Glamping experiences near Bitterroot National Forest provide rustic luxury across western Montana's 1.6-million-acre wilderness. Elevations range from 4,000 to over 8,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Campers should prepare for temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, even during summer months.
What to do
Fishing the Salmon River: At Wagonhammer RV Park & Campground, visitors can access multiple boat launches for kayaking adventures. One camper noted, "Lots of boat launches up and down river for kayaking, very peaceful," though they mentioned "the lack of nice swimming area in the campground."
Stargazing from elevated sites: The Mccart Lookout fire tower offers unobstructed night sky views from its mountain perch. A visitor explained, "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."
Hammock relaxing under pines: Powell Campground features spacious sites with ample trees perfect for hammock setup. A reviewer mentioned, "The site was large, contained a picnic table and fire pit with cooking grate, and had plenty of trees for hammocking. The campground is bordered on one side by the Lochsa River and the other side by the Powell Ranger station and Lochsa Lodge."
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: At Anglers Roost Campground, campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities. A visitor reported, "the bathrooms, showers and laundry are clean and centrally located," though they also mentioned "very slow wifi."
Historical significance: Several campsites connect to Lewis and Clark expedition routes. One camper at Powell Campground shared, "Lewis and Clark camped along the Lochsa and walked right through the campground. Deer, Elk and Bear sightings are common."
Diverse site options: Campers value the variety of site layouts and privacy levels. At Anglers Roost, a reviewer observed, "the site itself covers 15 acres with 1/4 mile of riverfront. This includes 70 rv and tent spots. The sites themselves offer a variety of camping experiences from side by side coziness to more isolated spots."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Many glamping sites have restricted cell service and internet access. A Wagonhammer visitor cautioned, "If you want complete solitude from the internet and TV this is the place for you to reconnect with nature. Being new RV'ers we didn't do our due diligence before booking, we went by pictures and the park did their part. They said poor internet and poor cell service we just didn't believe them."
Seasonal availability: Most sites operate within specific timeframes. At Powell Campground, campers should note reservation rules: "Reservations close 6 days prior, and then flip over to first come, first serve. Huckleberries litter the campground, if you're lucky enough to have an eye out for them."
Cancellation policies: Some sites have strict cancellation rules. An Anglers Roost visitor warned, "I made reservations for August 16 for an overnight stay on 6/10. Today, 6/16, I needed to cancel my reservation. I was informed they do not refund any amount of paid moneys no matter how early the reservation is cancelled for one night stays."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational amenities: At Sula Country Store and Resort, families can enjoy various activities. A visitor detailed, "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."
Cabin options for comfort: Glamping in cabins provides comfort for families with young children. A visitor to Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park shared, "We stayed in a couple of the cabins over the course of a week while waiting for a vehicle repair to be completed. The first couple nights were in the Bear Cabin--this is a cozier, older cabin. The final few nights were in the Whitetail Cabin, which had a bit more room to move around in."
Location near amenities: Some sites offer proximity to town amenities. At Travellers Rest Cabins & RV Park, a camper noted, "Right next to downtown, so plenty of shops, restaurants, and saloons nearby for something to do. I loved the 406 Saloon and the Used Book Store."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV campers should check specific site dimensions. At Rombo Campground, a reviewer warned, "Very small sites, most with no room for a normal size tent, sites packed on top of each other. Even the few meant for small rvs have little room."
Utility options: Electric hookup availability varies by campground and sometimes by loop. A Powell Campground visitor explained, "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."
Hookup configurations: Different sites offer various utility options. At Anglers Roost, a camper described, "The spaces are on the grass with full hook ups. They have a little store for groceries and Sunday's and sell propane. The nights are dark and star gazing is wonderful."
