Camping near Thompson Falls, MT

Camping sites near Thompson Falls, Montana sit within the Cabinet Mountain foothills at elevations between 2,400-2,500 feet. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures often reaching the 80s and cool nights dropping into the 50s. Most dispersed camping locations near Thompson Falls enforce pack-in, pack-out policies with limited facilities compared to established campgrounds.

What to do

Hiking on interpretive trails: Cabin City Campground features a self-guided nature trail under a mile long that teaches visitors about the area's logging and mining history. "We were pleasantly surprised at how nice this campground was. Our kids loved the nature walk/hike at the entrance to the campground," reports Joshua D.

Fishing in Clark Fork River: The waterways surrounding Thompson Falls provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Finley Flats, campers can access the river directly. "This campsite is perfect for a simple and free camping spot. Doesn't have any hook ups but is right on the water and you can park your boat. We caught many fish and enjoyed swimming right on the river," notes Riley G.

Golf at nearby courses: The area boasts quality golfing options within short driving distance of camping areas. "If you play golf, there is hidden gem not far away. River Bend Gold Course. We played. It is really a pretty, well maintained course," shares Nancy C. about her stay at Rimrock Lodge RV Park.

What campers like

Free electric hookups: 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground offers unusual amenities for a free site. "A price that can't be beat! Several spaces available behind the restaurant/bar and casino- Tucked into the woods but road close- you can walk over for a meal, snack, coffee etc or some delightfully cheesey souvenirs. Plug in your rig and unwind for the night," explains Renee Z.

Secluded sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at forest campgrounds. "Great spacing on the campsites. Loved it here. Every other spot is reservable. We had fun watching the chipmunks. The bear boxes were a bit of a walk though," mentions Zac C. about Cabin City Campground.

Well-maintained facilities: Camp Squatch receives praise for its cleanliness and comfort. "Clean, cozy, quiet and literally 5 minutes to town & 1/4 mile to boat launch. Went Morel mushroom hunting and had farm fresh eggs, Cabin had all the amenities the the firepit is crazy cool! This place is a hidden treasure for sure," writes Deborah W.

What you should know

Train noise affects river campgrounds: Several campgrounds near Thompson Falls experience railroad disruptions. "There is a 'garage' set up as the park office. The sites are fairly close together but spread along the sides of the road loops and there are no other campsites around you. The river was a short walk through the trees from our site. Beautiful clear water, sand and rocks," notes Shelly S. at Thompson Falls State Park Campground.

Bear awareness required: Wildlife precautions are necessary at many sites. "Nice 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. Lots of bear warning signs around so be sure to bring your bear boxes and bear spray," advises Raven F. at Clark Memorial.

Seasonal campground openings: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Birdland Bay RV Resort runs from May 1 to September 30, while Thompson Falls State Park typically operates from April 1 to October 10. Sites may close earlier during fire seasons or extend operations depending on weather conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Look for swimming spots: Gold Rush provides opportunities for water recreation. "Great trail for hiking and exploring. This camp is not heavily used so you could possibly get the place to yourself. Lots of shade great place to go get away," Christopher R. mentions about this less-visited option.

Choose sites with amenities: Some locations provide better facilities for family camping. "We spent one Saturday night here and fell in love with this spot! The Clark Fork through this area is beautiful and our camp site was right next to a semi protected bay that was perfect for our young kids to wade in. It was super quiet," Sara D. shares about Thompson Falls State Park.

Check for insect conditions: Mosquitoes can impact camping experiences in certain areas. "The camp is very scenic, is on a small river and near a small grove of huge old cedars. However, mosquitoes had been horrendous to the point it's not possible to enjoy a campsite or eat in it," cautions a reviewer about Clark Memorial.

Tips from RVers

Site spacing considerations: Copper King offers generous spacing for smaller rigs. "This is a free campground. There are five sites with generous spacing. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a privy and one bear box in the middle of the circle. This campground doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping," Matthew S. explains.

Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer full or partial hookups. "A really odd hillbilly-esque campground. Some of the sites were awkwardly laid out which seemed to confuse quite a few people. Full hookups were nice and so was the proximity to town and the trail system," Justin notes about Rimrock Lodge RV Park.

Emergency options: Free camping with electric hookups can be valuable during unexpected weather. "We stopped here on our way out of Montana. A winter storm rolled in and made the pass impassable. This is a FREE RV park with electric hookups…no water, cable, or dumping station, but again, FREE. The snow was hitting hard and having electricity was a lifesaver," shares Andi F. about 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground.