Apgar Campground Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, in Northwest Montana, is also known as the Crown of the Continent. It displays several dazzling glaciated landscapes, and the best campgrounds in Glacier National Park offer a preview of it all.
Apgar, on the west side of the park, is the largest campground in Glacier. It’s also one of the most popular, with all 194 sites filling regularly between June and August. The campground accommodates tents and RVs, and nearly all sites are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Five group sites at Apgar Campground can be reserved ahead of time.
Apgar Campground is located near Lake McDonald and connected to the west end of the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road that spans the park. On the opposite end of Going-to-the-Sun Road, the St. Mary Campground is the largest campground on the east side of the park with nearly 150 sites available.
Bannack Flood Mitigation Project
Construction of the flood detention facility that will help protect Bannack from future flood damage is completed .
In 2013 and 2017, flooding caused considerable damage to historic structures and natural resources, displaced artifacts, and created safety concerns. To mitigate future damage, Montana State Parks built a flood detention facility upstream of town which will hold flash flood waters and direct flows at a reduced rate into a storm drainage channel and aqueduct to the east of the townsite.
The project was a collaborative effort between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Department of Administrations Risk Management and Tort Defense Division. Pioneer Technical Services in Belgrade, MT produced the project design.
Bannack State Park is a National Historic Landmark and one of Montanas best preserved ghost towns. Bannack is the site of Montana’s first major gold discovery in 1862 and is Montanas first territorial capital.
Thank you for your cooperation and patience during the project.
Parks With Campsites Electricity And Other Accommodations
Campsites with Electricity are available at:Beavertail Hill, Black Sandy, Brush Lake, Cooney, Finley Point, Hell Creek, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Logan, Placid Lake, Salmon Lake, Tongue River Reservoir, West Shore.
Camping at Boat Slips Finley Point State Park
Hike-in/Bike-in Campsites Bannack, Placid Lake, Salmon Lake, Wayfarers, and Whitefish Lake state parks.
Rustic Campsites Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park and Makoshika State Park.
Backcountry Camping Sluice Boxes State Park and Makoshika State Park.
Cabins Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.
Yurts Big Arm State Park.
Tipis Bannack, Beavertail Hill, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Makoshika and Missouri Headwaters state parks.
Commercial Use
All commercial activities that involve a service or participation cost are subject to a commercial use permit and fee. For more information, see Commercial Use Permits. Contact the Park Manager for permit application instructions.
Group Use
All groups over 30 persons are subject to a group use permit and fee. For more information, see Special Use Permits. Contact the Park Manager for permit application instructions.
Special Events
Special events such as weddings, sporting events, etc. may be subject to a permit and fee. For additional information, see Special Use Permits, or contact the Park Manager.
Smith River State Park
Fee Schedules
The following documents contain fees and management policy that govern public use of Montana State Parks.
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What To Expect At Montana State Parks
Montana is known for its endless scenic hiking trails, pristine lakes, and topography. Most RV campers spend their time away from the campsite, exploring the features of each park. The campsites are on the more primitive side.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The maximum stay at a Montana state park is 14 nights in a 30-day period. See the full list of campground regulations here.
Montana state parks offer a range of activities, from snowmobiling and cross-country skiing to mountain biking and off-roading.
Big Arm/flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, encompassing over 150 miles of shoreline. Several activities bring campers to this rugged region of northwest Montana, including boating, fishing, and the seasonal cherries that flourish in the lake-effect climate. And for those looking to camp, Flathead Lake State Park has several options.
Flathead Lake State Park includes six units surrounding the lake. On the west side of the lake, the Big Arm State Park unit features one of the largest and most popular campgrounds on the water. The upright Mission and Swan Mountains provide a gorgeous view across the water from the campground. Nearly all 40 campsites at the Big Arm Campground are reservable ahead of time, as well as the site’s three lightly furnished yurts.
Alongside access to the surrounding Flathead Valley, Big Arm is also a popular jumping-off point for Wild Horse Island. Only accessible by boat, this 2,000-plus acre state park unit in the middle of the lake is still inhabited by wild horses. Wild Horse Island is day-use only with no camping available.
Other popular campground units of Flathead Lake State Park include Finley Point State Park and Wayfarers Campgrounds.
Address: 28031 Big Arm State Park Road, Big Arm, Montana
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Camping and Hiking in Glacier National Park: Visiting Logan Pass and driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road are among the many top things to do in Glacier National Park. The best way to experience Glacier National Park, however, is to hop on the extensive network of hiking trails that are found in every region of the park and our guide to the Best Hiking Trails in Glacier is a great launching pad for adventure. For starry skies and multi-day adventures, the best campgrounds in Glacier offer plenty of places to spend the night.
More to Explore in Montana: Alongside the top campgrounds, thebest hiking trails in Montana offer some of the best ways to get familiar with the state. For a fun basecamp and university city to explore, the city of Missoula in western Montana is filled with community, culture, and adventure in every direction. Similarly, the collegiate city of Bozeman is a gateway into the Custer-Gallatin National Forest and the adjacent Yellowstone National Park.
Spring Meadow Lake State Park
Located on the western edge of Helena, this 30-acre spring-fed man-made lake is noted for its clarity and depth. This urban day-use-only park, minutes from Helena and fed by natural springs, is a popular spot for family afternoons of swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, fishing, birdwatching, and …
Yellow Bay is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards. Cherry blossoms color the hillsides during spring. 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 …
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Smith River State Park
Smith River State Park is a little different than other MT State Parks in that you need a permit to visit most of it. The Smith River is a remote river that winds through limestone canyons, past farm fields, and is filled with trout.
It takes 3-4 days to float the Smith and there arent any take-outs in the 59-mile stretch between Camp Baker and Eden Bridge. You can hang out at Camp Baker and fish or watch the river flow without a permit.
Weve floated the Smith once and it rained the whole time. But even through the sheets of rain and gray clouds, we could see the beauty and look forward to another attempt.
Permits and fees are required to float the 59-mile section. Permits are issued annually through a lottery. You can enter the lottery between early January and February 15. Permittees are announced about a week or two after that. Apply for a Smith River permit here.
Henry wrote a post that has everything you need to plan your Smith River Trip.
Best Campgrounds In Montana
Written by Brad LaneUpdated Sep 13, 2021
The best campsites in Montana come with a view. Several of these established places to pitch a tent or park an RV are nestled into the many state parks, national forests, and national parks of the state. And all are within eyesight of iconic Montana landscapes, like glacial lakes, snowy mountains, and trout-filled rivers.
Perhaps the biggest bucket-list place to camp is Glacier National Park, with 13 campgrounds to choose from. The campgrounds showcase the many glistening features that make Glacier an international camping destination.
Montana campgrounds go well beyond the boundaries of Glacier National Park, especially in the western and more mountainous half of the state. From Bighorn Canyon to the many campgrounds surrounding Flathead Lake, this part of the state is synonymous with camping and adventure. Other special landscapes to discover from Montana campgrounds include elaborate caverns, well-preserved ghost towns, and historic headwaters.
Dispersed camping is a part of many Montana adventures, and the national forests across the state allow free, primitive camping throughout their wooded acres. The National Forest Service also maintains numerous developed campgrounds that feature fresh water and pit toilets.
Unless a campground is first-come, first-served, look into reservations in advance for National Forest Service campgrounds. You can also book reservations online at state parks.
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Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
Home to beautiful badlands and breathtaking bluffs, Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument lies in a remote and rugged region of north-central Montana. Established in 2001 by President Bill Clinton, it will delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts with its serene and secluded scenery.
Referred to as The Breaks by locals, due to the dramatic cliffs and rocky outcrops lining, the river, it has lots of lovely landscapes for visitors to explore. Almost unchanged since the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through more than two hundred years ago, it is home to everything from plains and prairies to charming creeks and rock formations.
Besides hiking and hunting in its wonderful wilderness, visitors can go fishing, swimming, and kayaking in the Missouri River or simply bask in all the outstanding beauty on show.
Montaa De Oro Equestrian Campsites
Montaña de Oro has 3 standard campsites apart from the main campground for those with horses. Sites can accommodate up to 4 vehicles. Pit toilets are provided. Water is available for horses, but no potable water. The first horse is included in the price of the campsite, additional horses up to a maximum of 6 are $2 each per night.
Group Equestrian Camps
There are 2 group equestrian sites. Each site can accommodate between 9 and 50 people along with up to 20 vehicles. A minimum of 7 horses is required to reserve a group site. Additional horses are $2 each per night, up to a maximum of 25. Limited corral space is provided. Water for horses is available, but not for people.
Camp close enough to the ocean to hear the waves at night.
Explore beautiful Spooner Cove and Beach.
Find equestrian camps, along with hiking and horseback riding trails.
Montaña de Oro State Park
Sleep Warm and Dry
Sleep Warm and Comfortable
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About Montana State Parks
Montanas 55 state parks offer ample opportunities to get outdoors, including hiking trails, badlands, lakes, caverns, and more.
To help narrow down your choices, visit the Montana State Parks website. Youll find a map of all the parks across the state, and you can filter your search to show RV camping sites. The free Montana State Parks Guide breaks down the parks by historical sites, nature parks, and water-based recreation, and gives you additional information on things like accommodations, visitor centers, and park fees.
