Best Tent Camping near Trego, MT

Tent campsites in northwestern Montana near Trego offer a mix of secluded lake-side options and backcountry experiences. Tent camping options include the primitive Martin Lake with its hike-in access, Moose Lake with limited tent sites, and Kintla Lake Campground in Glacier National Park, which provides sites on the shoreline of a pristine mountain lake. Blankenship Bridge also offers free dispersed camping with drive-in access for tent campers.

Access conditions vary considerably across the region's tent campgrounds. Martin Lake requires a short hike from the trailhead, making it suitable for backpackers looking for primitive sites. Kintla Lake Campground is accessible via a 40-mile bumpy dirt road that takes approximately 90 minutes to navigate, requiring high-clearance vehicles in most cases. Most tent sites feature basic fire rings, though Moose Lake has limited spots available. Bear activity is common throughout the area, with campers advised to properly store food. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, one camper noted, "Because it's not the easiest to access, it's one of our favorites to visit."

Tent campers find particular solitude at the more remote sites. Kintla Lake Campground offers 13 tent sites in a motorboat-free zone, creating a peaceful environment for paddlers and anglers. Early arrivals are essential during summer months as the first-come, first-served sites fill quickly, especially at the smaller campgrounds. The region experiences significant seasonal changes, with some higher elevation tent campgrounds inaccessible until snowmelt in late spring. A visitor commented that Kintla Lake "sees less visitors despite how amazingly scenic it is due to its remote location," highlighting the trade-off between accessibility and solitude that defines many tent camping experiences in the Trego area. Mosquitoes can be problematic in early summer, particularly near lakes and wetlands.

Best Tent Sites Near Trego, Montana (53)

    1. Martin Lake

    1 Review
    Fortine, MT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 293-6211

    2. Grave Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Fortine, MT
    11 miles
    Website

    "Lot’s of deer walking around, very safe , locals are very friendly."

    3. Riverside Park

    1 Review
    Eureka, MT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 297-2123

    4. Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park

    32 Reviews
    Polebridge, MT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Be prepared for a dusty, bumpy, narrow, pot-holed drive in on the road."

    "Nice NPS campground within walking distance to Bowman Lake and several trailheads. This is a good spot to camp if you plan on hikeing or boating near/on the lake."

    5. Stillwater Getaway

    1 Review
    Olney, MT
    19 miles

    "Diverse campground with tent sites, car camping sites, and cabins and teepees. Ryan was super friendly and offered showers, an outdoor kitchen, kayaks to use, and potable water"

    6. Kintla Lake Campground — Glacier National Park

    13 Reviews
    Polebridge, MT
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $10 - $15 / night

    "The drive here wasn’t easy, but once you’re there it is worth it. You are camping right along Kintla Lake where many kayak, swim, etc."

    "Very nice campground on the lake and next to the drainage creek. Off the beaten path and takes some commitment to get to, but well worth the drive."

    7. Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping

    32 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    41 miles

    "Nice camping area with access to the river. Was a bit noisy during the day (stayed over the weekend) as the area is used by non-campers coming to fish, kayak, sightseeing, etc."

    "Only about 15 minutes away from Glacier National Park Westgate. I was able to stay here for multiple days. Each time was no trouble in finding a place to park."

    8. Yarnell Island Campground

    1 Review
    Blue Springs Lake, MO
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 293-7773

    "The website is accurate: campsites are primitive, there is at least one boat ramp, there are two islands when the water is high, and there are several picnic tables scattered over the islands."

    9. Moose Lake

    3 Reviews
    Olney, MT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 758-5208

    "Long drive from the main road. I think there are 3 campsites right on the lake. One was a little farther up the road. Snow was over the road still but not too deep."

