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Best Tent Camping near Whitefish, MT

1,193 Reviews

Tent campers visiting Whitefish, Montana can choose from several dispersed camping areas and established campgrounds within a short drive of town. Blankenship Bridge offers free dispersed camping with river access just 15 minutes from Glacier National Park's west entrance, while Ryan Road Dispersed Camping provides quiet tent sites with fire rings and privacy from neighboring campers. Bowman Lake Campground in Glacier National Park, though requiring a longer drive on rough roads, offers tent sites in a forested setting near the lake.

Most primitive tent sites around Whitefish require campers to be self-sufficient with water and waste management. Dispersed areas like Ryan Road have established fire rings but no toilets or water sources. At Blankenship Bridge, portable toilets are available, but the three-day maximum stay limit is strictly enforced. Tent campers should practice proper bear safety throughout the region, with food storage in locked vehicles when bear boxes aren't available. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing many of the more remote tent camping areas, particularly those near Bowman Lake where the dirt road features potholes and switchbacks.

The tent camping experience near Whitefish offers varying levels of seclusion depending on location and season. Areas closer to Glacier National Park tend to be busier during summer months, while dispersed sites farther from main attractions provide more solitude. Many tent sites are situated in forested settings with natural shade and proximity to water features. The terrain at most sites consists of dirt or rocky surfaces, sometimes with designated tent pads. According to one visitor at Ryan Road, "It was fairly quiet on a Monday but there is a train that runs through in the distance and blows the whistle." Tent campers frequently mention the benefit of walk-in sites that offer more privacy than drive-up locations, with several noting that despite proximity to popular areas, the camping experience remains peaceful and nature-focused.

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Best Tent Sites Near Whitefish, Montana (98)

    1. Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping

    31 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    14 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."

    2. Ryan Road Dispersed Camping

    23 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-3800

    "Rolled in around 8pm and easily found a spot for a car and multiple tents toward the beginning of the road, before we reached the dropped pin."

    "Arrived August 1st...was hoping to find a spot close to Glacier NP with some privacy but I think I was asking for too much lol. However, I am happy to have a place close to the park free of charge!"

    3. Whitefish Bike Retreat

    3 Reviews
    Whitefish, MT
    3 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."

    4. SpiritWorks Herb Farm Campground

    1 Review
    Whitefish, MT
    6 miles
    Website

    $30 - $60 / night

    "No food in the camping areas due to wildlife. Communal area for cooking, eating and campfire. Outside shower open to the Montana sky is awesome at sunset or under the stars."

    5. Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Martin City, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-3800

    "The sites that I saw were nothing fancy, some with fire rings and some not."

    "Huge open space with a fire circle and everything! But we lost a set of keys while we were there… we were on the left hand side of the site.

    Here’s the coordinates of the site!"

    6. Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park

    32 Reviews
    Polebridge, MT
    29 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."

    7. Moose Lake

    3 Reviews
    Olney, MT
    14 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."

    8. Stillwater Getaway

    1 Review
    Olney, MT
    11 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"

    9. Ashley Lake South Campground

    4 Reviews
    Kalispell, MT
    18 miles
    Website

    "Ashley Lake never disappoints. The camp sites are a bit rough to get too but as long as you're tent camping or have a very small and agile pull behind you'll be okay."

    "The lake is crystal clear and the campground is very clean."

    10. Big Creek Road

    1 Review
    West Glacier, MT
    15 miles
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Whitefish, MT

33 Photos of 98 Whitefish Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Whitefish, MT

1193 Reviews of 98 Whitefish Campgrounds

  • Elizabeth N.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Lid Creek Campground

    Great little spot, short walk to lake

    We ended up at Lid Creek after the first few campgrounds along the lake were full.

    Sites are on the small side, and most are not very flat. There is a good amount of distance between sites and lots of trees so privacy is good.

    There are 2 clean vault toilets and trash dumpsters.

    Bear boxes are spread throughout.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.

    Host on site sells fire wood.

    Lake access is a just short walk down a trail. There is a great rock beach with plenty of room for kids to play and splash.

    We encountered 2 thunderstorms during our stay... Montana weather is always unpredictable.

    We had a deer walk through our site early morning, so wildlife is definitely near by.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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).

  • J
    Jul. 22, 2023

    Many Glacier Campground — Glacier National Park

    Fantastic experience!

