Escape into nature and disconnect from your daily life with cabin camping near Bitterroot National Forest. Find the best information on cabin camping near Bitterroot National Forest, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Find your own little secluded paradise in nature. The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect camping cabin rental.
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. __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. __The beach is large and sandy. The boat ramp is located at the south side of dam.
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.
Powell Campground provides direct access to the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River, one of Idaho's most scenic waterways. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness lies on the opposite side of the river. The campground is within walking distance of a small general store, fuel, lodging and a restaurant. The Powell Ranger Station is nearby as well, but all visitor services have moved to Lolo Pass Visitor Center.
The Lochsa River provides visitors with opportunities for fishing and other water-related recreation. Cutthroat and rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and steelhead swim in the clear waters. The Lochsa is world-famous for its exciting whitewater rafting opportunities. A permit is not necessary to float the river, but technical expertise is a must. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are available in the wilderness area. The 1.5-mile Powell Complex Trail begins near the campground and leads west through cool, shady cedar and larch trees, making for a relaxing day trip. Hunting is also a popular activity in the rugged and primitive landscape. Highway 12, also known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, winds along the narrow river canyon through evergreen trees and past large rock outcroppings. Visitors enjoy the scenic drive and historic sites along the way.
Lochsa is a Nez Perce word meaning "rough water." The 70-mile river and its tributaries have no dams and the flow is unregulated from its headwaters near the Powell Ranger Station in the Bitterroots, to Lowell, where it joins the Selway River to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. The Lochsa is one of the world's best for continuous whitewater. The campground is situated in a dense forest in north-central Idaho at an elevation of 3,400 feet. It is across the river from the border of the 1.5-million acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Famed explorers Lewis and Clark passed through on their way to the Pacific Ocean in September of 1805. Elk, deer, moose, bear, cougar and mountain goats make the steep canyon country their home.
A variety of services are available in the rustic resort area near the campground including a general store, lodging, food and fuel. Fishing licenses are also available for purchase. The nearest free dump station is 40 miles west on Highway 12, at the Wilderness Gateway Campground.
For facility specific information, please call (208) 942-3113.
$14 - $20 / night
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 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.
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.
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 ).
$60 / night
Hogan Cabin is a small cabin located on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in western Montana. The cabin was built in the 1920s to provide field quarters for trail crews, smoke chasers, timber cruisers and grazing inspectors that worked in the area. It is a great retreat for snow lovers in the winter, as the cabin provides access to a variety of snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Summer and fall months give guests plenty of daylight and moderate temperatures to explore the surrounding meadows, peaks and valleys, as well as fish in plentiful mountain streams. The cabin is only accessible by motorized vehicle during the summer months and until snow closes the road. Guests may have to snowmobile, hike or ski up to six miles, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The surrounding hills and valleys are popular for hiking and backpacking in the summer and fall, and for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter. The cabin sits along the famous Lewis and Clark Trail, which led frontier explorers through the area in the early 1800s. The entire length of the trail covers 4,600 miles, showcasing some of the most beautiful and rugged areas of America. Hunting and fishing are also popular in the area. Mountain creeks and streams run near the cabin, and wildlife is abundant in the surrounding forest. It is also a popular place to watch for various bird species.
The cabin is situated on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail at an elevation of about 7,300 feet. It is at the southwestern end of the Anaconda Mountains, near the Sapphire Range, in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The Anacondas are home to abundant wildlife, including mountain lions, elk, deer, moose and bears (learn more about bear safety).
$45 / night
Magruder Rangers House is one of seven buildings still used by Forest Service trail crews and wilderness rangers, but it is open to the public through parts of the year. It provides visitors with access to two designated wilderness areas, plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and exploration and a comfortably equipped place to stay.
Hunting, fishing and hiking are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. The adjacent Scenic and Wild Selway River and a variety of nearby mountain streams are well known for trout fishing. Anglers might see bullhead, rainbow, steelhead and cutthroat trout, as well as mountain whitefish. There are a variety of trails that traverse the area, including the 11-mile Swet Creek Trail. It follows a creek bed and connects to other trails in the area. It is open to hiking and horseback riding. Bicycles and motorized travel are not allowed within wilderness boundaries but is allowed on roads.
