Spotted Bear Campground
Closed — Closed for winter. Access road has a wildlife closure from December 1 through May 14. Campground is maintained and staffed from May 15 through September 30. After September 30, the campground remains accessible but has no potable water, no garbage service, and no fee. 16-day stay limit enforced.
R1-2024-01 Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions
Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathe
Current Avalanche Danger and Forecast
Avalanche Danger: Know before you go! Avalanche Forecasts at Flathead Avalanche Center
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
4.4 miles of National Forest System Trail 800 Tally-Ashley will be closed for public safety during logging activities starting 9/4/2025 - 9/1/2026 unless rescinded sooner.
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
From September 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, the following is prohibited in the Ryan Road area:Camping or otherwise occupying a site except where designated .
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
NFS Road 1625 is closed between milepost 2.84 and 5.08 for public safety due to road substrate slumping. This closed segment is from the junction with Rd #9881 at milepost 2.84 to the end of Rd #1625 starting 8/13/2025 - 8/12/2027 unless rescinded sooner.
Water Vessel Prohibitions
Violating State water vessel safety and operation laws and regulations is prohibited on all Flathead National Forest waterways.
About
Spotted Bear Campground is one of the most remote maintained campgrounds accessible by vehicle in Flathead National Forest. Located 55 miles south of Hungry Horse via gravel East Side Reservoir Road, the campground sits at 3,800 feet elevation in a second-growth forest alongside the Spotted Bear and South Fork Flathead Rivers. The 13 campsites are set back from the road with most positioned above the river, providing a peaceful setting despite being a high-use area during summer months. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding wilderness, including fishing access to the South Fork Flathead River via a footbridge at the nearby Spotted Bear Ranger Station. The area is popular for huckleberry picking in late summer and offers direct access to wilderness trails. Each campsite includes a table and metal fire ring, and vault toilets are accessible. Campsites can accommodate tents and trailers up to 32 feet in length. This is a truly remote location with no cell phone service. The nearest services including phone, gas, and food are 55 miles north in Hungry Horse. Food storage orders are in effect requiring all attractants to be kept unavailable to bears. Stock animals are not allowed in the campground.
Directions
From Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for 0.5 miles to East Side Reservoir Road (Forest Road 38). Turn right and continue through Martin City. After 2 miles the pavement ends. Continue 55 miles on gravel to the campground on the right. Note: Road 38 between mileposts 37 and 53 has a winter wildlife closure from December 1 to May 14.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Beaver Creek Campground 7.1mi
- Peter'S Creek Campground 10mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP SOUTH POINT 13mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP SOUTH BEACH 13mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP SOUTH LOOP 13mi
- HEINRUDE DISPERSED CAMP NORTH LOOP 14mi
- Silvertip Cabin 11mi
- Devil's Corkscrew Campground 15mi
- FOREST DISPERSED CAMP EAST 15mi
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 - $13 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 32ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 32ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 758-5376 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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