From Montana's Missouri River country to its breathtaking national parks to its wide open spaces in between, there's no corner of Montana lacking spectacular natural beauty. Grandiose mountain ranges, vibrant lakes, and picturesque ruralscapes weave together to create some of the most spectacular sights in the country - and some of the most idyllic camping opportunities! Whether you're on the hunt for a backcountry escape or a last-minute family getaway, nobody does camping like Big Sky Country. We've rounded up some of the best campgrounds in Montana in every corner of the state, perfect for that next adventure or for adding to that Montana bucket list. Ready to get out there?

Best State Park Campgrounds in Montana

For this list of top camping spots in Montana, we're going to keep camping spots near Montana's national parks to a minimum - after all, there's a lot more to explore here! Starting with our state's gorgeous state parks. For some equally phenomenal places to camp in Montana, sans the tourist crowds, these state park campsites are the perfect blend of beauty and privacy.

1. Lake Mary Ronan State Park, Proctor

• Location: Proctor, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. May-November, with seasonal amenity restrictions.
• Park Info: On-site amenities include: picnic areas, trails, boat launches, and both vault and flush toilets.
• Price: $4-$34+/night. Seasonal amenity restrictions. In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this state park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

Truth be told, Lake Mary Ronan State Park could easily fit into any of our "best campgrounds in Montana" categories. The spectacular waterfront campsites (plus crystal clear water to boot!), plenty of room for RVs, a fantastic setting just a few miles from Flathead Lake, a stunning treeline of Douglas Fir and Larch, and meandering trails are just the start of everything campers will find here. 25 campsites line the lake and boast impeccable views, and with so much to do right in the park, this is truly an idyllic all-in-one lakefront getaway.

2. Makoshika State Park, Glendive

• Location: Glendive, Montana
• Popularity: Hidden Gem. Open year-round, Visitor Center hours vary by season.
• Park Info: Makoshika is the largest state park in Montana, and beautifully packed with both prehistoric and geologic wonders. ADA campsites are available. On-site amenities include: visitor center + exhibits, frisbee golf, hiking trails, picnic tables, firepits, and vault toilets.
• Price: $4-$34/night. In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

Tucked away in Eastern Montana away from the crowds, Makoshika State Park is a dream for stargazers, history buffs, and campers alike. 11,000 acres of scenic Badlands create incredible opportunities to nab a campsite with a view. The 28 picturesque sites are spaced out around multiple loops within this scenic park. Choose from Pine on Rocks, Valley View, Upper, and Cains Coulee, depending on your preference. All boast phenomenal views of wildflowers, rock formations, runoff creeks, and have pine trees for privacy. If you're feeling adventurous, you'll also find a teepee here too! For a more primitive (and secluded) experience, nab a campsite that's walk-up only.

3. Placid Lake State Park, Seeley Lake

• Location: Seeley Lake, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. May-November, with seasonal amenity restrictions.
• Park Info: Placid Lake State Park is located half an hour northeast of Missoula. While the park is open year-round, it is closed to motorized traffic during the winter season. ADA campsites are available. On-site amenities include both picnic areas, interpretive signage, boat launches, and both vault and flush toilets.
• Price: $4-$34+/night (depending on the season). In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

Set between the gorgeous Clearwater and Swan River Valleys, Placid Lake State Park is quiet, relaxing, and embodies everything that lake life was meant to be! The park itself is delightfully overlooked despite its scenic setting on a tributary of the Clearwater River. It boasts spectacular, towering trees and dense, woodsy surrounding, but the water here is the real showstopper! It's blissfully smooth and perfect for all sorts of water activities - you'll find boating here to be a gorgeous way to spend a weekend. There are 40

campsites at Placid Lake, 17 of which offer RV electrical hookups, plus a hike-bike campsite that can host up to nine tents. Whichever one you reserve, you're sure to have a fantastic view!

4. Thompson Falls State Park, Thompson Falls

• Location: Thompson Falls, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. May-November, with seasonal amenity restrictions. State park opens for day use in March.
• Park Info: Thompson Falls State Park is a small state park in Western Montana that boasts a spectacular setting and multiple bodies of water to enjoy. On-site amenities include: camp hosts, picnic areas, trails, boat launches, a fishing pond, and vault toilets.
• Price: $4-$34+/night (depending on the season). In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this state park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

Beautifully set within the rugged Clark Fork Valley, Thompson Falls State Park is as idyllic as it gets. While you won't be able to see the park/town's namesake falls from your campsite, you'll find a magnificent jewel-hued lake to splash around in and plenty of privacy at each of the park's 16 campsites, courtesy of the dense, mature pine trees that fill the area. RV and tent sites are both available. Boat launches for both large and small crafts can be found within the park, as well as a scenic lake trail that runs all the way into town.

