Best Camping in and near Kootenai National Forest

71% (14 reviews)

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Kootenai National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Kootenai National Forest

Grave Creek Campground

4 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Webb Mountain Lookout

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Yaak Mountain Lookout Cabin

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Big Creek Baldy Lookout

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

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(3)

Mount Baldy-Buckhorn Ridge Lookout

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Sex Peak Lookout

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Gem Peak Lookout Cabin

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Minton Peak Lookout

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Bad Medicine Campground

18 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Spar Lake Campground

13 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Big Eddy Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

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Bull River Campground and Group Site

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Jackpine Flats Campground

1 site · RV, Tent In Kootenai National Forest

Marten Creek Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Sylvan Lake Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Rocky Gorge Campground

60 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

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Tobacco River Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Little Therriault Lake campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Swisher Lake Campground

4 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Kilbrennan Lake Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Pete Creek Campground

13 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

North Shore Campground

16 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Willow Creek Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Howard Lake Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

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Loon Lake Campground

4 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Dorr Skeels Campground

8 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

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North Dickey Lake Campground

2 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Mount Wam Lookout

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Upper Ford Ranger Station Cabin

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Bull River Guard Station

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

Garver Mountain Lookout Cabin

1 site In Kootenai National Forest

McGillivray Campground

2 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Caribou Campground

3 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Red Top Campground

3 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

McGregor Lake Campground

1 site · RV, Tent In Kootenai National Forest

Lake Creek Campground

4 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Whitetail Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Rexford Bench Campground

54 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Peck Gulch Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Yaak Falls Campground

7 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Camp 32 Campground

8 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Big Therriault Lake Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Kootenai National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Kootenai National Forest

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ALMOST TO CANADA - FAR NORTH IDAHO

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Bonners Ferry, ID

Note: We have a Bonners Ferry, ID mailing address but our physical location is approximately 30 miles North of Bonners Ferry and 1 mile South of Eastport, ID. We are a mile South of the Canadian Border just off US 95. Also, please note: Our tent campsite and RV campsite have separate booking sites but share the same shelter and toilet. If you book either site the "other" booking site is blocked during your stay. You are in a forest on land shaped by the last Ice Age, The forest has nurtured generations of of wildlife including majestic birds of prey. It sustained the Kootenai People before borders separated their lands. It saw determined miners pass this way seeking their fortune in gold from British Columbia. This forest supplied timber to build railroads and homes for families in the western migration. Our family is the current steward of this forest and it is our wish to respectfully share its beauty and observe its wildlife with your family and friends! Our Forest is surrounded by Kaniksu National Forest which is managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) as part of the Idaho Panhandle. National Forest.. The Moyie River ( say Moy-yay) has headwaters at Moyie Lake in British Columbia and feeds into the Kootenai River (say Koo-ten-e) just East of Bonners Ferry. The Moyie River is 95 miles long. The area is private, so there is no view of the neighbors. You’ll have a broken view of the Host’s Cabin. Camp is situated on 15.4 acres of Certified Family Forest. If you hear the rumble of a train at night, it's because the Union Pacific passes along the opposite edge of the property from the campsites. There is no mobile phone service at the campsite . There is WiFi at the campsite shelter. We strongly suggest you activate the “Cell over WiFi “ function on your smartphone BEFORE you arrive/lose cell signal so you can access Emergency 911 Services. There is a fire pit (firewood provided), covered shelter, a USFS-style charcoal grill, (bring charcoal and starter), picnic table, benches, bear-proof food storage box and TEMPORARY trash bin. Please plan to "pack-out" all of your trash and recyclables. There are a lot of deer roaming the property, along with many birds and other wildlife . OUR NIGHTLY CHARGE Includes all the firewood you need and a 10% Hipcamp Service Fee. It does not include 6% Idaho Sales Tax and 2% Idaho Convention and Travel Tax. Be Bear Aware : From April 1 - November 1 all food, beverages and trash must never be left unattended and, all of the same, be stored properly. Our Bear Box is large and can accommodate your supplies and cooler.

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Stillwater Getaway

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Olney, MT

Family and pet friendly lakeside cabins, wall tents, and campsites. Come enjoy a true Montana experience at Stillwater Getaway, located 15 miles North of Whitefish on Lower Stillwater Lake bring your paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes to explore the lake. There is a bath house with showers and toilets and outhouses around the property as well. We have a shared Mess Hall with a full kitchen with a BBQ grill, coffee, and WiFi.

97%

(63)

Small Yurt in the Woods

1 site · Lodging12 acres · Sandpoint, ID

We have created this place and lived here for over 17 years. Our two boys who are 16 and 19 love to play and create their own piece of heaven. We desire to share it with others and allow them to see the magic of yurt living. We also live in a 30-ft yurt on the property that is our special place. Learn more about this land: This 14-foot yurt is a short walk of about 50 yards from the guest parking. You will pass our 30-ft family yurt going to your own private space. The property has a great remote feeling and has space to move around. There is a queen custom bed and room for a child or two on the floor if desired. There is a small gravity feed water system for the yurt and your own private outhouse. Plenty of wood for you to stay warm by the fire inside and an outdoor shower shared by our family. The kitchen comes with pots and pans, plates, etc. and a few extras. You will hear the sounds of nature and North Idaho at times out in your yurt as trains pass through the valley to Canada. We are 1.5 miles away from the tracks. If you are into being independent and open to new experiences then we would love to share our space with you. Please pull in the drive and pull up past the big garage and park to the left by the Yurt Parking Sign. Then walk towards the trail sign and follow the path. Recommended for you to bring a headlamp and outdoor slippers to walk to the outhouse or shower during your stay. We have towels at the yurt for your use. We can provide a Therm-a-rest bed for your child if needed. Please bring your own wood for outside fires at the fire pit.

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Heritage Cabin Property

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Fortine, MT

If you are looking for quietude, this is your spot! Twenty acres situated minutes from lakes, rivers and US Forest Service land. Partly forested and partly pasture land, we boast Aspen, Fir and Pine trees. Other wildlife that pass through include coyote, elk, deer and badger. Lots of bird life from woodpeckers and blue jays to eagles and owls. Fuel, groceries and river access available a short fifteen minute drive away. Lake access is only twenty minutes to the closest, Murphy Lake. Half a dozen other lakes within a thirty minute range. We have a campfire ring set up at your RV/Camp site and camp wood is available. You have fresh, potable water on site as well as electric hook-up. No RV dump available. We are pet friendly! Since we do have neighbors and wildlife, we require pets to be leashed when not secured in our fenced area. We are located outside of the range of cell service when on-site however we do have wifi available at the host cabin.

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North Haven Campground

23 sites · Lodging, RVs5 acres · Bonners Ferry, ID

ABOUT NORTH HAVEN... Featuring 5+ acres in a peaceful wooded setting, with 5 Luxury Log Cabins (1BD and 2BD), 2 Conestoga Glamping Wagons w/ private bathroom access, 21 RV Sites, Bathhouse and Laundry Room (open 24/7), "The Outpost" Camp Store & Office, a 3/4 mile Nature Walking Trail Loop Around the Campground. LUXURY LOG CABINS... 1-bedroom 1-bathroom log cabins that sleep up to 4 Guests. 2-bedroom 2-bathroom log cabins that sleep 6-8 Guests. Two pet-friendly cabins available (Cabins 1 and 2). CONESTOGA GLAMPING WAGONS... Glamorous Camping at it's best! King bed, twin-over-twin bunk bed; sleep up to 4 Guests; Microwave, mini fridge and wagon wheel table; Electricity, USB charging ports, Mitsubishi mini split for heat and A/C; Private access to a dedicated bathroom in the adjacent Showerhouse, with shower, sink, toilet, with bath towels, bath amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap); Outdoor wood picnic table and fire pit; Parking for one vehicle next to the Wagon RV SITES... 21 RV sites: 10 full hook up; ALL are pull-through; 11 partial hook-up (Water and Electric); 7 are pull-through; Each site features 20/30/50 amp electrical receptacles; 24/7/365 access to Bathhouse restrooms, showers and laundry room. ABOUT THE OWNERS / MANAGERS... Hi there! We are the Murdock Ohana family. In the fall of 2020 we came to Bonners Ferry, Idaho for the first time. We stayed in a log cabin vacation rental at Log Inn Cabins & RV. We fell in love with the area and found a home to buy during that trip. Less than a year later we moved our family to Bonners Ferry. We never would have imagined that two years after staying in that log cabin, that we would be the new owners of the RV park and log cabins campground where we stayed! We are originally from Utah and lived in the Hawaiian Islands for nine years prior to moving to Bonners Ferry. Our daughters moved to Idaho with us and our son is still living in Hawaii. We have found a new kind of paradise in Bonners Ferry and we truly love it! We are excited about this new chapter of life and look forward to continuing to provide a great service with the Log Cabins and RV sites under the new North Haven Campground business name. We will be introducing some fun and exciting new glamping options in 2023 for our Guests. – The Murdocks

