Dry Wolf Cabin in Lewis and Clark National Forest offers practical rustic accommodations in Montana's Little Belt Mountains at 5,200 feet elevation. The cabin operates as a pack-in, pack-out facility with no electricity or running water. Access requires a 4-mile drive on Forest Service Road 487, which becomes impassable during winter months when visitors must snowshoe or ski to reach the site.
What to do
Fossil hunting and hiking: Visitors near Dry Wolf Cabin can explore local geological sites. "Lots of activities nearby rock hounding/fossils, hikes, small waterfall, swimming in creek," notes one camper who found multiple recreational options within walking distance of the cabin.
Creek exploration: Several camping areas feature water access for cooling off during summer months. At Newlan Creek Reservoir, campers find multiple water-based activities. "Small campground scatter along the lake, boat ramp and launch in good shape. Set in the mountains around White Sulphur Springs with WSS easily accessible if you forget something," explains a visitor who enjoyed the reservoir.
Wildlife watching: The area's diverse terrain supports deer, small mammals and numerous bird species. "Deer wandered into the campground throughout the night and morning. You can hear logging creek moving from no matter where you are," reports a camper who spent time at Logging Creek campground.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campers value the privacy found at certain locations. At Jumping Creek Campground, "Great place to stay. We had the whole campground to ourselves. We stayed right next to the creek and had a very peaceful stay with beautiful scenery," according to a recent visitor.
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping near Geyser, Montana provides more comfort than traditional tent camping. Logging Creek offers yurts with amenities in a woodland setting. "Not going to lie. I didn't know what to expect and white knuckled a but driving my little old motorhome down into this ground. This is a bit of a trek. TOTALLY worth it if you are up for the adventure though," shares one camper who discovered the area's yurt camping opportunities.
Water features: Most popular sites feature creeks, lakes or reservoirs. "Beautiful little campground with a creek running through. About 10 sites. The campground is large enough for small trailers," reports a visitor to Jumping Creek who appreciated the natural water feature.
What you should know
Seasonal access limitations: Most campgrounds in the Geyser area operate from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving, with winter access requiring special preparations. At Logging Creek, summer facilities are fully accessible while winter requires additional planning.
Varying amenities: Facilities differ significantly between sites. Some offer only basic services while others provide more comforts. "Newlan Creek Reservoir FAS has lots of opportunities for camping. The FAS has six different camping areas. The first three camping areas are right next to each other," explains a visitor who documented the various options available at the reservoir.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. "The road was a lil rough with the washed out gullies in the road with the cattle guards. But I overall loved it," notes one Logging Creek visitor who found the challenging access worthwhile despite road quality issues.
Tips for camping with families
Protected swimming areas: Several locations offer safer water access points for children. "Great little pool on the far side of the campsite is great for kids," shares a Great Falls KOA visitor who found the designated swimming area suitable for younger campers.
Playgrounds and activities: Some sites provide structured play areas. "This is a wooded camp ground near the creek with pit toilets," reports a camper who appreciated the straightforward amenities at Logging Creek that allowed children to safely explore.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites farther from boat launches during busy periods. "The camp site 14 was right next to the boat launch and 'beach' which is used as a day access site. Be prepared to be making friends!" advises a Newlan Creek Reservoir visitor who found their site busier than expected due to proximity to day-use areas.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many forest service campgrounds accommodate only smaller trailers and RVs. "The campground is large enough for small trailers. Some sites are not terribly level and they were all quite overgrown with flowers and weeds," warns a visitor to Jumping Creek who found the site challenging for larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: Most forest sites lack electrical, water or sewer connections. "Newlan Creek had a very nice drive into the campground, was well kept and had toilets, boat ramp, etc. Nice beach areas as well. It is hard to find a site as you have to drive through the loops of sites which have trees and some tight corners for those larger rigs," explains a reviewer who navigated the challenges with a larger vehicle.
Weather preparedness: The Little Belt Mountain region experiences significant temperature fluctuations. Packing for both hot days and cold nights is essential, particularly when choosing yurt camping near Geyser, Montana as an accommodation option.
