RV camping near Whitefish, Montana offers options within minutes of both downtown areas and Glacier National Park. The region sits at an elevation range of 3,000-4,500 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F. Most campgrounds maintain operation from May through early October, with a significant number of sites requiring reservations 6-12 months in advance during peak summer months.
What to Do
Bike path access: North American RV Park & Yurt Village provides direct access to extensive bike paths. "There is also a great bike path right in front of the park that goes for miles and miles," notes a visitor to Beargrass Lodging & RV Resort, making it ideal for cyclists wanting car-free exploration.
Water activities: Rent kayaks at Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins where they maintain a stocked fishing pond for guests. The campground is located 12 miles from Hungry Horse Reservoir, offering additional water recreation opportunities.
Local exploration: North American RV Park & Yurt Village positions campers near multiple family attractions. "Close by is a zip line attraction with a blow up slide in water for the little ones and bounce house obstacle with a slide. Also an adventure park that has go karts, bumper cars, lazy river," reports a camper who visited with family.
What Campers Like
Clean bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality stands out at several parks. A guest at Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins reports "Bathroom/showers are some of the best I've ever seen," while West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort receives similar praise for "spotless, large bathrooms/shower houses."
Convenient town access: Proximity to Whitefish amenities provides easy access to local services. A camper at Clyde's Camp notes, "Parking my truck was easy and getting into town was quick. Perfect for what my trip needed!" Many campgrounds position guests within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and grocery stores.
Extra amenities: Some campgrounds offer unexpected features. Beargrass Lodging features "a heated pool" that receives consistent positive reviews, while North American RV Park & Yurt Village maintains "a great dog park and a little playground for kids."
What You Should Know
Train noise: Railroad tracks run through the region with active freight lines. A camper at Sundance Campground notes, "If further in the back you have the train noise every hour all day and night," while others recommend "ear plugs and or white noise machine and you are all good."
Reservation timing: Secure reservations 6-12 months ahead for summer stays. West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort commands premium rates for its location but books quickly due to being "just at the base of the park" where "you're close to everything."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate May through October. Columbia Falls RV Park offers year-round camping, making it an exception in the area. A winter visitor noted, "I stayed here in December of last year over the holidays and had a great experience."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground options: Sundance Campground & RV Park offers a playground area for children. The campground provides basic amenities at lower rates than some nearby parks, with a reviewer noting, "They are very animal and kid-friendly."
Space considerations: Some parks offer more room for kids to play. North American RV Park & Yurt Village provides "a kids area" plus spacious campsites where a visitor reports, "Sites are long though so it makes it easier to stagger your camper with your neighbors so you feel like you have a bit more space."
Budget options: Tent camping sections offer more affordable family accommodations. At Whitefish RV Park, a camper noted, "The tent area was strange (it was on a weird tiny hill) but hey I'm not complaining. Showers were free and warm."
Tips from RVers
Site layout variations: Whitefish RV Park offers sites of varying sizes. "Upon arrival we were welcomed by neighboring guests. Spots are clearly marked with numbers and easy to find," reports a visitor who appreciated the organization. Sites tend to be close together at most parks in the region.
Electrical service: RV parks vary in electrical capacity. Mountain View RV Park features pull-through sites with 50-amp service, though no campfires are permitted. Several parks offer electrical hookups but limit the size of rigs they can accommodate.
Unique sites: Some parks feature specialized layouts. Clyde's Camp provides a more natural setting where "the owner Nate did a wonderful job of keeping the site as natural as possible," offering a distinctly different experience from the more developed RV parks in the area.
