A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

McGillivray Campground

Forest Service campground in Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana. About 2,520 feet. 13.5 miles from Libby.

Managed by
Forest Service Kootenai National Forest
Elevation
About 2,520 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
38 31 standard non-electric, 5 tent only non-electric, 2 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

McGillivray Campground has 33 total campsites and provides reservation opportunities for two group sites within the campground loops and a large group shelter located within the facility . The two smaller group sites in the campground will accommodate up to 25 people each. The group shelter will accommodate up to 200 people making it great for reunions and receptions. A high and low water boat ramp, swim beach and picnic area are also available at McGillivray Campground

Recreation

Fishing derbies are held multiple times each year and anglers can expect kokanee salmon, whitefish and a variety of trout.

Facilities

The large group shelter (site 1) is equipped with a rock fireplace and multiple tables. Two Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided nearby. Two large cooking grills, horseshoe pits, path to beach area, fire ring and a 1-acre meadow adjoin the site. A large paved parking lot is available for large parties. The site is gated for security of rental parties and it is recommended that the gate is swung closed. Electrical outlets are available within the shelter, however reservationists must provide their own generator. Firewood is provided for the shelter.

The two group sites (site 7 and site 23) within the campground provide parking for up to five RVs. Each site has three tent pads, three picnic tables, fire ring, and a large cooking grill are within the sites. All sites at this campground have no electricity and firewood is not provided.

Natural Features

The McGillivary is located on the western shore of Lake Koocanusa in northwest Montana, at an elevation of about 2,520 feet. It is nestled in a heavily forested area with dense vegetation on the forest floor. The adjacent 46,500-acre reservoir has over 127 miles of shoreline and is formed by the 422' tall Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, which stretches about 90 miles and into Canada. Osprey often fish around Libby Dam at sunset, making for enjoyable viewing opportunities. Bald eagles can be seen hunting kokanee in the river and lake during the fall. A variety of wildlife also makes its home in the area.

Nearby Attractions

The Kootenai River, below Libby Dam, is a blue ribbon fishery. Guided tours of the dam and powerhouse are offered at the visitor center throughout the summer season.

Visitors enjoy driving the 100-mile loop around the reservoir. Several trails, including some that lead to scenic waterfalls, are located along the route.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • swimming site
  • water sports
  • wildlife viewing

The land around McGillivray Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.