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Bull Lake Mountaintop Retreat

2 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Noxon, MT

Located in Northwestern Montana’s spectacular Bull Lake and Cabinet Mountain range. Come and enjoy this natural wonder!

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(116)

Shameless Oasis Lodging and Camping

9 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Troy, MT

Located in Yaak, MT, along the PNT (pacific northwest trail), deep in the Kootenai National Forest, in the Northwestern corner of Montana. Pick your campsite in the trees or in the grass, shade or sun. The 2 acre grounds extend to Yaak River, with a shared dock, and communal outdoor kitchen, (propane grill and fire pit, small fridge, some pans and utensils). Camp fire wood is available for purchase, or bring your own local firewood. Camping fee includes Hot outdoor shower, outdoor kitchen, outhouses, fire pits, WiFi, trash cans. In Summer, we have an on-site espresso/ice cream shop and fresh chicken eggs for sale. Roads and trails to explore are endless. Rivers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, Kootenai Falls and Lake Kookanusa are all close by. In Winter, explore groomed snowmobile/cross country ski trails, or go back country. Also, Turner Mountain Ski Area is only 17 miles away. Come set up your tent, or car camp. Also, we can accommodate your small camper/RV, with water and 110 power hookups. The Oasis can also be rented for parties and events, up to 100 people. Package includes exclusive use of the grounds, dock, outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower, firepits, and grills. Message for more information. Come Enjoy the true Montana experience here!

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Blue Lake RV Resort

47 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Naples, ID

BLUE LAKE RV RESORT Your favorite North Idaho destination. Conveniently located in the heart of North Idaho, 22 miles north of Sandpoint and 5 miles south of Bonners Ferry. From our lake to nearby trails and waterfalls, outdoor activities abound. When entering the park, please watch for trains. There are no crossing arms. COMING FROM THE SOUTH? When you get here, go past our driveway, there is a semi-truck turnaround just 1/4 mile north of us. The approach from the north is much easier than trying to cross traffic coming from the south. AMENITIES •Our limited 36 sites on 21 acres make Blue Lake feel uncrowded and peaceful. •Fire pits and picnic tables at EVERY SITE! • Satellite-friendly sites available •We retained the charm of the wooded, old-fashion campground of our youth, but with the amenities of a modern RV facility: WiFi, radiant floor heat and on demand hot water in the bathrooms, and full-service laundry. •Big trees make lots of shade at the lakeside. The majority of the lake shore is shared space for all guests. •Feed the turtles and catfish and watch the trout jump like little orcas! Big trout and catfish to be caught, no license needed! •Summertime warms the surface water temps, so swim, kayak or float our awesome 3-acre lake. •Enjoy the wine deck every day from 6pm-9 pm •Free Showers Every Bathroom in our bathhouse includes a toilet, sink and shower for your convenience. Heated floors! •Coin Laundry $3.50 is needed to wash and dry 1 load. The laundry room also has a change machine for $1 bills. •Free Wifi Enjoy a free internet connection for checking emails and browsing the internet. Not suitable for streaming. •Sauna Book an all-day, private sauna for you and your friends Or book a single session on one of the open sauna days. Limited availability, you must book in advance •Boat Rentals Kayaks, Pedal Boats, and SUPs are available for rent by the hour. •Movie Rentals Action, Romance, Comedy, Cartoons. There’s something for everyone on our DVD rental shelf. •Free Games/Balls Giant Chess by the lake, horseshoes, Ladder Ball, Badminton, Bocce Ball, Ping Pong, Volley Ball, Croquet, Frisbee, footballs, checkers, Laddy Bug Tic-Tac-Toe. •Wine and Beer Bar Huckleberry Mimosas, Local Beers, Red and White Wine. We’ve got what you need to relax on our wine deck overlooking the lake. •Swimming and Fishing Swimming Dock, Fishing Dock. Cool off this summer with a dip in our lake. Or try your luck chasing trout, bass or catfish. (catch and release only, no license needed) •Firewood for Sale Please help reduce the spread of invasive bugs and wood disease by buying locally. $5.25 per bundle or $15 for 3 bundles.Don’t worry, you’ll get more than 4 pieces in our bundles. Unlike some places… •Ice for Sale Run out of Ice? No need to run to town, we’ve got it right here. •Community Fire Pits Come down to the fire pits and listen to someone share their adventures, or share a story of your own! •Dog Park After a long day on the road, your pooch will enjoy our off-leash, fenced dog park, as well as our off-leash walking trail. LOCAL ATTRACTIONS •Places to Visit -Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge -Kootenai River -Glacier National Park -Bonners Ferry Pelton Wheel -Boundary County Museum -Brush Lake -Mirror Lake Golf Course -International Selkirk Loop -9B Trails -Clifty Mountain & Katka Peak -Kootenai Falls & Swinging Bridge -Snow Creek Falls -Spruce Lake -Copper Falls -Myrtle Creek Falls -Roman Nose Lakes •Activities -Dining -Hiking -Fishing -Kayaking -Golfing -ATVs and Dirtbikes -Bird Watching -Bowling -Bonners Ferry Events

