Camping, Hiking and Traveling in Montana

  MontanaHikes.com
      Home       Books & Maps       Camping       Hiking       Traveling Montana
Hike Index
H=Hike   C=Camp   V=Visit     S=Ski

Livingston Area
   Elephanthead Mtn. H

Paradise Valley
   S. Fk. Deep Creek H
   Pine Creek H,C
  George Lake H
   Passage Creek Falls H
  Crow Mountain H

Big Timber Area
  Boulder River H,C,V
  Natural Bridge Falls H,C,V
  Big Timber Creek Falls  H,C,V
   West Boulder Meadows H,C
  Twin Lakes  H,C
  Prairie Dog State.Park   V

Bozeman Area
  Chestnut Mountain H
  Goose Creek H,S
  Mystic Lake H
   Lava Lake H

Central Montana
  Little Belt Mountains H,C,V,S
  Castle Mountains H,C
  Central MT Railroading V
  Cooney Reservoir C,V
  Crystal Lake H,C,V
  Judith Mountains V
  Judith Gap Wind Farm V
  Moccasin Mountains V

The Yellowstone River
  Upper Yellowstone Floating
  Yankee Jim Canyon

Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness
  Anvil Lake H,C
   Beartooth Lake H,C,V
   Beartooth Highway V
   Island Lake H,C,V

Western Montana
  Painted Rocks Rec Area V,C
  Salmon Lake State Park V,C
  Warm Spring Ponds  V

Montana Campgrounds

camping_menu
Camping Index
Montana Campgrounds
Selecting a Campsite
Selecting a Tent Site
Selecting a Tent
Sleeping Bags & Pads
The Camp Kitchen
Selecting a Camp Stove
Campfires
Water Supplies
     Car campers in Montana have lots of choices for where to spend the night. There are many different types of campsites in Montana and public and private campgrounds are found throughout the state. In some places there are camping opportunities outside of designated campgrounds. However, most people find the wide range of developed campgrounds easily fills their needs.

Private campgrounds

     Private campgrounds are found all across Montana and they come in all shapes and sizes. They range from large modern facilities with full showers, laundry and other facilities to small campgrounds with just a site or two tucked in to a scenic spot. Most are located near roads for convenience and to attract attention

     Most private campgrounds in Montana cater primarily to RVs and motor homes. Although they have tent camping areas, tents are usually an afterthought and the car camping areas are often lacking in any form of natural ambiance. However, some are excellent for car campers so be sure to check all your options. Many private campgrounds have shower facilities and are a great place to clean up when you have been camping without them. Be sure to check in with the campground operator and pay the shower fee.

     Private campgrounds in Montana are operated to produce a profit and the camping fees are established by the owners. The State of Montana maintains an Internet listing of the Private Campgrounds in Montana

     Public campgrounds

     Most car campers will spend at least part, if not most, of their time in public campgrounds. Public campgrounds in Montana are operated by a number of different agencies. The US Forest Service (USFS), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and others all operate campgrounds in the state.

     Public campgrounds in Montana range from primitive to deluxe and from tiny to huge. Almost every identified public campground will have designated campsites with picnic tables and established fire areas. They will have rest room facilities of some sort – usually outhouses. Many, if not most, will have water available but don’t assume this without checking first.

     Public campgrounds are generally located in areas that offer great outdoor recreation opportunities. Fishing areas, trail heads, scenically significant and other unique places are all likely homes for public campgrounds in Montana. Some can be used as a base for exploring surrounding areas while others offer direct access to recreation. Some public campgrounds in Montana are rather remote so make sure you understand the roads you will drive before you head to any site.

     There is almost always a camping fee charged at public campgrounds. At some campgrounds there will be a host or a patrol individual who will collect the fees while at others you need to self register and pay at a kiosk. Some public campgrounds are operated by private companies under
contract to the agency. Fees at public campgrounds are generally much lower than at private campgrounds. The State of Montana maintains an Internet index of the Public Campgrounds in Montana

Undeveloped Campsites

       There are many places in Montana where it is possible to have a great car camping experience without using a developed campground. Most of the federally owned land in Montana is open for camping and many people take advantage. These BLM and US Forest Service lands are scattered across the state but large sections of western Montana are Forest Service lands. Before you go camping in any particular area make sure you are aware of any local restrictions. Although the lands are generally open for camping there are many local exceptions so be sure to know camping is allowed before you set up camp!

       While vast areas of land are open to camping it is often difficult to find a great undeveloped campsite. One of the biggest problems is the rough terrain that is found in many wild areas. the road systems are often narrow with few spur roads or appropriate camping spots. However, in many other areas you will find delightful campsites that have been well used by many others. It is common to find established fire rings in these sites but there are no other services - no picnic tables, no water and no outhouses. Of course, you will need to change the way you are camping in these areas to learn more read our suggestions for camping in undeveloped sites.

Next:  Selecting a Campsite
copyright         Copyright This website and all contents and design, including images, are protected under U.S. Copyright © 2008 by Montanahikes.com. All rights reserved worldwide. Montanahikes.com is for your personal and noncommercial use. No one may modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, or publish any materials contained in dwarf cichlid.com without prior written permission. montanahikes.com is a registered service mark and may not be used without permission.
Montanahikes.com - your source for reliable information about hiking camping and traveling in Montana!