Looking for the best Wise River RV camping? Find the best information on RV camping near Wise River, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your RVing experience. These scenic and easy-to-reach Wise River campsites are perfect for RV campers.
Welcome to the Sportsman Lodge
My family and I just purchased the Sportsman Motel in 2021. This was a 2-year process for us by way of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Our journey with the Sportsman Motel in Melrose MT started over 7 years ago. It all began with our oldest son Cody, who was deployed with the Army at the time, wrote me a letter. In his letter, he reflects on the passion he and his brother Marcus (also serving in the Army National Guard) and I have for the outdoors. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, I have developed a love of the outdoors for as long as I can ever remember. We have always wanted to go west to Montana. In Cody’s letter, he spoke of a small town in Montana called Melrose and about one of the best Rivers to fish in the country, The Big Hole, running through Melrose. He spoke about staying at the Sportsman Motel. Almost immediately upon his return to the states after his deployment, we booked our trip to the Sportsman Motel.
We have been coming back every year, multiple times a year, and staying at the Sportsman ever since. We fell in love with the town, the great people of Melrose and of course the World Class Fishing and Hunting.
In 2018 I approached the previous owners of the Sportsman about buying it. I brought my wife Bonnie out so she can experience what the boys and I have come to love. Bonnie grew up in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area and although she had been a city girl at heart, she has gained the love and appreciation of the great outdoors through my own lifetime passion. We have relocated here from Pennsylvania to Montana living our greatest dream and want to help bring the same joy to others.
No matter what you are in search of — hunting, fishing, camping, or just being one with nature – The Sportsman Lodge in Melrose, Montana is your ideal outdoor paradise and home away from home.
For fishing, Sportsman Lodge is in close proximity to some of the best and most famous streams in the country. Our rivers are legendary. If you’re looking for fly fishing or trout, there’s nothing better than a stay in one of our cabins on the water.
The hunting here is as good as it gets anywhere. If you’re after the big game, trophy-class elk, mule deer and whitetail are out there. You’ll also find black bears, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and antelope. If bird hunting and waterfowl are more your style, there are strong sage, sharp-tailed, and mountain grouse, as well as migratory ducks and geese. Melrose is home to a beautiful diversity of habitats and wildlife!
Sportsman Lodge has accommodations for everyone. Our cozy cabins can serve as your mountainside oasis coming completely furnished with various bedroom options and each with a kitchen, living room and bath. Our cabins by the river offer outstanding access for fishing.
Our RV park boasts seventeen, full-service hookup spots allowing you to enjoy our Montana views with all of your creature comforts. Or if you’re looking to get a little closer to nature, it doesn’t get any better than camping out under the vast and wild Montana sky.
Roaming around this part of the country can’t help but impress. In Melrose, while the surroundings are peaceful, the ability to explore the outdoors awakens a strong sense of adventure.
Melrose is a small town on the Big Hole River. Between our 8 rooms, 6 cabins, 17 RV sites and grass tent spaces, we can suit any traveler looking to experience the best of the outdoors.
$29 - $48 / night
$15 - $37 / night
Discover tranquility in Philipsburg, MT at the cozy Philipsburg RV lot, nestled among breathtaking pines and scenic views. Backed by nature's beauty and just moments from town, it the perfect spot to unwind, explore, and create lasting memories under Montana's big sky. Each RV space has full hookups with 30 and 50 amp connections.
$35 / night
Don’t limit yourself to 30 amps when you have a 50 amp rig! Countryside RV Park, located in beautiful Southwestern Montana, has 44 full-service spaces which will accommodate both 30 amp and 50 amp RVs. Don’t hassle with fees for extra guests and family members; everyone can enjoy our beautiful scenery and blue skies for one easy price. Our park has long, spacious sites which can accommodate all big rigs. Monthly spaces sell out quickly, so it’s best to book your extended stay as early as possible. We are located just south of Dillion, Montana surrounded by 360 degrees of beautiful snow-capped mountains. We offer clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, satellite friendly sites, and free WiFi to all our guests. Our focus will always be making your stay as pleasant as possible.
