Thompson Falls State Park is a 36-acre park at an elevation of 2,362 feet, located on the Clark Fork River in the rugged and beautiful Clark Fork Valley. It features a mature, mixed pine forest.
Improved family fishing pond with accessible pier, picnic shelter, latrine, and improved parking. Expanded non-motorized Thompson Falls Trail along the Clark Fork River connecting to HWY 200 trail into town. FWP conducts surveillance for white-nose syndrome in bats.
Montana State Parks camping sits between wild Forest Service sites and private RV parks: clearer rules, maintained facilities, and often water or showers, while still keeping you close to the landscape the park was created to protect.
Nearest town: Thompson Falls. Elevation about 2400 feet.
Campground snapshot
- Agency / unit: FWP — State Parks
- Sites: 18
- Type: Tent/RV
- Fee range: $4-34
- Season: May-Oct
- Reservations: ReserveAmerica
- Max RV length: 30 ft
- Best for: Clark Fork River
Amenities
ADA Accessible, Bear Resistant Storage Lockers, Boat Launch, Camp Host, Established Fire Pits, Firewood for Sale, Fishing Pond, Grills/Fire Rings, Maps, Parking, Pets Allowed, Picnic Shelter, Toilets (Vault), Trails, Trash Removal, Water
How to book
Montana State Parks camping generally books through ReserveAmerica. Peak season is typically late May through mid-September. Confirm cabin/yurt options and current fees on the park page. Official listing: fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/thompson-falls.
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: Thompson Falls
- Focus: State Park
- Coordinates: 47.5936, -115.3433
- 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.