5. Whitefish Lake State Park, Whitefish

• Location: Whitefish, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. Open season varies by year.
• Park Info: Whitefish Lake State Park is a small state park beautifully set near Whitefish, Montana. On-site amenities include picnic areas, bicycles, boat launches, and both vault and flush toilets.
• Price: $4-$34+/night (depending on the season). In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this state park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

Often considered the recreation capital of Montana, Whitefish is treasured for its natural beauty. Whitefish Lake State Park sits nestled within some of the most beautiful landscapes that this slice of Montana has to offer, including mature trees, a gorgeous lake beach (see list of waterfront campgrounds below!), and scenic trains running nearby. Plenty of seclusion makes this stunning park feel like a completely separate world, but it's no secret that visitors come here for the water activities! Campers will find 25 sites to choose from with a mix of tent and RV options, as well as a hike-bike campsite.

Best Waterfront Camping in Montana

The best campsites in Montana should certainly come with a view, right? How about a waterfront view or a private corner of a lake beach? Yes, please! While you can find a plethora of stunning alpine lakes to camp by in Montana's picturesque peaks, we've kept this list to some of the prettiest, easy-to-reach spots. Check out some of our favorite places for waterfront camping (yes, beach!) in Montana.

6. Big Arm State Park (Flathead Lake SP), Big Arm

• Location: Big Arm, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. April-October, with seasonal amenity restrictions. Park is open for day use year-round.
• Park Info: Big Arm State Park is a small park arm on Flathead Lake that's big on water activities and boasts panoramic views of the Mission Mountains. On-site amenities include picnic areas, trails, boat launches, a fishing pond, and vault toilets.
• Price: $4-$34+/night (depending on the season and accommodation selection). In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this state park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

The scenic pebble beaches and rocky shoreline of Big Arm State Park make for a picture-perfect sight to wake up. Nearly every campsite at this quiet corner of Flathead Lake boasts views of the water - and as the largest lake in Montana, there are plenty of corners to enjoy even outside of the park! Due to the size of the lake, water activities are even more abundant, so feel free to try your hand at windsurfing while you're here. Plenty of trees offer both shade and privacy, and for an extra dose of the great outdoors, nab a yurt! (Additional fees apply.)

7. Brush Lake State Park, Dagmar

• Location: Glasgow, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. May-January, depending on weather/snowfall. Seasonal amenity restrictions.
• Park Info: Brush Lake State Park is a small park that boasts wide open panoramic views, sandy beaches, and mirror-like water. On-site amenities include: fire pits, electricity, boat launch, dock, picnic area, vault toilets.
• Price: $4-$34/night (depending on the season and accommodation selection). In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this state park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

Boasting wide open spaces, white sand beaches, unrestricted panoramic views, and some of the clearest water you've ever seen, Brush Lake State Park is dreamy in more ways than one. The lake offers over a mile of scenic shoreline, which makes it perfect for sun lovers and water lovers alike! Those looking to cast a line will need to search elsewhere; the high alkali content of the lake doesn't support underwater life. However, the 12 campsites at this petite

Montana state park are just steps away from the most gorgeous sun-kissed views you could hope for!

8. Kintla Lake, Glacier National Park

• Location: Glacier National Park, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. May-September. Primitive camping available September-October.
• Park Info: Kintla Lake is located in a quiet, secluded corner of Glacier National Park, less than an hour from the small town of Polebridge. Limited amenities and emergency services can be found in town. Vehicles/trailers over 21 feet are prohibited from the campground.
• Price: $15+/night. National Park fees may apply as well.

Hidden away in the quiet North Fork of Glacier National Park, Kintla Lake is a mind-blowing slice of everything that Montana's largest national park has to offer. Due to its seclusion and difficulty to access, campers will find more solitude here than in most other sections of the park, but such privacy comes with a caveat: this first come, first served campground doesn't offer any amenities beyond vault toilets and a hand pump for water (which is only available during peak season). However, the winding route and lack of turnouts means trailers and larger vehicles are strictly prohibited from making the journey. But for those who make the trek and are willing to rough it, the scenery at Kintla Lake is unmatched and comes complete with crystal clear water, a dense, woodsy setting, and phenomenal mountain surroundings. Filtered views of the lake can be seen from most campsites.

9. Lake Como Campground, Lake Como

• Location: Glacier National Park, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. May-September.
• Park Info: Lower Lake Como Campground is located within the Lake Como Recreation Area, a picturesque natural oasis nestled within Montana’s famous Bitterroot Valley. Lake levels vary throughout the year. As a primitive campground, there are no provided amenities other than vault toilets and fire rings, and there is no potable water at Lake Como at this time, so pack your own in and out. Leashed pets are welcome, but are not allowed on the beach.
• Price: $25+/night.

Popular for good reason, Lake Como is a spectacular lake tucked away in Western Montana that boasts a taste of the region's most iconic views, but without the heavy national park crowds. The

Lake Como Lower Campground is primitive, with no extra amenities or features, but for a true Montana experience, it's no doubt exactly what you've been looking for! The water is stunning, and most of the 23 campsites (both tent and RV spots available) have picture-perfect views and easy access to the lake. However, there are no hookups or drinkable water sources at this time, so come prepared to rough it and share those breathtaking views with the local wildlife. Bear canisters are a must here! Camping at Lake Como is on a first-come, first-served basis, but you'll find that this spot makes an excellent base camp for many of the

prettiest trails in the area.

