The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Thompson Falls. Thompson Falls is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Thompson Falls, reviewed by campers like you.
"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."
"Dispersed 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."
"Main dirt road is well maintained but narrow and curves up the mountain. Lots of spots if you keep on going, but some offshoots are steep and rocky."
"Just as described by other reviews, it’s right off the highway and right by the creek. About 50 yards away is an outhouse next to a few RV’s."
"Cross the bridge at the exit and there is a wide turn around. I'd pull my teardrop down here, but unsure about longer trailers."
"A nice free spot right off the highway. Has a pit toilet, almost no bugs, nice pine tree shade, good dirt roads. Some trees are very sappy so be wary if setting up a hammock"
"Stunning views, several sites to choose from, some have access to the river. The road conditions are wonderful—towed a 20 ft trailer. Some spots are more open to use Starlink."
"By far one of my favorite Mt lake hikes! With great camping at both the lower and upper lakes, I recommend using the trails app to help navigate through the switch backs, and have lots of water!"
"Loads of flat space, some noise from I90, few other cars camping nearby. Beautiful river nearby."
"Lovely dispersed camping area. Very pretty. We stayed for a night and were in good company."
"A couple of times they rolled thru at 2am but all the positives outweigh getting woken up a few times.
Very easy access, two pit toilets in the camping area."
"The further you drive on the road the closer you can get to the river! There are some pit toilets too! Absolutely beautiful!"
"Camping is prohibited from spring to mid July. Not the best spot for swimming due to the current in this section of the river but good enough to wade in and cool off anyway."
GuideA nice free spot right off the highway. Has a pit toilet, almost no bugs, nice pine tree shade, good dirt roads. Some trees are very sappy so be wary if setting up a hammock
GuideThis was my first ever backpacking experience and was a great introduction for me. We did the 3.5-mile trail. It was challenging and encouraging. My dog loved it too, and she's a larger breed! I would recommend this trek for anyone who is wanting to learn and practice backpacking skills. There are a few cleared areas for dispersed camping at the lake and a few other locations along the 3.5-mile trail and the 11-mile trail to Engle Lake. It is mostly uphill along both trails, though, so be mindful of that when considering equipment and weight. It is a gorgeous spot and is close to the Engle Peak summit with 360-degree views of the Cabinet Mountains. When we were here, there were a lot of Elk and Moose foot-traffic. They probably won't bother you. Just be aware of them and store your food properly. There have been grizzly bears spotted here, but not that frequently, apparently. Nonetheless, bring a bear canister and place it 100-300 feet from your tent. Enjoy the preserved and lightly trafficked gem! And as always, leave no trace and follow COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines :)
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!
RangerEasy to get to. Can park a decent size rv in some spots and group camp in s couple. There are only a few spots thought.
You have to “walk down” a steep drop to access the river. When it’s high don’t try or say goodbye. Train runs often across the river and will disrupt your night unless you live in Montana then you’re already used to it. The toilets are stocked but not cleaned regularly. There was a you g lonely moose crossing the river and sleeping in the camp at night during my stay. If you’re not from Montana expect those that are to be unfriendly, that’s a thing here. Fire pits are a joke and burn band are common
Details: Free up to 14 days No water or trash Easy 15 min drive to St Regis, supplies and tourists traps aplenty Expect people to just ignore you as they walk right through your site to access the river Sheep can be seen across the river sometimes Pics are better than reality Uncomfortable atmosphere
RangerEasy to get to. Can park a decent size rv in some spots and group camp in s couple. There are only a few spots thought.
You have to “walk down” a steep drop to access the river. When it’s high don’t try or say goodbye. Train runs often across the river and will disrupt your night unless you live in Montana then you’re already used to it. The toilets are stocked but not cleaned regularly. There was a you g lonely moose crossing the river and sleeping in the camp at night during my stay. If you’re not from Montana expect those that are to be unfriendly, that’s a thing here. Fire pits are a joke and burn band are common
Details: Free up to 14 days No water or trash Easy 15 min drive to St Regis, supplies and tourists traps aplenty Expect people to just ignore you as they walk right through your site to access the river Sheep can be seen across the river sometimes Pics are better than reality Uncomfortable atmosphere
GuideMain dirt road is well maintained but narrow and curves up the mountain. Lots of spots if you keep on going, but some offshoots are steep and rocky. We took the second right offshoot and got an awesome view with plenty space to spread out. We car camp in a Wagoneer
ScoutSo 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).
LegendLovely dispersed camping area. Very pretty. We stayed for a night and were in good company. By the end of the day each site was filled and there were several folks driving through still looking for sites.
They’re spaced out well from one another giving all campers lots of privacy. Very wooded with paths down to the water. We hung out on a hammock most of the day but it rained throughout the night and into the next day so I wasn’t able to snag any good photos.
We small camper trailers, tents, single cots, and full RVs in this campground. Our site and seemingly most sites could have supported a 50 footer.
Although a popular spot, it wasn’t loud and we didn’t really interact with other campers.
There is a single vault toilet but no hookups. It’s dispersed camping. No water source beyond the river.
Great spot, highly recommend. I would try to get there early to grab a spot (first come first serve.) We went late September and every spot ended up filled.
ATT & Verizon service work well. Sites very unlevel
GuideThis is primitive off grid camping. No services, no water, no tables, just a bathroom in a field with a few campsites around it near the creek. Great location to stay if you're doing the Hiawatha trail and want to camp in the area. The busses picking up hiawatha trail users go right by the campground multiple times a day in the summer.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Thompson Falls, Montana, where nature's tranquility meets the thrill of adventure. With a variety of options, campers can enjoy stunning landscapes, fishing spots, and the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Thompson Falls?
Dispersed camping in the Thompson Falls area typically follows standard national forest regulations. At Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area, the "Peninsula" area has a 6-day stay limit. Most sites have established stone fire rings and require proper fire management. Engle Lake Dispersed Camping requires backpacking in, with standard backcountry regulations applying. Always practice Leave No Trace principles, properly store food in bear country, and use existing fire rings when available. Check with Lolo National Forest offices for seasonal fire restrictions and specific area regulations.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Thompson Falls?
Several free dispersed camping options exist near Thompson Falls. Muchwater Recreation Area offers easy highway access with pine tree shade, pit toilets, and good dirt roads. It's located right off the highway with spaces for RVs and group camping. Another option is 2 Mile Turn Off Dispersed Camp, which sits right off the highway by a creek with established fire pits and outhouse access nearby. Both locations provide peaceful river access, though some spots may have steep approaches to the water.
Is Thompson Falls dispersed camping available year-round?
Dispersed camping availability around Thompson Falls varies seasonally. Rainbow Lake State Park campground has limited access during winter months, as the access road can become difficult with snow and ice. The small, tree-lined path may be particularly challenging during winter conditions. Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed also has seasonal limitations due to its primitive, off-grid nature. Generally, lower elevation sites along main roads remain accessible longer, while higher elevation or remote sites may be inaccessible during winter. Always check road conditions and forest service updates before planning winter dispersed camping trips.
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