Tent camping near Somers, Montana offers access to the Flathead Valley region where elevations range from 3,000 feet at the lake to 7,000+ feet in surrounding mountains. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 70-85°F with cooler nights dropping into the 40s, even during peak season. Many dispersed camping areas become inaccessible during winter months due to snow accumulation on forest roads.
What to do
Paddle on Ashley Lake: Crystal clear waters make this lake ideal for kayaking and canoeing. Ashley Lake South Campground has direct lake access with a camper noting, "Ashley Lake never disappoints. The camp sites are a bit rough to get too but as long as you're tent camping or have a very small and agile pull behind you'll be okay."
Fish from shore: Several campgrounds offer fishing access without needing a boat. At Yellow Bay State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "The rocks are gorgeous and it was a wonderful place to fish!" Yellow Bay has relatively shallow, protected water that warms faster than other areas of Flathead Lake.
Explore Jewel Basin trails: Located within 45 minutes of Somers, these hiking trails offer alpine lake access. One camper at Camp Misery Trailhead noted, "The parking area was mostly full this Sunday morning when we started our dayhike and when we returned in the early afternoon, there was a line of cars down the road."
Mountain biking: The Whitefish area has developing trail systems for various skill levels. A visitor mentioned, "There are bike trails/easy routes to every other major biking area around Whitefish - Spencer Mountain, Lyon Mountain, Reservoir Lake and Big Mountain Nordic."
What campers like
Privacy in forested sites: Ryan Road Dispersed Camping offers tent sites with natural separation. A camper described, "Cozy Spot next to Glacier National Park. Perfect spot for me and my Kia Soul on a forest service road outside west glacier. Sizable turnout spot at the end of the FSR. Quite busy, but spacious enough to feel private."
Water access at primitive sites: Many campers prioritize waterfront locations over amenities. At Blankenship Bridge, a reviewer mentioned, "Beautiful beach side or individual sites. Super clean porta potty. Off road to access - need 4WD if real muddy. Not easy access for campers."
Convenience to Glacier National Park: Many tent campers use Somers as a base camp for park exploration. A camper at Ryan Road noted, "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."
Night sky viewing: The area has minimal light pollution, making stargazing excellent. One camper mentioned, "incredible night skies" at dispersed camping areas near Dorris Creek Road along Hungry Horse Reservoir.
What you should know
Limited availability at small campgrounds: Yellow Bay has only 6 tent sites total, making early arrival crucial. Similarly, at Ashley Lake South, a camper warned, "There are only about 6-7 spots, first come first serve, and it's on a real rough road to get there."
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many tent camping areas requires driving rough roads. At Blankenship Bridge, a camper cautioned, "Deep rutted muddy holes filled with water to get to site. Sketchy low trees and narrow road."
Seasonal closures affect planning: Most tent campgrounds operate from May through September only. Campers should check current status before traveling, as one visitor to Ryan Road discovered: "I showed up to the Ryan road turn off from highway 2 and there was a bunch of signage that said temporarily closed to public access due to logging work going on."
Wildlife precautions required: All camping near Somers requires proper food storage due to bears. At Yellow Bay, campers are reminded, "They are pretty strict about where you dump your trash - do not burn your garbage in your fire pit."
Tips for camping with families
Choose established campgrounds with facilities: For younger children, Yellow Bay offers a protected swimming area. A camper noted, "The bay itself is relatively shallow, protected a bit from the wind and the bottom is smooth mid sized rocks, all making for an excellent place to swim."
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. A Yellow Bay reviewer mentioned, "The highway is just above the campsite so there is road noise from time to time but it quiets down at night and the nearby stream drowns out most of it."
Look for tent-only areas: These often provide a quieter experience than mixed-use campgrounds. At Dorris Creek Road, a camper observed, "There are a few places up the gravel road along the lake where you can pull off to camp away from the road. It's gorgeous!"
Bring water transportation equipment: Kids enjoy paddling in the protected bays. One camper at Yellow Bay mentioned that their family "always brings their boat, and we go tubing, fishing, water skiing, and swimming. We also really love to kayak and stand up paddle board."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Most dispersed camping near Somers has limited space for larger units. At Ryan Road, a camper with a large rig shared, "We 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."
Consider generator policies: Some campgrounds have restrictions. At one campground, a camper noted, "We were asked to turn our generator off by our neighbors but were told it can be ran during daylight hours from staff."
Prepare for limited amenities: Most tent camping areas near Somers lack hookups. A camper at Hungry Horse Reservoir advised, "This is a good spot for smaller rv's or tents but any spot I seen for rv larger than 30' was taken or really not available."
Arrive early for suitable spots: Competition for level sites increases during summer months. As one RVer at Ryan Road suggested, "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."
