Thread: Where can one car camp in/very near Whitefish July 6-8?

My bro is doing the art show, and I'll be off so I should be able to be up there around those days for a night or two.
I'll be with my dog.
Where can I go riding (with dog) and what else should I do during the stay.
I was only there briefly last June so I don't really know what's up with the dirtbag stay/ride/cool scene.
I suck, but I'd love to ride and have a beer with you WF guys.
Also check out some Wildlife art while your there.
So, NF campgrounds, places by the side of the road uber-cheap fleabag motels/hostels (I know they exist in Kallispel, but I don't think we can be that far since it's an outdoor show, and he has to be ready to grab his stuff in case of a sudden t-storm or something) that allow dogs.
We will have 2 vehicles if that makes a difference for where we can park.
Yes, I am aware this is peak touron season and camp grounds fill up.
Can we reserve?

I'm not from that area, but skibee and I have used some FSR land to the east of Hwy 93 to drop camp. No one said anything, but that was in mid may, before people are on holidays

There's a great little forest campground on a lake about 15 kms west of whitefish. Forget the name.... found it, Dickey Lake.

It would appear there is nice camping in a state park on the lake, but a train goes by every hour?!
I'll look into dickey lake. Thanks.
Now where would I bike?
Hm, just looking on Google Earth. If it's 100% that no t-storms are coming 20 minutes+ is prolly fine, but it's an outdoor show, so he has to be able to run back and rescue his art. Water + Watercolor paint = bad. plus all the wind and shit.
I mean, I'll probably only be up there 1 or 2 nights, depending on what I have going on with class (yes, I'm in summer school, blegh, at least I'm getting a good grade in stats)

Camping - Out near Tally Lake is a sure thing, but it's not super close to town (although much closer than Dickey). You also probably won't have any problems camping somewhere off of Upper Whitefish Lake Road (north of Whitefish Lake), but you may have to deal with drunk rednecks shooting shit. There are plenty of bits of forest closer to town that you could probably sleep in, but you might get kicked out - PM me if you want some specific directions. I don't remember if I'm around that weekend or not, but if I am, we should drink beer.

Rides:
Spencer is a good dog ride due to spencer lake being at the bottom. It has a bit of everything, but it's the best place to go if you want to jump off of stuff. Go west on 93, turn left on Twin Bridges, parking is immediately on your left.

Pig Farm is an ok dog ride - mostly rolling, rooty singletrack. There's a couple of semi-brackish ponds where dogs can get water. Parking lot is on Farm to Market, just north of Kuhns Road.

Whitefish trail sucks, especially with a dog, and extra-especially on the weekend. Despite what people may tell you, avoid it.

Those are the relatively close, relatively easy rides. There are bigger and better options a little farther out of town.

I don't like to jump off stuff, but I and the dog can do 8-10 miles if there's a creek along side, or a few crossings or whatever (he's black, so temp is a key factor, but he can run and run and run and run if there's a creek somewhere).
The rides don't have to be super close.
Talley is the one that apparently has the active rail line, according to my brief phonecall with FWP.

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Talley is the one that apparently has the active rail line, according to my brief phonecall with FWP.

I don't think there's a rail line near Tally. I'd guess they're talking about the campground on Whitefish Lake, which is right near the train. Regardless, there's lots of camping options in the Tally area aside from the developed campsite. There's also lots of good riding in that area, but directions start to get tricky. I'd recommend going to Glacier Cyclery - they have maps.

1. yes, I was thinking of something else.
2. Yeah, was definitely gonna stop into the shops and oggle. That's a great Used gear store there, too.

Let's see, it might be 100 on Saturday, and stay in the 90's after. And also, Tally lake is pretty expensive for a campground. Like, it's basically an RV park and it's run by a concessionaire.
So, aside from bringing a tube instead of a bike, can anyone recommend where one might pull off a FS road and set up camp for a day or two?


Edit: lol, every weather service has different numbers, also looks like Whitefish is about ten or so degrees cooler than Missoula, which makes sense.
Sent from my cell phone. no, a cell phone.

Go up Rd 542A near the south end of Tally Lake, turn off on one of the off-shoots to the west. Plenty of places to sleep up in there. If it's too hot, go higher. There are good trails at the top of 2942.

Originally Posted by toast2266

Camping - Out near Tally Lake is a sure thing, but it's not super close to town (although much closer than Dickey). You also probably won't have any problems camping somewhere off of Upper Whitefish Lake Road (north of Whitefish Lake), but you may have to deal with drunk rednecks shooting shit. There are plenty of bits of forest closer to town that you could probably sleep in, but you might get kicked out - PM me if you want some specific directions. I don't remember if I'm around that weekend or not, but if I am, we should drink beer.

Rides:
Spencer is a good dog ride due to spencer lake being at the bottom. It has a bit of everything, but it's the best place to go if you want to jump off of stuff. Go west on 93, turn left on Twin Bridges, parking is immediately on your left.

Pig Farm is an ok dog ride - mostly rolling, rooty singletrack. There's a couple of semi-brackish ponds where dogs can get water. Parking lot is on Farm to Market, just north of Kuhns Road.

Whitefish trail sucks, especially with a dog, and extra-especially on the weekend. Despite what people may tell you, avoid it.

Those are the relatively close, relatively easy rides. There are bigger and better options a little farther out of town.

Whitefish Trail is sweet. Definitely check it out... despite what burnttoast2266 says. Lion Mtn trailhead is a good starting point. Go toward Beaver lake and beyond. Trail is in great shape. Dog friendly. You will run into a few hikers on the first mile to two... then you barely see anyone from there on out.
/IFMOUN

Thanks again guys!

If your dog is well behaved and gets along well with other dogs I have an empty bedroom that you are welcome to use this weekend... Send me a PM if you're interested. I have Friday off, I could show you around for a ride or two and hook you up with a riding buddy for the weekend if interested.

-TTT

Originally Posted by iForgotMyOldUsername

Whitefish Trail is sweet. Definitely check it out... despite what burnttoast2266 says. Lion Mtn trailhead is a good starting point. Go toward Beaver lake and beyond. Trail is in great shape. Dog friendly. You will run into a few hikers on the first mile to two... then you barely see anyone from there on out.
/IFMOUN

Different strokes for different folks. If your dog is into an overcrowded dirt highway with no access to water and a lot of agro grape smugglers, then go for it.

I love agro grape smuggling. It's so hawt.

TTT, probably can't take you up on the room, but I'd love to go for a ride. And thanks.

So I'm sitting on a park bench by the depot while my bro gets his booth ready and takes care of business or whatever.
Spent the night up by bootjack lake(?). Seems nice.
What else is there to do around here but eat expensive food?

Sent from my cell phone. no, a cell phone.

So, I'm pretty sure WF is just a giant tourist trap.
Also, it seems to have a lot of rules and hate dogs.
So, I came back home, and it's so hot, I think my dog burned a paw.
Is it ski season yet?

you're doing it wrong.

It must be the heat.

To bad, lots of fun to be had.

not if you don't have money, and have a dog.
Dogs don't seem to be welcome in a planned vacation community.