    I was in site 88 which was quite lovely with the stream behind it. I fly fished there and caught some trout! It's shallow so not for swimming but nice to stick your feet in to cool off. There was plenty of room to put my 4 person tent with an awning, though the awning was slightly outside the wooden tent pad markers. There was various shade throughout the day. I did have to pack up my tent and sleep in my car as there was grizzly activity after some folks weren't thinking and left some food unattended! The game wardens WILL fine you if you leave either food and/or fires unattended. If you're solo, like I was, you really need to think ahead before you prepare food or start a fire."I had to use the restroom" won't fly with the wardens! Grizzlies don't care and that fire could start a wild fire! 

    The biggest drawback was that the dumpster was right in front of my site but mostly people were extra careful not to let the spring-loaded access door slam. There's plenty of space between sites so I didn't feel like I was crammed in there. I could barely see my neighbors through the trees/bushes. I assume they'd be easy to see in spring or late fall with little vegetation. If you need to be right next to a bathroom, this isn't the site for you. It was across the road, down a path. There isn't a bear box for food storage directly ON this site but there's one nearby to share with another site. This site was in the no-generator loop, yay! Camp host, Jane, was ridiculously wonderful! She keeps a lending library outside her RV and encourages children to go out and find "exciting things" to display on her table for all passersby to view. FUN!

    From this site, you can walk to the Swiftcurrent Inn/deli/store which has basic necessities, a lot of junk food(very little produce in the park at all!), sandwiches, cold drinks, gift type things and where you get the tokens for showers. For those who are flying and can't bring bear spray, they have it there in the store. The Swiftcurrent Inn is also the parking lot for many of the trailheads nearby. TIP: seek out Fishercap Lake, just about a 10-minute easy walk from the parking lot. Moose are almost always seen there in the early mornings and early evenings.

     If I get lucky enough to go back, I will absolutely try and get this campsite (and just about anywhere in the campground) again! I far preferred the east side to the west. I stayed at the Sprague Creek campground on the west side which was a totally different experience. I'll write a review for that one too.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Guide to Whitefish

Tent camping near Whitefish, Montana offers a blend of stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out Blankenship Bridge

  • This spot is popular for its proximity to Glacier National Park, allowing easy access for day trips and outdoor adventures.
  • Campers can enjoy a scenic riverside experience with fire rings available for cozy evenings.
  • The area is known for rafting and fishing, providing plenty of opportunities for water activities.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities at Ryan Road

  • Located just minutes from the west entrance of Glacier National Park, this site offers spacious camping areas that are free and easy to access.
  • Campers have reported good cell service, making it convenient for those who want to stay connected while enjoying nature.
  • The site features a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by trees and flowers, perfect for relaxation.

Local activities near Hungry Horse Reservoir

  • This area is great for those looking to explore the outdoors, with numerous pull-offs along Hungry Horse Road for camping and fishing.
  • Campers can enjoy hiking trails that lead to beautiful views of the reservoir and surrounding landscapes.
  • The site is known for its quiet ambiance, ideal for stargazing and enjoying the serene environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Whitefish, Montana?

Blankenship Bridge - Dispersed Camping offers riverside dispersed camping with porta-potties, though there's a 3-day maximum stay. The area is popular for fishing and kayaking, which makes it busier on weekends. For more secluded options, try Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed, which provides free camping with big-rig-friendly sites. Skyland Road and Ryan Road also offer dispersed camping options in the Flathead National Forest. Remember that most dispersed sites lack facilities, so come prepared with water and waste disposal plans.

Are permits required for dispersed tent camping around Whitefish?

No permits are typically required for dispersed camping on National Forest land around Whitefish, but specific regulations vary by location. At Quartz Creek Campground — Glacier National Park, you'll need a Glacier National Park entrance pass plus the standard camping fee. For dispersed camping on Flathead National Forest land, no permits are needed, but you must follow the 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period. Always check with the local ranger district office for current regulations, fire restrictions, and food storage requirements, especially in bear country.

What is the best time of year for tent camping in the Whitefish area?

Mid-June through September offers the best tent camping around Whitefish, with July and August providing warmest temperatures. Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park is particularly beautiful in summer, though mosquitoes can be intense in early season. Yellow Bay State Park Campground on Flathead Lake is excellent for summer camping with swimming and hiking opportunities. Early fall (September) brings fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. Be aware that many forest roads become difficult or impassable after rain or snow, and higher elevation campgrounds may close by mid-September.

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