Forest Service campgrounds opening for season

Campgrounds on the Flathead National Forest are opening up for the season. The Holland Lake, Swan Lake and Big Creek campgrounds opened May 12 and are operated by concessionaire Big Sky Recreation.

• Big Creek Campground, about 20 miles north of Columbia Falls on the North Fork Road, has  22 camp sites and a group site. The individual camp sites are first-come, first-serve, and the group site is available by reservation. The day-use area includes a boat launch. For more information, contact the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District at 387-3800.

• Holland Lake Campground, about 10 miles south of Condon off Highway 83, has  27 camp sites on a first-come, first-serve basis as well as 13 individual camp sites and one group site available by reservation. For more information, contact the Swan Lake District Office at 837-7500.  

• Swan Lake Campground, about 15 miles southeast of Bigfork off Highway 83, has 36 family-sized camp sites and a large group site. Eleven of the individual sites and the group site are available by reservation. The rest are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The day-use area includes a boat launch and beach. For more information, contact the Swan Lake District Office at 837-7500.  

• It is anticipated that Tally Lake Campground, northwest of Whitefish, and the Emery Bay Campground, on the Hungry Horse Reservoir, will be open by May 19.

Camp site reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

The Flathead National Forest is home to grizzly and black bears, and responsible human actions will help with unwanted bear encounters. Campers are also reminded to be careful with fire. Never leave a fire unattended and be sure the fire is “dead out” before leaving.  

For more information, contact a local forest service office or visit www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead.