The best camping near Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park adventure.

Discover the serene beauty of Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park.  

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Community favorites near Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park

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Top-rated campgrounds near Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park

97%
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Burke Creekside lisa J's

20 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Wallace, ID
We are excited to host you at our special property! It is The perfect location for RV camping (tent camping allowed if accompanied by an RV). Whether you are just relaxing by the creek with friends and family or ready for an adventure. Burke is the spot for ATVs and Snowmobiling, Fishing, Hunting, Biking (Hiawatha Trail) Hiking, and Sight seeing old Mines. We now have Starlink. We also have a Chalet for rent on our property. This is a gorgeous, serene getaway in the Historic ghost town of Burke Idaho. Built in the early 1900's and newly remodeled with all the comforts of home. Located 7.5 miles northeast from the town of Wallace. Centrally located within minutes of 2 major Ski resorts. Private hot tub, wood stove and many other features. Immediate access to many snowmobile, ATV, or hiking trails from the front door of this home. Home includes an attached garage and lots of parking for trucks with trailers. Year round activities available throughout the area including snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, hiking and biking or just take a stroll along the creek or play in the snow.
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⭐️Glacier RV Oasis/Mountain Views

2 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Columbia Falls, MT
October Special-10% of your stay! Use code: 8RJFSAK2 at checkout Ask me about Winter discounts for stays 30 days or longer! These perfect RV sites are equipped with everything you will need during your stay. * Free Full size washer and dryer and .5 bathroom supplied with toilet paper and paper towels * Easily back in on a level packed gravel drive that can accommodate any size RV, camper trailer, or camper van * Electrical hookup-Site 1# 50 amp - Site #2 30 amp * Potable water * Septic hookup * Free WIFI * Private fire ring ( firewood not supplied, but available at Super 1 or Smith’s) * Shared BBQ grill, picnic table, and horseshoe pit * Parking for two vehicles This property is perfect for a family reunion or a retreat! We also have a 2 bed 2 bath home (sleeps 10), a 2 bed 1 bath home( sleeps 6) that may be available during your stay. This property is located: 4.4 miles from Columbia Falls. Columbia Falls has everything you will need with two major grocery stores and some great restaurants. 11.2 miles from the Under the Big Sky Festival 13.1 miles from Whitefish. Whitefish has unique shopping and amazing dining options. 16.2 miles from Kalispell. Kalispell is the heart of the Flathead Valley and has multiple shopping options, restaurants, and anything else you may need! FAMILY FUN: Glacier National Park- 17 miles Big Sky Waterpark -2.2 miles Montana Vortex and House of Mystery -3.9 miles Whitefish Mt. Resort -skiing, hiking, biking, zip line, aerial adventure- 20 miles Teakettle River Access -3.1 miles West Glacier Rafting Companies-15 miles Columbia Mountain Trailhead-4.5 miles Meadow Lake Golf Course- 6.3 miles Flathead Lake - 23 miles Glacier View Golf Course -18 miles Blacktail Mountain Ski Area-43 miles Don't Miss the Columbia Falls Farmers' Market every Thursday night May 19 - September 29 @ 5PM This property is only 11 miles from the Under the Big Sky Festival!! If your dates aren't available to camp, please ask me about the two houses for rent on the property! Firewood for the firepits can be purchased on site-please call or text the number on the sign.
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Outback Montana RV Park & Campground

