Camping cabins near Townsend, Montana range from basic forest service structures to more developed accommodations. Located in the Big Belt Mountains at approximately 3,800 feet elevation, this region experiences warm summer days with cool nights and cold winters with significant snowfall. Road conditions to remote cabins can vary seasonally, with high-clearance vehicles required for access to several backcountry options.
What to do
Explore caverns: 2-mile hike from Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park campground to tour limestone caves. "Caves and Tipis! plus the chance to walk in Louis and Clark's moccasins!! Bring bug spray though!" notes Kent B. The park offers educational programs for children as well.
Visit historic headwaters: 30-minute drive from Townsend to Missouri Headwaters State Park where three rivers form the Missouri. "Experience Camping near where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805," writes Dexter I. Short walking trails allow visitors to see all three rivers.
Soak in hot springs: 45-minute drive from Townsend to natural thermal pools. "The hot springs access is what makes it worth the price. I soaked in the evening and early the next morning and both were relaxing. Live music was awesome for ambiance too," according to one visitor to Bozeman Hot Springs.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms at several campgrounds provide comfort during extended stays. "Cleanest and nicest bathrooms I've seen in a long time!! We stayed in tent spaces which they were working to update with water and electricity, both of which worked for us!" reports Betsy T. about Canyon Ferry Lake KOA.
Seasonal programming: Ranger-led activities during summer months engage visitors of all ages. "Did you know you can print out a packet for your little ones to become Cub Rangers at this State Park?" mentions Sierra V. about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
Quiet setting: Distance between sites at certain campgrounds offers privacy. "Missouri Headwaters State Park and loved the peaceful setting and natural beauty. We stayed at Site 16, which is at the far end of the campground and felt nicely tucked away," writes Sayler O. about Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Bring strong repellent during summer months, particularly near water. "When the sun sets in June and July the mosquitoes will come out. They are quite nasty but an hour after sunset they are gone, having a campfire going helps too," advises Andreas W. about Missouri Headwaters State Park.
Varying winter access: Snow vehicles required for remote cabin stays during winter months. "DO NOT attempt it in a car. You need HIGH CLEARANCE. And forget about winter months unless you intend to snowmobile or snowshoe in," cautions Michael S. about Miller Cabin.
Supply planning: No running water at most remote cabin sites requires visitors to pack in all needs. "How Rugged Are You? There are a lot of cabin rentals in western Montana. This is one of the easier ones to access," notes Michael S. about Miller Cabin, highlighting the importance of preparation.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kid-friendly amenities at several campgrounds keep children entertained. "Great Playground, close to tent sites. Nice staff and great coffee and beautiful setting!" says Desiree D. about Canyon Ferry Lake KOA.
Educational opportunities: History lessons incorporated into camping experiences. "We camped here with a group of families and the playground was nice for the kids. There aren't many trees and the land is flat but we were able to really keep a decent eye of the kids running around because of it," explains Heather about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
Safety considerations: Highway proximity affects cabin selection for families with small children. "Close to highway, so there's road noise but creek and cliffs make it relaxing to sit outside. (Families with small children beware of Proximity to highway)," explains K B. about Rillway Cabin.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Level parking areas vary across campgrounds. "All spaces are pull through (huge relief traveling with a tiny cargo trailer that's impossible to back up. No privacy. Hookups, laundry, bathrooms. The tent sites without hookups were cuter," shares Kathleen D. about Three Forks KOA Journey.
Utility reliability: Water pressure variations occur at certain facilities. "The water spigots looked like they were salvaged from a scrapyard, half-stripped, leaking like crazy, and—you guessed it—pooling water under the electric hookups," warns Brian C. about one marina facility, emphasizing the importance of checking hookup quality.
Seasonal rates: Price increases during peak summer months at popular destinations. "$35 for a tent site with water hookup. Nothing fancy — a wooded parking lot with fire rings and picnic tables. Better than most RV lots," notes Kathleen D. about Three Forks KOA Journey.