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Grumpy Chicken Farm Camp

2 sites · Tents10 acres · Sandpoint, ID

Learn more about this land: We are a You-Pick flower farm and Floral Company in beautiful Sandpoint Idaho, with a field of flowers for you to enjoy. The property is located in the Heart of the Selle Valley, an area rich in history. There is running water and a port o potty on the property.

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Lakeview Majesty

9 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Sandpoint, ID

Enjoy our beautiful peaceful, scenic property while tent camping or RV camping (full hookups). Gorgeous views of Idaho's largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille. Wake up in a peaceful woodsy setting where deer and turkeys roam the property. Stargaze by night, while you enjoy every lake amenity available by the day, only half a mile away! Sandpoint Marina and beach are only 12 miles away! Want to go skiing? Head up to Schweitzer Mountain, only a short 30 minute drive away. NOTE: All campers over 12 foot tall please take the Sunnyside Cut off Road. Do not go under railroad tracks it only has a 12 foot clearance.

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Maverick Mountain Home

2 sites · RVs, Tents27 acres · Hope, ID

Maverick Mountain Home is perched on a mountainside several hundred feet above picturesque Trestle Creek, a protected Kokanee Salmon and Bull Trout spawning habitat, two short but gorgeous miles up the road from Lake Pend Oreille. Our property is hidden within an epic cedar, fir and pine forest, bracketed by the Kaniksu National Forest to the east and conservation land to the west. SPRING/SUMMER/FALL: Spend the afternoon at the Trestle Creek Recreation Area on the eastern shore of Lake Pend Oreille, only two miles down the road (just off Highway 200), where you can launch your boat, swim at the beach, or paddle along the shore in your kayak or SUP. Or, take an adventurous backcountry drive up Trestle Creek Road into the mountains of the Kaniksu National Forest where you can check out Lunch Peak Lookout, hike miles of pristine trails to one of the three nearby mountain lakes, explore several waterfalls, or drive the entire 35 mile backcountry loop down to the town of Clark Fork. If quiet rest is what you seek, stay here and find a secluded spot next to one of the creeks where you can hang a hammock and listen for that still small voice. Or read a book until the peaceful whispers of flowing water and breeze through the trees lulls you to sleep. You'll be in for a special treat if you book your site during the annual Kokanee Salmon spawning season! The salmon run usually starts during the last week in August or first week in September and lasts through late September. There are a multitude of viewing locations along Trestle Creek to witness this yearly miracle and snap some amazing photos! WINTER: Bring your snow machines and take advantage of sled in/sled out access from your campsite to the Trestle Creek loop system, boasting spectacular backcountry terrain with 50+ miles of groomed trails and hundreds of thousands of off-trail acres to explore! On-site trailer parking adjacent to the road is available. If skiing is your thing, Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort is an easy (and gorgeous) 45 minute commute. Don't tell anyone, but Schweitzer Mountain is an absolute gem of a ski resort with 2,900 acres of gorgeous skiing terrain (and epic views) for all ages and skill levels. Our family spends a good bit of time skiing here. Winter Driveway Access: a 4-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle is required to climb our driveway during winter conditions. OUR STORY: We (Tim and Molly) spent 14 years raising our young family in the desert heat of north Phoenix. Every summer we went dispersed camping as many weekends as possible with our four (now five) children in the backcountry mountain ranges of northern Arizona. We watched our family grow stronger together and sibling relationships flourish as the mental and emotional grime of the city grind was slowly washed from our souls during idle morning hangouts, afternoon hiking adventures and evening stories