Rainbow Lake North Campground

About this campsite

Campground: Rainbow Lake North Campground.

Location

Rainbow Lake North Campground•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

WED🌦️

16° / 10°

💧 15%

TODAY☁️

19° / 8°

💧 3%

FRI☁️

22° / 11°

💧 2%

SAT☁️

20° / 6°

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SUN☀️

23° / 6°

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Common questions about Rainbow Lake North Campground

Can you book Rainbow Lake North Campground online?

We hold no online booking link for Rainbow Lake North Campground, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Rainbow Lake North Campground?

Rainbow Lake North Campground sits in MT. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

1.0 km away

Rainbow Lake Campground

Campground: Rainbow Lake Campground.

25.2 km away

Muchwater Recreation Area

Campground: Muchwater Recreation Area.

25.5 km away

Cascade Campground

Overview Scenic Byway Clark Fork River Iron Mountain Trailhead Cascade Falls Wildlife Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch trees Recreation Camping Hiking Fishing Rafting Boating Facilities Cascade Campground has 11 sites plus 1 group site that are back in only and can accommodate RV's 27' to 35' in length depending on the site. All sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. A primitive boat ramp is available on Clark Fork River across the highway from the campground. Potable water, vault toilets and garbage service are available. This is a first come first served campground with a self-serve fee station with no host on site. It is 13 miles to groceries in Plains, Montana from this location Natural Features This campground is located in the canyon bottom along the Clark Fork River. The site is adjacent to the highway and across the road from the river, and forested with Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine and western larch providing abundant shade. Fishing opportunities are available at the river. The Iron Mountain Trailhead #242 also known as the historic Wagon Road Trail are located near the campground. The Cascade Falls overlook trail is also accessible from the Cascade Campground. Nearby Attractions Clark Fork River Quinns natural hot springs. The Iron Mountain Trail #242, historic wagon road. Cascade Falls Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (406) 210-5287.

25.6 km away

Big Hole Lookout (MT)

Overview The Big Hole Lookout offers guests an opportunity to experience an old-time Forest Service lookout. The tower commands an impressive 360 degree view of valleys and mountain ranges for miles and miles. The structure is small and is not elevated like many other lookouts, and is available for rent from June to early October each year. 2021 is the first year the lookout will be available to the public to rent. We are excited to offer this new, unique opportunity on the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District. The lookout can be accessed on the Big Hole Lookout Trail by foot, horse or bicycle for 3 miles, one way, on a easy to moderate trail. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. From Plains, Montana plan on at least a 60 - 90 minute drive to the Big Hole Lookout Trailhead on a steep and winding road. Recreation Big Hole Lookout has an amazing 360 degree view of several mountain peaks and ranges. Various non-motorized trails link to the site allowing renters to hike, bike, or ride for several miles. The area is popular for wildlife viewing, star gazing, and enjoying the piece and quiet of the backcountry. Facilities The 14-by-14 structure is small, but can accommodate up to four people. There is a twin bed for with a mattress pad, two cots, a table with two chairs, and a wood stove. No other furnishings are provided. A rustic outhouse with a vault toilet is available about 200 feet from the lookout. Guests will need to bring water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as their own bedding and cots for additional sleeping options, cooking and eating equipment and fuel, cooking and eating utensils, flashlights, matches and toilet paper, among other necessities. There is no water available at the site, however, 3/4 mile downhill of the lookout is a spring with non-potable water. There is room plenty of room outside the tower for tents or stock animals. Guests should be prepared for cold and often wet or damp weather, even if the weather in the valley is warm and dry. Food, garbage and other waste needs to be put away at all times to avoid attracting bears. Firewood may be collected locally for the wood stove. Natural Features Big Hole Peak Lookout was built for what was originally the Cabinet National Forest in 1930. It is a ‘Grange Hall’ type lookout; 14 feet square with four courses of large logs atop a short talus foundation. This type of lookout predates the standard L-4 design, and due to the difficulty in its construction, is quite rare. In fact Big Hole Peak Lookout is one of only two remaining intact lookouts of this kind on the Lolo National Forest. It was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for the Lookouts on the Lolo Project. The site has not been used for fire detection purposes since 1972. The 2 million-acre forest includes four wilderness areas and a wide variety of trees, plants and wildlife. The area is home to mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, deer and grizzly and black bears (learn more about bear safety). Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of ducks. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (406) 210-5287.