10. Lonesomehurst Campground, West Yellowstone

• Location: West Yellowstone, Montana
• Popularity: Hidden Gem. May-October. FCFS.
• Park Info: Lonesomehurst Campground is located within the Custer-Gallatin National Forest on the shores of Hebgen Lake, and despite being so close to Yellowstone, is remarkably quiet. On-site amenities include: fire rings, picnic areas, boat ramps, drinking water, kayak rentals, trails, and vault toilets.
• Price: $24-$32/night.

Hebgen Lake is considered Montana's premier stillwater fishing lake, which means fishermen of all types will love this quiet camping area just 20 minutes from Yellowstone! Lonesomehurst Campground sits within thick lodgepole pines and boasts an abundance of shade, scenic views, and even cellphone service for those who want to stay on-grid. Four RV campsites are available with hookups, with the other 26 catering towards traditional campers. If you're looking for a view with your tent site, you'll certainly find it here! Hiking, biking, and off-road trails crisscross the area, which means you'll also find plenty of activities to enjoy over the course of your stay. Do note that there is a lot of wildlife in the area, so bear cannisters are a must.

Top Glamping in Montana

Forgo the traditional reflective tent and bear canister camping scene and opt for something a little more…chic. These upscale glampgrounds and glamping spots are definitely some of the best campgrounds in Montana but offer immersive experiences in the great outdoors without sacrificing creature comforts. Yurts, cabins, luxury tents... you name it, we've got it!

11. Montana Treehouse Retreat, Columbia

• Location: Superior, Montana
• Popularity: Hidden Gem. May-September
• Park Info: Nature trail, fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets
• Price: $15+/night

• Location: East Glacier, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. Peak Open: June-September, Primitive: September-October. FCFS
• Park Info: Camp store/gift shop, boat tours, hiking trails, fire rings, picnic tables, plumbing, amphitheater and special programming
• Price: $20/night

• Location: Ashland, Montana
• Popularity: Hidden Gem. April-December
• Park Info: Fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets
• Price: No Cost

• Location: Condon, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. Open: May-September.
• Park Info: On-site amenities include: boat rentals, educational programs, drinking water, fire rings, plumbing, trails, picnic areas, boat ramp, vault toilets
• Price: $20+/night, depending on site

• Location: Big Timber, Montana
• Popularity:Moderate. Open: year-round, with limited winter access due to snow. FCFS.
• Park Info: This is a primitive camping area, and amenities are limited to vault toilets and a hand pump for water in summer.
• Price: $12+/night, additional vehicle fees apply

• Location: North Yellowstone
• Popularity: Hidden Gem. Year-round, FCFS
• Park Info: Dispersed campground - no services or amenities available.
• Price: No Cost

• Location: Browning, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. Year-round, with seasonal restrictions.
• Park Info: Note that this campground is currently closed due to increased bear activity. Check back regularly for updates. On-site amenities include: tent pads, fire pits, running water, restrooms, hiking trails
• Price: $20+/night, depending on the season and features. National park fees may apply.

• Location: Kalispell, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. Winter stays available.
• Park Info: Lake/Creek, canoes, laundry, facilities/showers, kids' playground, basketball court, general store, wifi
• Price: $35+/night, depending on accommodation. Reservations required.

• Location: St.Regis, Montana
• Popularity: Popular.
• Park Info: Hiking/biking trails, laundry, facilities/showers, game room, basketball court, horseshoes/lawn games, community events, clubhouse, pool, playground, kids' attractions, general store
• Price: $55+/night, varies by accommodation selection and season. Reservations required.

• Location: West Glacier, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. May-September, B&B open through October
• Park Info: General store, restaurant, laundry, facilities/showers, communal campfire, horseshoes/lawn games, bike rentals, RV hookups
• Price: $52+/night, depending on accommodation. Reservations required.

• Location: Whitehall, Montana
• Popularity: Moderate. Year-round, with seasonal restrictions.
• Park Info: On-site amenities include: gift shop, interpretive signage, RV hookups, fire rings, drinking water, and both flush and vault toilets.
• Price: $4-$34+/night, depending on accommodation. In addition to campsite reservation fees, note that this park requires each vehicle to have a Montana State Parks pass or pay the non-resident day-use fee.

• Location: Philipsburg, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. May-September, depending on accommodation.
• Park Info: All amenities included. Restaurant, all-ages activities, pool and hot tub, gun/archery range, luxury furnishings, etc.

• Location: Glacier/Whitefish, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. Year-round.

• Location: Greenough, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. May-October, depending on accommodation.
• Park Info: All amenities included. Restaurant, all-ages activities, sports shooting range, spa, hiking trails, luxury furnishings, etc.

• Location: Columbia Falls, Montana
• Popularity: Popular. Year-round.