Is Bull River Pavilion first-come first-served or reservation?

Bull River Pavilion 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 Bull River Pavilion before I book?

Yes! Bull River Pavilion has 6 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.

What is the best time to visit Bull River Pavilion?

Bull River Pavilion is open Peak season runs from May 12 to September 30. No bookings are available in the off-season.. 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 Bull River Pavilion?

Bull River Pavilion does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Bull River Pavilion have?

Bull River Pavilion has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bull River Pavilion?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bull River Pavilion. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bull River Pavilion?

Bull River Pavilion offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bull River Pavilion?

Popular activities at Bull River Pavilion include Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bull River Pavilion

4.18

61 reviews

Cabinet Ranger District 2693 MT Hwy. 200, TROUT CREEK, MT 59874-9503, USA

Great for GroupsSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,200 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Peak season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Electric

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

2,200 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Peak season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Electric

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Bull River Pavilion

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Group Site Fee$150.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

406-827-3533

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Cabinet Ranger District 2693 MT Hwy. 200, TROUT CREEK, MT 59874-9503, USA

Bull River Pavilion

Cabinet Ranger District 2693 MT Hwy. 200, TROUT CREEK, MT 59874-9503, USA

Nearby places

Noxon—6 miles, Trout Creek—null, other nearby towns—null

Weather at Bull River Pavilion

Best Time to Camp at Bull River Pavilion

Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, reliably pleasant weather (typical daytime highs around 70–85°F / 21–29°C with cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s°F / 7–13°C), calm water on Cabinet Gorge Reservoir, and full access to the pavilion and all campground services. This is peak time for boating, reservoir and river fishing, swimming (water can be chilly but swimmable on warm days), and large-group gatherings under the pavilion. Expect the busiest weekends and holidays in July–August and occasional wildfire haze Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak season May 12–Sep 30; warm weather and active water sports make summer the best time.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Peak season runs from May 12 to September 30. No bookings are available in the off-season.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Bull River Pavilion

Bull River Pavilion sits in the Kootenai National Forest foothills near Trout Creek, Montana, with direct access to Cabinet Gorge Reservoir. This U.S. Forest Service campground offers shaded tent and RV sites with electric hookups, a group pavilion, and a boat launch for reservoir fishing and paddling. Wildlife viewing includes bald eagles, and the Bull River provides additional angling opportunities.

Bull River Pavilion offers various camping options including group shelter accommodations and adjacent tent and RV camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers warm, reliably pleasant weather (typical daytime highs around 70–85°F / 21–29°C with cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s°F / 7–13°C), calm water on Cabinet Gorge Reservoir, and full access to the pavilion and all campground services. This is peak time for boating, reservoir and river fishing, swimming (water can be chilly but swimmable on warm days), and large-group gatherings under the pavilion. Expect the busiest weekends and holidays in July–August and occasional wildfire haze Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation2200 ft above sea level

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a river confluence point where Bull River joins the Clark Fork, which flows into the 3,200-acre Cabinet Gorge Reservoir. Dense conifers. Cedars and Douglas firs. Provide shade across most sites. Visitors report frequent bald eagle sightings along the water. The terrain mixes forest and shoreline, with direct access to both river and reservoir. Shallow areas near shore require caution when launching boats.

Lodging & AccommodationsWhile there are no hotel-style lodgings onsite, the pavilion and adjacent campground provide accessible group and individual camping options.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 7 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Group site accommodates 1–200 people.

Groups

Group sites can accommodate up to 200 people and 20 vehicles, making them suitable for large gatherings.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible pavilion and campsites with features like vault toilets and gravel surfaces.

Site SizeSites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with group areas available for up to 200 people.

PrivacyMost sites offer good shade, but proximity to the highway may affect privacy for some.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesSites are shaded, with some sun exposure for solar use, as per reviews. Lower level offers river access for kayaks and canoes.

Best CampsitesLook for sites with sun exposure if you're running solar panels. Reviewers note that shade quality varies, so scout the layout if solar matters. Sites closer to the water offer easier kayak and fishing access but may catch more noise from boats and the highway.

Need help booking Bull River Pavilion?

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

Bull River Pavilion offers a range of amenities that cater to groups and individuals. The pavilion is accessible, equipped with electricity, picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, and an accessible vault toilet. The campground adjacent to the pavilion provides over a dozen accessible tent and RV campsites, a boat ramp, fishing dock, and reservoir access. According to official sources, all parking surfaces are gravel, and potable water is available during the peak season. User reviews highlight positive amenities like bear-proof containers and shaded sites but occasionally critique poor maintenance of restrooms.

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Bull River Pavilion

Bull River Pavilion provides opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife viewing, and group gatherings. User reviews emphasize the scenic beauty of the area, proximity to water-based activities, and occasional challenges like noise from the highway.

Fishing4.0/5

Boating4.0/5

Public day-use area with boat ramp; reservoir used for boating, sailing and waterskiing.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Frequent bald eagle sightings and excellent wildlife viewing along the water.

Water Sports4.0/5

Paddling/kayaking on Cabinet Gorge Reservoir and river access; boat launch supports kayaks.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Water vistas and frequent bald eagle sightings make it a strong spot for photography.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food storage lockers are available at each campsite.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

61 reviews

Satisfactory

Bull River Pavilion is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are mixed. Positive themes include the campground's scenic location, clean facilities, and wildlife sightings. Common complaints focus on poor restroom maintenance and issues with camp hosts.

Review Summaries

Based on 61 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praise the scenic beauty, shaded sites, wildlife like bald eagles, and convenient water access for activities such as kayaking and fishing.

Based on 61 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include poor restroom maintenance, unpleasant odors near vault toilets, lack of firewood availability, noise from the highway and trains, and unhelpful camp hosts.

Based on 61 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 1 in the Bull River Pavilion area is frequently reviewed for its group accommodations. Positive remarks focus on the pavilion's amenities, while criticisms center on restroom odors and firewood...

Based on 61 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommendations from users include finding a campsite with enough sun for solar panels, being cautious about shallow waters if boating, and bringing your own firewood as it may not be available.

Based on 61 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight busy seasons, shaded campsites, and active water sports. Noise from highways and trains is mentioned as more noticeable during peak seasons. Fall and off-peak seasons are...

Based on 61 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Absolutely loved that there was no phone service; it was time to disconnect and get back to nature.' - Stephanie Weyant 2. 'The campground itself is beautiful, but the bathrooms are gross and...

Based on 61 reviews

Accessibility Features

The campground is praised for its accessible pavilion and campsites, but complaints about restroom maintenance may impact the experience for disabled visitors.

Based on 61 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Mixed reviews for pet owners: while the area is generally pet-friendly, one user reported an unpleasant experience when their dog found trash (a used condom) near the site.

Based on 61 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Bull River Pavilion

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Group Site Fee$150.00