Loon Lake Campground

Montana, the "Big Sky Country," is a state synonymous with vast wilderness, stunning landscapes, and an enduring call to adventure. For those who live here, the desire to truly escape into the backcountry, far from the trappings of modern life, is a familiar one. Loon Lake Campground, nestled near Troy, Montana, offers just such an opportunity – a profoundly remote and remarkably quiet camping experience that promises deep immersion in the natural world.

Loon Lake Campground is not your typical bustling recreation area. Instead, it’s a destination for the dedicated nature lover, the stargazer, and anyone seeking genuine solitude amidst Montana’s untouched forests. With a limited number of campsites, it ensures a truly private and peaceful stay, allowing you to connect with the environment on a profound level. This is the place where the sounds of the forest replace traffic, and the starlit sky becomes your nightly television.

The allure of Loon Lake Campground lies in its primitive charm and its commitment to an unadulterated outdoor experience. It’s ideal for those who are prepared for self-sufficient camping and who prioritize quiet contemplation over extensive amenities. The reviews from fellow campers consistently highlight its extreme remoteness and the palpable sense of peace it offers, making it a standout choice for Montana locals looking to truly disconnect and recharge.

Imagine spending your days exploring nearby trails, fishing in the pristine lake, or simply relaxing by a campfire, surrounded by deep woods. As night falls, prepare for one of the most spectacular natural shows: a sky so clear and dark that you can "see the whole galaxy." This kind of unparalleled stargazing is a rare treat, and Loon Lake Campground provides a front-row seat to the cosmic display that only Montana’s remote areas can offer.

While the campground embraces its rustic nature, it provides the fundamental necessities for a comfortable stay, including fire rings and good-sized tables. The emphasis here is on the natural surroundings and the opportunities they present for a truly immersive wilderness experience, making it a perfect fit for Montanans who crave a return to the basics of camping.

For those seeking an authentic wilderness adventure away from the crowds, Loon Lake Campground delivers. It’s a testament to Montana’s enduring wild heart, inviting you to discover the tranquility and raw beauty that our state is famous for.

Loon Lake Campground is located at 17 Mile Rd, Troy, MT 59935, USA. This address places it deep within the Kootenai National Forest in northwestern Montana, a region renowned for its dense forests, towering peaks, and abundant wildlife. Its designation as "extremely remote" by visitors underscores its appeal for those truly seeking to get away from it all.

The campground is approximately 20 miles northwest of Libby, accessible via Pipe Creek Road 567 and then Seventeen Mile Road 471. While it requires a drive "out of town," the journey itself sets the stage for the seclusion that awaits. Forest service roads are generally maintained, but visitors should be prepared for gravel and native material surfaces, especially when considering vehicle type and seasonal conditions.

Despite its remote nature, the location offers direct access to Loon Lake, providing opportunities for boating (motorized, but often no-wake due to lake size), canoeing, and fishing for Westslope cutthroat trout and other species. The presence of a boat launch, albeit undeveloped, highlights the lake's recreational potential right at the campground's edge.

For Montana locals, this remote accessibility means that a truly wild and undisturbed camping experience is within reach, requiring a commitment to the journey that rewards with unparalleled solitude. It's an ideal spot for those who are comfortable navigating forest roads and who appreciate the quiet satisfaction of reaching a secluded natural haven. The nearby town of Libby can provide supplies, gas, and other services, offering a convenient stop before heading into the wilderness.

The elevation of approximately 3,600 feet contributes to the "deep woods" feel and explains why even "mid-summer" nights can get "very cold." This is characteristic of Montana's mountain environments and adds to the authentic wilderness experience, requiring campers to be prepared for varied temperatures. The extensive amount of "downed wood to burn" speaks to the natural, forested setting and the availability of resources for campfires, a quintessential camping activity.

