Best Equestrian Camping near Thompson Falls, MT

Thompson Falls offers minimal dedicated equestrian camping facilities, with none of the campgrounds in the immediate area providing horse corrals or specific equestrian amenities. Dispersed camping in Lolo National Forest Recreation Area presents the most viable option for horse owners, where camping with horses is permitted following forest service regulations. The free, primitive sites along the river accommodate various setups including tent camping and RVs, though campers must bring their own containment systems for horses. National Forest land typically allows horses with proper management of feed and waste, maintaining a minimum distance of 200 feet from water sources.

Trail access from dispersed camping areas connects riders to the extensive network of forest service roads and trails throughout Lolo National Forest. Horse owners need to pack in water or use natural water sources responsibly for their animals. Several forest service roads provide access points for stock trailers, though clearance can be limited at certain sites. Seasonal restrictions and trail conditions vary significantly, with optimal horse camping occurring between late spring and early fall. Many campers report good experiences camping with horses in the Thompson Falls region despite the lack of dedicated equestrian facilities, noting the diverse terrain suitable for day rides and the ability to highline horses between trees at dispersed sites. Advance preparation and self-sufficiency are essential when camping with horses in this area.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Thompson Falls, Montana (7)

    1. 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground

    10 Reviews
    De Borgia, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 678-4242

    "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."

    2. Plains/Thompson Falls Area

    1 Review
    Thompson Falls, MT
    12 miles

    3. Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Paradise, MT
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 329-3750

    "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"

    "Arrived very late in the dark on Friday night coming back from Canada, and found an amazing site next to the river which drowned out all surrounding noise."

    4. Sloway Campground

    13 Reviews
    Superior, MT
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 822-4233

    $15 / night

    "It’s right next to the river with a small boat launch."

    "You can hear some highway traffic and the train does com right up next to the river. Not too busy but we were there on a weekday."

    5. Pleasant Valley Campground

    2 Reviews
    Trout Creek, MT
    31 miles
    Website

    "There was only one other camper so it was nice and quiet, it’s very close off the 2 highway so it’s really easy to get to. There are toilets that were ok at the time."

    "Underused, but great for horses with fence, etc. Only one other car camper. Beautiful stars at night!"

    6. Bull River Guard Station

    2 Reviews
    Noxon, MT
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 827-3533

    $75 / night

    "This old Guard Station is in the perfect location. Easy to drive to and close to miles and miles of trails in the Kootenai National Forest."

    7. Breakwater Campground

    3 Reviews
    Cataldo, ID
    48 miles

    "Downside is that there is limited vehicle access to most spots."

    "Also, it's a great starting point to some really good dirt bike trails. Be prepared for no cell service. 0 amenities. it's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire. And it cost nothing."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Thompson Falls, MT

40 Reviews of 7 Thompson Falls Campgrounds


  • Alex P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Pleasant Valley Campground

    Nice and quiet

    There was only one other camper so it was nice and quiet, it’s very close off the 2 highway so it’s really easy to get to. There are toilets that were ok at the time. Sites had some nice privacy with the trees, the horse camp sites at the back were a little more open but looked to be in really good condition. There were also a couple of hiking trails right at the site with signs. Really beautiful views near the back. Did not have Verizon service.

  • W
    Oct. 9, 2024

    Pleasant Valley Campground

    Perfect stop for primitive

    Stayed early October and only 1 other camper. Glad it was open, as information is limited and most areas close Sept 15th or Oct 1 and close gates for access. Basic sites, vault toilet. Underused, but great for horses with fence, etc. Only one other car camper. Beautiful stars at night!

  • Renee Z.
    Apr. 29, 2022

    50,000 Silver Dollar Campground

    FREE RV space w Electric!

    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-

  • Andi F.
    Jan. 5, 2022

    50,000 Silver Dollar Campground

    A free spot

    We stopped here on our way out of Montana (our home state). 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. There is a really good restaurant and bar here as well as a truck stop and gas station. We have a Class A and the spots were plenty big. Lots of dog walking areas too. Perfect in an emergency and great for a short stay. No long terms and is first come first serve.

  • Evelyn M.
    Jul. 6, 2018

    Bull River Guard Station

    Awesome Historic Cabin

    This old Guard Station is in the perfect location. Easy to drive to and close to miles and miles of trails in the Kootenai National Forest. Plenty of beds for a full family - four upstairs and one downstairs. History galore in the building and surrounding areas. Some complaints of mice - but that’s to be expected from a building from 1908.

  • Jared W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Sloway Campground

    Clean next to the river

    It’s right next to the river with a small boat launch. Right off the highway and the train tracks are on the other side of the river but the highways was fairly quiet at night and we only heard one train.