42 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Bigfork, MT
WELCOME TO OUTBACK MONTANA RV PARK! Nestled between Woods Bay and Downtown Bigfork, Outback Montana RV Park is in a prime location for you to explore the BEAUTY that is Flathead Lake and Montana’s most spectacular national forests. Our campsite is unique in that it is heavily forested, shaded, and outdoorsy. We’re not one of those paved glorified parking lots. Outback is an authentic camping experience. We provide everything from 50/amp pull-thru with full water and septic, to grassroots campsites where you can sit back and enjoy the stars. A stone's throw from Flathead Lake, our park is a short distance to several boat launches, and minutes from restaurants and activities ON THE WATER! Come and enjoy Montana with us, we offer exceptional service and our staff is here to help with every aspect of your vacation in paradise! OUR STORY Established in 1976, Outback has a rich history within the Bigfork community. Home to many craftsmen, artists, ranchers, and entrepreneurs. Bigfork was originally a frontier town, and has grown into what some refer to as “The Jewel of the Flathead Valley”. Minutes away, Outback has been a vital support system for the community for over 45 years, housing guests and locals year-round. Outback is proud to support our travelers from abroad, and introduce them to all of the colorful events and festivities that make Bigfork such a wonderful destination! Learn more about local events here. With so many opportunities, and resources yet untapped, we are always upgrading and growing. Learning new things, and new ways to create and support experiences within this beautiful space. Join us! We are so happy to meet you along the way. OUTBACK & BEYOND Outback is proud to support our travelers from abroad, and introduce them to all of the colorful events and festivities that make Bigfork such a wonderful destination! From Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park, boating on Flathead Lake, to running the Spartan Race, or braving the rapids in our Annual Category 4 Whitewater Festival! Outback is your base camp for mission MONTANA THINGS TO DO: •FLATHEAD LAKE Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. Recreation on and around the lake includes sailing, power boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping. In the summer, roadside stands along the east shore offer a variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits. •GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Experience Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Explore Glacier National Park and discover what awaits you. •FLY FISHING The Flathead River system of northwestern Montana offers memorable fishing opportunities. From sites of easy access to that remote wilderness, the Flathead waters can provide diverse fishing experiences. Three main branches, the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork, eventually come together to form the main stem of the Flathead River that flows into the 28-mile-long Flathead lake. Access to the three forks and the main Flathead is readily available in places, but to effectively fish the best of the Flathead, floating is suggested. The hardest thing about fly fishing in this part of northwestern Montana is keeping your eye on your fly and not the spectacular scenery. •BIGFORK SUMMER PLAYHOUSE The Bigfork Summer Playhouse was founded in 1960 by Dr. Firman ‘Bo’ Brown and his wife Margery Hunter Brown as a place for University of Montana theatre students to perform in the summer. In the early days of the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, the company ate group meals, rehearsed, and lived in the same place. There were no facilities to build scenery, nor extra storage of any kind. As a matter of fact, the building didn’t even belong to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse — it was a Community Hall owned by the Masons and the Eastern Star and seated approximately 200 people. The summer group would rent the facility and bring in the stage, risers, and seats for the audience. We’re pleased to say that now the playhouse is a 435-seat air-conditioned theater with great fly space, a spacious lobby that contains a concession area, and wonderfully comfortable continental-style seating for hundreds of guests. Numerous spaces off-site to accommodate production needs including a dormitory facility for the actors; living quarters for the directors, technicians, and musicians; costume shop; scene shop; and rehearsal space. •SPARTAN RACE Spartan Race is a series of obstacle races of varying distance and difficulty ranging from 3 miles to marathon distances. They are held in the US and have been franchised to 30 countries including Canada, South Korea, Australia, and several European countries. The series includes the Spartan Sprint, the Spartan Super, the Spartan Beast, and the Spartan Ultra. •WHITEWATER FESTIVAL The Bigfork Whitewater Festival is celebrating 46 years of extreme whitewater action and community-oriented fun! This is the longest-running event in Bigfork and is one that the entire Flathead Valley looks forward to each year. Participants come from around the world to race. Spectators are also a huge part of this festival and come to enjoy the races and other events held in town. •BIGFORK FESTIVAL OF ARTS It was in May of 1978 when the idea of a Bigfork Festival of the Arts was first proposed. As so often happens in Bigfork, it started with a conversation on Electric Ave. between members of the community. The first festival was held on the first weekend in August of 1978. It was a resounding success despite the committee’s inexperience. The feedback from the community was very positive and the group agreed that it should become an annual event. Over the years, the festival has grown steadily to its current size. In 2019, there were more than 140 booths representing a wide variety of arts and crafts by nationally and internationally recognized artists and craftsmen. Festival attendance is estimated to be more than 6,000. •4TH OF JULY PARADE Bigfork knows how to throw a party. And when it’s our country’s birthday, Bigfork really knows how to celebrate. The centerpiece of the celebration is the annual parade through Bigfork which begins at noon. Bring your whole family to view our great parade to celebrate the birth of our country. The 4th of July Parade in Bigfork has been voted “Best Parade in the Flathead” year after year.
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Aspen Lane Hideaway

