Top 10 Campgrounds In Montana

If you're looking for the best campgrounds in Montana, take a look at this list!

RELATED: Great Smoky Mountains Camping | Survival Life National Park Series

10 Best Campgrounds in Montana for the Outdoorsman

Where to Camp in the Treasure State

Given that Montana literally means “mountain,” it's not hard to imagine what type of topography you will encounter here.

Montana is home to two of the nation's most beautiful national parks — Glacier and Yellowstone — as well as a large variety of wildlife, beautiful mountain views, miles of untamed wilderness, and some of the best hunting and fishing in the world.

Montana is truly an outdoorsman's paradise.

Here are our favorite places to camp in Montana.

1. Glacier National Park – Northwest Montana

Glacier National Park in Montana is truly one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. And with a variety of activities from hiking and biking to whitewater rafting and fly fishing, you’re sure to find something exciting to do at the Glacier National Park campsite.

2. Fort Peck Lake – Glasgow

Downstream Campground is located just below Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River in northeastern Montana. Recreation enthusiasts and sportsmen enjoy the beauty of Fort Peck Lake's 1,500 miles of shoreline.

A variety of high-quality outdoor activities are available, including camping, boating, fishing, hunting, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. Learn more about the Fort Peck Lake campsite here.

3. Woodbine Campground – Nye

Woodbine Campground is situated on the banks of the Stillwater River at an elevation of 5,300 feet. The campground is wooded and shady, with views of the surrounding snow-covered, 10,000-foot peaks.

A variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and bear, can be found in the surrounding area, creating prime opportunities for wildlife viewing. All of these options make this one of the best Montana camping sites.

Learn more about the Woodbine Campground here.

4. Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area – Fort Smith

The vast, wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural world and experience the wonders of this extraordinary place.

With over 120,000 acres, one can find an astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife, and more than 10,000 years of human history to explore. Learn more about this Montana camping site.

5. Lone Pine State Park – Kalispell

There are 7.5 miles of trails available for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Park visitors will be sure to find a great hike to revitalize their soul and a peaceful spot to relax and view area wildflowers, wildlife, and breath-taking overlooks of the Flathead Valley.

What is Snowshoeing? Traveling cross-country wearing snowshoes on snow-covered trails.

Find out what else this Montana state park has to offer for outdoorsmen here.

RELATED: Yellowstone Camping | Survival Life National Park Series

6. Libby Dam And Lake Koocanusa – Libby

The Koocanusa Area is primarily centered along a narrow 90-mile long Koocanusa Reservoir, formed by Libby Dam. Approximately 60 miles are within the United States.  Libby Dam is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers which provides daily dam tours.

Koocanusa Reservoir is the major recreation attraction in this geographic area, providing ideal settings for large watercraft and sailing.

The reservoir contains a large and stable population of Kokanee salmon, Kamloops (rainbow) trout, bull trout, West slope cutthroat trout, and burbot.  Fishing has been reported to be fantastic.

7. Rainbow Point Campground – West Yellowstone

Rainbow Point Campground is located on the banks of scenic Hebgen Lake, in southwestern Montana. It is approximately 10 miles north of West Yellowstone and the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Visitors enjoy this area for its boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities, as well as its close proximity to Yellowstone. It's also great for tent camping in Montana.

8. Giant Springs State Park – Great Falls

Giant Springs was discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 and is one of the largest freshwater springs in the country. The springs flow at a rate of 156 million gallons of water per day and the water stays at a temperature of 54 degrees.

This is also the site of the Roe River, once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's shortest river. Know more about the Giant Springs camping grounds here.

9. Beaver Creek Campground – West Yellowstone

Beaver Creek Campground is located near the Madison River and Earthquake Lake, less than 30 minutes from West Yellowstone and Yellowstone National Park.

Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities, as well as its close proximity to Yellowstone. You can learn more about this amazing area on the Montana campgrounds map.

10. Yellow Bay State Park – Bigfork

Yellow Bay State Park is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards. In the summer, cherries can be purchased at nearby roadside stands or U-Pick orchards.

The park includes Yellow Bay Creek and a wide, gravelly beach. Among its attractions are boating, lake trout fishing, water skiing, bird watching, swimming, camping, and scuba diving.

Watch this video from Dave Paterson, shares his aerial video footage of Montana on the Macalister, Caravan Park & Campground:

If you love the outdoors and live in the area, then you should visit one or two of the best campgrounds in Montana. You may have already tried camping at the Glacier National Park campsite or hiking in Yellowstone state campgrounds in Montana but with there a lot more to discover!

Do you have a favorite camping spot in Montana that wasn’t included in this list? Let us know in the comments section below!

And be sure to check out the rest of our Best Campgrounds in the US series.

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• Tent vs. Hammock Camping: And The Winner Is…
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• Family Preparedness: What Are Your Survival Principles?

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Editor's Note: This post was originally published on June 23, 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.