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Welcome to the Sportsman Lodge
My family and I just purchased the Sportsman Motel in 2021. This was a 2-year process for us by way of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Our journey with the Sportsman Motel in Melrose MT started over 7 years ago. It all began with our oldest son Cody, who was deployed with the Army at the time, wrote me a letter. In his letter, he reflects on the passion he and his brother Marcus (also serving in the Army National Guard) and I have for the outdoors. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, I have developed a love of the outdoors for as long as I can ever remember. We have always wanted to go west to Montana. In Cody’s letter, he spoke of a small town in Montana called Melrose and about one of the best Rivers to fish in the country, The Big Hole, running through Melrose. He spoke about staying at the Sportsman Motel. Almost immediately upon his return to the states after his deployment, we booked our trip to the Sportsman Motel.
We have been coming back every year, multiple times a year, and staying at the Sportsman ever since. We fell in love with the town, the great people of Melrose and of course the World Class Fishing and Hunting.
In 2018 I approached the previous owners of the Sportsman about buying it. I brought my wife Bonnie out so she can experience what the boys and I have come to love. Bonnie grew up in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area and although she had been a city girl at heart, she has gained the love and appreciation of the great outdoors through my own lifetime passion. We have relocated here from Pennsylvania to Montana living our greatest dream and want to help bring the same joy to others.
No matter what you are in search of — hunting, fishing, camping, or just being one with nature – The Sportsman Lodge in Melrose, Montana is your ideal outdoor paradise and home away from home.
For fishing, Sportsman Lodge is in close proximity to some of the best and most famous streams in the country. Our rivers are legendary. If you’re looking for fly fishing or trout, there’s nothing better than a stay in one of our cabins on the water.
The hunting here is as good as it gets anywhere. If you’re after the big game, trophy-class elk, mule deer and whitetail are out there. You’ll also find black bears, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and antelope. If bird hunting and waterfowl are more your style, there are strong sage, sharp-tailed, and mountain grouse, as well as migratory ducks and geese. Melrose is home to a beautiful diversity of habitats and wildlife!
Sportsman Lodge has accommodations for everyone. Our cozy cabins can serve as your mountainside oasis coming completely furnished with various bedroom options and each with a kitchen, living room and bath. Our cabins by the river offer outstanding access for fishing.
Our RV park boasts seventeen, full-service hookup spots allowing you to enjoy our Montana views with all of your creature comforts. Or if you’re looking to get a little closer to nature, it doesn’t get any better than camping out under the vast and wild Montana sky.
Roaming around this part of the country can’t help but impress. In Melrose, while the surroundings are peaceful, the ability to explore the outdoors awakens a strong sense of adventure.
Melrose is a small town on the Big Hole River. Between our 8 rooms, 6 cabins, 17 RV sites and grass tent spaces, we can suit any traveler looking to experience the best of the outdoors.
$29 - $48 / night
$15 - $37 / night
Don’t limit yourself to 30 amps when you have a 50 amp rig! Countryside RV Park, located in beautiful Southwestern Montana, has 44 full-service spaces which will accommodate both 30 amp and 50 amp RVs. Don’t hassle with fees for extra guests and family members; everyone can enjoy our beautiful scenery and blue skies for one easy price. Our park has long, spacious sites which can accommodate all big rigs. Monthly spaces sell out quickly, so it’s best to book your extended stay as early as possible. We are located just south of Dillion, Montana surrounded by 360 degrees of beautiful snow-capped mountains. We offer clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, satellite friendly sites, and free WiFi to all our guests. Our focus will always be making your stay as pleasant as possible.
$42 - $47 / night
Cardwell General Store and Campground, located off I-90 at exit 256, is locally owned and operated in beautiful Cardwell, Montana. Centrally located between Butte and Bozeman in the Jefferson Valley of Montana, it is nestled in the tiny ranching community of Cardwell. Laundry, restroom, shower and wifi are some of the amenities offered for our guests.
The RV Park is located directly behind the general store, which offers a wide variety of goods and services to locals and travelers alike. Fishing supplies, tackle, & bait are available for purchase, as well as firewood. The gas pumps are open 24/7 for credit card users, and an ATM is on site. Inside the General Store is an Espresso bar with fantastic coffee drinks! a candy store and a ice cream shop with the best shakes ever including Huckleberry!
