Equestrian camping near Ovando, Montana offers access to some of the most pristine wilderness in the Northern Rockies. The area sits at elevations ranging from 4,000-7,000 feet with summer temperatures typically ranging from 40°F at night to 85°F during daytime. July and August bring the highest mosquito populations, particularly at dusk, while September offers cooler temperatures with fewer insects but potential for early snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Horseback riding to wilderness areas: At South Fork campground, riders can access the Continental Divide Trail and Bob Marshall Wilderness directly from camp. "This seven site campground and trail head gives the hiker and horseback rider a pleasant campground with plenty of room for horse trailer parking, corrals for the horses and campsites with picnic tables and metal fire rings," notes Dexter I.
Hike to Holland Falls: From Holland Lake Campground, take the trail to the waterfall viewpoint. "The hike to the Holland Falls is short but totally worth it! Clean lake perfect for swimming and paddleboarding," says Talia H. This moderate 1.6-mile trail (one-way) gains approximately 750 feet of elevation.
Fish for trout: Rock Creek near Ekstrom's Stage Station Campground offers productive fly fishing. "About a mile off rt 90. Camping is tight but fly fishing is very good. Friendly people with great food," notes Jack T. Montana fishing license required ($25/2-day non-resident, $15/2-day resident).
Tubing on Clark Fork River: The Bearmouth RV Park provides river recreation. "They even provided a shuttle up and down the river so we could tube! Not the best fishing along the campground but still had some luck with brown trout," writes Reames C.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex accessed via the Benchmark area is home to grizzly bears, black bears, moose, and mountain goats. "We saw a black bear across the road from the campground. The closest cell service is just outside of Seeley Lake," reports Sara D. about Holland Lake Campground.
Peace and quiet: Many campers appreciate the remote nature of Indian Meadows Trailhead camping area. "We stayed in one of the designated camping areas that has a fire pit in it and it was a good spot, tucked back but not isolated," shares Matt K. The free primitive sites provide tranquility away from busier established campgrounds.
Horse-friendly facilities: Equestrian campers appreciate dedicated amenities at specialized campgrounds. At South Fork campground, "This seven site campground and trail head gives the hiker and horseback rider a pleasant campground with plenty of room for horse trailer parking, corrals for the horses," according to Dexter I.
Swimming access: Many campgrounds in the area provide lake and river access. "The water on the lake is crystal clear, and while motor boats are allowed, people appreciate the quiet a bit more," says Anna B. about Holland Lake. "There is a big field next to the river that was great for kids to run around in," notes hanaa about Bearmouth RV Park.
What you should know
Expect mosquitoes: Insect populations peak in mid-summer throughout the region. "Holland Lake is very pretty and the campground is in good shape... The mosquitoes were pretty bad in early July," warns Carl H. Bring EPA-approved repellent containing DEET or picaridin.
Bear safety critical: Both black and grizzly bears inhabit the area around Ovando. "There are both black and grizzly bears that frequent this area daily, so be very careful with your food, and bear aware when hiking. My last stay was only 2 nights, and I ran into two bears, one that strolled right by my trailer," cautions Carmen H. about camping at Holland Lake.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds and wilderness trailheads lack reliable connectivity. "The closest cell service is just outside of Seeley Lake," notes Sara D. Download offline maps and inform someone of your itinerary before heading to remote areas.
Road conditions vary: Access roads to some trailheads can be challenging. At Indian Meadows Trailhead, "The only downside to this location is the access road being full of potholes, and if pulling up to the site late at night be careful for the narrow, winding roads that have a large drop off," advises Matt K.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with amenities: For family-friendly horse camping, look for established sites with basic facilities. "This 25 site campground is set up for camping with or without horses. The area has several horse corrals and parking for horse trailers. Some of the campsites are right next to the horse corrals, but many are far from those corrals," notes Dexter I. about Benchmark.
Find kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer recreation specifically suited for children. "We had a really nice couple of mid week nights here. We couldn't get two consecutive nights in a row so had to move spots, but it wasn't a big deal. Our daughter braved a chilly swim and there were lots of dirt roads and little trails for the strider bikes," shares Sara D. about Holland Lake.
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds include play areas. "Ekstrom's has a basketball court, sand volleyball court, horse shoes and a playground. There's also a beautiful creek running along the campground with beautiful Mountain views," notes mitch about Ekstrom's Stage Station.
Tips from RVers
Consider space limitations: Not all horse-friendly campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Ekstrom's Stage Station, one camper notes, "Campsites are the reason for not giving 5 stars. Very tight and not great space for maneuverability. Was not full so we were fine with a big rig. Had it been full would be a little uncomfortable."
Highway noise factors: When choosing overnight stops, consider proximity to major roads. At Bearmouth RV Park, Tadd B. observes: "Interstate noise and the occasional train whistle would keep me from using the facility for nothing more than an overnight stop."
Dump station availability: Some campgrounds offer additional services for longer stays. "They offer a 'honey pot' mobile dump station where they come pump your sewage, sometimes offering a free dump for stays of a week or longer," notes Reames C. about Bearmouth RV Park.
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