Most campgrounds ready for weekend

Campgrounds are open across Northwest Montana, but the camping could be a little soggy during the Memorial Day weekend.

Rain is in the forecast for the Flathead Valley, with a chance of precipitation at greater than 50 percent throughout the weekend. Temperatures expected to dip from Thursday's high of 70 degrees to highs in the 50s and low 60s through Monday.

Even so, major campgrounds, facilities and services are in full operation in Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest and state lands in and near the Flathead Valley.

Glacier campgrounds at Apgar, Bowman Lake, Cut Bank, Kintla Lake, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, Sprague Creek, St. Mary and Two Medicine are open for the weekend. The only campgrounds that won't be open are Fish Creek, Logging Creek, Quartz Creek and Avalanche.

All park visitor centers will be open for the weekend, and most park concession contractors will be operational, including Glacier Park Inc., Mule Shoe Outfitters at Lake McDonald, the Glacier Park Boat Co., and Shoreline Cruise Co. on Waterton Lake.

Going-to-the-Sun Road still is gated at Avalanche campground as plows continue to clear snow from the road near Logan Pass. Hikers and bikers can travel beyond the gate as far as their legs will take them.

Entrance fees at Glacier have been increased to $25 a vehicle for seven days, and individuals on foot, bicycles or motorcycles will be charged $12. There is the ever-economical alternative of purchasing a one-year pass to Glacier Park for $30 .

All of the Flathead National Forest's major developed campgrounds are open.

On the Tally Lake Ranger District, the Tally Lake Campground is open under the management of a concession contractor. The Sylvia Lake Road is open.

The Big Mountain's Danny On Trail is open for hikers.

The Hungry Horse and Glacier View ranger districts have day-use sites and campgrounds open around Hungry Horse Reservoir. The reservoir is still 24 feet shy of full pool, so boaters will need to pick their launches carefully.

Big Creek Campground on the North Fork Flathead River is open.

Snow has not cleared enough to allow vehicle access to the parking lot below Jewel Basin Hiking Area east of Kalispell.

On the Swan Lake Ranger District, the Holland Lake and Swan Lake campgrounds are open under the management of a concessions contractor.

All other Forest Service campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-served basis, but large group reservations are required at the Holland Lake and Swan Lake campgrounds. Call 877-444-6777.

Around Flathead Lake, Wayfarers, Finley Point, Big Arm, Yellow Bay and West Shore state parks are open for camping.

Flathead Lake's elevation of 2,891.4 feet is still 3 feet below full pool - a bit low for some docks, but high enough for others and all boat launches.

Other state parks open in the region include Logan State Park on Middle Thompson Lake, Whitefish State Park on Whitefish Lake, and Thompson Falls State Park outside Thompson Falls.

Lone Pine State Park outside of Kalispell is open for day use.