Bowman Lake Campground

Q: Can I bring an RV longer than 21 feet?

No. RVs/trailers longer than 21 feet are prohibited; the road in is rough and not suited for long rigs.

Q: Is potable water available year-round?

Potable water is available in the main season via spigots; during primitive fall camping, potable water is not provided.

Q: Are there group sites or reservations?

No group sites; the campground is FCFS with no reservations.

Q: What about bear safety and food storage?

This is bear country. Bear boxes are provided seasonally; store all food, garbage, and scented items properly.

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Sites

RV Max Length

21 feet

Hookups

Dry camping only (no electric, water, or sewer)

Pets Allowed

Showers

Overview

Highlights

Book If

✅ BOOK IF: You’re a tent camper seeking solitude, comfortable with a lengthy dirt drive, and you don’t need hookups. You can haul your own water and manage food storage in bear country. ❌ SKIP IF: You want RV hookups, a store on-site, or easy access with a tall rig.

Site Types

Tent sites; a few sites may accommodate RVs up to 21 ft (not consistently confirmed)

Scenic Views

Bowman Lake views with forest backdrop

Nearby Attractions

Polebridge (~6.3 miles); Bowman Lake area

Family Friendly

Remote setting; basic facilities; plan for kids with headlamps and extra water; bear awareness required

Best Time to Visit

Summer into early fall; arrive early to secure tents since FCFS

Camping Tips

Bring water if you’re falling back to primitive season
32.5-mile dirt road is rough—pack patience and a washable mindset
Arrive early to snag a site; no reservations
Store food properly; this is bear country; bear boxes are seasonal

RV Driver Intel

The Setup

Rough dirt road access, 32.5 miles from West Entrance; not suitable for long rigs (limit 21 ft). Arrive early; park at a tent site if possible; plan for bear country storage and off-site showers in Polebridge.

The Vibe

Functional basecamp, not a resort. You’ll be parked among other tents in a remote, forested setting with lake views and minimal services.

Bath & Laundry

No showers on-site; Polebridge offers paid showers; plan accordingly; laundry facilities are not listed on-site

What Campers Say

Bowman Lake Campground delivers a quiet, remote camping experience with 48 tent sites and no hookups. The road in is long and rough, and amenities are basic—potable water in season, pit toilets, and no on-site showers. It’s bear country; arrive early and manage water, food, and waste carefully for a clean, safe stay.

Details

Campsite Information

Total Sites: 48

RV Max Length: 21 feet

Hookups: Dry camping only (no electric, water, or sewer)

Site Types

Tent sites; a few sites may accommodate RVs up to 21 ft (not consistently confirmed)

Each Site Includes

Picnic table
Fire ring

Activities

Picnic area for day use; remote lake setting; bear country safety

Amenities & Facilities

Campground Amenities

Showers: No showers on-site; paid showers may be available in Polebridge
Restrooms: Pit toilets
Water: Potable water available from spigots in main season; no potable water in primitive fall
Trash: Seasonal bear-proof dumpsters

Facilities

RV Dump Station: Seasonal dump station
Camp Store: No on-site store; Polebridge ~6.3 miles away
Firewood: Dead wood gathered along Bowman Lake Road; firewood not sold on-site

Utilities

Restrooms: Pit toilets

Showers: No showers on-site; paid showers may be available in Polebridge

Policies & Rules

Reservations

FCFS (First-Come, First-Served) (Booking: Not applicable)

Pet Policy

Pets Allowed - Leash max 6 feet; not permitted on hiking trails or in backcountry

Reviews

★★★★☆

4.7 /5

Based on 122 Google reviews

Based on 122 guest reviews

" Bowman Lake Campground delivers a quiet, remote camping experience with 48 tent sites and no hookups. The road in is long and rough, and amenities are basic—potable water in season, pit toilets, and no on-site showers. It’s bear country; arrive early and manage water, food, and waste carefully for a clean, safe stay."

Reviews from Google

What a great place to go visit and camp. Plenty of large campsites, complete with picnic tables and a fire ring. There are primitive restrooms and NO showers. There are a couple of trails that go along the lake and lots of lake front viewing area. It is off the beaten path, and there are ZERO cell phones services at the lake, be aware of this.

There is zero chance I'd take my RV to this campground, but it is an absolutely delightful place to visit and tent camp. I highly recommend making the trek.The road had more traffic than expected for a week day in September, but make an adventure of it.

The views here are top tier! Very highly recommended even if you spend 5 minutes soaking up the view after a short walk from the parking lot. There is one disabled/handicapped parking spot near the lake so everyone can see the view. I did not experience any bugs/mosquitoes except for seeing a few tiny houseflies and an occasional butterfly. You won’t be disappointed.

Showing 3 of 122 reviews