Trout Creek sits at the base of the Cabinet Mountains in northwestern Montana, along Highway 200 at approximately 2,400 feet elevation. The surrounding Kootenai National Forest creates a transition zone between mountain and river ecosystems where seasonal temperature swings can exceed 100°F from winter lows to summer highs. Camping options near Trout Creek range from primitive backcountry sites to developed facilities, with most open from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Fishing access points: Finley Flats offers direct river fishing with no fees required. One visitor noted, "Fishing, boating hiking. Beautiful area. There is a small store top of the hill. Nearest town is 10 miles away."
Hiking at Engle Lake: This free dispersed camping area requires a 3.5-mile uphill hike. A camper shared, "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."
Swimming holes: Thompson Falls State Park Campground offers river access with sandy beach areas. "Our camp site was right next to a semi protected bay that was perfect for our young kids to wade in," reported one visitor. "There was a short trail from our campsite that led down to the river with a little sandy beach."
Golf courses nearby: Several campgrounds provide access to local courses. A camper at Birdland Bay RV Resort mentioned, "A 2 min. Drive puts you at River Bend Golf Course. It is one of the best public courses we have played in our travels. Views for days. Well maintained."
What campers like
Water quality: Bull River Campground connects to Cabinet Gorge Reservoir with exceptional water. "Great swimming place and boat access," notes one visitor. Another camper adds, "Excellent access to the river, small walking trails led to fishing areas, and we saw beavers, turkeys, and deer."
Secluded campsites: Lake Creek Campground provides more remote options. "This campsite is about 6.5 miles off the highway which feels pretty far once you get there," writes one visitor. Another noted, "Pretty removed from everything, decent gravel road to get in, super quiet and lovely, the creek runs behind the left side of the loop."
Forest camping: Marten Creek Campground offers wooded sites near water. "Quiet secluded area. Camp sites have good space," mentions one review. Another visitor adds, "This campground is off the hidden path but not hard to access. Is a little over grown but spots are spread out."
Free camping options: The best places to camp near Trout Creek include no-cost sites. A camper at Finley Flats appreciated that "This Vista owned campground is first come first served. No amenities, no cell service. Did I mention it is a free campground! 14 day limit."
What you should know
Train noise: Many of the best camping options near Trout Creek experience train disturbances. A visitor to Trout Creek Motel & RV Park observed, "Is a little close to highway and there are trains all night, but the whole valley is like that."
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. "No trash containers, no bear boxes, and no water," noted one Bull River Campground visitor. Another camper added, "There's water, & you can fill a holding tank, but no power or dump."
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage. At Engle Lake, a visitor advised, "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."
Cell service gaps: Connectivity varies widely across campsites. "No cell service for Verizon," reported a Lake Creek Campground visitor. Another camper noted about Finley Flats, "No amenities, no cell service. Pack in pack out."
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: Thompson Falls State Park provides gentle water access. "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."
Bug protection: Insect activity varies by season. "Beware of ticks and mosquitos, but that's pretty common for this area of the state," warned a Bull River Campground visitor. Another camper noted that a host "said this is 1st year out of 4 that mosquitos are bad."
Campground selection timing: Sex Peak Lookout Rental and other popular spots fill quickly. "Saw the first snow of the year when we visited here in October. Stayed two nights. The outhouse at this lookout is the nicest I've seen!" shared one visitor.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant. "It got really windy and stormy but was cool to wake up to snow. Temps were in the 20's at night...woke up cold to an empty wood stove!" reported a Sex Peak Lookout visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site lengths: Spaces vary considerably between campgrounds. At Trout Creek Motel & RV Park, a camper noted, "Long, pull through RV sites that are over 80 feet long." However, another visitor warned, "When we arrived at 9 pm, the office area and road to get to rv park were way to tight for our 40 ft fight wheel."
Seasonal accessibility: Road conditions affect larger vehicles. "Bridge was under construction and could not get to north shore so stayed here," explained a Trout Creek Motel visitor, demonstrating how infrastructure projects can impact travel plans.
Utility options: Hookups vary by location. Birdland Bay RV Resort provides more amenities as one visitor described: "Tucked in the pines, you will find generously spaced sites, beautifully maintained grounds and wonderful hosts."