Its location in the Kootenai National Forest also means it's surrounded by a network of trails, offering opportunities for hiking and exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the region. This pristine environment is exactly what many Montana residents seek when they venture out for a camping trip.

• Four developed campsites, two with tent pads
• Picnic tables at each site
• Fire rings with grates for campfires and cooking
• One pit toilet (vault toilet)
• Undeveloped boat launch for small boats (no-wake lake)
• Ample downed wood available for burning
• Designated areas for pitching tents
• First-come, first-served basis (no reservations)
• Pack in/Pack out policy (no fee)
• Pets welcome (must be leashed)

• Extremely Remote and Quiet: The standout feature, offering profound solitude and escape from crowds, even in mid-summer. Visitors highlight the peacefulness and quiet nights.
• Deep Woods Environment: Immerse yourself in a dense forest setting, providing a classic wilderness feel.
• Exceptional Stargazing: Praised for having "some of the best" stars, with the ability to "see the whole galaxy" due to minimal light pollution.
• Limited Campsites: Only four sites ensure an intimate and uncrowded experience, enhancing the sense of seclusion.
• Access to Loon Lake: Offers opportunities for small-boat recreation, canoeing, and fishing for Westslope cutthroat trout.
• Abundant Firewood: Lots of "downed wood to burn" makes building a campfire convenient and enjoyable.
• Basic but Functional Amenities: Fire rings with grates, picnic tables, and a pit toilet provide essential comforts for a primitive camping experience.
• Nearby Trails: "Great trails nearby" offer opportunities for hiking and exploring the surrounding wilderness.
• Cool Nights: Even in mid-summer, nights get "very cold," contributing to the authentic mountain camping feel and offering a refreshing contrast to daytime temperatures.
• Sense of Adventure: The "off the beaten path" nature and talk of "Bigfoot, UFOs" add a playful, adventurous mystique.

Address: 17 Mile Rd, Troy, MT 59935, USA

Phone: (406) 293-6211 (Kootenai National Forest Supervisor's Office)

For Montana residents who truly seek to embrace the wild heart of their state, Loon Lake Campground near Troy offers an exceptionally suitable and rewarding experience. This isn't a destination for those seeking glamping or extensive creature comforts; rather, it's a haven for individuals and small groups who prioritize genuine solitude, deep immersion in nature, and the raw beauty of Montana's backcountry. This perfectly aligns with the values of many locals who understand and appreciate the state's rugged, untamed character.

The campground's "extremely remote" nature and limited number of sites (just four!) are significant advantages for Montanans looking to escape crowded tourist spots. The promise of "not a single person there all weekend in July" speaks volumes about the level of peace and quiet one can expect, a rare commodity in today's increasingly busy world. This provides an unparalleled opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with oneself and the natural environment.

Features like the "deep woods" setting, the soothing sounds of nature, and the unparalleled "best" stargazing experience are quintessential Montana appeals. For locals, these are the very elements that define a truly memorable outdoor adventure. The availability of ample downed wood for campfires, the basic yet functional amenities like fire rings and pit toilets, and the option for small boat use on Loon Lake all contribute to an authentic, self-sufficient camping trip.

While the lack of bear boxes is noted by a reviewer, it reinforces the primitive nature of the campground and the need for campers to be experienced in proper food storage methods, a skill often possessed by seasoned Montana outdoors enthusiasts. The acknowledgment of potential bugs and cold nights even in summer simply highlights the real-world conditions of high-elevation Montana camping, encouraging preparedness rather than deterring visitors.

In essence, Loon Lake Campground is a testament to the wild spirit of Montana. It offers a unique and invaluable opportunity for locals to truly get away from it all, to witness the galaxy overhead, and to experience the profound quiet of a remote forest. For Montanans who cherish their wilderness and are prepared for a rustic, yet deeply rewarding, outdoor adventure, Loon Lake Campground is an ideal and highly recommended destination.

Loon Lake Campground

17 Mile Rd, Troy, MT 59935, USA