West of Kalispell, Tally Lake Campground sits along Montana's second-deepest lake within the Flathead National Forest. The unpaved access road shows wear from heavy use and can be rutted, requiring careful navigation to reach the approximately 40 campsites scattered around the lakeshore. Sites range from roadside spots to more secluded options tucked back in the forest, with some offering direct water views.
The campground draws busy summer crowds who come for the lake's surprisingly warm waters and cliff jumping opportunities. Site 38 sits farther from the main activity areas, providing more space and a short trail to the water while avoiding the heaviest mosquito concentrations near the shoreline. The deepest sites like 34 sit right at water's edge but come with increased bug activity. A public boat launch serves both campers and day visitors, with boat rentals available on-site.
Brian N. notes that "Talley Lake is the second deepest lake in Montana with plenty of fishing spots." The campground provides drinking water, restrooms, and a dump station, though no electrical hookups are available. A camp host delivers firewood directly to sites and maintains the facility's cleanliness during peak season. Some roads within the campground require high-clearance vehicles to access certain sites.
Tally Lake works well for RV campers up to 60 feet and families seeking lake access for swimming and fishing, though those preferring quieter settings should consider visiting outside the busy summer months.
Description
Overview
Tally Lake Campground is located on the northern shores of its namesake lake, west of Whitefish, Montana. The campground is popular with locals and tourists visiting the Flathead National Forest and offers a variety of recreation facilities and activities for the whole family. The campground has 38 rentable sites with 21 of them being reservable and 17 are for our walk-up visitors. We also have a group site, site 39 and also our Pavilion group site available for reservations. The stay limit is 16 consecutive nights.
Recreation
Hiking, horseback riding and biking trails wind around the Tally Lake Campground and the lake. Wildlife like waterfowl, bald eagles and migratory birds are commonly spotted. (No horses are allowed in the campground) A dock provides access to the lake's best fishing, which includes kokanee salmon, a variety of trout and northern pike. Visitors also enjoy boating, water skiing and other water recreation on the 1,326 acres of Tally Lake. This campground also offers Kayak, Paddleboard and Canoe rentals.
Facilities
The campground offers 39 campsites for tent and RV camping, 17 being first come, first serve. It provides access to a boat ramp, an open air pavilion with private volleyball net, beaches and picnic areas and public volleyball net. Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. As well as a dump station with a water fill station. Water spigots throughout the campground are not for filling your RV, only your jugs of drinking water. An on-site host is available to answer questions and provide additional information.
Natural Features
The campground is nestled in the highlands of northwestern Montana, adjacent to Tally Lake, which is the deepest natural lake in Montana. It sits in a mature forest of Western Larch and Douglas fir trees.
Nearby Attractions
The popular Whitefish Lake is about 20 miles from the campground. Visitors to the area also enjoy the Forest Service Summit Nature Center at Whitefish Mountain Resort, located about 25 miles away and accessed by the resort chairlift or the Danny On hiking trail.
Charges & Cancellations
No cancellations can be made within 4 days of your arrival date through recreation.gov. You must wait for your reservation dates to pass then call Cheryl at 406-752-PWAI (7924) or 406-404-4164 to turn in a Refund Request. Refunds can then be considered, by the concessionaire, of Camping fees only. You will automatically forfeit the first nights fee. Any cancellations within 4 days of your arrival must be turned to Cheryl also, to get the information to the campground Host. Otherwise your site will be held for you and there will be no chance for a refund. All Considerations can only be made after your original reservation dates have passed.*No shows have no chance of a refund.
Fee Info
To make reservations by phone please call: 1-877-444-6777Individual Site Reservations: $22.00 per camper unit per night. Guests must arrive and check in with the campground host or risk forfeiture of fees and the site may be given to another camper. Although you are allowed two motorized vehicles per site, the first vehicle is included in the site fee and an extra vehicle charge of $5.00/day per vehicle will be collected upon arrival at the campground. Group Site Reservation (Pavilion - G1): 1 - 50 people - $175/night 51 - 100 people - $350/nightGroup Site 39:1 - 25 people - $150/night There is an extra vehicle charge when you exceed the 100 people. ie. non-camping visitors for gatherings.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundTally Lake Campground is located in Montana
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 campground sign. Turn right at the sign into the campground.
Address
TALLY LAKE ROAD
Whitefish, MT 59937
Coordinates
48.41361 N
114.58556 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 48 min from Missoula, MT
- 4 hrs 2 min from Great Falls, MT
- 4 hrs 4 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 4 hrs 33 min from Spokane, WA
