Finley Point Campground, Flathead Lake State Park, MT

June 2021

Yesterday was a long driving day, 430 miles from just outside Pocatello, ID to just outside Polson, MT. I am again in awe of just how big the states of Idaho and Montana are. We passed the time by listening to the audiobook version of A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson, and occasionally singing exuberantly to Oasis, Green Day, and other 90’s rock.

Home for the night was Finley Point Campground in the Flathead Lake State Park. I use Campendium to find camp sites. On travel days, it’s easiest to just stay in nondescript RV parks off the Interstate, generally for $40-60/night for a standard spot with water, electric, and sewage hook-ups. It’s never the cheapest nor the most Instagrammable option, but it’s convenient.

My favorite, though, are the nights in small, quiet state parks like Finley Point. Camping spots are located in the prettiest places, and can be reserved online for <$30/night depending on state residency, military or senior discount. These are popular! I booked the Finley Point spot in April 2021. And they are primitive (vault toilets, and only electricity hook-ups here). But worth it, the views are phenomenal.

Finley Point is at the south end of Flathead Lake, shaded by a forest of mature Ponderosa pine. There are 16 RV sites, 6 of which are right on the water. When you back your rig in, and angle it just so, your passenger and rear windows face West, and you can enjoy the amazing sunset views over Flathead Lake and the Salish Mountains. Pro tip: spot number #13 is the best, because it’s at the end of the line, and unobstructed by other RVs.

Dinner was Instapot chicken noodle soup, finished with Scotch while watching the sun set.

June 7, 2021