How much does camping cost at Owl Creek Corral?

Camping fees at Owl Creek Corral are $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Owl Creek Corral first-come first-served or reservation?

Owl Creek Corral accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Owl Creek Corral before I book?

Yes! Owl Creek Corral has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Owl Creek Corral?

Owl Creek Corral is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Owl Creek Corral?

Owl Creek Corral does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Owl Creek Corral have?

Owl Creek Corral has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Owl Creek Corral?

Pets are not allowed at Owl Creek Corral. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Owl Creek Corral?

Owl Creek Corral offers: Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Owl Creek Corral

4.27

28 reviews

200 Ranger Station Rd, Bigfork, MT, 59911, USA

Featured in:Hiking Camping Montana

Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Owl Creek Corral

$20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

406-837-7500

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

200 Ranger Station Rd, Bigfork, MT, 59911, USA

Owl Creek Corral

200 Ranger Station Rd, Bigfork, MT, 59911, USA

Nearby places

Bigfork, MT (approximately 35 miles away)

Condon, MT (9 miles or about 20 minutes away).

Driving directionsOwl Creek Corral is located at the Owl Creek Packer Camp, about 4 miles off Montana State Highway 83 in the Swan Valley. From Highway 83 turn east onto Holland Lake Road #44 near mile marker 35. After 2.5 miles, turn right on Owl Loop Road #9558. Go about 0.5 miles and turn right on Road #10121 to Owl Creek Packer Camp. The camp entrance is located on the right. Turn here and continue straight through the camp, turn left at the end and drive past the corrals. The corral for rent is the last corral near the end of this loop on the right.

Weather at Owl Creek Corral

Current alerts(6)

All hay and feed brought onto public lands must be certified weed free
Commercial use of corral is prohibited
Contact the ranger district office at (406) 837-7500, during normal office hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) for updates on weather and road conditions; refunds will not be given for inclement weather or road conditions.
Drinking water is only available from May 20 to Nov. 15; outside this time frame, guests will need to bring their own water

Best Time to Camp at Owl Creek Corral

Best season: summer. Summer delivers the warmest, most reliable weather for horseback packing, hiking, fishing, boating and swimming — daytime highs at 4,200 ft typically sit in the mid-60s to low-80s°F with cool nights in the 40s–50s. Trailheads melt out and the Owl Creek water trough and corrals are easiest to use, making it the prime time for multi-day equestrian trips and lake outings in nearby Swan Valley waterways. Expect moderate visitation on summer weekends but generally plenty of solitude compared with bus Peak months: July, August, September, June

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season noted as summer; reliable warm weather and lake activities at 4,200 ft.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Owl Creek Corral

Owl Creek Corral sits in mid-elevation forest near Bigfork in Flathead National Forest, operated by the U.S. Forest Service as an equestrian staging area with corrals and a water trough. This very small campground serves as a trailhead base for horseback packing trips and hiking into the backcountry, with Holland Lake recreation nearby. The quiet, primitive setting appeals to horse campers seeking trail access during the summer season.

The Owl Creek Corral is primarily an equestrian facility with limited camping accommodations. It does not provide typical camping sites for tents or RVs.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer delivers the warmest, most reliable weather for horseback packing, hiking, fishing, boating and swimming — daytime highs at 4,200 ft typically sit in the mid-60s to low-80s°F with cool nights in the 40s–50s. Trailheads melt out and the Owl Creek water trough and corrals are easiest to use, making it the prime time for multi-day equestrian trips and lake outings in nearby Swan Valley waterways. Expect moderate visitation on summer weekends but generally plenty of solitude compared with bus Peak months: July, August, September, June

Elevation4200 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryLodgepole pines and Douglas firs surround the corral at 4,200 feet in the Swan Valley. The mixed conifer forest provides shade and views across forested ridges. Holland Lake sits nearby, accessible for boating and swimming. The terrain reflects ancient glacial carving, with valleys and ridges typical of this Northern Rockies corridor.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges or additional accommodations at this location.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 7 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum capacity of 12 head of stock.

Groups

There are no designated group camping sites at this location.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available through Recreation.gov, online, app, contact center, or in-person.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not specified, and the site primarily caters to equestrian users.

Site SizeThe main corral is 65 ft. x 65 ft., and a smaller separate area measures 42 ft. x 20 ft.

PrivacyPrivacy levels are not explicitly discussed; the corral is part of a larger camp loop.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesRecommended for visitors with equestrian needs due to the steel pipe corral and metal hay bunks provided.

Need help booking Owl Creek Corral?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

The Owl Creek Corral offers basic equestrian facilities with a focus on accommodating visitors with horses. Amenities include a 65 ft. x 65 ft. steel pipe corral and a smaller 42 ft. x 20 ft. area for separating stock or storing hay. The facility includes metal hay bunks and a metal water trough. There is parking and a horse hitching post. Drinking water availability is seasonal, from May 20 to November 15. Outside this period, visitors must provide their own water. There are no additional amenities for non-equestrian campers, and the site lacks common camping facilities such as showers, picnic tables, or flush toilets. A general store is located 20 minutes away in Condon.

Potable water

I manage this campground

Things to do at Owl Creek Corral

Owl Creek Corral provides opportunities for equestrian activities, hiking, and access to nearby recreation at Holland Lake, including fishing, boating, and swimming. Visitors can also explore trails leading into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.

Hiking4.0/5

Trailhead base with trails into the Bob Marshall Wilderness; users praise trail access.

Winter Activities3.0/5

Water Sports3.0/5

Boating on Holland Lake implies kayaking is possible, but not specified.

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Mixed-conifer forest, ridge views, Holland Lake nearby and noted night beauty provide photo ops.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

28 reviews

Satisfactory

Owl Creek Corral is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Owl Creek Corral highlight its suitability for equestrian use, its peaceful and scenic location, and the recreational opportunities available nearby. However, there are complaints about the reservation system, with some users finding it misleading.

Review Summaries

Based on 28 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciated the quiet setting, access to trails, and nearby recreational activities at Holland Lake. "We had a wonderful time making memories at this beautiful cabin" and "Lots and lots of...

Based on 28 reviews

Common Concerns

One user noted that the reservation system was misleading, particularly for non-equestrian visitors: "Unless you have animals that need a corral, no fee should be collected as per the USFS employees...

Based on 28 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific user feedback often refers to the suitability of the site for equestrian users: "Beautiful place to camp and to watch the packers and their mules!"

Based on 28 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend hiking to Holland Lake Falls and bringing proper containers for food due to grizzly bear activity.

Based on 28 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews do not provide detailed insights into seasonal variations, though the site is described as quiet and peaceful, suggesting it may be less crowded year-round.

Based on 28 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great place to camp during Tour Divide. Lots of people with horses that certainly would deal with any bears that might show up," noted one user. Another said, "Owl Creek Cabin has all the amenities...

Based on 28 reviews