Montana · Camping

Howard Lake Campground

May–Sep
best months

Is Howard Lake Campground open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Kootenai National Forest. It doesn't name Howard Lake Campground, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

  • At 4,109 ft
  • Libby Ranger DistrictKootenai National Forest

Howard Lake Campground is a Forest Service campground in the Libby Ranger District of Montana's Kootenai National Forest, about 17 miles from the town of Libby. The site is simple, with vault toilets as the only listed amenity, and it is not reservable, so plan on arriving and setting up on site. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 78°F with lows in the low 40s and only about six wet days a month. That station sits roughly 670 feet lower than the campground, so temperatures here run cooler. Several hikes start right at the campground, including Howard Lake and Great Northern Mountain, each about a tenth of a mile away, and Libby Divide about a mile off. Lake Creek Campground is about 4.7 miles away for another camping option.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Howard Lake Campground

    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

      30° / 15°

      14 wet · 12 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 15°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 22°

      13 wet · 10 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 28°

      12 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      62° / 34°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 39°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 42°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 40°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 34°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 27°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      14 wet · 9 snow

    12. Dec

      29° / 15°

      15 wet · 13 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Libby 32 Sse, MT, 17.7 mi away at 3,440 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Howard Lake Campground

Book on Recreation.gov

Reserve