There are 23 RV-friendly state parks in Montana, all with something different to offer. Ghost towns showcase a boom-and-bust mining history, while other parks feature monuments that pay tribute to the states rich Native American legacy.
Entry is free for Montana residents with a valid Montana state license plate. For nonresidents, theres a day-use fee of $8 per car or a $35 pass available for 7 consecutive days. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks also offers camping discounts, including 50 percent off for seniors and veterans. View the park passes and discount breakdown here.
Woodbine Campground Custer Gallatin National Forest
Woodbine Campground is in Southwest Montana, adjacent to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. All 44 sites at this popular campground tend to fill up during the summer season. Reservations are available and all campers have access to potable water and vault toilets.
The Stillwater River and its tributaries run near the campground and are well utilized for trout fishing and hiking next to the banks. Woodbine Falls is a popular hiking destination from the campground, and the scenic Sioux Charley Lake is accessible via a three-mile hiking trail.
Location: Nye, Montana
Official site:
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Interagency & Site Passes
Cover admission and / or amenity fees for federal lands, waterways, and monuments with annual or lifetime interagency passes that provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation locations or site passes for multiple visits to your favorite spot.
Reserve tours and tickets to participate in special events and experiences.
Montana State Parks Camping
Many of the Montana State Parks have campgrounds. Some have electricity others have backcountry sites .
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park has cabins and Big Arm State Park has yurts for rent. You can sleep in a tipi at Bannack, Beavertail Hill, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Makoshika, and Missouri Headwaters state parks.
Check the individual state park you plan to visit for camping options. Many of the Montana state campgrounds also offer interpretive programs in the summer.
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Hell Creek State Park
Part of the larger Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge surrounding the Missouri Breaks in central Montana, this lakeside campground and state park is on the Hell Creek Arm of Lake Fort Peck. With 70 tent and RV campsites available, spread throughout five different campgrounds, Hell Creek State Park offers access to running water and vault toilets.
A public boat ramp is adjacent to the campground, and primitive boat-in camping can also be found throughout the Missouri Breaks.
Address: 2456 Hell Creek Road, Jordan, Montana
Classification And Investment Strategy Policy
The Montana State Parks Classification and Investment Strategy Policy guides strategic investment of resources into the park system.
The policy supports the Montana State Parks Strategic Plan, adopted in 2015, and addresses key recommendations from the 2018 Parks Division Legislative Audit and the governor-appointed Parks In Focus Commission. The audit identified a need for regularly ranking and reviewing resources for investment in capital projects, maintenance, and state park operations. Similarly, the PIF Commission recommended revision of the existing classification policy to help Parks strengthen its investment strategy and focus on fostering critical partnerships for the state park system.
The Classification and Investment Strategy satisfies both recommendations by providing the Parks Division with a framework for the investment of human and fiscal resources across the park system in alignment with visitor needs and expectations while resolving significant major maintenance and capital improvement issues that represent public health and safety risks.
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Best Montana State Parks
Its hard to choose the best state parks in Montana, because they are all interesting in their own way. Some, like Chief Plenty Coups and Pictograph state parks preserve the history of the tribes who lived and live in Montana. Others, like Smith River and Sluice Boxes state parks are used for recreation and scenic beauty.
Sluice Boxes State Park
Sluice Boxes State Park, southeast of Great Falls in the Belt Mountains is gorgeous. Its a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, and hiking. Here, Belt Creek runs through a rugged limestone canyon.
If the name didnt tip you off, along the way you will see old mining equipment that tells the tale of bygone days.
See some of our favorite trails to explore on foot and bicycle.
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Best Montana State Parks For Rvers
While each Montana state park is unique, a few are especially popular.
Special Use And Commercial Use Permits
Montana State Parks are wonderful sites for special uses family reunions, weddings, club gatherings and other events. You can also conduct certain business activities. A Special Use or Commercial Use permit is required to help ensure everyone’s safety and protect park resources.
Special Use Permit
A Special Use Permit is required for non-commercial activities including but not limited to:
- facility rentals, for example: shelters, pavilions, or meeting rooms
- group use or events of more than 30 people
- special events, for example:
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State Parks With Camping
Twenty of Montana’s 55 state parks have more than 500 campsites to reserve. It’s easy! Book in advance and take the stress out of your trip, leaving more time to explore Montana’s nature, culture and recreation heritage.
Campsites are reservable from the third Friday in May through the third Sunday in September. You can make reservations six months in advance of your stay, and no later than two days prior to your arrival at most parks, up to one day in advance at Whitefish Lake, Beavertail Hill, Placid Lake, Salmon Lake, Lewis & Clark Caverns, Black Sandy and Tongue River Reservoir state parks.
For a unique camping experience try one of Montana State Parks’ cabins, yurts, or tipis, or a hike-in/bike-in site.