U.S. Forest Service · Flathead National Forest · Hungry Horse, MT

Lost Johnny Campground

Lost Johnny Campground is located on the Hungry Horse Reservoir, high in the Rocky Mountains, west of the Continental Divide and just south of the Canadian border. Spectacular views and ample opportunities for recreation surround the campground. Lost Johnny Campground has five sites, all of which are reservable. The stay limit is 16 consecutive days.

More like this: reservable in Montana · pets allowed in Montana

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Lost Johnny CampgroundThe view looking west from Lost Johnny campground
Photos courtesy of Cheryl DeLonge, Hungry Horse Recreation · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups5
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntrySurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
1Back-inGravelPartialNo / –8 / 2YesYes
2Back-inGravelPartialNo / –8 / 2YesYes
3Back-inGravelPartialNo / –8 / 2YesYes
4Back-inGravelPartialNo / –8 / 2YesYes
5Back-inGravelPartialNo / –8 / 1YesYes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesTo Make Reservations by phone please call: 1-877-444-6777. Although you are allowed two vehicles per site, the first vehicle is included in the site fee; the second vehicle is charged $5.00 upon arrival at the campground.
AccessibilitySites 1, 2, 3, 4 and 1 more are listed accessible

The campground offers 5 overnight sites for tent and RV camping. Each is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. The campground a vault toilet and bear resitant food containers for campers use. An on-site host is located nearby at the Lost Johnny Point campground and is available to answer any questions about the campground and surrounding area.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

SeasonMid to Late May to End of September
ForestFlathead National Forest
BookingThis site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777 or online at Recreation.gov.
FeesTable of Campground Fees Single Site Double Site Extra Vehicle Day Use $18 $36 $5 $5
Rules16 day stay limit. Food Storage required for human and stock food, garbage, and other attractants. Max trailer length is 22 feet.

Flathead National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Lost Johnny Campground20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 3.62 inches of precipitationFebruary: 2.53 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.21 inches of precipitationApril: 2.65 inches of precipitationMay: 2.87 inches of precipitationJune: 3.82 inches of precipitationJuly: 1.42 inches of precipitationAugust: 1.23 inches of precipitationSeptember: 2.21 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.52 inches of precipitationNovember: 3.88 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.66 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 25.2°F averageFebruary: 27.0°F averageMarch: 34.3°F averageApril: 42.4°F averageMay: 52.1°F averageJune: 59.0°F averageJuly: 67.6°F averageAugust: 66.6°F averageSeptember: 56.4°F averageOctober: 43.5°F averageNovember: 32.6°F averageDecember: 25.8°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Hungry Horse Dam, 3 miles from the campground at 3,160 feet, station USC00244328 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 35 inches a year.

Getting there

Turn off U.S. Highway 2 at milepost 144 and follow the West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir (Forest Road #895) across the Hungry Horse Dam. The campground is 6.5 miles south of the Dam. The road is paved to the site.

Nearest townHungry Horse, Montana
Coordinates48.3068° N, 113.9696° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Drinking water is not available, so please bring the water you will need for your stay.

Charges and cancellations

Refunds can then be considered, by the concessionaire, of Camping fees only. You will automatically forfeit the first nights fee. Any cancellations within 4 days of your arrival must be turned to Cheryl also, to get the information to the campground Host. Otherwise your site will be held for you and there will be no chance for a refund. All Considerations can only be made after your original reservation dates have passed. *No shows have no chance of a refund.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearMontana Adventure Stop ↗9.1 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗16.7 mi
RV sales & serviceBish's RV ↗18 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

Lost Johnny Campground is approximately 18 miles southwest of the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park.

  • 0.3 mi
    Jimmie Ridge ↗
    8.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 1.8 mi
    Overlook Spur
    0.06 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 1.8 mi
    Overlook
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 3.1 mi
    Wounded Buck
    3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.6 mi
    Wildcat Mtn ↗
    5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile
  • 3.9 mi
    Doris Ridge
    2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Flathead National Forest.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

Natural features

The campground is situated along the massive Hungry Horse Reservoir, which was dammed to provide hydroelectric power and flood control to the area. It is the 10th highest dam in the United States and provides a stunning backdrop. Home to lynx, grizzly bear and bull trout, the forest is a premiere destination for visitors.

Recreation

Swimming and fishing are popular pastimes, and anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish, including cutthroat trout. Boating is also popular on the 27,750-acre reservoir. A concrete boat ramp is accessible from the Doris Point Boat Launch located to the northwest, or at Lost Johnny Point campground which is located to the northeast.

Guidebooks for Montana

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Montana
    Vicky Soderberg and Ken Soderberg, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Moon Montana, Wyoming and Idaho Camping
    Becky Lomax, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Montana
    Kenneth L. Graham, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Lost Johnny Campground?

Sites at Lost Johnny Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777 or online at Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Lost Johnny Campground?

To Make Reservations by phone please call: 1-877-444-6777. Although you are allowed two vehicles per site, the first vehicle is included in the site fee; the second vehicle is charged $5.00 upon arrival at the campground.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Lost Johnny Campground?

Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Lost Johnny Campground have?

5 sites, including 5 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Lost Johnny Campground?

Lost Johnny Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Lost Johnny Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lost Johnny Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Lost Johnny Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 16 day stay limit.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Lost Johnny Campground?

Sites 1, 2, 3, and 4 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 5 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Lost Johnny Campground?

Swimming and fishing are popular pastimes, and anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish, including cutthroat trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Lost Johnny Campground?

Hungry Horse, Montana. Lost Johnny Campground is approximately 18 miles southwest of the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park.

Source: Getting there

What if Lost Johnny Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Lost Johnny Point Campground (0.4 mi, partly first-come), Doris Creek Campground (0.5 mi, partly first-come), and Emery Bay Campground (2 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby