Located along the Clark Fork River about 60 miles west of Missoula, Superior sits at an elevation of 2,680 feet at the edge of the Lolo National Forest. Travelers seeking glamping close to Superior, Montana find diverse accommodation options ranging from rustic forest service campsites to full-service RV parks. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F, while nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months.
What to do
Fishing access: 5 pieces of free firewood are provided by hosts at Sloway Campground, which features a small boat launch along the Clark Fork River. "It's right next to the river with a small boat launch. Right off the highway and the train tracks are on the other side of the river but the highways was fairly quiet at night," notes camper Jared W.
Hiking trails: access alpine landscapes within a short drive from several campgrounds. At Kreis Pond Campground, hikers can access the Sleeping Woman trail. "Bring tubes to float around the water and hammock to hang around. Neat, fun area especially with the Sleeping Woman hike so close. Once you drive up the mountain, the trailhead is off to the left and it's a heavy incline to the top," explains Kirsten R.
Floating: multiple access points allow for river excursions of various lengths. Some campers create their own float trips from their sites. "While my hubby flyfishes, I float on the Clark Fork. You can put in right from your campsite, the beach by the pullthru sites, Dry Creek or Superior, then float to your campsite/beach, St Regis, or 14 Mile/Ferry Landing," shares Lisa C. from Sloway Campground.
What campers like
River sounds: natural sleep aid appreciated by numerous campers. At Lee Creek Campground, visitors enjoy both the creek access and nearby trails. "This campground is often busy but it is large enough to enjoy some silence and solitude. Trails meander town to the nearby creek, and the facilities are well maintained," notes camper Mia T.
Privacy between sites: varies considerably between campgrounds. Powell Campground receives high marks for site separation. "We stayed here for one night in early October and the campground was 1/3 filled. We were lucky enough to still find an open spot close to the river. The campground has 30+ sites, but they are well separated and it feels very private," explains Julian P.
Rustic natural settings: attract campers seeking luxury glamping near Superior, Montana. Jocko Hollow Campground offers a balance of amenities and natural setting. "This campground is nice and small and tucked away so that you can explore the woods and wilderness around it. It is very well kept and a great value for the price," states Douglas M.
What you should know
Train noise: significant factor at several campgrounds, particularly those along the Clark Fork River corridor. "I have camped @ Sloway for many years. The setting on the Clark Fork River is fantastic, especially for the 4-5 campsites that have river frontage. The I-90 highway runs fairly close to the campground & the noise can be distracting at times. The bigger noise maker is the train that runs on the other side of the Clark Fork River," explains Kenneth F.
Seasonal operation: most campgrounds open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Outside this window, travelers may find limited services. At Cascade Campground near Paradise, one visitor notes: "I stayed here overnight as it's just down the road from Quinn's hot springs. It's just a few spaces arranged in a loop next to the roadway. A couple clean bathrooms with pit toilets."
Limited cell service: common throughout the region, particularly at forest service sites. Powell Campground has "No cellular service. Lodge does have wifi," according to Annell N., who also mentions practical details like "There is water at the Rangers Station to fill fresh water tank. $10 per night with lifetime senior pass."
Tips for camping with families
Campground activities: mini-golf and recreation available at Whitefish-Kalispell North KOA. "This is a really fun spot a little ways off busy Hwy. 93. You got your mini golf, outdoor go carts, paddle boats, arcade, donkey petting, pizza and all level of camp sites," shares Bjorn S.
Swimming options: creek access at many sites helps cool down during hot summer days. At Lolo Hot Springs RV Park & Campground, "Site seven also seemed really large compared to other as there was a large tree between the next site where we tied up a hammock. This was perfect for our golden retriever as we could tie her on a long lead and she could swim her heart out," reports Joshua C.
Bear awareness: necessary precautions should be taken at all area campgrounds. At Kreis Pond, Harry H. mentions: "Wooded and sites are along the lake, but views aren't fantastic. Saw bear prints, definitely lock up foods. Bring water treatment methods."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: riverside spots often fill quickly on weekends. At Sloway, Lisa K. advises: "This is an absolutely lovely rustic campground. It offers clean pit toilets, trash receptacles, large private sites, many of which are pull through, RV water filling stations, free firewood (5 pieces or night) provided by the very friendly Hosts."
Winter options: limited but available at some campgrounds. At Missoula KOA Holiday, visitors can find year-round operations with full RV hookups, providing a base for winter recreation in the surrounding mountains.
Hookup availability: varies widely between campgrounds, with forest service sites offering fewer amenities. Some forest service campgrounds surprisingly offer electrical hookups, which is uncommon. At Powell Campground, Greg G. notes: "Great sites next to river. Bathroom and water had already been closed for season. We had site 18."
