U.S. Forest Service · Kootenai National Forest · Libby, MT

Mcgillivray Campground

McGillivray Campground has 33 total campsites and provides reservation opportunities for two group sites within the campground loops and a large group shelter located within the facility. The two smaller group sites in the campground will accommodate up to 25 people each. The group shelter will accommodate up to 200 people making it great for reunions and receptions. A high and low water boat ramp, swim beach and picnic area are also available at McGillivray Campground

More like this: reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana · group sites in Montana

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
McGillivray Campground (Group Site)McGillivray Campground (Group Site)McGillivray Campground (Group Site)McGillivray Group Shelter
Photos courtesy of KNF · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups31
Tent-only5
Group sites2
group shelter nonelectric1
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

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

39 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
Group Site 1Group PavilionGroup Shelter NonelectricPull-throughPavedPartial200 / 25YesYesPreferred
17Loop AStandardBack-in40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
18Loop AStandardPull-through40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
19Loop AStandardBack-in40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
20Loop AStandardPull-through40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
21Loop AStandardPull-through40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
22Loop AStandardPull-through40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
24Loop AStandardPull-through40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
25Loop AStandardPull-through40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard
26Loop AStandardBack-in40PavedPartial8 / 2YesStandard

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 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySite Group Site 1 is listed accessible
  • The large group shelter (site 1) is equipped with a rock fireplace and multiple tables. Two Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided nearby. Two large cooking grills, horseshoe pits, path to beach area, fire ring and a 1-acre meadow adjoin the site.
  • A large paved parking lot is available for large parties. The site is gated for security of rental parties and it is recommended that the gate is swung closed. Electrical outlets are available within the shelter, however reservationists must provide their own generator. Firewood is provided for the shelter.
  • The two group sites (site 7 and site 23) within the campground provide parking for up to five RVs. Each site has three tent pads, three picnic tables, fire ring, and a large cooking grill are within the sites. All sites at this campground have no electricity and firewood is not provided.

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

Season & status

SeasonMemorial Day
ForestKootenai National Forest
BookingReservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance.
Fees$16.00 daily fee per single site; 50% discount with US Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access Passes. Group Camp sites (site 7/site 23): $50.00 daily fee per group camping site. Up to 25 people. Check-in/check-out 12:00 Noon.

Kootenai National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Mcgillivray Campground20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.50 inches of precipitationFebruary: 1.15 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.09 inches of precipitationApril: 1.23 inches of precipitationMay: 1.75 inches of precipitationJune: 2.39 inches of precipitationJuly: 0.85 inches of precipitationAugust: 0.70 inches of precipitationSeptember: 1.12 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.72 inches of precipitationNovember: 1.84 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.71 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 28.1°F averageFebruary: 30.6°F averageMarch: 37.4°F averageApril: 44.7°F averageMay: 53.9°F averageJune: 60.4°F averageJuly: 67.8°F averageAugust: 67.3°F averageSeptember: 58.0°F averageOctober: 45.4°F averageNovember: 34.9°F averageDecember: 28.4°F average0 in0.5 in1 in1.5 in2 in2.5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Libby Dam (Base), 5 miles from the campground at 2,110 feet, station USC00245011 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 17 inches a year.

Getting there

From Libby, travel 15 miles northeast on State Highway 37. Turn west on Forest Development Road 228 and continue for about 10 miles to the site.

Nearest townLibby, Montana
Coordinates48.4833° N, 115.3000° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • All sites at this campground have no electricity and firewood is not provided.

Supplies & services

RV sales & serviceEverything RV ↗13.1 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗29.5 mi
Outdoor gearThe Toggery ↗44.4 mi

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

Explore

Video

McGillivray Campground Group Site #23 -- Kootenai National Forest in Montana

  • 1.6 mi
    Yarnell Island
    0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 1.7 mi
    Yarnell Island Loop
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.8 mi
    Alexander Mountain
    4.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
  • 3.8 mi
    Cripple Horse ↗
    6.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more

Trailheads within three miles

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 Kootenai 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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The McGillivary is located on the western shore of Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana, at an elevation of about 2,520 feet. It is nestled in a heavily forested area with dense vegetation on the forest floor. The adjacent 46,500-acre reservoir has over 127 miles of shoreline and is formed by the 422' tall Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, which stretches about 90 miles and into Canada. 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 derbies are held multiple times each year and anglers can expect kokanee salmon, whitefish and a variety of trout.

Nearby

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 season. Visitors enjoy driving the 100-mile loop around the reservoir. Several trails, including some that lead to scenic waterfalls, are located along the route.

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 Mcgillivray Campground?

Sites at Mcgillivray Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Mcgillivray Campground?

$16.00 daily fee per single site; 50% discount with US Golden Age/Access or Interagency Senior/Access Passes. Group Camp sites (site 7/site 23): $50.00 daily fee per group camping site. Up to 25 people.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Mcgillivray Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Mcgillivray Campground have?

39 sites, including 31 standard sites without power, 5 tent-only sites, 2 group sites, and 1 group shelter nonelectric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Mcgillivray Campground?

The longest site here provides 40 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 pets allowed at Mcgillivray Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Mcgillivray Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Mcgillivray Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Mcgillivray Campground?

Site Group Site 1 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 the nearest town to Mcgillivray Campground?

Libby, Montana. The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery.

Source: Getting there

What if Mcgillivray Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Timberlane Campground (10.3 mi), Rocky Gorge Campground (11.7 mi, first-come), and Peck Gulch Campground (16.7 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby