Spotted Bear Campground

Star0
5 reviews
52 miles south of the intersection between US Highway 2 and FS Road 38 Hungry Horse, MT 59919

Quick Facts

3,700 ft

Price

$5 - $13/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Spotted Bear Ranger District site

Official Website
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Spotted Bear Campground
$5.00 - $13.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Single campsite fee is $13 per night. Additional vehicle fee is $5 per night. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Pass holders receive a 50%...
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Standard Site Fee$13.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS
Provider
406-758-5376
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What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

3 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietclean

"User reviews highlight Spotted Bear Campground as a charming and peaceful retreat, particularly appreciated for its proximity to rivers, scenic views, and accessibility to outdoor activities like fishing and hiking. The campground hosts are often praised for their knowledge and hospitality."

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Campground Map

52 miles south of the intersection between US Highway 2 and FS Road 38 Hungry Horse, MT 59919

Spotted Bear Campground

52 miles south of the intersection between US Highway 2 and FS Road 38 Hungry Horse, MT 59919

Driving directionsFrom Hungry Horse, MT, take US Rt. 2 east 0.6 miles to East Side Hungry Horse Reservoir sign. Turn right at sign and go 0.1 miles to 'Y' intersection. Bear right and go 53.8 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground. NOTE: After 0.7 miles (following the 'Y' intersection), the road becomes dirt and rough.
Access requires a long and rough drive on gravel roads. The East Side Reservoir Road #38 becomes dirt and rough after 0.7 miles past the 'Y' intersection. Seasonal closures apply: Road #38 is closed for winter wildlife between mileposts 37 and 53 from December 1 to May 14.
Nearby places
Hungry Horse, MT - 55 miles north (approximately 1.5-hour drive)
Nearby supplies
Diamond R Guest Ranch (across the road) - Offers gas (most of the time) and meals to the public
Hungry Horse - 55 miles north for gas, food, and phone services.

Best Time to Camp at Spotted Bear Campground

Spring arrives with a whisper in May, opening the camping season as wildflowers begin to dot the forest floor. Summer days are pure Montana magic, with temperatures climbing to a perfect 75°F—ideal for riverside adventures—while evenings cool to a crisp 40°F, perfect for campfire stories under star-studded skies. As autumn approaches, the forest transforms into a golden tapestry before winter's arrival brings deep snows and sub-freezing temperatures that close the mountain roads, leaving this paradise to rest until spring's return.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season: ideal ~75°F, prime for fishing and huckleberry picking; services active Memorial Day–Labor Day.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Dec 1; fall offers quieter visits and forest color, but fewer services after Labor Day.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Season opens May 15; spring wildflowers begin but early-season conditions can be variable.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Winter visits uncommon due to road closures and limited services; seasonal operations end Dec 1.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open seasonally from May 15 to December 1. Services are provided from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

About Spotted Bear Campground

Tucked away in the heart of Flathead National Forest, Spotted Bear Campground beckons adventurers to a pristine wilderness gateway where the Spotted Bear and South Fork Flathead Rivers converge. This beloved seasonal retreat draws outdoor enthusiasts from near and far with its legendary fishing holes, wild huckleberry patches ripe for picking, and direct access to the legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness. Here, where the forest meets the river, camping takes on a timeless quality that keeps visitors returning year after year.
Spotted Bear Campground primarily caters to tent and trailer camping. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis and accommodates trailers up to 32 feet in length. Group sites and cabin lodging are not available.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in is available 24 hours.
Check-out
Check-out is available 24 hours.
Stay Limit
16-day stay limit for reservations.

Amenities available

Potable water
Dump station
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Spotted Bear Campground offers a range of outdoor activities suitable for families and nature enthusiasts. Popular pursuits include hiking, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife observation. The campground is adjacent to the South Fork Flathead River and Spotted Bear River, providing excellent opportunities for fishing and river exploration. Trails in the vicinity cater to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
HikingSeveral hiking trails are accessible from the campground, including Spotted Bear Lake Trail (2 miles), Meadow Creek Gorge Trail (10 miles), and Spotted Bear Lookout (7 miles). These trails support foot, horse, and mountain bike travel, offering varied terrain and scenic views.
FishingFishing is a major draw at the campground, with opportunities to catch cutthroat trout and whitefish in the South Fork Flathead River and Spotted Bear River.
BikingMountain bike trails intertwined with hiking paths provide moderate biking options for enthusiasts.
Wildlife viewingThe vicinity near the Bob Marshall Wilderness offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities, including grizzly bears. Campers are advised to practice safe food storage.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsLocated in grizzly bear country; safe food storage is mandatory. Road access can be rough, with potential hazards including flat tires and mechanical issues due to prolonged gravel road travel.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage RequiredSome campsites feature bear-proof lockers due to proximity to grizzly bear habitat.

Weather at Spotted Bear Campground

Reviews

0.0
5 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Spotted Bear Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight Spotted Bear Campground as a charming and peaceful retreat, particularly appreciated for its proximity to rivers, scenic views, and accessibility to outdoor activities like fishing and hiking. The campground hosts are often praised for their knowledge and hospitality.
Review Summaries
Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects mentioned by users include the campground's quiet setting, nearby lookout points on the river, and easy access to trails and the ranger station's swinging bridge. The beautiful...
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Based on 5 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the dusty roads leading to the campground and the lack of cell phone service. Some reviewers also note the need for campers to bring adequate supplies due to the remote...
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Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing a spare tire and tools for the rough road to the campground, as well as sufficient food and water supplies. Familiarity with bear-safe food storage practices is advised.
Based on 5 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that mid-week visits offer better chances of finding open campsites, and the summer months are ideal for huckleberry picking and fishing. Winter visits are less common due to road...
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Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The camp hosts Karen and Terry are knowledgeable and charming." "The site has a beautiful lookout point right on the river and there is easy access to the forest service station, swinging bridge and...
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Based on 5 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specify particular campsites or numbers.
Based on 5 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews address accessibility features specifically.
Based on 5 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews explicitly mention experiences with pets or pet policies.
Based on 5 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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