North Shore Site 35
Tally Lake Boat Launch and dock
View of Tally Lake from the beach

Tally Lake Campground

Closed — Open year-round but not plowed in winter. Access via 9 miles of dirt forest road. Stay limit is 16 consecutive nights. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

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Trail 800 Tally-Ashley will be closed for public safety during logging activities starting 9/4/2025 - 9/1/2026 unless rescinded sooner.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From September 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, the following is prohibited in the Ryan Road area:Camping or otherwise occupying a site except where designated .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.

Jewel Basin Hiking Area Regulations

Jewel Basin Hiking Area Regulations

About

Tally Lake Campground is nestled on the northern shores of its namesake lake in the highlands of northwestern Montana, approximately 20 miles west of Whitefish. The campground sits adjacent to Tally Lake, which at over 400 feet deep is Montana's deepest natural lake, surrounded by mature Western Larch and Douglas fir forest. The campground features 38 rentable sites, with 21 reservable and 17 first-come, first-served sites, plus a group site and pavilion available for larger gatherings. Each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. The 1,326-acre lake provides excellent fishing opportunities for kokanee salmon, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and northern pike, with dock access for anglers. The lake is popular for boating, water skiing, and paddlesports, with kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals available at the campground. Extensive hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind around the lake and through the surrounding forest, though horses are not permitted within the campground itself. The area is known for wildlife viewing including waterfowl, bald eagles, and various migratory birds. The campground's remote location on a dirt forest road provides a peaceful mountain lake experience while remaining accessible to Whitefish and other nearby attractions like Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Directions

From Whitefish, Montana, take US Rt. 93 north for 4 miles until you reach Twin Bridges Rd., turn left onto Twin Bridges Rd. and travel 1.4 miles to the Tally Lake campground sign. Turn right after the sign, staying on Twin Bridges Rd., and proceed 1 mile to another campground sign at Farm to Market. Turn left onto Farm to Market and go 2 miles to Tally Lake Rd., turn right onto Tally Lake Rd. (dirt) and go 9 miles to campground sign. Turn right at the sign into the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $22 - $150

Vehicle

Max RV Length 60ft
Max Trailer Length 60ft
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (406) 752-7924

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

North Shore Site 35
Tally Lake Boat Launch and dock
View of Tally Lake from the beach
Group Site with Pavilion
Tally Lake Beach
North Shore Group Site #39
Bridge over creek heading to North Shore

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