An RVer's Guide to Flathead National Forest

In the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana lies the 2.4-million-acre Flathead National Forest. With lakes galore, rugged wilderness, wild rivers, over 2,000 miles of trails, campgrounds, ski areas, and year-round beauty, this forest is a premiere natural landscape of the American West.

Most of the Forest's one million acres of wilderness are clustered together in one enormous complex that includes the Bob Marshall, Great Bear, and Mission Mountains and comprise approximately 46 percent of the Forest's land base. The Flathead National Forest has 200 miles of designated National Recreation Trails, mostly in designated Wilderness Areas—making it a haven for RVers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Scenic driving on the Forest's roads offers a variety of opportunities.  Paved and gravel roads lead visitors through unique forest settings that offer beautiful vistas, freshwater lakes and streams, and mountain scenery. Some suggested scenic drives include the east and west sides of the Hungry Horse Reservoir, the Swan Highway, Logan Creek, Good Creek, Big Mountain Road, and the North Fork Road.

Other popular attractions in the area include:

• Flathead Wild and Scenic River
• Jewel Basin Hiking Area
• Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
• Summit Nature Center

Plan Your Trip

RV Camping 

The Flathead National Forest has 31 developed campgrounds. The Forest's 12 concessionaire campgrounds are hosted, and offer water, picnic tables, fire rings, and common areas; some have pavilions, boat launches, horseshoe pits, sand volleyed ball courts, and garbage service.  The concessionaire-managed campgrounds that accommodate RV camping include Big Creek, Emery Bay, Doris Creek, Holland Lake, Lid Creek, Lost Johnny Point, Murray Bay, and Tally Lake.

Constructed in 1923 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Spotted Bear Museum is one of the Flathead National Forest’s most significant heritage assets, offering self-guided tours that showcase the area’s storied history in the early days of Wilderness management.