    10. Whitefish Bike Retreat

    3 Reviews
    Whitefish, MT
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 260-0274

    $50 / night

    "Nearby Whitefish, MT has a growing reputation for fantastic trails, hikes and mountain bike areas, and this full-service oasis takes advantage of all of it.  "

    "Bike trails for all abilities and ages. The owners are so rad. A family business and they make you fell part of the tribe. Very clean and maintained. And a lot of extra for mountain biking."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Trego, MT

827 Reviews of 53 Trego Campgrounds


  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park

    Another beautiful spot in Glacier!

    Be prepared for a dusty, bumpy, narrow, pot-holed drive in on the road. There's a sign at the beginning of the incline that indicates parking availability… pay attention to the sign, it will tell you if no parking is available. If the road is wet, it is treacherous! Remember to bring bug spray and bear spray, be aware of your surroundings. 

    You'll be a high elevation so be ready for cooler nights. I used my 0-degree sleeping bag, and that worked great. Limited campsites so get there early on the weekend. Several trails lead into the mountains, one leads along the lakeshore. There is drinking water, pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, plus some bear-proof storage boxes.Highly recommend taking the time to explore and camp at this location.

  • Emmett S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2024

    Stillwater River

    Beautiful Riverside Rustic

    Just about a mile from the highway, this site is right on the river with some nice deep pools. There are three separate fire rings with a vault toilet and picnic table. It's a short drive in but more suitable for truck camping, van, tent camping or very small trailer like 13' max due to narrow track and limited maneuvering area. High clearance required!

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park

    Less visited part of Glacier

    Nice NPS campground within walking distance to Bowman Lake and several trailheads. This is a good spot to camp if you plan on hikeing or boating near/on the lake. Super clean, lots of shade and hammock trees, vault toilet, first come. I was surprised there was only one bear box for the whole campground to share instead of one at each site. Especially after seeing a leather deposit of bear scat on the Bowman Lake trail. No showers here but you can pay for a shower down at Polebridge Market Place, which you want to visitor anyway for their amazing baked goods (pizza after 3 pm too!). There was a ranger hanging out in the parking lot of the trail head area if you have any questions (though her job looked to be more traffic management than anything else).

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Quartz Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Off the beaten path

    There are about 8 sites here, several miles down the road from the —- Glacier ranger station. It’s quiet, all you can hear is the creek and the wind in the trees. Sites 4 and 5 are the best as they are right on the creek with water access. There is one central bear box, one central water pump (currently NO water), and one clean vault toilet. You are close to a couple of trailheads as well.

  • Taryn S.
    Jul. 27, 2024

    Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park

    Best National Park Campground in the US!

    We've camped all over...all over Glacier and all over the country, and this is hands-down one of our favorite campgrounds. 100% our fave national park campground! An authentic unplugged, quiet camping experience.

    The remote location is amazing, and the campsites are nicely spread out in a moody, dark forested area with near full shade. There are a couple of paths directly to the lake, literally a 2-3 minute walk from anywhere in camp. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables, and there are a few vault toilets and several trash bins and potable water spigots. No showers or sinks. Deer galore! The visitor tent is pretty cool, especially for families with kids. It has activities and games like scavenger hunts, books/tools for identifying wildflowers/plants/scat etc. And there's a camp host onsite seasonally, also.

    Note that all sites are FCFS. Rangers at the entrance usually have a fair idea of whether you'll get a spot.

    Even though the park has gotten much busier in the past few years, Bowman still remains a quietER gem. The long road keeps people away, I guess - although some 2023-24 construction/improvements has made it quite a bit better.

  • Angela G.
    May. 15, 2021

    Apgar Campground — Glacier National Park

    Great location!

    Really excellent location right inside Glacier National Park limits and walking distance to Lake McDonald. I had very limited cell phone service with Verizon at the campground but I had 4G at the lake. The sites were spacious enough. Most sites had a semi circle type parking so easy to get in and out for trailers. Bathroom was ok but there was no soap. No wifi. Trash receptacles were available. The showers were not great. Deer frequented the sites. Proper food storage is very important. It was nice and quiet while I was there but during peak summer months would likely be very busy and crowded.