  • Mai-Lien T.
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Sloway Campground

    Perfect camping layover spot

    Lots of camp sites right on the river. Spaced out very nicely. You can hear some highway traffic and the train does com right up next to the river. Not too busy but we were there on a weekday.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Easy, peaceful and beautiful

    So 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).

  • Luke L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Dispersed Site - Lolo National Forest Recreation Area

    Amazing By the River

    Arrived very late in the dark on Friday night coming back from Canada, and found an amazing site next to the river which drowned out all surrounding noise. Beautiful and forested with privacy and plenty of space to setup 5 tents. Didn’t have any issues with bugs or mosquitos despite being by the river in August.


Guide to Thompson Falls

Dispersed camping near Thompson Falls, Montana offers camping options that accommodate horses in the forested areas surrounding the town. The region sits at approximately 2,500 feet elevation in the Cabinet Mountains with a mild summer climate averaging 75-85°F during peak season. Camping sites vary from established campgrounds to primitive forest sites with varying levels of accessibility for horse trailers.

What to Do

Fishing access points: Multiple dispersed camping areas along the Clark Fork River provide easy fishing access. At Lolo National Forest Recreation Area, campers enjoy river proximity with "Beautiful site right next to the river" according to Meaghan M., while another visitor mentions "Great for fishing, swimming, etc."

Trail riding options: For equestrian campers, the Pleasant Valley Campground offers dedicated horse facilities. As Alex P. notes, "the horse camp sites at the back were a little more open but looked to be in really good condition. There were also a couple of hiking trails right at the site with signs."

Historic exploration: The Bull River Guard Station provides a unique base for exploring local history. Evelyn M. explains it has "History galore in the building and surrounding areas" and is "close to miles and miles of trails in the Kootenai National Forest."

What Campers Like

River access: Campers consistently mention the Clark Fork River as a highlight. At Sloway Campground, Lisa C. explains, "You can put in right from your campsite, the beach by the pullthru sites, Dry Creek or Superior, then float to your campsite/beach, St Regis, or 14 Mile/Ferry Landing."

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between camping spots. At Sloway Campground, one camper noted it "offers clean pit toilets, trash receptacles, large private sites, many of which are pull through," while another mentioned "privacy btwn sites was good, right on river, beautiful scenery."

Free electricity: The 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground offers a rare amenity that campers value. Renee Z. calls it "A price that can't be beat!" explaining there are "Several spaces available behind the restaurant/bar and casino." Don O. simply states "Free camping, some spots with power. Right off freeway. Good for one night."

What You Should Know

Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds near Thompson Falls experience train noise. At Sloway Campground, Kenneth F. advises, "The bigger noise maker is the train that runs on the other side of the Clark Fork River. There are two road crossings across from the campground, and the trains are required to blow their horns when approaching these crossings."

Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly across camping areas. At Pleasant Valley Campground, Alex P. reported "Did not have Verizon service," while at Breakwater Campground, a camper warns to "Be prepared for no cell service."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas require self-sufficiency. Josh S. notes about Lolo National Forest: "No pit toilets, No potable water. Road/train noise. POISON IVY (found it... found all of it)." At Breakwater Campground, a camper describes it as having "0 amenities. It's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire. And it cost nothing."

Tips for Camping with Families

Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort while horse camping near Thompson Falls, consider the Bull River Guard Station. Corinne G. describes it as an "Awesome guard station! Cozy little cabin type that fits a family of 4 perfectly. Right by the Bull River with great fishing and fly fishing areas and swimming in the Bull River."

Swimming spots: The river provides natural recreation for children. At Lolo National Forest Recreation Area, Luke L. found "an amazing site next to the river which drowned out all surrounding noise. Beautiful and forested with privacy and plenty of space to setup 5 tents."

Noise considerations: Be prepared for ambient sounds when selecting a family site. At Sloway Campground, Jess R. warns "The noise from the trains was no joke. Woke us up about 5 times overnight, fortunately toddler slept through it."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most horse-friendly dispersed sites have limited space for larger rigs. At Breakwater Campground, Lane P. notes "there is limited vehicle access to most spots," making it better suited for smaller setups when bringing horses.

Emergency options: When weather conditions change, having backup locations matters. At 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground, Andi F. shares "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."

Seasonal availability: Campground operations vary by time of year. Wendy L. advised about Pleasant Valley Campground: "Stayed early October and only 1 other camper. Glad it was open, as information is limited and most areas close Sept 15th or Oct 1 and close gates for access."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Thompson Falls, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Thompson Falls, MT is 50,000 Silver Dollar Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Thompson Falls, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Thompson Falls, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.