and laughs around the campfire. We had a particularly amazing mountaintop experience in 2014 backcountry camping over Labor Day Weekend where we felt a strong calling to share with others the blessings we were experiencing. Our hearts were impressed with a desire to host a place in the "wilderness" where people and families could escape and unwind from the noise and pace of city life for a few days and maybe even have a mountaintop experience of their own. After several years of waiting for the right timing, we started exploring and found this place in January 2019. By April we had sold our home in Phoenix and moved our family 2,000 miles north to this 27 acre property on a mountain of Hope. We named it Maverick Mountain Home, which captures our love of the wilderness, our mission to care for the lost, and our desire to be unbranded by the world. Upon landing here we immediately got to work preparing. We've spent the last five years working on hundreds of different projects, including: rehabilitating our driveway, beginning a long-term whole-house remodel, building a chicken coop, maintaining our driveway, fencing in a new orchard, chicken yard, and pig yard, planting trees, replacing a spring house, maintaining our driveway, installing underground infrastructure for future guest facilities, clearing trails, milling lumber, and maintaining our driveway. In 2024 we dedicated a good portion of April and May to preparing our first HipCamp site, Living Water, which went live on our wedding anniversary at the end of May. We added our second site, Boondock Butte in July with plans for several more sites in coming years. Since the first booking on our opening weekend we've watched as that line from "Field of Dreams" came true in our "backyard" - we built it and they started coming. Welcome to Maverick Mountain Home, Intrepid Camper! It is a huge blessing for us to share this amazing place with you.

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BnR Horse Ranch

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents161 acres · Libby, MT

Are you looking for an adventure and opportunities to explore the wilderness and Lake Koocanusa? Come experience camping off grid in the true beautiful nature and wildlife of Montana. I have an off grid ranch on 161 acres bordered by the Kootenai National Forest and Lake Koocanusa just down the dirt road. It's very wooded but does have a few open meadows. My land is very private surrounded by beautiful mountains, forestry, wildlife and streams/creeks. The lake has a great beach front for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, etc. There's a boat launch 3 miles away for bigger boats or pontoons. My property also provides direct access to hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, horse trail riding, biking, snowmobiling and 4-wheeling. Want to bring your horse? We also offer horse camping, trail riding with overnight trail camping options and stall boarding. Round pen and outdoor arena available soon. Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent or park your RV next to the creek or anywhere on our 161 acres surrounded by the Kootenai National Forest. Full access to Lake Koocanusa for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, etc. Immediate access to Kootenai National Forest with hundred miles of trails for hiking, 4-wheeling, biking, etc. Tour Libby Dam and visitor center located about 4 miles away. Also offer horse camping and trail riding.

The best camping near Kootenai National Forest guide

Overview

About

Stand on top of pine covered mountains and bask in the glory of the valleys below at Kootenai National Forest. With highly primitive areas like the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, you can stand in lands untouched by time and man. If solitude is what you’re seeking you’ll find it here by way of bikes, hikes, and horseback riding. With a herd of glacial lakes, rivers, and streams, anglers and wave riders will have their pick at places like Bull Lake, Lake Koocanusa, and the Yaak River. With impressive mountain scenes, winter sports for days (hello, snowshoes!), and exciting history and wildlife, it’s easy to see why the Kootenai is Montana’s best kept secret!