Rexford Bench
Rexford Bench Recreation Area is the most highly developed camp area within the Kootenai National Forest. Rexford Bench Campground has 54 sites, 30 are first come-first serve and 24 can be reserved. Kamloops Terrace has 20 sites and additional overflow parking. A high and low water boat ramp is available. A day use area with swimming beach completes this popular area. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Koocanusa, and hiking in the surrounding forest. Beautiful sandstone formations can be viewed not far from the campground, and osprey and eagles can often be seen fishing in the reservoir.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Montana · reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 54 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
54 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Camping Loop A- REXFORD BENCH | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 2 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 16 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 1 - Campground Host Site | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 3 | REXFORD BENCH-Camping Loop A | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 4 | REXFORD BENCH-Camping Loop A | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 5 | REXFORD BENCH-Camping Loop A | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 1 | Yes | |
| 6 | REXFORD BENCH-Camping Loop A | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 3 | Yes | |
| 7 | REXFORD BENCH-Camping Loop A | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 8 | REXFORD BENCH-Camping Loop A | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers dozens of accessible, single-family sites for tent and RV camping. A large overflow parking area is available for boat trailers and RVs. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available. Campground roads and campsite spurs are paved. A campground host is on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Late April |
| Forest | Kootenai National Forest |
| Fees | Campground: $24.00 daily fee per single site, $48.00 daily fee per double site. Kamloops Terrace: $20.00 daily fee per single site. 50% discount with US Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access Passes |
| Rules | 16 day stay limit. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. Lighting of fireworks is not allowed on National Forest System Lands |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Eureka, travel west on Highway 93 for about a mile, then continue 6 miles south on Highway 37.
| Nearest town | Eureka, Montana |
| Coordinates | 48.8995° N, 115.1576° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Everything RV ↗ | 39.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Rexford Bench Campground, MT from Talia H.
Worth a stop
The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery. Guided tours of the dam and powerhouse are offered at the visitor center throughout the summer. Visitors also enjoy driving the 100-mile loop around the reservoir. Several trails, including some that lead to scenic waterfalls, are located along the route.
- 4.2 miTobacco Plains Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miRexford Nature ↗0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miRexford Tie0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miDouglas Hill OHV South Spur A0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 0.8 miKootenai Rails-To-Trails ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 0.8 miDouglas Hill OHV South Loop1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 1.2 miDouglas Hill OHV South Spur B0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD 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
This campground sits inside Kootenai National Forest.
- inKootenai National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,622,202 acres
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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Farmers and Merchants State BankBuilding · Eureka · 4.9 mi
- Eureka Community HallBuilding · Eureka · 5 mi
Natural features
The campground is located on an arm of Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana near the Canadian border. The 46,500-acre reservoir has over 127 miles of shoreline and is formed by 422' Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, which stretches about 90 miles and into Canada. It is a large campground, situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 2,470 feet. Osprey often fish around Libby Dam at sunset, making for enjoyable viewing opportunities. Bald eagles can be seen hunting kokanee in the river and lake during the fall. A variety of wildlife also makes its home in the area.
Recreation
Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities. Fishing derbies are held several times each year and anglers can expect a catch of kokanee salmon, whitefish and a variety of trout, among others. A variety of hiking trails begins in the campground, including a relatively short interpretive trail that loops around the campground, and the Hoodoo Trail, that leads to impressive sandstone formations that jut out from an inlet along the lake. The Hoodoos can also be seen via boat. Several paths lead from the campground to the adjacent beach, boat ramp and overflow parking area.
Guidebooks for Montana
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Rexford Bench?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Rexford Bench?
Campground: $24.00 daily fee per single site, $48.00 daily fee per double site. Kamloops Terrace: $20.00 daily fee per single site. 50% discount with US Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access Passes
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rexford Bench?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Rexford Bench have?
54 sites, including 54 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Rexford Bench?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Rexford Bench?
Accessible flush toilets and drinking water are provided, but utility hookups are not available.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Rexford Bench?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rexford Bench. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rexford Bench?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. 16 day stay limit.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Rexford Bench?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Rexford Bench?
Fishing, boating and swimming are popular activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Rexford Bench?
Eureka, Montana. The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery.
Source: Getting there
What if Rexford Bench is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tobacco River Campground (1.1 mi, first-come), Camp 32 (4.8 mi, first-come), and Swisher Lake Campground (4.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby