Upper Como

Three Frogs Campground is a newly reconstructed campground and features 16 small trailer campsites and 4 walk-in tent sites. The campground offers accessible vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, water and garbage service, and gravel surfaced roads. Some campsites are also equipped with tent pads. Can accommodate trailers to 30' lengths.



Three Frogs Campground

Woods Cabin offers a unique chance to camp in the forest, in a rustic, old-time setting, while enjoying all the summer and winter activities that are available from the shore of scenic Lake Como.   

The cabin provides a comfortable experience and spectacular views, with its large windows and decks overlooking the lake and nearby mountain peaks. It also provides access to the lake and a nearby beach and gives visitors access to a myriad of trails and open spaces.   

IMPORTANT WINTER RENTAL INFORMATION:   

Woods Cabin is available for rent in the winter and provides a great basecamp for numerous outdoor winter recreation activities. To ensure your stay is enjoyable, there are a few things to note when renting the cabin during the winter. The road to the cabin is NOT maintained during the winter months, so depending on weather conditions, you may or may not be able to drive to the Woods Cabin parking lot. The gate is closed on the access road to Woods Cabin for public safety so that visitors do not drive down to the cabin and get stuck or slide into the cabin. The county road, however, to the boat launch (located on the south side of Lake Como) is maintained. Visitors can park at the boat launch and walk, ski, or snowshoe across the dam and up to Woods Cabin, which is approximately ¾ mile. Be prepared to haul your gear into the cabin via sled or backpacks. There is no drinking water available this time of year, so please bring your own drinking water. Firewood is provided at the cabin but it may need to be split. A splitting maul is also provided. Please be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions and always use caution and be prepared when recreating in winter conditions.

Recreation

Boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports are popular on Lake Como. Anglers might see rainbow and cutthroat trout, as well as kokanee salmon, among other alpine species. A boat ramp and parking area are available at the south side of the lake. A large, sandy beach is available to visitors at the north side of the lake. To the west of the cabin, a short walk will take visitors to a trailhead that begins a 7-mile loop trail around Lake Como. The Lake Como National Recreation Loop Trail is suitable for hiking, mountain biking and accessing the lake for swimming or picnics. The first quarter-mile of the trail is wheelchair accessible and the trail also crosses Rock Creek at one point. Approximately 3 miles from the cabin, at the west end of the lake, is a magnificent waterfall that cascades over fern-covered rock cliffs. A trail continues from the waterfall, or heads west up Rock Creek, into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area. Winter activities include cross-country skiing on un-groomed terrain, snow shoeing, and ice fishing. 

Facilities

The rustic cabin has three bedrooms, a living area and a kitchen. It has beds that can accommodate up to 12 people (double bunk beds with mattresses). The main living area offers a table and chairs and two wood stoves for heating. Woods Cabin is ony partially furnished. There is no electricity or hot water. We recommend bringing your own sleeping bags or bedding, ice chest, dish soap, matches, 1st Aid kit, flashlights, etc. Each renter is responsible for leaving the cabin cleaner than they found it. We'd appreciate your feedback on the condition of the cabin or any suggestions you may have. The cabin was built in 1928 and was renovated in 2011. Please be aware that this is a rustic cabin and despite our efforts to control the rodents, there may be rodent activity. Please keep the cabin clean and store food in containers or cupboards. Firewood is provided at the cabin but it will need to be split. A splitting maul is also provided. The driveway to the cabin is on a moderately steep hillside that flattens to a pull-through loop near the cabin entrance. Parking at the cabin is limited to 2 vehicles, but other vehicles can park in the upper parking lot. Day use passes are required at day use sites within the Lake Como Recreation Area from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Four day use passes are provided for Woods Cabin visitors and will be located inside the cabin. Upon vacating the cabin, please return the passes for the next renters to use. Additional vehicles need to have a day pass displayed. Day passes can be purchased on site within the Recreation Area.

Natural Features

The cabin is located along the north shore of 913-acre Lake Como in the central Bitterroot Mountains of western Montana. It is situated at an elevation of 4,245 feet and is primarily used for meetings, workshops and retreats, as it can accommodate a larger group of people. The cabin is more than 90 years old and accommodations are rustic. A variety of wildlife and birds can be seen from the cabin and its surroundings. Osprey, bald eagles, deer, moose, elk and bears make their home in the area (learn about outdoor safety ).

ADA Access: N



Woods Cabin

The campground, a.k.a. Lower Como, is a single loop through a stand of mixed pine and fir trees and one of three campgrounds in the Lake Como Recreation Area. &nbsp;It is located below Lake Como. The understory is grass with good privacy between campsites. Lake Como Lower Campground is paved and features a host site and ten 125' pull through recreational vehicle (RV) sites (with electrical and water hookups) water, and garbage services. Three sites are handicap accessible, and there are 4 handicap accessible vault toilets located throughout the campground. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. Lake Como is 913 acres. &nbsp;The beach is large and sandy. The boat ramp is located at the south side of dam.



Lake Como Campground

Three Sisters Group Site is a newly constructed accessible site located across the road from the Rock Creek Horse Camp. &nbsp;The site is equipped with a 20' x 30' pavillion, 8 picnic tables, group size BBQ grill, group size fire ring with handcrafted wooden benches around it, 2 vault toilets, parking for 25 vehicles, and a capacity to hold 75 people. &nbsp;There is no water or electricity. &nbsp;Reservations can be made by contacting the Darby Ranger Station at (406) 821-3913. &nbsp;Office hours are Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.



Bitterroot National Forest Three Sisters Group Site Campground

Rock Creek Horse Camp is located within the Lake Como Recreation Area. It features 11 tent and small trailer campsites, handicap accessible vault toilets, gravel surfaced roads, garbage service, and stock facilities, such as hitch rails, stock ramp, and feed bunks. A few trails leave from the horse camp. The trailhead is equipped with an accessible horse mounting platform. &nbsp;Campground can accommodate RV's or trailers to 40 feet.



Rock Creek Horsecamp

Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park

Travelers Rest

The Gird Point Lookout offers a unique chance to camp on top of a mountain peak in a rustic, old-time setting. It sits high above the valley and provides panoramic views of three surrounding mountain ranges.   

Comfortably equipped, the lookout tower provides almost everything anyone would need to enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities available in the mountains of western Montana.

Recreation

A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails are available in the area, as well as some off-road vehicle trails. The adjacent mountainsides have had several large fires in the last few decades and visitors will see a mosaic of recovering vegetation patterns. Hazardous snags still remain standing and hikers should use caution, especially during high winds.   

The lookout is known for its scenic views that can be enjoyed on just about any day of the year, regardless of current weather conditions. It provides a peaceful location to relax and enjoy nature. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area as well, providing ample sightseeing and wildlife viewing opportunities, from a vantage point at least 8 feet from the highest point in the region.

Facilities

The 14-by-14 lookout is equipped with two beds that can sleep up to four people. It has a table and chairs, a propane stove and lantern, basic eating and cooking utensils and pots and pans, as well as a wood stove for heat and cooking. Firewood should be available at the tower but supply cannot be guaranteed. An outdoor toilet is also provided. Guests will need to bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes, as well as propane fuel canisters. Bedding, including mattress pads, is not provided. Visitors should plan to bring bedding, towels, soap, matches, garbage bags, toilet paper and food, among other necessities. Guests are required to pack out all trash and clean the cabin prior to leaving. Basic cleaning equipment is provided. No smoking or open flames (candles) in the Lookout. No fireworks. The lookout can be accessed by vehicle and then a short hike over a moderate grade for the remainder of the route. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. The historic L-4 cabin sits on top of an 8' high tower, with narrow steps and catwalk. This may pose a hazard for children and pets. Guests are responsible for their own safety.

Natural Features

The lookout is located 20 miles east of Hamilton, Montana, in the Bitterroot National Forest at an elevation of 7,702 feet. A 30-inch catwalk surrounding the glass-paneled room offers unobstructed views of the surrounding Sapphire, Bitterroot and Anaconda-Pintler mountain ranges. The 8-foot tower was originally built to watch for forest fires in the Hamilton/Skalkaho area, but it was later turned into a public recreation location. The lookout was restored beginning in 2001 and now has vintage 1940s furnishings.

Nearby Attractions

Highway 38 is also called the Skalkaho Highway. It continues into the Sapphire Mountains along a primitive and once widely used Native American trail. The scenic drive, which is closed during winter, was built to provide access between mining areas and agricultural communities in the Bitterroot Valley. 

ADA Access: N



Upper Como

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