Owl Creek Packer Camp

If you're planning a trip into the "Bob" also known as the legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Owl Creek Packer camp, in the beautiful Swan Valley, is a great place to start.  If a wilderness outing isn't in your plans, a wonderful day ride can be made by visiting Upper Holland Lake. Please be considerate and follow all LNT guidelines so that this area remains open to equestrian users.

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What to Expect

• 8 first-come, first-serve camp spots with picnic tables and fire rings
• The main route from camp is Trail #35 which climbs into the Bob Marshall Wilderness
• Potable water
• Two Vault Toilets
• One public use corral. The others are reserved for packers.
• Stock tanks, large feed troughs, and pipe hitching rails scattered throughout the campground
• Stock ramp

Rules and Regulations

• Land Manager = Flathead National Forest
• Uphill-downhill timing restriction in place due to the high use and frequent conflicts on this trail. Please go uphill on Trail #35 before noon and travel downhill after noon to avoid conflicts with other stock users.
• Certified weed seed free hay is required

Driving Directions

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What TrailMeister Readers Say

A hearty Thank you to Merrily for this wonderful report on the Owl Creek Packer Camp

I’ve never seen this campsite full, even in the height of hunting season. As you enter the campground, go straight ahead to last fork. Right fork has public horse camping, left fork is reserved for outfitters. There is one large pipe corral immediately after the fork on the left that is open for public use—the other corrals are for outfitters. Campground is wooded and pretty. Only about ¼ mile to Holland Creek and Holland Lake for fishing. Some private property in the area. A large Forest Service Campground is located straight up Holland Lake Road (at the first fork), and Holland Lake Lodge. The lodge is a good place to go for dinner and drinks, but is busy on weekends, as they reserve for weddings. There is a trailer dump site across from the public campgrounds. Swan Valley is located between the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area. THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY—keep a clean camp and don’t put food in your tents or leave food out—lock it up in trucks or trailers! Both black bears and Grizzly bears are residents of the Swan Valley, as well as mountain lions, wolves, and all manner of wildlife.

Holland Lake Trail #35:

The trail is easy for the first 1 ½ miles, winding through timber. There are peek-a-boo views of Holland Lake at some spots. It begins climbing with a series of switchbacks, then comes to a shale slide where there is a great view of Holland Lake and the Mission Mountains to the west (photo op). From here the trail starts up the canyon. At about 2 miles there is an intersection with a trail going around Holland Lake above the falls. Do not take this trail—it is not suited for horses! Keep to the right and continue on trail 35. The climb is steady, with Holland Creek visible on occasion. A little further up you will cross the creek. The trail is well used, but is not for beginning riders or green horses. It is a rocky trail, and I’m not talking small rocks. These rocks are part of the mountain, and in many places they are like stair steps. Your horses need to be sure-footed. By the time you’ve gone up and down this trail, your horse will be able to negotiate a stairway! It’s a beautiful trail, with the mountains and the creek rushing along beside the trail. At Upper Holland Lake continue on to the east side of the lake. There are hitching rails off the trail and a good place to stop for lunch beside Upper Holland Lake. If you are taking a day-ride, this is a good place to turn around (go down after lunch).

 

 

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