Cabin camping near Polaris, Montana offers experiences ranging from basic forest service accommodations to developed RV parks with cabin rentals. Located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the area sits at elevations between 5,500-7,500 feet with significant temperature drops at night even in summer. The region experiences cold winters with snowfall typically beginning in October and continuing through April, making seasonal availability an important consideration.
What to do
Explore ghost towns: Bannack State Park offers camping near Montana's first territorial capital with well-preserved historic buildings. "Bannack is a ghost town that has been designated as a MT State Park. The 1860s mining town's buildings have been stabilized but not restored. It's fascinating," notes one visitor who appreciates the historical significance.
Fish local rivers: The Big Hole River near Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park provides excellent fly fishing opportunities. "This area is popular for fly fishing and the Sportsman Lodge is a 7 minute walk from the fishing access on the river," reports one camper who enjoyed the convenient location.
Paddle on Twin Lakes: The Twin Lakes area features non-motorized boating opportunities on crystal clear alpine waters. "No motorized boats allowed, so bring your own kayak or canoe and a fishing pole or two to enjoy the refreshing waters at the bottom of the mountains. Even in July, you can see snow atop the mountains on the Montana-Idaho border," shares a camper at Twin Lakes.
What campers like
Remote wilderness settings: Twin Lakes offers peaceful lakeside sites away from crowds. "It is a very off the beaten path, tucked away in the woods, true getaway from the busy city life. Travel south on 278 from Wisdom, MT and take the chance on an 18 mile gravel road to find a place only you see in pictures and read about in magazines."
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. At Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park, "The open skies and no city lights make for great stargazing," according to a satisfied visitor.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. At Fairmont RV Resort, campers appreciate "IMMACULATE bathrooms and showers with hot water and pressure! There's a hot springs nearby, a water slide, golf course and resort hotel/casino."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Many cabin locations require travel on unpaved roads. For Twin Lakes, a visitor advises, "The road is pretty long, and narrow. Not advisable for pulling a large trailer," while another notes, "Road is best traveled with AWD-4WD."
Temperature fluctuations: Mountain elevations create dramatic day-to-night temperature changes. At Vigilante Campground — Bannack State Park, visitors should prepare for variable conditions, and at Twin Lakes, one camper warns, "in July it gets to be around 30* F at night so bring lots of extra blankets."
Limited services: Most forest service cabins lack modern amenities. Visitors often need to bring their own bedding, water, and food supplies. Locations like Dillon (approximately 25 miles from Polaris) offer the closest comprehensive supplies, with one camper recommending to "Just empty your tanks and fill up on water, food and supplies in Dillon."
Tips for camping with families
Historical learning opportunities: Bannack State Park offers educational activities for children. "Kids visiting the park can work on a Jr. Ranger program. Great time to visit is when they have volunteers dressed in period clothing. You can go in to and check out just about every building in the town," shares a visitor to Vigilante Campground — Bannack State Park.
Shallow water play: Twin Lakes provides safe swimming areas for younger children. "Clear water to see the bottom where it's shallow enough. No motorized boats allowed, so bring your own kayak or canoe and a fishing pole or two to enjoy the refreshing waters at the bottom of the mountains."
Playgrounds and activities: Some RV parks offer family-friendly amenities. At Beaverhead River RV Park, one visitor notes, "Lots of activities. Large dog park. Propane, laundry, store," while another mentions, "Nice playground if you have kids."
Tips from RVers
Limited parking at cabins: Plan your vehicle arrangement carefully. When staying at forest service cabins, space constraints may affect your setup options, with one camper noting at a nearby site that "Parking space was limited to one single vehicle without a trailer."
Full hookup considerations: For those requiring sewer connections, be selective about site choice. At Southside RV Park, "Sites are level, water was good and the park was CLEAN! Good place to stay for a long time or just for a night," while another visitor appreciates that "Every spot has grass and a table in great shape. All the utility hookups are very well maintained."
Back-in only sites: Some parks don't offer pull-through options. At Sportsman Lodge, "All sites are back in, but they are reasonably wide and very long," requiring RVers to plan their approach accordingly.
