Montana · Camping

Big Nelson Cg Complex

May–Sep
best months

Is Big Nelson Cg Complex open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Lolo National Forest.

  • East Fork Big Creek Road & Trail Closure- Superior Ranger District

    Agency alert covering Lolo National Forest · Order 26-003- · USFS · Lolo National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Lolo National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 4,800 ft
  • Seeley Lake Ranger DistrictLolo National Forest

Big Nelson Campground is a semi-remote, developed campground on the shoreline of Coopers Lake, about 7 miles from the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wildernesses. It sits within the Seeley Lake Ranger District of Lolo National Forest, managed by the Forest Service, and the nearest town is Ovando, Montana. The campground offers shady rest and a beautiful view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It has tent camping only, and no camping is allowed in the parking lot. Trailers are not permitted. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 81°F with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs stay near freezing. The Coopers Lake hike starts about half a mile away, and Bear Creek/Penney Lake and Windy Pass are both within about 2.4 miles. Paddlers can reach the East Fork North Fork Blackfoot River, about 8.5 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Big Nelson Cg Complex

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      32° / 12°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      44° / 22°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 27°

      9 wet

    5. May

      63° / 33°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 40°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 44°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 42°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 35°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 29°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 20°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      30° / 13°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lincoln Rs, MT, 14.9 mi away at 4,575 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.