Flathead National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
BIGFORK, MT, MT★ 4.5 (129 reviews)From $22/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
This recreation area is located near the village of Swan Lake at the north end of the scenic Swan Valley in northwest Montana. The campground consists of two loops. Ponderosa Loop offers open, large sites with plenty of space, while sites at Birch Loop are shaded and more clustered together.
Best for:AnglersHikersBoatersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV75 ft
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
ADA sites1 sites
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsDrinking WaterBoat Launch
Recreation
Picnic TablesDump StationFirewood for Sale
Family & Pets
Vault ToiletsFishing
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups — no hookups available at any sites✕ You require year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only✕ You prefer smaller, less exposed campgrounds — sites are notably large and open
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 24 reservable sites (14 walk-up available)
Choose Ponderosa Loop for spacious open sites or Birch Loop for shade if you prefer clustered sites
This is dry camping only
suitable only for self-contained RVs with no hookups available
Best: May-October
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Grizzly Bear, Gray Wolf, American Beaver, and various owl species (Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl) verified in the area within 8km.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
406-752-7924 FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: 1-877-444-6777· Flathead National Forest
Getting there →
From Bigfork, Montana, take State Route 209 east for 4.9 miles to Swan Lake/State Route 83. Turn right and go 10.9 miles to the campground sign. Turn left at the sign into the campground.
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 Swan Lake Campground cost per night?+
Swan Lake Campground costs $22–$75 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Swan Lake Campground open?+
Swan Lake Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Swan Lake Campground have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Swan Lake Campground?+
Swan Lake Campground can accommodate RVs up to 75 feet.
How do I make reservations at Swan Lake Campground?+
Swan Lake Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Swan Lake Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Swan Lake Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Swan Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Swan Lake Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$22 /night★ 4.5 (129)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Swan Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Swan Lake Campground open?+
Does Swan Lake Campground have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.
$22–75 /nightNo booking fees