Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt)
Flathead National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Columbia Falls, MT, MT
Price: From $22 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (121 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-creek-campground-flathead-national-forest-mt to be notified when sites open up.
Big Creek Campground offers 23 sites in Flathead National Forest with access to the Flathead River and proximity to Glacier National Park's Northwest entrance. The campground provides fishing, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in a scenic northwestern Montana setting.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Mountain Lion, American Wolverine, Mule Deer, Great Gray Owl, Spruce Grouse, and garter snakes are present in the area.
Insider tips for Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt): 12 of 22 sites are reservable; 10 are first-come, first-serve walk-up sites. Maximum stay limit is 16 consecutive nights. Road to campground is paved for 10 miles, then gravel for approximately 9 miles from Columbia Falls via State Route 486.
Skip Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt) if: Requiring RV hookups — no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. Visiting outside May-October — campground is closed seasonally.. Dislike advance planning — federal campground requires booking early for reserved sites..
Best time to visit Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt): May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Fish Creek Campground (West Glacier, MT), Apgar Group Sites (West Glacier, MT), Apgar Campground (West Glacier, MT), Sprague Creek Campground (West Glacier, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt)
Cell signal at Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt) (Columbia Falls, MT): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entry12 of 22 sites are reservable; 10 are first-come, first-serve walk-up sites.
Maximum stay limit is 16 consecutive nights.
Road to campground is paved for 10 miles, then gravel for approximately 9 miles from Columbia Falls via State Route 486.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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. Take Glacier Route1 Rd/Going to the Sun Rd for 2 miles. Turn left onto Camas Rd for 11 miles. Turn left onto North Fork Rd for 2.7 miles of gravel. Campground will be on your left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Flathead National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Flathead National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt) cost per night?+
What season is Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt) open?+
Does Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt)?+
How do I make reservations at Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt)?+
What is the cell service like at Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt)?+
What season is Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, Mt) open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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