$42 - $47 / night
Cardwell General Store and Campground, located off I-90 at exit 256, is locally owned and operated in beautiful Cardwell, Montana. Centrally located between Butte and Bozeman in the Jefferson Valley of Montana, it is nestled in the tiny ranching community of Cardwell. Laundry, restroom, shower and wifi are some of the amenities offered for our guests.
The RV Park is located directly behind the general store, which offers a wide variety of goods and services to locals and travelers alike. Fishing supplies, tackle, & bait are available for purchase, as well as firewood. The gas pumps are open 24/7 for credit card users, and an ATM is on site. Inside the General Store is an Espresso bar with fantastic coffee drinks! a candy store and a ice cream shop with the best shakes ever including Huckleberry!
The Cardwell General Store and Campground is open year round and harbors thirty-eight pull-through RV sites, up to 60' max, and six dry tent sites. We also have one fully furnished dry cabin. It comes with a queen sized bed with included bedding, table and chairs, mini fridge and Microwave. Heat and Air Conditioning also in this cabin! The cabin is super nice and fairly close to the shower house and you will enjoy it!
The facility includes a covered pavilion, and horseshoe pits for summer evening barbecues with family and friends. For campground guests the North Boulder River and Jefferson River are easily accessible nearby. Plenty of log furniture, swing sets and lovers swings to rest and visit!
Laundromat, restroom, and shower services are available to guests. There is a designated pet walk area for campers or travelers with pets. All pets must be leashed at all times. No exceptions. WIFI is available to our guests. A laundry facility is available free of charge to guests.
Copper Court offers a multitude of amenities in our RV Park to accommodate our residents. From WiFi, to showers, washers & dryers, and a community lodge, we’ve got your stay covered here at Copper Court RV Park. There are several pricing packages available depending on your needs. Paved parking, picnic tables, pull-through sites, and decorative fire pits are available with most of our RV sites. We also have cabin rentals available for those seeking that glamping log cabin feel. Sleeping up to 4 guests with a 1 bedroom, 1 full bath, kitchenette and queen sleeper sofa. Log picnic table and fire pit out front to enjoy the big sky country of Montana. Open all year long!
Placed between Yellowstone National Park & Glacier National Park, Copper Court is the perfect resting stop. With tons of recreational adventures within 30 minutes we are a prime area to visit. From mining sapphires in Philipsburg to boating fun at Georgetown Lake Anaconda is a great location to visit. Copper Court is year around open so you can also hit Discovery Mountain for optimal skiing and snowboarding. Anglers love the area for our prime fishing at Big Hole River, the only river in Montana that has all 5 species of fish. Old Works Golf Course designed by the one & only Jack Nicklaus borders along Copper Court RV Park and guests get a discounted rate to play.
$66 - $100 / night
GuideHad a van battery issue so needed to plug in for the cold night. Is as advertised, not for typical bookdockers. Owner is nice and accommodating. Maybe 12 sites with some long term renters - it appeared. All hook ups available up to 50amp. Not quite close enough to down town to walk (in winter). Philipsburg is an awesome small Montana town that’s worth a stop.
Legend
Easy on/off, full hookups, beautiful location located just off I-15. Amenities in town just opposite the exit for the rv park. Beautiful location with mountains all around. Great place to stopover driving thru. Potentially Windy.
Legend
We pulled off I-15 in little Melrose, MT and imagine our surprise to find this RV park. Beautiful setting, full hookups, well maintained, friendly small small town, near Big Hole National battlefield, great restaurant in town. Would be a perfect place to stop for the night or a few nights on the road.
Scout
This is not a place he would stay long term it’s just merely a pitstop. They do have a little riverfront great that runs by it but otherwise it’s just a parking lot.
Guide
We stayed here twice this year, once going North and then headed South for home. First time they put us in a full hook-up that was to small so I asked for a bigger spot and because about 1/3rd of the spots were empty, they moved me. Owner was very friendly and willing to find us a better spot. Second time was on Sunday and the note on door put us in an even smaller full hook-up, despite me asking for a bigger site so I wouldn't have to unhook. This is one reason for only three stars. Office was closed and no one answered the phone or returned our call. The site was totally unacceptable. Even if I un-hooked there was not enough room to park the pick-up truck. Left several messages, no response. We moved to an empty water/electric only site and set up. An hour later another camper came in and said we were in their spot. We moved again to another spot hoping no one would claim it. Still no response from owner. I guess camp is unsupervised on Sunday. Maybe owner was out of town.
Second reason for only three stars: Camp is older and full hook-up sites are close to each other. I did not see any 50 amp, only 30 amp. The openings for dumping are a couple of inches below ground level and the kind you just point the hose down and put a few rocks over to hold it down. Gravel sites that are mostly level.
The Good: The water and electric only sites in the back (spots 28 to 36) of the park are long and spread out. I recommend if you can go without having sewer connection, the ones in back (spots 28 to 36) are the best to stay in. Don't get the ones in front. Big trees and lots of grass (but watch out for the gofer holes). Quiet and peaceful night.
Did not use their restrooms or showers or pool (may not have been open) so no comment. There is a dump site. Wifi was 17 mbs but slowed down in the evening. We use AT&T and got two bars of 5G.
Guide
Nice location for an overnight rest spot. We had a tent site, close to the road, but traffic wasn’t bad after dark. Site was grassy. No fires allowed for obvious reasons. We were the only tent guests. Most people looked like they were long term RV’rs. IMMACULATE bathrooms and showers with hot water and pressure ! There’s a hot springs nearby, a water slide, golf course and resort hotel/casino. Easy access to I-15. Only drawback I could see was that there was dog poop everywhere. Bags were provided, but apparently people don’t use them :(
GuideThis is a great spot in a tiny town south of Butte Montana. They have a couple cabins, several motel rooms and about 10 full hookup, all grass, RV spots. Also a large area for car/tent camping. The grounds are meticulously maintained by the owner and it has nice views of the bluffs and mountains all around it. Walking distance to the restaurant and bar in town if that’s your thing. Quality hookups at each site, and each site has its own trash can. Clean bathrooms and laundry on site. Owners are very present and attentive on site and super friendly. Picnic tables at every site. One shared fire pit out front of the office. It’s in a very small town, with several fishing spots nearby. Very peaceful location. We would stay again.
A few things to be aware of:
TravelerNicely laid out RV park. Bathrooms very clean. Nice laundry. Right next to Fairmont Hot Springs.
TravelerNice RV park. Very well managed. Very clean restrooms and showers. Small store, gas pump. Near Fairmont Hit Springs Resort. Very quiet.
Guide
I’m not sure why others gave this campground reviews any stars under five! First, this campground is on BLM and free, and only costs money if coming with a group of many or some type of organizations’ camping outing; and the fee is so very minimal even for this. For regular, independent camping, it’s free being on BLM land, per their notice board. Despite being a free, BLM campground, it’s well-maintained, clean, possesses established, separate tent sites with a parking block for each separate vehicle, an area for RVs, even, and a maintained outhouse central to the tent sites and RV space. It’s also set right next to the river offering great fishing! There’s homes across the river, and a bit of vehicle traffic from those specific homes, for whatever reasons; but this campsite is still very much separated, regularly maintained, and flippin’ free! What’s there to possibly complain about?! I’ve camped free on BLM land many times, and it is pretty rugged and wild. There are no established tent or RV sites, no outhouses for the bathroom to use, nothing. You make of it as you will. I’m not understanding why every camper hasn’t given Glen Campground five stars! Also, future campers, PLEASE remember to pack in and pack out of ANY campground, including this one. Though it is maintained, they do not come daily as it is a free campground on BLM land and does not have garbage bins or water spigots. The campers that stayed before us, in the tent site next to ours, left litter everywhere and aluminum and tin cans in the fire pit. Come on now, people! Beer cans, canned vegetable cans, and the like are NOT biodegradable and do not burn down in a camp fire! Use common sense!! Pack in AND pack out all your items, including your GARBAGE!!
ScoutThe rudest people to deal with, especially an employee named Dan. Do not stay here and do not expect any kind of customer service from this place. Horrible attitude and horrendous manners.
Will never stay here in the future nor recommend this place to anyone!
Not the only RV Park in the area; the owner should be happy to have business and money coming in!! Rude to the max!!
ScoutIt is in a nice location with old growth trees all around. Bathrooms are good, clean but slow working toilets. We stayed there end of April which is really just the start of the camping season and it was a wet evening. Plan on dirt in your camper because the grounds are not well kept and the gravel pads need a refresh. My big irritation was the dog poop all around our camp spot. We came in at night and did not see it until the next day. Bad maintenance and bad, lazy dog owners!! Would I stay again? Not sure. Not as windy of a location as the Countryside RV Park because of its location and bathrooms are much better. Out of downtown. Nice playground if you have kids. Trees are nice in high summer.
Guide
Really wonderful RV camp. Lots of space between spots. Most are pull through. All gravel except the grass but very level and really well surfaced. Every spot has grass and a table in great shape. All the utility hookups are very well maintained. Baths and showers super clean. DVD’s to borrow. Couldn’t ask for more, this place is a wonderful spot to be weather your singing through or staying for a bit. We were just here for 1 night.
Ranger
We camped here only because the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (where we have often camped on trips out west) was full on fourth of July weekend. The host told us about the Cardwell Campground further west.
So we were cranky after the extra drive and the late hour, hoping to find an open site on the holiday weekend. There is also a market and gift shop there. You have to call the host and he comes to escort you to a site.
I kept asking him what the rate was but he ignored me and spoke to my husband! Only after the credit card went through did I find out we were paying $65 for one night, even with a "veteran's discount." Under other circumstances we wouldn't have stayed there as we do not usually stay in such expensive RV parks. We were to learn that private campgrounds rates have gone up.
The park was well kept and we had electric plus sewer and water.
Traveler
We had a lovely site that was close to the Wise River. Even with a full camp, the ambient sound of the river shielded the sounds of people talking or kids playing. The bathroom facilities were clean. Most campsites had some shade for either sitting or having a tent. Most people were in self sufficient RVs since there are not hookups. The campground also had a water pump with clean and very cold water.
Scout
Good amenities for a full time RVer, probably a little lean for someone looking for a resort feel. $35 a day for electric, $36 for water, $37 for full hookups.
Laundry and showers available, but I did not use. Manager is on site, and while it’s not a looker, it’s kept nice. Nice view to the west for sunsets, very easy access to I-10. A good stopover if you need a day’s rest with hookups, it was never full while I was there.
Guide
Camp sites are fairly spread out, there’s room for RVs if that’s your style. Boat launch available for easy access and a large enough parking lot to park your trailer. There’s slight phone service in some spots. Lots of rock formations in the area to climb and explore. There’s a few trail heads to get to the peaks and get an amazing view of the lake and surrounding valley.
ScoutEasy access from interstate and Rv friendly fuel stations. Located on a hill with well maintained gravel roads and pull throughs 30/50 Amp and full hookups. Wifi fast but weak, no laundry (yet), no cable and the OTA TV is crappie. Open skies for satellite TV, 2 miles from downtown. We didn't use the bathrooms or showers but they are available. Lots of spaces designated for tent campers.
Legend
Nice little campground outside of Philipsburg next to the highway and a creek. There are only 10 sites on the lollipop loop, 6 along the “stick”, all on the creek side, and 4 on the loop. There are a couple extra vehicle parking areas too. Creek side sites are better, but sites 7 and 8 seem to be the largest. I was pleasantly surprised there was a host for only 10 free first come sites. All the basics are here- picnic tables and fire pits and one clean vault toilet. I did not see any hook ups of any kind for RVs. Pretty quiet at night but traffic starts around 6:30 in the morning, so you will have some daytime noise. I saw a deer walking through the campground in the late evening as well.
The only downside was my very noisy neighbors, but that is more about the people and less about the campground.
Legend
Deer lodge has some great museums and Anne tours. The old prison and associated mushrooms are a must stop. Check out the ghost town! Indian Creek campground is right off I-90. Is safe, clean and well taken care of. Full hookups and super easy access with a town full of fun! Chinese food across the street was yummy too
Guide
no cell service for several miles- wi-fi at the bars in Wise River!
spacious sites that are paved and mostly level
water available i think but it’s wasn’t turned on in September
maybe not easy for a large camper to maneuver?
Traveler
Level site, quiet, gorgeous, cool and private.
GuideWe found this beautiful small campsite while we drove up to Georgetown lake and decided to camp up next to this beautiful creek. Very wide campingspots with firepit and picknick table. Vault Toilets are at the entrance of the campsite. Campground is not recommended for RVS. Its next to a road so keep in mind some noise from traffic.
GuideWanted a place to stay halfway between Glacier and southern Idaho - Sportsman RV is 1 mile off Interstate 15. This place is a gem. The owners are very nice, helped us park the camper. They take great care of this place. It has 10 RV spots, close together but nice and also a log motel and some cabins. When I was in the office there were people reserving for next year - they come fly fishing here every September. Quite hazy with smoke from forest fires when we were here but I can tell it is beautiful, nestled in between Montana mountain ranges. Easy walk to the river for fly fishing access. That seems to be the main activity in this very small town of Melrose. The Hitchin’ Post restaurant is next to the campground. There is even a gate in the fence so you don’t have to walk around to the road.
Legend
Little Joe Campground is approximately 21 miles South of Wise River on the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway Road. Little Joe has 5 campsites nicely spread out. One Vault toilet serves the campground and the campground has a single hand pump for water.
Traveler
I I initially found this on free campsites. Com. Though the official website is listed as BLM, BLM actually doesn't have Galena Gulch on their site. However, this is a clean and mowed campsite that is largely grassy field next to the boulder River. The mountainous and forested Recreation area surrounded it though.
There is plenty of space for RVs, though there are no hookups of any kind. There is no water and no electricity and no cell phone service. I have Verizon. I took a star away because there wasn't any water but added it back because it was free!
There were probably a dozen official sites that had fire rings and a parking spur. While there were a couple sizable rigs there, if your RV is so big that you must have a pull through, you will probably find this Campground challenging.
There was a large grassy area and another smaller grassy area that were simply open with no fire ring or parking spur. However, it was very easy to park on the grass and several people could pitch tents there if they wanted. I did this.
There are two side-by-side pit toilets and an information board in the center. They were clean and stocked. Once again, I want to emphasize that there is no water here. The boulder river is directly adjacent but locals in Montana don't consider any water safe.
There were multiple people there with their dogs and a great number of sites filled with RVs. At the time I was there there were only two of us tenting.
Your GPS will get you here, nearly. Take the exit it tells you and follow the directions. However, my GPS told me that I had arrived and I was looking at the boulder River on the right and houses on the left and no Campground. What you have to do is go up the road another hundred feet and follow the sign to turn right to Galena Recreation Area. This takes you on an underpass under the freeway and immediately becomes a gravel road that goes over a one-lane bridge. You can't make any wrong turn here. As soon as you cross the bridge you will see the campground immediately on your right. From the time you make the right hand turn to the campground it is probably a couple hundred feet.From getting off the freeway to the campsite is probably less than a mile
I was there for 3 night and it was full every night. However, the turnover seems high as it appears most people use it as an overnight on their travels, especially since there are not any services there. But it's a pretty area. Some people bring their ATV and use the dirt road that runs through the recreation Area to drive around. You can use that road to hike to , also the radon health mine is right up the road.
Bring water and food as you would have to drive 20 minutes back to Boulder to get services. Boulder's a cute small town with a few restaurants, a grocery store, gas stations and a very wonderful Hot Springs Resort.
LegendLodgepole Campground is located about 13 miles south of Wise River on Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway Road. With the exception of sites 1 and 2, all the other sites are nicely spread out. Campground is fully paved, has two vault toilets and one hand pump for water, 10 sites total. Sites are $8 per night with a 16 day limit.
Experience the beauty of RV camping near Wise River, Montana, where stunning landscapes and well-equipped parks await outdoor enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Wise River, MT is Fairmont RV Resort with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.
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