Medicine Lodge Lake campground
Medicine Lodge Lake
Reservations are not accepted at Medicine Lodge Lake camping area, making it a first-come, first-served campground. This allows campers to enjoy a more spontaneous and flexible experience, but it is advisable to arrive early during peak seasons to secure a spot. The best time to visit this camping area is during the summer months, from June to September when the weather is pleasant and the lake is ideal for swimming and fishing.
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty of things to explore in the vicinity of Medicine Lodge Lake camping area. The lake itself offers excellent fishing opportunities with a variety of trout species, while hikers can enjoy the nearby Medicine Lodge Trailhead, which provides access to numerous scenic trails. It is important to note that bears are present in the area, so campers should take necessary precautions to store food properly and be aware of their surroundings. In addition, due to the high elevation, visitors should be prepared for cooler temperatures and sudden weather changes. Overall, Medicine Lodge Lake camping area is a picturesque destination that offers a blend of natural beauty and recreational activities for a memorable outdoor experience.
What's on-site at Medicine Lodge 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 Medicine Lodge Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine Lodge Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Upper Paint Rock Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Paint Rock Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Lower Paint Rock Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Lower Paintrock Lake Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Medicine Lodge Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Creek Above Shell Creek Reservoir | 12 cfs | → |
| South Piney Creek At Willow Park | 0 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Shell | 74 cfs | → |
| Rock Creek Near Buffalo | 70 cfs | → |
| Piney Creek At Kearny | 113 cfs | → |
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Medicine Lodge Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Shell Creek Snotel | 37.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Shell Creek | 37.0 in | 3.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Dome Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Dome Lake | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Little Goose Snotel | 2.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Little Goose | 1.0 in | -1.0 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
- Upper Paintrock Fishing Site
- Veterans Cove Fishing Site
- Tie Hack Reservoir
- Tongue River Fishing Site
- Tongue River Fishing East
- Tongue River Fishing West
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 Medicine Lodge Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Medicine Lodge Lake
Can I make reservations at Medicine Lodge 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 Medicine Lodge 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 Medicine Lodge Lake.