The Cardwell General Store and Campground is open year round and harbors thirty-eight pull-through RV sites, up to 60' max, and six dry tent sites. We also have one fully furnished dry cabin. It comes with a queen sized bed with included bedding, table and chairs, mini fridge and Microwave. Heat and Air Conditioning also in this cabin! The cabin is super nice and fairly close to the shower house and you will enjoy it!
The facility includes a covered pavilion, and horseshoe pits for summer evening barbecues with family and friends. For campground guests the North Boulder River and Jefferson River are easily accessible nearby. Plenty of log furniture, swing sets and lovers swings to rest and visit!
Laundromat, restroom, and shower services are available to guests. There is a designated pet walk area for campers or travelers with pets. All pets must be leashed at all times. No exceptions. WIFI is available to our guests. A laundry facility is available free of charge to guests.
Conveniently located in Dillon MT, Beaverhead River RV Park and campground offers:
25 - 30 amp RV sites with full hookups
31 - 30 amp RV sites with water and electricity
4 cabins - each sleeps 5
36 tent sites - with 16 bordering the Beaverhead River!
A 5 bedroom- 3 bath, fully furnished lodge that can sleep up to 9
Many sites have fire pits and picnic tables, and some contain standing BBQ's. Propane, ice and firewood is available for sale and a dump station is conveniently placed.
The main office houses a small, well stocked store with free coffee, cappuccino, and hot cocoa. We have a laundry facility, full service bathrooms with clean showers. Free WI-FI is available for all guests.
There's a large fenced dog park, bike rentals for the Kids, miniature golf, horseshoes, bocce ball and many indoor and outdoor games- including an outdoor, heated swimming pool that is opened seasonally, centrally located and convenient to all.
We offer Military and Good Sam discounts.
$35 - $55 / night
Offering 30 & 50 amp full hookup, year-round service. Come stay at our conveniently located RV park in Dillon, MT. Your next stop to enjoy Beaverhead County!
$50 / night
Copper Court offers a multitude of amenities in our RV Park to accommodate our residents. From WiFi, to showers, washers & dryers, and a community lodge, we’ve got your stay covered here at Copper Court RV Park. There are several pricing packages available depending on your needs. Paved parking, picnic tables, pull-through sites, and decorative fire pits are available with most of our RV sites. We also have cabin rentals available for those seeking that glamping log cabin feel. Sleeping up to 4 guests with a 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, kitchenette and queen sleeper sofa. Log picnic table and fire pit out front to enjoy the big sky country of Montana. Open all year long!
Placed between Yellowstone National Park & Glacier National Park, Copper Court is the perfect resting stop. With tons of recreational adventures within 30 minutes we are a prime area to visit. From mining sapphires in Philipsburg to boating fun at Georgetown Lake Anaconda is a great location to visit. Copper Court is year around open so you can also hit Discovery Mountain for optimal skiing and snowboarding. Anglers love the area for our prime fishing at Big Hole River, the only river in Montana that has all 5 species of fish. Old Works Golf Course designed by the one & only Jack Nicklaus borders along Copper Court RV Park and guests get a discounted rate to play.
$66 - $100 / night
Guide
camping all around this huge reservoir as well as great fishing. there are six campgrounds here. camping is first come, first served and free at all except for lewis and clark campground which has full rv hook-ups. the price there is $30 per night and half price with senior pass.
Legend
Easy on/off, full hookups, beautiful location located just off I-15. Amenities in town just opposite the exit for the rv park. Beautiful location with mountains all around. Great place to stopover driving thru. Potentially Windy.
Legend
We pulled off I-15 in little Melrose, MT and imagine our surprise to find this RV park. Beautiful setting, full hookups, well maintained, friendly small small town, near Big Hole National battlefield, great restaurant in town. Would be a perfect place to stop for the night or a few nights on the road.
Scout
This is not a place he would stay long term it’s just merely a pitstop. They do have a little riverfront great that runs by it but otherwise it’s just a parking lot.
Guide
We stayed here twice this year, once going North and then headed South for home. First time they put us in a full hook-up that was to small so I asked for a bigger spot and because about 1/3rd of the spots were empty, they moved me. Owner was very friendly and willing to find us a better spot. Second time was on Sunday and the note on door put us in an even smaller full hook-up, despite me asking for a bigger site so I wouldn't have to unhook. This is one reason for only three stars. Office was closed and no one answered the phone or returned our call. The site was totally unacceptable. Even if I un-hooked there was not enough room to park the pick-up truck. Left several messages, no response. We moved to an empty water/electric only site and set up. An hour later another camper came in and said we were in their spot. We moved again to another spot hoping no one would claim it. Still no response from owner. I guess camp is unsupervised on Sunday. Maybe owner was out of town.