The house is located on the Selway River, between the 1.2-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the 2.3-million-acre Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet. It was once the residence of the district ranger and his family. Most of the area is covered by coniferous forests, with open meadows near the river. Because of its size, the wilderness provides a secluded habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Populations of mountain lions and grey wolves live in the area, as well as coyote, fox, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose, deer and black bears (learn about outdoor safety).
For facility specific information, please call (406) 821-3269.
The adjacent Magruder Road provides drivers with a unique experience in the back country of Idaho. The road was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and remains much the same now as it did then. It continues to the Nez Perce Pass and is generally open in early June.
$100 / night
The Lost Horse Guard Station was built in 1938 by request of George Case, Moose Creek District Ranger, to assist the Forest Services efforts to administer and manage the high country of the southern Bitterroot Range. Using funds from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the cabin was constructed by Emil Schwartz, from Wisdom, MT and known for a paying close attention to detail. Its quality of construction is evident through the minimal amount of required repairs and restoration over the 80 years since its construction. It is an excellent example of a Region One standard plan log cabin and guard station, with saddle-notched random-length log crowns, a drive through porch, native stone foundation and cedar shingle roof. The cabin features two sets of full sized bunk beds, a wood burning stove as the heat source and a propane cook stove. There is no drinking water at this cabin, please bring your own water for drinking, cleaning etc. There is no trash service at this cabin. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT. Firewood is not provided at this time.
Visitors to the Lost Horse Guard Station have access to a multitude of recreation opportunities. Hiking: There are many trails that are close to the cabin. The Bailey Lake Trailhead is within walking distance. Travel one mile to the west to Bear Creek Pass and access the Bear Creek Trail, Lower and Upper Bear Lakes, Coquina Lake, Fish Lake and the South Fork of Lost Horse Creek Drainage. Travel 2 miles to the North to access the Twin Lakes Trail and Wahoo Pass Trail and the vast expanse of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Fishing: Along with Lost Horse Creek, anglers can drive or hike to any of the lakes mentioned above. Expect to find Brook Trout, Westslope Cutthroat trout, Rainbow trout, Bull trout, Brown trout and Mountain Whitefish. DISCLAIMER* Some of the lakes in the area are in Idaho. Please obtain the appropriate licenses in the state that you will be fishing in. Hunting: Many species are at home in the Lost Horse Creek drainage. Hunters can strike out in search of whitetail deer, mule deer, black bear, elk and mountain grouse species. Skiing: With routine heavy snowfall, this area is a great opportunity for Cross Country Skiiers with some areas being groomed and lots of wild untouched snow. Over Snow Travel: While the road makes for an easier ride, deep powder can be found very easily in a variety of terrain for riders of any experience level. NOTE* Motorized travel is not permitted in the Wilderness Area Horseback: Bear Creek Pass and Twin Lakes both feature ramps and hitching posts for those riders looking to either take a leisurely day ride or venture into the labyrinth of trails that disect the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Kayak/Canoe/SUP: Just 2 miles from the cabin, motorized boats are prohibited on Twin Lakes, this makes for a great opportunity for non motorized craft. Opportunities for other activities such as climbing, bird watching, photography and general nature viewing abound in this area.
The cabin resides nearly 18 miles from Highway 93 in the Lost Horse Creek drainage on the west side of the beatuful Bitterroot Valley. The Lost Horse Road was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The drainages on the west side of the valley differ from the surrounding landscape. These glacial carved canyons are home to towering peaks, craggy granite cliffs, serene alpine lakes, steep avalanche chutes, flowing creeks and cascading waterfalls. These features create a microclimate in the canyon that sustains a dense mixed coniferous forest that contains ponderosa pine in the lower/drier sites; Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western red cedar along the creek, and lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce and whitebark pine in the higher elevations. The Lost Horse Road provides access into the Bitterroot Mountains much further than the typical eastern boundary of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness can be accessed at Bear Creek Pass and Twin Lakes, which are both within 2 miles of the Lost Horse Guard Station.
