Camping areas open for wet Memorial Day weekend

Most developed campgrounds in Northwest Montana, with the exception of some in Glacier National Park, are open for the Memorial Day weekend.

However, campers may find it to be a wet weekend outdoors, with showers predicted all weekend and area waterways running near or above flood stage.

All parks managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are open statewide, said Dave Landstrom, the Region One parks manager. Most developed campgrounds on the Flathead National Forest are open as well.

In Glacier Park, the Apgar, Sprague Creek and Bowman Lake campgrounds are open with running water and restrooms, as are the St. Mary and Apgar visitor centers and the ranger stations at Two Medicine, Many Glacier and Polebridge.

Many of the park’s trails remain snow covered, and it has yet to be seen how much trail damage may result from a heavy runoff, said Ellen Blickhan, the park’s public affairs officer.

There will be no restrictions for hikers and bikers over the three-day weekend on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicles can travel as far as Avalanche Creek on the west side and Jackson Glacier Overlook on the east side.

The west-side snow-plow crew has completed initial plowing up to Haystack Creek, about three miles beyond the Loop, and the east side crew has advanced to Siyeh Bend.

The Two Medicine Road is open to the ranger station, but the picnic area and campground still are closed due to snow.

Also open are the Camas Road, the Many Glacier Road and the Inside North Fork Road from Big Prairie to Logging Creek.

On the Flathead National Forest, all developed campgrounds are open, but there are some road closures and there are varying conditions, with deep snow at higher elevations and muddy roads and trails across the forest.

The West Side Hungry Horse Reservoir Road is open only to snowmobiles through May 31, and an 11-mile stretch of the road up to the Lid Creek Campground will be closed to all vehicles starting June 6 due to a paving project that will last throughout the summer.

The Doris Creek Boat Launch, Doris Creek Campground, Lost Johnny Point Campground, Lost Johnny Camp Campground and Lid Creek Campground on the west side of the reservoir are closed.  

Due to the reservoir’s low water level, the only boat launch available is at Abbott Bay on the east side of the reservoir. The launch is only recommended for small boats until the reservoir reaches a higher elevation.

The National Weather Service says rain showers are likely Saturday and Monday, with a slightly decreased chance of showers on Sunday.

The high temperature Saturday is expected to be 52 degrees, rising to 62 degrees Sunday and 65 degrees Memorial Day.