Second reason for only three stars: Camp is older and full hook-up sites are close to each other. I did not see any 50 amp, only 30 amp. The openings for dumping are a couple of inches below ground level and the kind you just point the hose down and put a few rocks over to hold it down. Gravel sites that are mostly level.
The Good: The water and electric only sites in the back (spots 28 to 36) of the park are long and spread out. I recommend if you can go without having sewer connection, the ones in back (spots 28 to 36) are the best to stay in. Don't get the ones in front. Big trees and lots of grass (but watch out for the gofer holes). Quiet and peaceful night.
Did not use their restrooms or showers or pool (may not have been open) so no comment. There is a dump site. Wifi was 17 mbs but slowed down in the evening. We use AT&T and got two bars of 5G.
Guide
Nice location for an overnight rest spot. We had a tent site, close to the road, but traffic wasn’t bad after dark. Site was grassy. No fires allowed for obvious reasons. We were the only tent guests. Most people looked like they were long term RV’rs. IMMACULATE bathrooms and showers with hot water and pressure ! There’s a hot springs nearby, a water slide, golf course and resort hotel/casino. Easy access to I-15. Only drawback I could see was that there was dog poop everywhere. Bags were provided, but apparently people don’t use them :(
Ranger
Located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Butte, Montana, Delmoe Lake was a beautiful place to camp for a night. The area is popular with OHV’s and you will pass multiple staging areas on the drive up as well as many others camping along the way up to the campground. It’s a ~10 mile drive on a well maintained gravel road that is accessible from I-90 by taking either exit 241 or 233 (we're driving cross country so it was important to find some place that was easy to get to yet far enough away to feel like we were out in nature). There are two camping loops as well as a day use area. Sites cost $5/night plus $3 for any additional vehicles (we had 2 cars so it was $8 for the night). Sites include a picnic table and fire ring, and there was ample firewood left by others for us to use. Pit toilets are also available. We were here in late July and there were a decent amount of mosquitos. Echoing the previous review, there was a fair amount of trash around but it was still a pleasant place to spend the night.
GuideThis is a great spot in a tiny town south of Butte Montana. They have a couple cabins, several motel rooms and about 10 full hookup, all grass, RV spots. Also a large area for car/tent camping. The grounds are meticulously maintained by the owner and it has nice views of the bluffs and mountains all around it. Walking distance to the restaurant and bar in town if that’s your thing. Quality hookups at each site, and each site has its own trash can. Clean bathrooms and laundry on site. Owners are very present and attentive on site and super friendly. Picnic tables at every site. One shared fire pit out front of the office. It’s in a very small town, with several fishing spots nearby. Very peaceful location. We would stay again.
A few things to be aware of:
TravelerNicely laid out RV park. Bathrooms very clean. Nice laundry. Right next to Fairmont Hot Springs.
TravelerNice RV park. Very well managed. Very clean restrooms and showers. Small store, gas pump. Near Fairmont Hit Springs Resort. Very quiet.
Guide
I’m not sure why others gave this campground reviews any stars under five! First, this campground is on BLM and free, and only costs money if coming with a group of many or some type of organizations’ camping outing; and the fee is so very minimal even for this. For regular, independent camping, it’s free being on BLM land, per their notice board. Despite being a free, BLM campground, it’s well-maintained, clean, possesses established, separate tent sites with a parking block for each separate vehicle, an area for RVs, even, and a maintained outhouse central to the tent sites and RV space. It’s also set right next to the river offering great fishing! There’s homes across the river, and a bit of vehicle traffic from those specific homes, for whatever reasons; but this campsite is still very much separated, regularly maintained, and flippin’ free! What’s there to possibly complain about?! I’ve camped free on BLM land many times, and it is pretty rugged and wild. There are no established tent or RV sites, no outhouses for the bathroom to use, nothing. You make of it as you will. I’m not understanding why every camper hasn’t given Glen Campground five stars! Also, future campers, PLEASE remember to pack in and pack out of ANY campground, including this one. Though it is maintained, they do not come daily as it is a free campground on BLM land and does not have garbage bins or water spigots. The campers that stayed before us, in the tent site next to ours, left litter everywhere and aluminum and tin cans in the fire pit. Come on now, people! Beer cans, canned vegetable cans, and the like are NOT biodegradable and do not burn down in a camp fire! Use common sense!! Pack in AND pack out all your items, including your GARBAGE!!
