RV camping near Pony, Montana offers access to both mountain recreational areas and valley campgrounds. The town sits at approximately 5,500 feet elevation in the Tobacco Root Mountains, experiencing cool summer nights even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Many campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with most facilities reducing operations from late fall through early spring.
What to do
Fishing access points: The Melrose area provides excellent fly fishing opportunities on the Big Hole River, with Sportsman Lodge, Cabins & RV Park situated just "a 7 minute walk from the fishing access on the river." As one visitor noted, "This area is popular for fly fishing and the Sportsman Lodge is a 7 minute walk from the fishing access on the river."
Historical sites: Virginia City and Nevada City offer well-preserved gold rush history about 30 minutes from Ennis. "Rich history with gold boom in the 1940s. Good restaurants nearby. Many businesses close midweek, either Tuesday or Wednesday or both," reports a camper at Ennis RV Village.
Mountain hiking: The Fairy Lake area provides hiking trails including access to Sacajawea Peak. According to a visitor, "The lake itself is stunning, with crystal clear water that looks almost unreal. It's the perfect place to relax, hike, fish, or just sit back and take in the beauty of Montana."
What campers like
Natural hot springs: Bozeman Hot Springs offers both indoor and outdoor soaking pools. "The indoor and outdoor pools vary in temperature from 106-56 degrees, with most comfortable temps. We had inclement weather for most of our 4-night stay and visited the hot springs at least once/day," mentions a visitor to Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV.
Small town atmosphere: Melrose provides a quiet, rural camping base. One camper described it as "a very small town, with several fishing spots nearby. Very peaceful location," highlighting the area's relaxed setting near Sportsman Lodge.
Uncrowded camping: Some areas offer more spacious sites than others. At Southside RV Park, guests appreciate that "the sites are spacious and level" and that management "spaced each visitor since the campground wasn't full, to give each guest their own space."
What you should know
Road conditions: Mountain access requires appropriate vehicles. A camper at Fairy Lake Campground warns, "The 6-mile unmaintained road to get to the campground is definitely rough. The warnings are justified—it's bumpy, rocky, and slow going."
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent some camping areas. "For sure there is 1 grizzly that's pretty big. He checked out our truck tent," reports a camper at Fairy Lake, who also noted, "Mountain Goats will come in your camp and they will do what goats do and want to check you out. They are not scared."
Seasonal limitations: Many facilities operate with reduced services during cold months. Campgrounds like Ennis RV Village only operate from "Apr 1 - Nov 1," while others remain open year-round with fewer amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and open spaces: Some campgrounds feature kid-friendly facilities. At Cardwell General Store and Campground, a family noted, "The kids loved the playground and tons of open grass space and swings throughout, and they also have a pond that you can even fish in on site at the back of the property."
Entertainment options: Many campgrounds offer additional activities. "They even have movie dvd rentals in the store since tv reception is non-existent if you try to use just an antenna for local channels," mentions a camper at Cardwell General Store and Campground.
Cabin options: For families without camping gear, cabins provide comfort. The Ruby Valley Campground and RV Park in Alder offers cabin accommodations alongside traditional RV and tent sites, providing alternatives during inclement weather.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on campground layout. At Ruby Valley Campground and RV Park in Alder, one RVer mentioned it was "Wonderfully friendly and accommodating staff. Very clean inside and out. Close proximity to Virginia and Nevada cities. Obviously a former KOA with all the accompanying amenities, but slightly lower price."
Hookup verification: Double-check what utilities are included. One RVer at Cardwell cautioned, "double check your hook ups because I did not realize that I booked partial hookups! So for the price of $75 per night I do find it on the pricey side."
Off-season travel: Some RV parks offer year-round access with reduced rates. A visitor to 2 Bar Lazy H RV Campground noted, "$35 a day for electric, $36 for water, $37 for full hookups" with the campground "never full" during their stay.
