Closed
— Closed for the season. Typically opens in May and closes in November depending on snowfall. First-come, first-served only; no reservations available.
About
Thain Creek Campground is the only developed campground in the Highwood Mountains, part of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. This moderately-used facility offers 19 first-come, first-served campsites in a forested mountain setting, with one site capable of accommodating trailers up to 40 feet in length. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring or grill, providing the essentials for a comfortable camping experience.
The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the Highwood Mountains. A nearby trailhead leads to the Windy Mountain loop, a 6-mile trail offering scenic views of the surrounding plains and faraway mountains. Additional hiking opportunities include trails along Briggs Creek and from the North Fork Highwood Creek Trailhead. Note that all trails in the Highwoods close seasonally, either September 1st or October 15th depending on the trail.
Access to the campground requires navigating 18 miles of dirt and gravel roads from County Road 121, making it a more remote destination. The campground operates under a food storage order from March 1st through December 1st to prevent human-bear conflicts. Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days, and all sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations available. A self-service fee station collects the nightly camping fee.
Directions
From Great Falls, go east on US 89 for 6 miles, then east 13 miles on MT-228, then 16 miles east on County Road 121, then 2 miles east on Forest Road 8840. The latter are dirt and gravel roads.
Nearby Campgrounds