Located near the village of Swan Lake in the scenic Swan Valley, surrounded by dense conifer forest and the craggy, snow-covered peaks of the Swan Mountain Range.
Access to a boat ramp and beach, allows both power and non-motorized boating. Glacier National Park is within an hour drive. Swan River National Wildlife Refuge is about a mile away. Food storage order in effect.
This is a Flathead National Forest campground—one of the Forest Service camps that define Montana camping for travelers who want a fire ring, a picnic table, and quiet timber rather than full-hookup convenience. Amenities are modest by design. Confirm water, trash, and fire restrictions with the local ranger district before you drive in.
Nearest town: Bigfork. Elevation about 3100 feet.
Campground snapshot
- Agency / unit: USFS — Flathead National Forest
- Sites: 38
- Type: Tent/RV
- Fee range: $22
- Season: May-Sep
- Reservations: Recreation.gov, FCFS
- Access road: Paved
- Best for: Swan Lake boating
Amenities
Vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, picnic tables, fill station, boat ramp, beach, kayak/paddleboard/canoe rentals, firewood for sale, bike lanes
How to book
Reservations and site details typically run through Recreation.gov, FCFS. Many Forest Service camps keep first-come, first-served loops; remote camps may be entirely FCFS. Confirm current fees, water status, and fire restrictions before arrival. Official listing: www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234480.
Bear country & campcraft
This stop sits in classic Montana bear country. Store all attractants—food, trash, toiletries, cookware, and pet food—in a hard-sided vehicle, an IGBC-approved container, a provided bear box, or a proper hang. Never bring food or cooking clothes into the tent.
Campfires belong only in provided metal rings when restrictions allow. Drown, stir, and feel the ashes with the back of your hand before leaving or sleeping. In Stage II restrictions, open fires are banned even in developed sites—use a shut-off stove only.
Follow Leave No Trace: camp on durable surfaces, pack out everything you pack in, and leave the site cleaner than you found it.
Plan the rest of the trip
- Camping reference: reservations, bears, and fire rules
- Open this stop on the Backroads Guided Trails map
- Campgrounds directory
Visitor Access
- Nearest town: Bigfork
- Focus: National Forest
- Coordinates: 47.9636, -113.8833
- Road note: Paved
- Access note: Confirm road conditions, water availability, and fire restrictions before arrival. Mountain weather can drop below freezing even in midsummer.
- Legal reminder: Follow agency food-storage orders, stay within designated sites in developed camps, and respect private land and tribal boundaries.