  • Morgan M.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Site D173 along Lake McDonald

    Situated along the southwest side of Glacier National Park's Fish Creek Campground, I snagged two nights at site D173 - right on the lake! 

    Follow the paved road to Loop D, and it's one of the last sites you come to. The site was extremely spacious and very clean (many of the sites at Fish Creek Campground are very small). It contained a fire pit, picnic table and outline for tent location. Plenty of close trees for hammocks. 

    Just a short walk down the hill from the site and you're on the lake! Because of the trees, there's not a great view of the lake from the site. Site D174 has fewer trees with clearer views of the lake. 

    The site was extremely close to the dumpsters (but not too close!), the bear vault was across the road and the bathrooms were maybe 100ft away (M/W - two stalls with flushing toilets and two sinks with a hand dryer). 

    I'm not much of a campground person (I prefer backpacking to avoid screaming kids and the sounds of generators), but this was sufficed for my time exploring Glacier National Park. 

    You'll see I had a tent/tarp set up the first night (I refused to be wet in my tent!), but the second night I slept in my car since I knew it would be pouring rain the next morning and I didn't want to break down camp in the rain. 

    Beware! You cannot collect sticks from the area for your fire. You must purchase firewood at Apgar Village (around $6/bundle) or collect dead branches/wood from the road to Bowman or Kintla Lakes. 

    The site host was at the start of Loop D, so she was close by for any issues (she's super nice!).

    The campground is dog friendly (I had mine with me), but know that there are NO dog-friendly trails in Glacier NP.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Big Creek Campground (flathead National Forest, Mt)

    Nice and shady

    Nice little forest service campground with two small loops for a total of about 20 sites, reservable. I lucked out and was able to get a site last minute as a walk in, and my site was pretty good! Site 9 site on the river side and has water access (with a bit of walking), and is close to the vault toilet (which is in need of service). Quiet with a good number of trees (bring your hammock), you may need to kick some pine cones out of the way to pitch your tent. There is a nice picnic table and fire ring as well. I watched a doe nose around in the site opposite mine for a while.

  • Stacia R.
    Jul. 14, 2019

    Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Glacier...jewel of the Continent

    This is a very busy campground in a stunningly beautiful park. We selected this campground because it is one of only 2 in Glacier National Park that accepts reservations, and its close proximity to Lake McDonald. We stayed in the D loop (loops are A-D). Of the four loops, this one was my favorite. The A loop had larger sites, but they were less private. The A loop is the only loop with showers as well, so a lot of campers come thru to hit the shower. We hit the shower mid-day and were lucky that there was no line and a little hot water. Our loop had a mix of sites, but mostly tent campers. Some have direct views to the lake, some are along Fish Creek, and many are little more than a driveway with a picnic table & fire pit. We had to put our tents, one medium size & one small, in the driveway due to no other space available. The ground was incredibly hard to put stakes into and the gravel drive put a hole in my sleeping pad. The bathroom was within a minute walk and there are several water spickets around each loop. Being “bear aware” is essential in this area, so all food & food prep items have to be stored in your vehicle or one of the communal bear boxes. The camp hosts offer wash basins for dishes and there is a grey water dump at the bathroom. For the most part, it is a relatively quiet campground, as most people are off exploring the park every day. We did have a large group of loud campers/partiers next to us one night that resulted in a small swarm of park rangers showing up, but I think this is probably unusual. Apgar Village is nearby where you can get everything you may need and more...gifts/souvenirs, ice cream, firewood, boat & bike rentals, coffee, etc. Glacier is amazing!...but very busy & with really only one road going thru the park for the most part. Be prepared for crowds but relax & take in the beauty of it all.


Guide to Trego

Tent campsites near Trego, Montana sit in the transitional terrain between Kootenai National Forest and Flathead Valley, with elevations averaging 3,000-3,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 50°F nights to 85°F days, with significant cooling in September when nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Most primitive camping areas require bear-resistant food storage containers or hanging food at least 10 feet off the ground.

