Missoula Lake campground
Missoula Lake
Reservations are not accepted at Missoula Lake camping area, and it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is advisable to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to secure a campsite. The best time to visit is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant and activities like fishing, boating, and hiking can be enjoyed to the fullest.
While camping at Missoula Lake, campers should be cautious of wildlife encounters, particularly bears. It is important to store food properly to prevent attracting wildlife. Additionally, it is recommended to bring bug repellent, as mosquitoes can be quite active in the area. Overall, Missoula Lake camping area offers a scenic and well-equipped campground for nature lovers to enjoy the beauty of Montana's outdoors.
What's on-site at Missoula Lake
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Missoula Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heller Creek Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Heller Creek | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Diamond Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Diamond Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Moore Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Missoula Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joe River At Red Ives Ranger Station Id | 713 cfs | → |
| St. Regis River Near St. Regis | 597 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork At St. Regis Mt | 12,500 cfs | → |
| Nf Clearwater River Nr Canyon Ranger Station Id | 5,900 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Plains Mt | 38,700 cfs | → |
| Flathead River At Perma Mt | 25,400 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Missoula Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodoo Basin | 71.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Hoodoo Basin | 71.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cool Creek | 62.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Cool Creek | 62.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Alberton | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Crater Meadows | 57.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
Fishing spots
- Bonanza Lakes
- Tarkio Fishing Access
- St. John's Fishing Access Site
- Petty Creek Fishing Access
- Deep Creek Fishing Access
- Bitterroot River
Paddle runs
- Slowery, Sec. 15, T17n, R27w To Sec. 31, T18n. R28w
- West Fork Fish Creek Headwaters, Sec. 6, T13n, R26w To Clearwater Crossing Trailhead, Sec. 6, T13n, R25w
- Middle Fork Indian Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12n, R26w To Mainstem, Sec. 25, T12n, R26w
- Cedar Log Creek Headwaters, Sec. 14, T12n, R26w To Mainstem, Sec. 19, T13n, R25w
- Source, Sec. 19, T39n, R13e To Road #581 Near Moose Ck, Sec. 16, T39n, R11i
- Road 581, Sec. 19, T39n, R13e To Mouth, Sec. 18, T39n, R10e
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Missoula Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Missoula Lake
Can I make reservations at Missoula Lake?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Missoula Lake?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Missoula Lake.