Big Creek Canyon Creek (FR 316) in MT -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Montana
Big Creek Canyon Creek (FR 316) in MT
A 46.3-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Flathead County, MT. The road serves Werner Peak. The road is open seasonally, April 15 to November 30.
Flathead National Forest, Glacier View Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 16-day limit.
21.3 of the 46.3 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Mostly gravel, with 13.3 miles of dirt. Climbs 7,300 ft over 46.3 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 34%. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~150 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 23 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Gates 36.1, 44.5 and 46.4 miles in.
Werner Peak stands 638 ft above the site, 0.5 miles north. A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.1 miles off. A body of water lies 0.5 mi off. The nearest town, Whitefish, is 9.9 mi off.
September normals 27–58°F, 1.9″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.
Set by Flathead National Forest, Glacier View Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.
fs.usda.gov