3 sites · RVs4 acres · Kalispell, MT
These are newly developed sites (2021) nested on the back of our property about 200ft from our house on a dead-end road. We have rural neighborhood vibe, with a 2 mile scenic paved walking path nearby. We have newly planted trees and shrubs, so not much afternoon shade. With the open areas sunrises and sunsets are fantastic! Both back in sites are 40’ in length with extra vehicle parking available. Please confirm your measurements before booking. There is enough room to easily pull in and then back into your spot. Ideal for Class-A motor-homes, fifth wheels, tent trailers, travel trailers, pick-up campers and self-contained van campers. Additionally, 1 tent is allowed at each site. Because there are no bathrooms we are unable to accept TENT ONLY camping at this time. Both campsites have full hookups including artisan well water, septic, with 50 amp electric on site #2 and 30 & 50 amp electric on site #3. Garbage receptacle is located by the east side of the greenhouse. Plenty to see and do in the Flathead Valley. Lots of wonderful local restaurants, pubs, breweries and wineries. Tons of trails to hike, rivers to raft, lakes to boat and parks to stroll. We have a list of our favorites, don’t hesitate to ask!
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$57
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Off The Beaten Path Glampground

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents21 acres · Plains, MT
Located in Beautiful Western Montana on the hill above the town of Plains. Spectacular views of the mountains and Clark Fork River. Extra large tent sites with no size restrictions. Price is based on 2 adults per tent site. Add $5 to the rates for each additional adult with a max of 4 adults per site. On site porta potty, hand washing station and drinking water. All sites including the domes are off grid. Car camping and rooftop camping are permitted. Motorcycles are also welcome, just be advised that the road uphill to the campground is gravel. Sorry no travel trailers or motorhomes are allowed. Pets are welcome at your tent site. Please do not let your pets roam the property or disturb other guests. We also have Glamping Geodesic domes for rent for those who prefer a nice comfortable bed and a little more shelter. We offer 12 tent sites located on 21 acres. Located midway between Kalispell and Missoula off of highway 200 & 28. 45 minutes to Flathead Lake, 90 minutes to Kalispell and Missoula. Less than 2 hours to Coeur d' Alene.
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The best camping near Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park guide

Overview

About

A choice you'll always cherish, camping near Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park offers easy access to endless trails and miles of shoreline. This vast expanse in northwest Montana presents campers with a unique fusion of pristine lakes and flourishing wildlife, making it an ultimate outdoor paradise.

The park stretches across a 20-mile-long chain of captivating lakes, including the renowned McGregor Lakes, the Thompson Lakes, Horseshoe Lake, and Loon Lake. Each of these lakes not only graces the landscape with their aquatic charm but also beckons adventurers with a plethora of activities. From a leisurely swim to the adrenaline rush of water skiing, there's something for everyone. For those who are thrilled by boating, the expansive water bodies provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable sailing experience.

What sets a Thompson Chain of Lakes camping trip apart is the exceptional fishing opportunities. With an array of fish species, including black crappie, brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, westslope cutthroat trout, and yellow perch, it's an angler's delight. Each cast of the line into these fertile waters promises an exciting tussle with nature.

To top it all, the state park offers some of the finest wildlife viewing experiences in northwest Montana. Campers are often treated to enchanting sights of local fauna in their natural habitat, adding an extra layer of excitement to their outdoor adventure. Camping near Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park, is not just a getaway; it's an invitation to explore the splendid diversity of these glacial kettle lakes.

Notable campgrounds

  • Logan State Park: Ideal for larger camping units with developed sites and scenic lake views.
  • Lower Thompson Lake: Offers a rustic camping experience with stunning natural surroundings.
  • Upper Thompson Lake: Secluded spots perfect for anglers and those seeking tranquility.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early, especially for peak summer months, to secure your ideal campsite.
  • Consider mid-week stays for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Keep an eye on cancellations for last-minute opportunities.
  • Explore nearby camping options for alternative sites if the park is fully booked.

When to go

The park is open year-round, offering distinct experiences each season. Summer brings warm days perfect for water activities, while fall's cooler weather is ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing. Winter provides a peaceful, snowy landscape, though roads are not maintained. Spring can be wet, so prepare for variable conditions.

Know before you go

  • Check for any restrictions and closures before your visit, especially during extreme weather.
  • Roads within the park are primitive; large trailers and motor homes are not recommended.
  • There is no drinking water available on-site, so bring ample supplies.
  • Montana residents with the state parks fee included in their vehicle registration enjoy free entry.
  • Nonresidents should be prepared to pay a day use entrance fee, with discounts for walk-ins and cyclists.

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