Whitefish Lake State Park — Attraction in Whitefish

If you're seeking a camping experience like no other, look no further than the charming campground affectionately known as "Thomas' Tracks." (Aka whitefish state park campground). Situated amidst picturesque natural surroundings, this campground offers a truly unique adventure with its main attraction being none other than Thomas the Train – the lovable locomotive that runs through the site throughout the day and night.

At first glance, Thomas' Tracks exudes a quaint and whimsical ambiance. The friendly staff welcomes you with warm smiles, and the check-in process is smooth and efficient. The campground boasts well-maintained facilities, including clean restrooms and showers, and various amenities like picnic areas and a campfire pit that add to the overall camping experience.

However, the defining feature of this campground is both its charm and its downfall: the infamous Thomas the Train. Children and train enthusiasts alike will be thrilled by the sight of the iconic blue engine making its rounds, chugging along the tracks with a cheerful whistle. The sight alone can spark a sense of nostalgia and wonder.

For families with young children, Thomas' Tracks is an absolute delight. Kids' faces light up as they wave to Thomas and his imaginary crew, adding a delightful touch of magic to their camping trip. The joyful reactions are infectious, creating a lively and happy atmosphere throughout the day.

Nonetheless, the perpetual presence of Thomas does come with its share of challenges, particularly for those seeking a peaceful and quiet escape. Thomas' whistles and toots resonate throughout the campground, even during the late hours. The constant rumbling of the train can disrupt the tranquility that many campers seek in nature. Light sleepers or those sensitive to noise may find it difficult to get a good night's rest.

While some campers may revel in the novelty of Thomas' constant company, others might wish for a reprieve from the auditory onslaught. To mitigate the impact, the campground management could consider providing earplugs or noise-cancellation headphones to guests who desire a more peaceful slumber.

In terms of camping facilities, the sites themselves are relatively spacious and well-kept, though some additional landscaping and greenery could further enhance the natural beauty of the grounds. Additionally, more recreational activities and nature-oriented programs would be a welcome addition to engage visitors during the day.

Overall, Thomas' Tracks is an interesting destination that has its charms. Families with young children and train enthusiasts will undoubtedly adore the whimsical experience of camping alongside Thomas the Train. However, for those seeking a tranquil retreat in the midst of nature, the constant presence of Thomas' joyful chugs might prove to be a bit too boisterous. Consider visiting this campground if you're looking for a quirky, fun-filled adventure, but be prepared for Thomas to be an ever-present and exuberant companion...

Awesome place for dogs to swim freely!! We were visiting Glacier National Park with our dog during a massive heat wave in July 2023. The park is not very dog friendly so we were looking for somewhere close by where he could swim freely and cool off without breaking any "no dogs off leashes" rules. I was so happy to discover this state park had a section of beach just for dogs to swim. When we arrived in the late afternoon, the park appeared crowded based on the parking lots we could see from the entrance booth where we paid a small day use fee. The park ranger was friendly and told us parking was full and we'd have to park in the overflow area and walk a bit to get to the water. She then said we could try to see if any spots had opened first, so that's what we did. We drove through the campground and were lucky enough to find the only open parking spot in the day use parking area which appeared to have less than 8 spots unless you had a boat trailer. We all quickly used the restroom which was clean and what I would expect for a State Park.

The dog beach was a 2 minute walk away and was a surely perfect!!! It was over 100 degrees and our dog was beyond happy to swim after sticks all afternoon while my family and I sat comfortably in the shade at one of the two available picnic tables in the dog section. We stayed for about 2.5 hours and only 3 other dogs and their people came and went, so we pretty much had the area to ourselves much of the time. The views were fantastic and I couldn't have been more happy with our experience! The campground attached to the dog beach was sold out which is understandable given the gorgeous setting and great lake. Everyone there appeared very happy and to be enjoying their various activities on the lake and in the camp. We saw people on boats, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, etc. and I'll definitely be visiting again next time I'm in the area. These nice spots for dogs to enjoy swimming off leash are becoming harder and harder to find these days so this was an awesome surprise. If you and your dog need a little cooling off while visiting Glacier National Park, don't hesitate to come to this State Park because...

We are not the type to write reviews but this was an awful experience that we needed to share. For such a beautiful spot on Whitefish Lake we expected a lot….so we were so disappointed. Our spot was #9 ADA which the 30 amp service was nonfunctional due to a faulty circuit breaker. Train noise is absolutely horrendous every 30mins-an hour everyday all day as it runs directly above you and shakes the ground.

Showers cost $3 for 6 mins via tokens at booth (must purchase while open). Showers are literally in same area as toilets and sinks which water turns cold every time someone is occupying them. Did I mention there’s mold on the shower walls? It needs a DEEP clean. Area not maintained or mowed, we had kcups and garbage all around our site upon arrival. All other sites beside ADA are gravel with no areas for a tent if you have an RV. We had people blasting music til 3am and being very obnoxious- no patrol to stop them. All other sites beside ADA are gravel with no areas for a tent if you have an RV. No dump station or gray water disposal-you must go to Cenex off 13th and 93 behind the building to dump for free. We had parked our truck at a drop off spot for floating the river and had a local friend drop us off at our camp to change. As we came around the corner to site 9 we were cut off by a speeding park ranger in her atv. She jumped out visibly furious and basically yelled at us for not stopping at stop sign. We explained the situation, apologized and thought it was settled only to see her back at our site within 5 minutes yelling on the phone which we could hear from our camper- taking pictures of our friends license plate and saying we drive out the locals? She continued yelling unprofessionally until my husband deescalated the situation. So long story short-stop at booth always or you will screamed at by a not so happy woman- seems like she takes pride in it though so you do you. We won’t be returning and you shouldn’t waste your time here,...