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Tobacco River Campground
The Tobacco River Campground is located approximately 5 miles west of Eureka off Pidgeon Bridge Road 7277. The campground has 6 sites, tables and fire rings. The access road is able to accommodate up to a 20' rv. Access and campground roads are gravel. Amenities include a vault toilet and an undeveloped boat ramp for small packable boats.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | The campground is managed from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but is available all year to visitors. Access is dependent upon weather conditions. |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $0.00 Pack in/Pack out |
| Restrictions: | 16 day stay limit on all National Forest System Lands. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. Lighting of fireworks is not allowed on National Forest System Lands. |
| Closest Towns: | Eureka, Montana Rexford, Montana |
| Water: | Bring your own drinking water |
| Restroom: | Vault Toilet |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Directions: From Eureka follow Hwy 37 west for 4 miles to Pidgeon Bridge road 7182. Turn right and follow for approximately 1 mile to the campground entrance. Dump station can be found at the Rexford Bench Campground, laundry, ice, gas and store are located in Eureka. |
Activities
Campground Camping
Lake and Pond Fishing
Lake Koocanusa is a 90 mile long reservoir held back by the 422' tall Libby Dam. Lake Koocanusa was completed in 1972 as a joint project between the United States and Canada . Alice Beers, from Rexford, Montana, combined the first three letters from KOOtenai River, and the first three letters of CANada and USA.
Lake Koocanusa is home to a variety of fish species. Sport fish include rainbow trout, west slope cutthroat trout, rainblow trout, bull trout, brook trout, kokanee salmon (blueback), burbot (ling), whitefish, large scale sucker, long nose sucker, northern pike minnow, peamouth, redside shiner, yellow perch and Kamloops (a strain of rainbow trout). The lake has a maximum depth of 370 feet and an average depth of 127 feet.
The surface area of the lake is 28,723 acres and the shoreline is 127.96 miles long.
Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks web site for fishing regulations.
River and Stream Fishing
Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks web site for fishing regulations.
The Tobacco River is 17.1 miles long from its headwater to where it meets Lake Koocanusa.
Fish species include bull trout, rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout, cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish.
Viewing Scenery
The Hoodoos are very impressive sandstone formations jutting out from an inlet along Lake Koocanusa. Easily seen via boat, they can also be viewed from the west side of Highway 37. A short hike (approximately 100 feet) from a small parking area on the east side will provide an ample viewing opportunity. There is also a .5-mile nature trail from Rexford Bench Campground that allows the visitor a full view of the formations.
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Tubing
Highlights
- Be Bear Aware!
Montana is bear country! Learn about bears and safe practices while visiting the Kootenai - Food Storage Order
A food storage order signed in 2022 requires food storage practice across the Forest to reduce the potential for human-wildlife encounters - Know Before You Go
Regardless of the activity, always be prepared! Stay informed of current conditions and follow safe practices when enjoying your National Forests
- Leave No Trace
Visitors are asked to practice Leave No Trace principles while on the Kootenai National Forests to help maintain this abundant ecosystem and sustainable recreation.
- Weed Free Forage
It is a violation of rule (FS) and law (State of Montana) to utilize forage or mulch materials that contain the seeds of noxious weeds
Location