Legend
Basin Canyon Campground and Picnic Area in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a bare basics campground with only 2 sites(an old 3rd site can be found but is over grown and falling apart). Be careful not to drive right by the site as the sign for the campground is missing. The two campsites sit on the Boulder River side of the road. A picnic area and two outhouses sit on the other side of the road. One of the two sites is a very nice site next to the river with a picnic table and metal fire ring. This site appears to get heavy use as the ground is all bare dirt. The other site sits closer to the road in a grassy area. The second site also has a metal fire ring and picnic table. This campground does not have water(but looks like it may have in the past) and does not have trash service, so be sure to pack out your trash and bring plenty of water for your stay. Across the road is the picnic area which has three large picnic tables and two concrete fire pits. A rock ring fire pit has been placed in the picnic area and this might be a safer place for a fire at the picnic site do to the encroaching forest at the concrete fire pit location. The picnic area could use a little maintenance. The picnic area side of the road has two outhouses. These are old school wooden framed forest service outhouses, but are very nice, clean and well stocked inside. I did find one more former campsite/picnic site that has pretty much been reclaimed by the forest and the table is falling apart.
ScoutThe rudest people to deal with, especially an employee named Dan. Do not stay here and do not expect any kind of customer service from this place. Horrible attitude and horrendous manners.
Will never stay here in the future nor recommend this place to anyone!
Not the only RV Park in the area; the owner should be happy to have business and money coming in!! Rude to the max!!
Scout
It is in a nice location with old growth trees all around. Bathrooms are good, clean but slow working toilets. We stayed there end of April which is really just the start of the camping season and it was a wet evening. Plan on dirt in your camper because the grounds are not well kept and the gravel pads need a refresh. My big irritation was the dog poop all around our camp spot. We came in at night and did not see it until the next day. Bad maintenance and bad, lazy dog owners!! Would I stay again? Not sure. Not as windy of a location as the Countryside RV Park because of its location and bathrooms are much better. Out of downtown. Nice playground if you have kids. Trees are nice in high summer.
Legend
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Lowland Campground Review
Lowland Campground located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest north of Butte Montana is nice small very quiet campground with 11 sites and a large day use area. You will disconnected from the world hear as there is no cell phone service at this campground. The campground has a vault toilet at the entrance, two more are found in the day use area, one is just a short distance from the campground toilet. The campground has several new bear proof garbage bins. The site has a water pump, but the only pump appears to be in the day use area so you will want to drive to the pump to fill up your water jugs in order to avoid a long walk back to camp with those heavy water jugs. Each site has plenty of room to spread out. You will want to collect firewood before you arrive at the campground as there is nothing to harvest in the campground, even small twigs for starting a fire were hard to find. We had the campground to our selves when we visited, and the best part is the fee is only $5. Can't beat that price and have vault toilets, water and trash pins.
Ranger Review of the Grub Stick
Received the Grub Stick several weeks ago and have used it on several outings since. Have to say this is just fun to use. Cooking over a fire is always great fun and having the Grub Stick just gives you way more options for fire cooking fun. It was a blast coming up with ideas to try. We really likes the bacon bowl feature, but a hint on using it “don't use thick cut bacon” it takes to long to cook and is hard to get the bacon clip over it. We have cooked up hot dogs, sausages, made eclairs, S'mores, Chocolate chip cookie s'mores, Biscuits, biscuit s'mores, Bacon bowls stuffed with just about anything we could find. The big down fall of the Grub Stick is that we didn't have enough of them and waiting for someone to finish was a downier, especially when you had a new idea you wanted to try.
Guide
Really wonderful RV camp. Lots of space between spots. Most are pull through. All gravel except the grass but very level and really well surfaced. Every spot has grass and a table in great shape. All the utility hookups are very well maintained. Baths and showers super clean. DVD’s to borrow. Couldn’t ask for more, this place is a wonderful spot to be weather your singing through or staying for a bit. We were just here for 1 night.
Ranger
We camped here only because the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (where we have often camped on trips out west) was full on fourth of July weekend. The host told us about the Cardwell Campground further west.
So we were cranky after the extra drive and the late hour, hoping to find an open site on the holiday weekend. There is also a market and gift shop there. You have to call the host and he comes to escort you to a site.
I kept asking him what the rate was but he ignored me and spoke to my husband! Only after the credit card went through did I find out we were paying $65 for one night, even with a "veteran's discount." Under other circumstances we wouldn't have stayed there as we do not usually stay in such expensive RV parks. We were to learn that private campgrounds rates have gone up.
