RV parks near Cut Bank, Montana are positioned along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front where the Great Plains begin, at approximately 3,700 feet elevation. This area experiences dramatic temperature swings, with summer highs in the 80s and winter lows well below freezing. Campgrounds in this region serve as gateways to Glacier National Park, located about 50 miles west, and provide travelers with necessary services before heading into Canada.
What to do
Fishing access: Lake Shel-oole Campground offers fishing opportunities, though water levels can fluctuate seasonally. "There's a fishing dock, although when we were here the lake water was pretty low," noted one camper at Lake Shel-oole Campground.
Trail exploration: Walking and biking trails connect camping areas to community amenities. "If you follow the bike trail it will take you to a paved exercise trail," explains a visitor to Lake Shel-oole, which features baseball diamonds and a dog run with obstacles.
Day trips to Glacier: Cut Bank serves as a more affordable base for visiting Glacier National Park. "It's 31 miles to St Mary's visitor center and 24 miles to Two Medicine Lake entrance. Both on scenic routes that are worth the drive," reports a guest at Sleeping Wolf Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many RV parks maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "Clean bathrooms with showers, the campground staff was very polite," notes a camper at Sleeping Wolf Campground, where tent camping costs $10 plus $5 for shower access.
Security and oversight: Regular patrols provide peace of mind. "The local sheriffs office went through multiple times," observed a visitor at Lake Shel-oole Campground, while another mentioned, "Saw the Sheriff making rounds."
Convenient location: Lewis & Clark RV Park receives praise for accessibility. "No issues getting to this campground—it's right off I-15, making access simple and straightforward," writes one RVer who appreciated the campground's proximity to the Canadian border.
What you should know
Payment systems vary: Some campgrounds operate on self-service models. At Lake Shel-oole, "Payment is on an honor system and drop cash into an envelope in a box near the entrance," explains a camper, while other parks have staffed offices.
Seasonal operations: Most RV facilities close during winter months due to harsh conditions. Glacier Mist RV Park in Cut Bank operates from April through December, with one visitor noting the owner "will personally meet you at check in whatever time."
Utility placements: Water access points may require extra equipment. At Shelby RV Park & Resort, "Not all spots have water but most do. Make sure you have a long water hose as some of the water connections are far away," advises one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: Tent camping provides economical alternatives to hotels. At Sleeping Wolf Campground, a visitor reported, "Randomly stumbled upon this campsite at 2:00 am... flat, grassy campground with some nice little trees for some shade."
Recreation amenities: Some parks offer children's facilities. "If you have kids there's a playground nearby and a baseball field. There are also several walking trails," notes a visitor to Pondera RV Park, which remains open year-round.
Town proximity benefits: Camping near Cut Bank provides access to urban services. "Across the street is 2 city parks and city pool," mentions a Pondera RV Park camper, offering convenient entertainment options for younger travelers.
Tips from RVers
Border crossing preparation: RV parks serve as staging points for international travel. At Lewis & Clark RV Park, "The owners are wonderful people. He is a wealth of knowledge... saved us from taking things to Canada that we shouldn't take," shares one grateful traveler who avoided potential issues at customs.
Overnight utility access: Trails West RV Park in Shelby accommodates travelers needing brief stops. "They take Passport America which knocks the fee down 50%," notes one RVer, adding that the park features "great laundry and bathhouse."
Connectivity considerations: Internet access varies significantly between facilities. Lewis & Clark RV Park provides "solid connectivity: 4 bars on both T-Mobile and Verizon. The CG's 5G Guest Wi-Fi was surprisingly good, delivering 124 Mbps download and 10.2 Mbps upload."
