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Thompson Falls
Overview
Thompson Falls State Park offers a serene retreat along the banks of the Clark Fork River in northwestern Montana. Nestled within a mature forest of pine and fir, this park provides a quiet atmosphere for travelers looking to disconnect from the digital world. Unlike bustling commercial resorts, this location emphasizes the natural beauty of the region, making it a preferred stop for those journeying through the scenic corridor of Highway 200. The park is well-regarded for its peaceful environment and is open seasonally, providing a lush, green escape for those who enjoy the sounds of nature and the river.
Location & Surroundings
The park is situated just a few miles northwest of the town of Thompson Falls, providing a sense of seclusion without being too far from local services. It is bordered by the sprawling Lolo National Forest, offering a dense woodland backdrop that remains cool and shaded even during the height of summer. The proximity to the river creates a soothing soundscape that defines the camping experience. The surrounding mountain peaks provide a striking horizon for photographers and nature enthusiasts, showcasing the wild and rugged character of Sanders County.
Amenities & Park Features
The park is designed to accommodate smaller to medium-sized RVs, offering 17 campsites that sit comfortably under a dense canopy of trees. While it leans toward a rustic experience without individual hookups, the facility provides several essential features:
- Level gravel sites that offer both back-in and pull-thru configurations.
- Access to potable water stations and clean vault toilets.
- A concrete boat launch providing direct entry to the Clark Fork River.
Each individual site includes a picnic table and a fire ring for traditional evening campfires. The layout ensures a degree of privacy and space that is often missing in more densely packed private parks.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Fishing is a primary draw here, with the river known for its healthy populations of trout and mountain whitefish. Just down the road, visitors can walk the Thompson Falls High Bridge, which offers a clear view of the river and the historic hydroelectric dam. For hikers, the nearby trails wind through the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, offering various levels of difficulty and stunning vistas. The town itself features charming local shops, historical landmarks, and a museum detailing the area's rich logging history and river development.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for self-contained RVers who appreciate a state park setting over a luxury resort environment. It is a fantastic choice for outdoor adventurers who plan to spend their days on the water or exploring wilderness trails rather than staying indoors. Because of its quiet nature and smaller footprint, it is best suited for couples or solo travelers seeking a quiet, authentic Montana experience where the focus remains on natural scenery and the simple pleasures of the riverfront.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Michael Stearney
Nice park with camping, a hiking trail, picnic areas and river access. Great views.
D Garrett
This campground is what one would expect from a typical little state park that is the victim of long-term budget cut and modern day parks funding techniques. Exchanging maintaince staff for a 80+ year old host really shows in it's facility impact! There's not a single level site in the park. Pit toilets are clean but keep your mouth closed as the flies will swarm your face. Only two sites with a good view of the river. Potable water is dark and has sand. Lots of dead trees and limbs adding to the area fire fuel load. One fell while we were there and a limb decided to fall in our site while we were eating dinner! Great trails for hiking/biking, good luck finding any information on them (see picture). The traffic noise from hy200 across the river is non stop during the day. Not bad at night, but the train track 150 yards to the east is earthquake loud every 90 min.! Pretty nice place but seriously, a couple guys with a tractor, a pile of gravel and a couple chainsaws could do wonders. The Montana parks department has it's priorities and this park is definitely not one of them!
Patty O'Connor
Nice campground, a good distance between sites. love the hiking trails along the river. There's also a pond.
Courtney-Lynn Hartley
A little gem in Montana. We had spent the weekend on a family trip at Silverwood theme park in Coeur D'alene and decided to head east and see a state we've never been to before. This campground was beautiful and the camp hosts were SO nice and helpful. It was quiet, clean, and you could lay in your tent and hear the bullfrogs croak at the little pond. We only stayed for one night sadly but we are definitely already planning our return visit to Montana and this campground again ❣️
Matthew Miller
This campground is awesome. Quiet, private and great views over the river. The fishing was great.
Mary Ann Corcoran
This is a nice quiet campground with very friendly hosts. The bathrooms are pit toilets but they are the cleanest, freshest smelling ones I have ever seen in many decades of camping. Well done!
K T
Love this campground and the kid friendly fishing pond. Only complaint was last year there was so many aggressive turtles that wanted to eat our bait when fishing. They were not aggressive towards us just the bait!
April Driesslein
This is a great park for a family trip! It has enough amenities (paved roads, water, toilets, proximity to town) to make it easy, but not enough to get between you and enjoying nature. We had a great time playing in the river, walking the paths (you can walk the 1.5 miles to town if you want!), and enjoying the scenery.