$50 / night
Ranger
Gird Point Campground which is located in the Bitterroot National Forest is gorgeous. I love camping in Montana- I honestly have never had a bad experience camping anywhere in Montana. Gird Point is definitely no exception. My favorite part about this campsite is that it is located at the top of a peak. Camping on this peak definitely has gorgeous views, no doubt. There are three different mountain ranges that you are able to look out and see. Honestly, this is the best thing to wake up to. Talk about picturesque. You are able to stay in the lookout which has two beds that you are able to put your sleeping bags/pads on, and the lookout sleeps 4 people. When I went, we did have 4 people and it fit us pretty well. There is also a wood stove that works great for heating up water and cooking. The lookout also comes with some utensils and other amenities. Obviously, you do need to bring your own bathing supplies, sleeping supplies, food and drinks. You are able to drive to a certain point and then you do have to hike the remainder of the length to the lookout. The hike isn't too bad.
Traveler
I was camping at a nearby national park site that had a flyer for Camp Sula, saying that if you show the receipt from your stay you can use Camp Sulas shower, laundry facilities and wifi at no cost. I arrived there and the ladies working in the combination store/restaurant/gas and coffee station were so friendly and down to earth. I was given a towel and shampoo/conditioner for the shower, they had complimentary and coin washing machines, and coin dryers, all very efficient. After my shower and waiting for clothes to dry, I walked around the camp, the log cabins are adorable and cozy, each has its own porch, picnic table and adjacent fire pit. There is free put-put golf, horseshoes, tetherball and a small well stocked fishing pond with benches to watch the action or simply admire the beauty of the surroundings. It is close to the main highway but tucked back enough you feel "away" from the bustle. I enjoyed myself so much I inquired about camping there for the night & I would only need a parking space because I sleep in my truck bed canopy. They were full (accommodates RVs and tents) but offered a makeshift spot right by the creek. It was perfect. Because of COVID, they had limited reservations for dinner, and practiced social distancing and requested patrons wear masks. Not everyone participated with their request but were equally treated with kindness and respect. I highly recommend their breakfast, big fluffy pancakes and local meats. They kept the restaurant, showers & bathroom & store very very clean. The location is a landmark, the Lewis and Clark expedition camped there on their way to discover the west. I highly recommend them
Ranger
Spent 3 nights at Hogan Cabin, MT last summer (Aug 2018). I loved the isolation of the location. Up at 7200ft you get a little winded hiking around, but the incredible scenery is worth it. Found a primitive A-frame structure in the woods about a mile from the cabin. Saw several deer and elk feeding in the field near the cabin, as well as a moose in the marsh along the creek.
The cabin itself is nothing to jump up and down about. With only 2 sets of bunk beds, my wife and I put the bedding on the floor and made a full sized bed. There's no running water so be sure to bring plenty.
There's an vault toilet in the outhouse.
There is also a HUGE fire pit with swinging grill for cooking.
Scout
Fairly nice park. The people that run the park are very nice. There are cabin right next door.
Scout
Powell Campground is a beautiful campground just over the Montana border on Hwy 12 right alongside the Lochsa River. There are two loops of campsites tent and RV pull in or back in camping with electricity that can accommodate up to a 45 ft camper. An amphitheater, large group campsite, picnic area, beautiful walking trails and most of all the beautiful Lochsa Lodge. A market with the friendliest people, cabins to rent and of course the beautiful Lochsa River. Lewis and Clark camped along the Lochsa and walked right through the campground.Deer, Elk and Bear sightings are common.
ScoutWe are not hard to please. Just need space for dog fence. No problems checking in. Laundry. Bitterroot river on site. Children's fish lake. Did not use bath facilities. Looked good from out side. Cabins are log and adorable. Big ponderosa pine. Small store, with restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. Super friendly staff. Gravel sites. Level.
Traveler
I’ve stayed in many forest service cabins and this is by far my least favorite. The location is perfect as it’s right on como and can fit large groups of people. However, we stayed in the winter and the fireplaces needed to be refilled hourly to keep it somewhat comfortable. Also all night you could hear mice and some other kind of animal in the ceiling. It was very dirty and not well maintained. Most of the furniture was broken. Would never stay again.
Scout
This was one of the best places to stay in Montana, electricity and water was a plus, great sites, lake was pristine!
ScoutI love it everytime I get leave from the navy I go back home and hike and camp everywhere and I haven't hiked any mountain range like the ones in Montana
Legend
This is a nice campground with a beautiful lake. No hookups. Potable water. No dump. Vault toilets. Sites are spaced out. Lake access is not the greatest for carrying kayaks. Good lake access from day use just before entering campground. $15 night. Some hiking trails.
