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The Cabinet Mountain foothills surrounding Thompson Falls, Montana provide a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites along riverbanks and lakeshores. Thompson Falls State Park Campground offers boat-in and drive-in access with both tent and RV camping options, while Camp Squatch features cabins and RV sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Copper King Campground provides free sites with riverside positioning. The region's developed campgrounds range from full-hookup RV parks like Rimrock Lodge and Birdland Bay to more rustic Forest Service sites with minimal amenities.
Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with Thompson Falls State Park typically open from April through October. Access roads vary significantly in quality, with some forest campgrounds requiring careful navigation on narrow, unpaved routes. Summer brings warm temperatures ideal for water recreation, while spring runoff can affect river conditions. Most free dispersed sites enforce a 14-day stay limit. Cell service becomes increasingly limited when camping in the more remote locations away from Highway 200. Several campgrounds feature river or lake access, though water levels fluctuate seasonally. One camper noted, "This campground doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping. Although it sits along the river, it doesn't really have great river access."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with sites near the Clark Fork River and Thompson Chain of Lakes receiving consistently positive reviews. Campers frequently mention the generous spacing between sites at free campgrounds like Copper King, which features five sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer, eagles, and moose sightings reported by visitors. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those along the Clark Fork River corridor where the Montana Rail Line runs. A visitor commented about Copper King: "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." The region's mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces.
"Thompson SP, Montana Very quiet, remote and sandy. Did an overnight here after a KOA so you can imagine the differences! There is a “garage” set up as the park office."
"Montana is special in every way."
from $56 / night
Check Availability"I was surprised how nice this was since it's just about 5 minutes from the highway. You feel miles away - absolutely no noise. It's super clean and pretty."
"Perfect location, as it is away from the highway, in a wooded setting. Sites are further apart, clean and plenty of space."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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."
"We stopped here on our way out of Montana (our home state). A winter storm rolled in and made the pass impassable."
"But, a small herd of deer welcomed us at the entrance. That was cool.. The RV park is up the hill to the left of everything else. Once in the RV section, you don't see the other part."
"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."
"The campground is no more than 10 minutes from Thompson falls, so it's easy to get to town if you need to."
"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"
"It provided nothing, but was close to the river. We pooped in a bag, and provided our everything. We made a made a campfire. We didn’t shoot anything, but there were a lot of shells around."
"Just a short drive outside of Thompson Fall, is this hidden gem. Tucked in the pines, you will find generously spaced sites, beautifully maintained grounds and wonderful hosts."
ScoutOff the highway and next to a lake there are 5 spots available. We stayed in site #5 and had a 27ft camper that fit great and parking for our truck. Definitely hi way traffic, obviously no electric or water. It did have a privy toilet available even into late October. We really enjoyed this spot. Bumpyish road to get in, but can't complain because its FREE!
LegendBeautiful large spaces. Definitely would be good for large groups. We got in around 3pm. And by 630 a few RVs pulled up and asked for our spot. We had the largest clearing and since we only stayed 1 night we let them have it.
Pit toilet is very clean thankfully. No trash or water services. Lots of gnats as the sun went down, then the bats started to swoop on down. Saw a bald eagle flying over the river
The train is on the other side of the river and it goes by frequently. Then the road is right on the other side of the camp so pretty noisy.
Very very dusty as cars drive by
LegendA few sections are closed for the season. Our spot had a water bib cock and power hookup. Had trouble finding a bathroom so I dont think there are many. Access to the water as well! Very pretty spot
TravelerThere are a few options here as far as I could tell. The turnout is large and would fit any size rig, but has no privacy and substantial interstate noise. Alternatively, you can cross the river and turn left, and there are a few sites this way. However, there are several campers that appear to have illegally permanently set up in some of these spots. This generally does not make me feel safe. I also tried going down two mile rd a ways, but did not find any possible spots there. All things considered, I left to go somewhere else.
GuideThis is a very nice dispersed campsite with a 16-day limit. The campground is located right off the main road coming from St. Regis the turnoff is on the right from the highway. You will get on a gravel road which is accessible with low clearance vehicles, although some sites are not recommended for low clearance vehicles while others are. You will see Eagles on occasion, may see deer, and chipmunks. I didn’t see any bear even though there were bear precaution signs posted. Trains go by day and night, but they’re not so loud it’s bothersome.
Scoutriver will sing you sweet and sleepy. and the pit toilet is awesome!! good sleep spot at site 9 for tents. stopped here on our way from seattle to glacier. perfect stop
LegendNothing really in this area for free camping and this spot is great, go right down to the water if you can, there’s a bathroom and gorgeous view
Look at the map and make sure your going to the right place. The gps is a bit off but the map view os correct
LegendNothing really in this area for free camping and this spot is great, go right down to the water if you can, there’s a bathroom and gorgeous view
Look at the map and make sure your going to the right place. The gps is a bit off but the map view os correct
ScoutVery clean pit toilets. Lovely setting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Thompson Falls, MT?
Thompson Falls offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Birdland Bay RV Resort is a hidden gem just a short drive from town, featuring generously spaced sites nestled among pine trees with quick access to Clark Fork River for fishing and kayaking. For a more rustic experience, Copper King provides five free campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, ideal for tent camping with riverside views. Other notable options include Lake Creek Campground for seclusion (6.5 miles off highway), Cabin City Campground for forest settings, and Kootenai National Forest Bull River Campground for water views. Many sites in the area offer excellent access to outdoor recreation including fishing, hiking, and water activities.
What amenities are available at Thompson Falls campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Thompson Falls offer varying amenities to suit different camping styles. Rimrock Lodge RV Park provides full-service facilities including a motel, casino, lounge, dining options, and bowling alley alongside its RV sites. Trout Creek Motel & RV Park offers convenient access to laundry facilities, a gift shop, and nearby essentials. Other area campgrounds typically include basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with some offering pit toilets or vault toilets, potable water sources, and designated parking areas. McGregor Lakes RV features showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities cleaned daily. Most campgrounds in the area include access to lakes or rivers for recreation, with some offering additional amenities like bear boxes, walking paths, and firewood for sale.
Is there a state park campground at Thompson Falls?
Yes, Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park Campground offers camping opportunities near Thompson Falls. This state park features multiple camping areas clustered together but each with distinct characteristics. The Horseshoe area is particularly popular for its crystal-clear water and stunning views. The park provides access to a chain of lakes, making it perfect for fishing, boating, and other water activities. For additional state-managed camping options, Island Lake provides a more secluded experience, though it's noted that the lake water quality can vary seasonally. These state park campgrounds offer a more natural setting compared to private RV parks in the area, with basic amenities focused on outdoor recreation.
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