Big Creek Campground
Big Creek Campground lies in the expansive Flathead National Forest in northwestern Montana, 2 miles south of the Northwest entrance to Glacier National Park. Visitors can enjoy access to the Flathead River as well as the countless other recreational opportunities provided by the surrounding forests. Big Creek Campground has 22 campsites, 12 of which are reservable and 10 are walk-up, first come, first serve sites. The stay limit is 16 consecutive nights.
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 · group sites in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 22 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 48 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
23 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | AREA BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Group | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 100 / 25 | |||
| 1 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 2 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 3 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 4 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 5 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 6 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 7 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 8 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 9 | BIG CREEK CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 48 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | To make reservations by phone: Call 1-877-444-6777. The rate for group site 001: 1-50 people - $175/night 51 - 100 people - $325/night Although you are allowed 2 motorized vehicles per site, the first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle is charged $5.00 upon arrival at the… |
The campground offers several accessible individual campsites for tent and RV camping. Each has convenient access to the river and is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. A group camping area is nestled in the middle of the campground and can accommodate up to 200 guests. Campfire circles and group picnic areas are also available. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. The water is in 2 locations and are hand pumps. They are not for filling your RV so please come with your water full.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Flathead National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777 or on-line at Recreation.gov. There are individual campsites and group sites available. |
| Fees | Table of Campground Fees Single Site Double Site Extra Vehicle Day Use $18 $36 $5 $5 Fees for the reservable group site are available on the Recreation.gov website. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Columbia Falls, Montana, follow State Route 486 north for approximately 20 miles to the campground entrance on the right. The road is pavement for 10 miles and gravel for approximately 9 miles. An alternate route through Glacier National Park would be to enter the park through West Glacier.
| Coordinates | 48.5990° N, 114.1637° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Cancellations made within the 4 Day Reservation Window will be "considered" for a refund, by the concessionaire, of Camping fees only and will automatically forfeit the first nights fee. All Considerations will be made after your original reservation dates have passed. *No shows have no chance of a refund.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 8.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Glacier Outdoor Center ↗ | 10.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bish's RV ↗ | 31.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Montana's Flathead National Forest | Big Creek Campground, Dirt Road Driving, and Pole
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miDu Hein1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miDu Hein Spurunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miGv Mtn Spur1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miGlacier View Mtn2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miDemers Ridge ↗7.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miSmoky Range NRT ↗9.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
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
Flathead National Forest begins about 6.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.4 miFlathead National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,651,693 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, west of the continental divide and just south of the Canadian border, lies the 2.4 million acre Flathead National Forest. Home to lynx, grizzly bear, and bull trout and with numerous lakes, streams, and rivers to enjoy, the forest is a premiere destination for visitors. The campground sits along the North Fork of the Flathead River, which begins in Canada and joins a couple other forks before depositing into Flathead Lake. It is a forested area of mature pine and fir trees that provide a sparse understory at an elevation of 3,300 feet.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy the ample fishing and floating opportunities provided by the river. Trout are a popular catch amid the calm flow of the water. Boating is also an excellent pastime, as the river is perfect for floating, rafting and canoeing. Across from the campground is the Glacier Institute's Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, which provides learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Programs offered include seminars and guided hikes, which point out the diverse natural and cultural resources of the Glacier National Park and the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.
Nearby
Big Creek Campground is just 2 miles from the Camas Creek entrance to the Glacier National Park. Columbia Falls, along the North Fork of the Flathead River, is located 19 miles south of the campground.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Creek Campground?
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 Big Creek Campground?
To make reservations by phone: Call 1-877-444-6777. The rate for group site 001: 1-50 people - $175/night 51 - 100 people - $325/night Although you are allowed 2 motorized vehicles per site, the first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle is charged $5.00 upon arrival at the…
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Big Creek Campground have?
23 sites, including 22 standard sites without power and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 48 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 Big Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Creek Campground?
Visitors enjoy the ample fishing and floating opportunities provided by the river. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Fish Creek Campground (8.9 mi), Apgar Campground (9.7 mi), and Apgar Group Sites (9.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby