Thain Creek Campground

Facility · Montana ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Lewis & Clark National Forest (NF) · Open Access

4,541 ft
Elevation

Thain Creek Campground is the only campground in the Highwood Mountains. One of the 19 campsites can accommodate a maximum trailer length of 40 feet. The campground is usually open from May through the middle of fall.

A nearby trailhead leads up to Windy Mountain and back on a 6 mile loop trail, offering scenic views of the surrounding plains and faraway mountains. Other hikes are along Briggs Creek or from the North Fork Highwood Creek Trailhead. Please heed seasonal trail closures, as all trails in the Highwoods close either September 1st or Oct 15th .

All campgrounds on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not available. Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days in one location. A campground fee is required. Please pay at the self-serve campground fee station. Campsites cannot be reserved by simply paying for the site; camper must be present. A food storage order is in effect from March 1st to December 1st to prevent human-bear conflicts on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Store all unattended food and attractants properly. Please see Food Storage Order for specifics. Open and close dates can vary depending on snowfall conditions. Please call the local district office or check our website. Leashed dogs are welcome. Horses are not allowed in campgrounds. Motorized OHVs must stay on the campground road. The campgrounds include access to potable water during the warmer months, and all have at least one handicap accessible vault toilet. Each campsite has a fire ring and/or grill, and a picnic table. Even if water is unavailable, campground fees are still required.

 

 

The facts

  • Season: May – November — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

From Great Falls, go east on US 89 6 miles, east 13 miles on MT-228, 16 miles east on County Road 121, then 2 miles east on Forest Road 8840. The latter are dirt & gravel.

47.47556, -110.58528 · 47°28'32.0"N 110°35'7.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 79°F in Aug, down to 36°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F363644516068797968544336
Low °F181924313946525144352620
Precip in0.90.81.23.03.83.81.71.72.31.61.20.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Thain Creek Campground

Can you reserve a site at Thain Creek Campground?
No. Thain Creek Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

Thain Creek Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Thain Creek Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $10 per night for single unit

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Thain Creek Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.