What to do

Paddling: water access: Visitors at Yarnell Island Campground can enjoy boat-in tent camping with rocky swimming areas. "There's a great place to swim on the northern side of the small island that has a rocky shelf thigh deep in the water where you can hang out and stack rocks or jump off out into the deeper parts of the lake," notes camper Hannah O.

Wildlife viewing: dawn and dusk: Early mornings provide optimal viewing at most campgrounds. At Bowman Lake Campground, campers report regular deer sightings around camp. "Deer frequent the campsites, sniffing around the fire pits, searching for food, and they're not scared of people. They'll come right up to your tent," reports Lora C.

Stargazing: minimal light pollution: Many sites offer exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal development. "At night, there are a few lights along the bank, but they don't impede the view of the stars. The view of the stars was amazing. The Milky Way was bright," according to a Yarnell Island camper.

What campers like

Remote locations: fewer crowds: Tent campsites with difficult access often reward with solitude. At Kintla Lake Campground, the payoff comes after a challenging drive. "39 miles inside the park. A rough, but beautiful, drive in (will take near an hour and a half). No trailers or campers allowed. A quiet place to camp with a view that you will never forget," notes Donna B.

Swimming opportunities: water temperature: Most lakes in the area remain cold even in summer. "The water surface is warm down to a couple feet (in July), and underneath is cold," reports a Yarnell Island camper, providing realistic expectations for swimmers.

Fishing access: species available: Several lakes offer fishing without requiring motorized boats. At Kintla Lake, one camper noted the campground is "perfect for fishing," while at Martin Lake, a visitor observed it "looks like a promising spot" for fishing.

What you should know

Bear safety requirements: mandatory storage: All campgrounds in the region have strict bear management protocols. At Martin Lake, campers advise to "store food by hanging from high tree branch to discourage bear investigations." At Bowman Lake, a visitor noted, "I was surprised there was only one bear box for the whole campground to share instead of one at each site. Especially after seeing a leather deposit of bear scat on the Bowman Lake trail."

Road conditions: high-clearance needs: Many camping areas require navigating rough roads. At Grave Creek Campground, visitors find "semi remote, very quiet, dusty" conditions, while at Blankenship Bridge, "Deep rutted muddy holes filled with water to get to site. Sketchy low trees and narrow road."

Insect activity: seasonal intensity: Mosquitoes peak in early summer at most sites. "I experienced more mosquito bites here than at any other spot in Montana. Bring your repellant!" warns a Bowman Lake camper, highlighting a common regional concern.

Tips for camping with families

Water safety: depth considerations: Lakes typically have steep drop-offs near shore. At Yarnell Island, families can use "a rocky shelf thigh deep in the water where you can hang out and stack rocks or jump off out into the deeper parts of the lake."

Wildlife education: teaching moments: Moose Lake and surrounding areas offer opportunities to teach children about responsible wildlife viewing. "Lake was very calm and quiet," notes a visitor, making it suitable for observing nature with children.

Tent site selection: level ground: At most tent campsites, early arrival ensures better options for level sites. At Bowman Lake, "The campsites are clean and level, but watch out for stumps along the driveways."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: length limitations: Most campgrounds near Trego restrict RV access due to road conditions. At Whitefish Bike Retreat, one RVer cautioned, "We took our 24' trailer in with our Tundra. It was gravel, bumpy and steep in spots I would not advise anything longer."

Generator policies: usage hours: Rules vary across campgrounds, with most primitive sites prohibiting generators. At Whitefish Bike Retreat, "We were asked to turn our generator off by our neighbors but were told it can be ran during daylight hours from staff."

Alternative accommodations: cabin options: For RVers unable to access remote tent campsites, some areas offer cabins. At Stillwater Getaway, "Diverse campground with tent sites, car camping sites, and cabins and teepees" provides alternatives when tent camping isn't practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Trego, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Trego, MT is Martin Lake with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Trego, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 53 tent camping locations near Trego, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.