Montana || Lake Koocanusa | National Forest Dispersed camping

In this video, before heading to Montana I attempt to visit 3 of the biggest national parks in the US but I strike out! Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. Overcrowding is a big problem at these parks especially in the summer. After 3 failed attempts I head for the hills! Literally I drove until I was far enough from any national park and into the national forest where I discovered one of the best places I've ever camped, Lake Koocanusa in the Kootenai National Forest Eureka, MT.
Dispersed camping with sites along the riverside or above the river a few hundred feet some with picnic tables and fire rings. The Tobacco River leads into a beautiful big lake with lots of wildlife especially, bald eagles, osprey, golden eagles, red tailed hawks, herons, waterfowl, and deer.
It's also close to the town of Eureka, a 10 min drive away where there's 2 big supermarkets, a health food store, very nice coffee shop with fast Internet (The Gathering Place) and pretty much anything else you might need.

It's not one vs the other. Sometimes I enjoy seeing other people and other times I'm searching for a quiet spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. I do come upon dispersed campgrounds that can be crowded or noisy but for the most part they are like this one where it was mostly quiet even though there were other campers.

Dispersed camping at
Tobacco River CG USFS
Forest site:48.893931,-115.133697
Riverside site: 48.894550,-115.133472

Also anywhere along the river and lakeside depending on the water level and accessibility. Roads had very large potholes filled with rain in July. High clearance alert!


#dispersedcamping #vanlife #nomad