Tally Lake Campground
Currently offering free primitive camping with limited amenities following a major blowdown event in December 2025. Regular campground operations will not resume for Memorial Day weekend 2026; reservations for those dates have been auto-refunded. The Forest Service is working to reopen fully the following weekend. No potable water is available until further notice. Restrooms are available but there is no host on site.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 7:30AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Powell, Ravalli, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, Sanders, Yellowstone counties in effect until 9AM on 08/11/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls, Frenchtown, Libby and Missoula are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Dillon, Great Falls, Helena and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Butte, Cut Bank, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Moderate. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
Air Quality Alert issued August 9 at 8:15AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow counties in effect until 9AM on 08/10/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls are Very Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Dillon, Libby and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Butte, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/09/2026, particulate levels in Cut Bank, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Malta and Missoula are Moderate. When air quality is Very Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
From Recreation.gov
Due to unforeseen circumstances there will be NO water available until further notice. There will be limited amenities.
About
Tally Lake Campground occupies the northern shores of its namesake lake in northwestern Montana's Flathead National Forest. At over 490 feet deep, Tally Lake is the deepest natural lake in Montana, carved into a mature forest of Western Larch and Douglas fir. The campground provides direct access to 1,326 acres of lake for boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing for kokanee salmon, multiple trout species, and northern pike. The campground features 38 individual sites plus group facilities. Twenty-one sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, with 17 available first-come-first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets are ADA accessible, and a dump station is on site. A boat ramp, dock, and beach area provide lake access, with kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals available. An open-air pavilion with volleyball facilities serves group gatherings. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails surround the campground and lake, though horses are not permitted within the campground itself. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with waterfowl, bald eagles, and migratory birds frequently spotted. The stay limit is 16 consecutive nights. Whitefish Lake and Whitefish Mountain Resort are approximately 20-25 miles away.
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 the campground sign. Turn right at the sign into the campground.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $22 - $150 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 60ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 60ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 752-7924 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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