. Ignatius, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 837-7500

    "About 6 miles in you will reach your destination of turquoise lake."

    10. Whitefish-Kalispell North KOA

    13 Reviews
    Lolo National Forest, MT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 862-4242

    "Wonderful little campground located just south of Whitefish Montana on highway 93. This KOA has a lot to offer from cabins to RV parking and several tent camping locations."

    "our site was nice and tucked off in the trees on the edge, but near the showers. they also provide free breakfast in the morning. newish washers/dryers were great too since we were starting a two week"

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Recent Reviews near St. Ignatius, MT

674 Reviews of 140 St. Ignatius Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Blair Flats

    Paradise

    We stayed here for 4 or 5 days while on our 5 week trip across the west in our campervan. We stayed at the most wonderful places and this was hands down our favorite! It was mainly just us the entire time. We stayed through the week, so the only people who came through were bikers looking for a spot to sleep. Other than that it was just us. The vault toilet was clean also! Site 1 offers sun, shade and access to the river.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Big Larch Campground

    Big Larch Campground

    Traveling through the area early-October and this was a great campground to overnight at. Besides a little road noise (like the other campgrounds on this highway), it's been quite quiet--just a few other campers last night. Some campsites are more open than others, several vault toilets scattered throughout this fairly big campground, water is already shut off for the season, town nearby if you need any gas or groceries, and great cell service here. Would stop by here again if needed.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Edgewater RV Resort & Motel

    Flathead Harbor Resort RV Luxury Condos and Cabins / Edgewater RV Resort & Motel

    Stayed in a cabin for a couple nights and had a great stay! You can hear a bit of road noise due to being in town and near the main road, but everything else was great: clean, showers, laundry facilities, near groceries/restaurants, pet-friendly, etc.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Holland Lake Picnic Site

    Heaven on Earth

    Embarrassing to say that I’m pushing 50 and this is my first time visiting Holland Lake. OMG! This place is gorgeous. I have taken some strolls on nearby paths and there are so many hidden gems of lakeside spots to enjoy the scenery. It is a very mellow weekend and wx has been cool and rainy. I could spend weeks here. I’m on the Bayview loop and they’ve locked up the bathrooms and put porta potties instead. Sign says it closed for the season in a few days 10/7. The other loops they’ve kept the bathrooms open oddly enough. I was not expecting to get service but T-Mobile I have 1 bar and sometimes I get 5G. Around the lake I’ve seen 3 bars of service. There are zero complaints. Quite a few spots show reserved and nobody showed up likely b/c of the wx but that’s still garbage to hold up a spot out of selfish greed. I’m so glad I came and I am so excited to visit with my family in the summer. There are a decent amount of walk up sites that imo should be reservable for $100nt they are so epic.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Petty Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Basic and easy

    It is RIGHT off the road, I missed it coming back from town (having been to the site once already). Any vehicle (cars too) can get to the 3 or 4 sites. Turn around may be iffy. Depending on your skills and the size.

    All sites are close together, though we are here by ourselves. You can hear I90 in the background, but we slept in our car and it didn’t bother either of us. Saw deer so far.

    It’s tucked in a valley, so no awesome views. This is a spot for ease and convenience, it got 4 stars for that. Lost the 5th for no view.

  • L
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Johnsrud Park FAS

    Day Use Area- No overnight

    Beautiful boat ramp and very large day use area. Plenty of river access for fishing and boat ramp access. Plentiful parking, pit toilets, and a large group day site with picnic tables. Only saw 2 other humans while I visited.

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Jim & Mary's RV Park

    Lovely, manicured RV Park

    This rv park is serene and beautiful. Whoever takes care of the grounds is meticulous and has two green thumbs. I felt safe which is of utmost important to me. The staff was welcoming and efficient. Would stay here again any time.

    My spot is right by the road and there is road noise but for the most part, it was fine.

    There’s plenty of spaces far from the road that i am sure wouldn’t hear this at all.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Richmond Marshall hookup trail dispersed campsite

    Logging Logging Spur MTN view

    Acesss logging road in good shape. Narrow in places . Fire ring at the edge of the embankment. Tight place to turn around. Can hear a creek deep in the gorge. Only saw one other person. Vegetation is very dry. Nice open view for camping. Most of the road cuts through tall trees. Good cell service . No services just a fire ring and cell reception.

  • Lady Phyre  ☆.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Placid Creek Pull Off

    A clearing & an Outhouse

    It's a clearing with a clean outhouse . It works for a night or two. It's not completely level but the road in is easy.


Guide to St. Ignatius

Camping near St. Ignatius, Montana takes place within tribal lands of the Flathead Indian Reservation at elevations ranging from 2,900 to 3,100 feet. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs reaching 85°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing. Campers should prepare for warm days and cool nights even during peak summer season.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site provides excellent locations for spotting mountain goats. "You will more than likely be neighbors with some goats," notes one hiker who visited in June. The 6-mile hike to reach this remote campsite near St. Ignatius rewards visitors with pristine wildlife viewing.