The park was well kept and we had electric plus sewer and water.
Scout
Good amenities for a full time RVer, probably a little lean for someone looking for a resort feel. $35 a day for electric, $36 for water, $37 for full hookups.
Laundry and showers available, but I did not use. Manager is on site, and while it’s not a looker, it’s kept nice. Nice view to the west for sunsets, very easy access to I-10. A good stopover if you need a day’s rest with hookups, it was never full while I was there.
GuideCamp sites are fairly spread out, there’s room for RVs if that’s your style. Boat launch available for easy access and a large enough parking lot to park your trailer. There’s slight phone service in some spots. Lots of rock formations in the area to climb and explore. There’s a few trail heads to get to the peaks and get an amazing view of the lake and surrounding valley.
ScoutEasy access from interstate and Rv friendly fuel stations. Located on a hill with well maintained gravel roads and pull throughs 30/50 Amp and full hookups. Wifi fast but weak, no laundry (yet), no cable and the OTA TV is crappie. Open skies for satellite TV, 2 miles from downtown. We didn't use the bathrooms or showers but they are available. Lots of spaces designated for tent campers.
Ranger
Great hosts, Full hookups, lots of space & Beautiful views. Rode our bikes to Virginia City -lots of fun!
LegendLovely campground, maintained, super nice and attentive owners.. we got the overview of Virginia City and a local mine. Had a great time there.
Awesome little gift shop where you can get shirts, stickers, gourmet popcorn, ice, ice cream.
Level site with electric and water. Very peaceful. Also a couple small cabins that they rent out as well. Highly recommend.
Legend
Nice little campground outside of Philipsburg next to the highway and a creek. There are only 10 sites on the lollipop loop, 6 along the “stick”, all on the creek side, and 4 on the loop. There are a couple extra vehicle parking areas too. Creek side sites are better, but sites 7 and 8 seem to be the largest. I was pleasantly surprised there was a host for only 10 free first come sites. All the basics are here- picnic tables and fire pits and one clean vault toilet. I did not see any hook ups of any kind for RVs. Pretty quiet at night but traffic starts around 6:30 in the morning, so you will have some daytime noise. I saw a deer walking through the campground in the late evening as well.
The only downside was my very noisy neighbors, but that is more about the people and less about the campground.
Legend
Deer lodge has some great museums and Anne tours. The old prison and associated mushrooms are a must stop. Check out the ghost town! Indian Creek campground is right off I-90. Is safe, clean and well taken care of. Full hookups and super easy access with a town full of fun! Chinese food across the street was yummy too
GuideWe found this beautiful small campsite while we drove up to Georgetown lake and decided to camp up next to this beautiful creek. Very wide campingspots with firepit and picknick table. Vault Toilets are at the entrance of the campsite. Campground is not recommended for RVS. Its next to a road so keep in mind some noise from traffic.
GuideWanted a place to stay halfway between Glacier and southern Idaho - Sportsman RV is 1 mile off Interstate 15. This place is a gem. The owners are very nice, helped us park the camper. They take great care of this place. It has 10 RV spots, close together but nice and also a log motel and some cabins. When I was in the office there were people reserving for next year - they come fly fishing here every September. Quite hazy with smoke from forest fires when we were here but I can tell it is beautiful, nestled in between Montana mountain ranges. Easy walk to the river for fly fishing access. That seems to be the main activity in this very small town of Melrose. The Hitchin’ Post restaurant is next to the campground. There is even a gate in the fence so you don’t have to walk around to the road.
Traveler
The campground at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park has all the amenities you would need. Power and water hook ups, bathrooms and showers, a nice big playground for the kids. But, it feels more like a big parking lot with little shade or privacy. Great if you are in a camper, but maybe less appealing if you are tent camping. The campground lies at the base of the mountain that the caverns are in--about 3 miles. Once you are up near the caverns there is plenty of parking for RVs or cars. There is also a shady area to kennel your dogs for a fee, as they are not allowed in the caverns. There is also a small deli and a gift shop.
The total hike to and through the caverns is about 2 miles and about 2 hours. The hike to the caverns is about half a mile, and was fine for our 4 year old. However, the two year old, we carried in a pack. Once inside the caverns, there are over 600 stairs and a lot of bending and stooping, so take that into consideration if anyone in your party has mobility issues. There are handrails throughout and no particularly dangerous areas, other than some slippery spots. As long as children are old enough to know to stay near, they should be fine walking and holding hands.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park with a 5-star rating from 7 reviews.
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