ScoutFirst come, first served. Come before Friday to get a good spot. Beautiful! Walk to Lake Como, campfires, canoes, excellent beach and boating.
TravelerThree Frogs campground was wonderful. Completely wooded and spacious sites made this place really enjoyable! There were fire pits that lead to some really yummy s’mores!
GuideWater is located pretty far from campsites. Not alot of bugs, but the bees are pretty aggressive.
LegendEnjoyed our 1 night stay at the campground. First come first serve but mid September easy to get site. Electric and water hook up nice. Nice walk to dam overlooking lake. Quiet and pleasant stay.
RangerLake Como is a dammed river that sits at a high elevation. The loop trail around the lake is around 9 miles, and worth every step. The constant view of mountains and the clear lake are phenomenal. The campgrounds are well maintained. Would recommend to anyone visiting the Bitterroot Valley.
TravelerA friend and I car camped at one of the three main camping sites at Lake Como. We stayed at the one just before the boat launch on the other side of the lake from the main beach area. We were pleased by the lack of bugs! We had plenty of room to set up our tent and hammocks. Bathrooms were readily available. I would recommend arriving around 2pm to acquire a spot and communicate with camp site hosts. We loved running the 8 mile trail around the lake in the morning while the beach filled up with day time visitors.
Guideamazung
ScoutThere are really 4 camp grounds at Lake Como, the lower campground which has hookups such as water and electric, the sites are paved. This campground is usually full, but if you get a spot it's a wonderful campground. Another campground at Lake Como is Three Frogs. This campground doesn't offer any type of hookups, no paved sites. I like this one better then the lower because I feel the sites are more spread out. Neither of these two are overly "buggy" as well. The other two campgrounds at Lake Como are Three Sisters Group Site and the Rock Creek Horse Camp.
TravelerAfter a long day on the lake it's nice to have a cozy spot to come back to. Outhouses with vault toilets, fire ring, picnic table.
Scout
This spot was Amazing! Our room was stunning. So charming, spacious, cozy, Fun, and had everything we could ever need. On top of the wonderful accommodations, the STAFF! The staff and owner went Above and Beyond for us when my boyfriend left behind a beloved baseball cap in our room. Totally our fault, and we figured we’d never see the sentimental item again. On a whim, I called Travellers Rest and they couldn’t have been nicer. They found the hat and mailed it from Darby to Bozeman and we had it back in no time. It was so kind and truly showed the heart of this cool spot. We would Love to stay here again when in the area!
TravelerWe were in the area to fly fish and just needed a basic place to park our RV with power. We left the first location we were at due to extremely unprofessional and dangerous employees. We drove down the road to Traveler’s Rest, a little frazzled from our recent experience and were very relieved that they were friendly, had availability and the facility was clean and nice. We do many activities in this area and will return to Traveler’s Rest again!
ScoutI have only tent camped here. Really nice flat grass for tents. $12 gets you campsite showers and toilets, WiFi and coin laundry. Also really great access to the bitterroot valley if you’re into hikin and river activities. Everyone’s really friendly and it’s a good place to crash when you’re out on the road.
TravelerThe campground owner Libby was very helpfull and nice to us. Its very close to the city. So you can walk and leave your camper on the ground.
TravelerGreat spot. The people here are very nice. There was plenty of room for our 36’ toy hauler. Dogs were happy to play in the creek.
TravelerThis site has the cleanest and most amazing campground bathroom i’ve ever seen. The showers are hot, and the entire bathroom stayed clean for the length of my stay.
Beautiful campground right off the 93. Site 15 is right on the river. The campground had access to water and trash. Gas station and store on site. The hosts were very kind and welcoming.
GuideFairly nice campground. Friendly supportive staff. Place to come to fish and do other things. New management working to update and freshen the property and facilities. Been here 3 weeks. Would stay again.
Ranger
Well worth the drive and the short hike up the mountain. Beautiful views from all around the tower. Very peaceful and relaxing. The tower sleeps 2 with a bed platform. Items provided are a coleman latern, a 2 burner propane stove, a wood stove for heat, a bow saw, and an axe.
There is an outhouse on site along with a firepit.
Cabin camping near Bitterroot National Forest, Montana offers a serene escape into nature, with various options for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Bitterroot National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Bitterroot National Forest is Lake Como Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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