Rock collecting adventures: The Jocko River area features unique geological formations with distinctive rocks. A visitor to Jocko Hollow Campground mentioned, "The rocks are the most beautiful and rock collectors' dream!" Bring small collection bags if this activity interests you.

Mountain lake paddling: Lindbergh Lake offers excellent conditions for kayaks and paddleboards. A camper at Lindbergh Lake Campground observed, "Lots kayaks and paddle boards. There is not a beach here, but a boat launch." The lake's moderate size makes it manageable for beginners while still offering enough space to explore.

What campers like

Creek-side camping spots: Several campers appreciate sites adjacent to flowing water. At Jocko Hollow Campground, one visitor mentioned, "We were right next to the river which was amazing." The sound of running water creates natural white noise that masks other campground sounds.

Mountain views: The eastern panorama from camping areas provides striking mountain scenery. A camper at Diamond S RV Park noted, "Great views of mountains to east" and "Level sites, stayed in #6 right by office." The Mission Mountains create a dramatic backdrop for many camping locations.

Relative solitude: Several campgrounds offer more secluded experiences compared to busier tourist areas. At Holland Lake Campground, a visitor shared, "If you're looking for a sleepy spot to relax and enjoy that isn't inundated with tourists, this is the place." Less crowded sites can be found particularly during mid-week stays.

What you should know

Bear presence: Both black and grizzly bears frequent the area surrounding camping locations. A camper at Holland Lake Campground warned, "There are both black and grizzly bears that frequent this area daily, so be very careful with your food, and bear aware when hiking. My last stay was only 2 nights, and I ran into two bears, one that strolled right by my trailer."

Seasonal water concerns: Spring runoff affects campsite safety near waterways. One camper cautioned, "Be careful camping next to the rivers as in early spring, waters rise in the evenings and will flood out the lower Plains."

High demand for free sites: First-come camping areas fill quickly, especially before weekends. A visitor to Lindbergh Lake Campground reported, "We arrived on a Thursday and got the last available spot. Several cars later in the day circled around looking for spots."

Tips for camping with families

Family-friendly hiking options: Short trails with significant rewards work well for children. At Holland Lake Campground, a visitor noted, "The hike to the Holland Falls is short but totally worth it! Clean lake perfect for swimming and paddleboarding." The hike difficulty suits various age groups.

Kid-friendly campground amenities: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities specifically designed for families. A camper at Whitefish-Kalispell North KOA emphasized, "This is a really fun spot...You got your mini golf, outdoor go carts, paddle boats, arcade, donkey petting, pizza and all level of camp sites."

Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers have better chances for animal sightings. One camper mentioned, "Two large bucks walked through in the morning, so be aware of wildlife." Establishing quiet morning routines increases opportunities for animal observation.

Tips from RVers

RV site spacing: Many RVers appreciate campgrounds with adequate separation between vehicles. A visitor to Polson-Flathead Lake KOA commented, "The RV sites were nice and spacious and level with their own patio and chairs."

Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some RV parks more than others. One camper noted, "My spot is right by the road and there is road noise but for the most part, it was fine. There's plenty of spaces far from the road that i am sure wouldn't hear this at all."

Seasonal sprinkler systems: Some RV parks maintain extensive landscaping that affects nightly setup. At Jim & Mary's RV Park, a visitor advised, "There is flowers everywhere and they have a sprinkler system to keep everything pretty so you can't leave anything out overnight that you don't want to get wet."

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to stay at Jocko Hollow Campground in St. Ignatius?

Jocko Hollow Campground typically costs around $10-15 per night, similar to other public campgrounds in the region. For comparison, nearby Harpers Lake charges $12 per night if you have a Montana fishing license. Campgrounds in this area generally have affordable rates, with most public sites ranging from $10-20 per night, while private RV parks may charge more for additional amenities.

When is the best time to camp at Jocko Hollow in St. Ignatius?

The best time to camp at Jocko Hollow Campground is late spring through early fall (May-September) when weather conditions are most favorable. Summer brings warm days ideal for enjoying nearby water activities, while late spring offers beautiful wildflowers and fewer crowds. For comparison, nearby Yellow Bay State Park Campground is popular during similar months when visitors can enjoy hiking trails, crystal clear water, and mountain views. Fall camping offers cooler temperatures and colorful foliage but prepare for colder nights.

What amenities are available at Jocko Hollow Campground near St. Ignatius?

Jocko Hollow Campground offers basic amenities including potable water, vault toilets, and picnic tables with fire rings at each site. The campground is similar to Chief Looking Glass Campground, which provides pit toilets and water pumps near the entrance. Jocko Hollow is accessible via drive-in or walk-in access and can accommodate larger vehicles. The sites are relatively rustic but functional, situated in a beautiful natural setting with river access nearby.