In Southwest Montana and Eastern Idaho you can find the 1.6-million-acre Bitterroot National Forest. With half of the land dedicated to the Anaconda Pintler, Frank Church River of No Return, and the Selway Bitterroot, this forest has the largest unspoiled wilderness area in the country. From the rugged peaks of the Bitterroot Mountain Range to the canyons and valleys carved by glaciers, you will find a wide variety of environments for the numerous species of wildlife living here.
There are four ranger districts in the Bitterroot Forest which each have their own diverse activities. West Fork Ranger District in the southern edge of the forest has hunting, ATVing, waterskiing, and horseback riding. Sula Ranger District, just to the east, has snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. If you like boating, swimming, and fishing, Darby Ranger District is just to the north of these two. And the Stevensville Ranger District is a great place for interpretive classes and trails, OHV riding, and picnicking.
No matter whether you are interested in fishing, boating, or swimming in one of the lakes or rivers in the area or want to do some hiking, biking, or horseback riding, there are plenty of spots to choose from. There are more than 35 picnic areas and campgrounds for both RV and tent camping, and we have highlighted our top four choices in the area.
With close to 1.6 million acres you do not have far to go to get to Bitterroot National Forest if you live in Montana or Idaho. In fact, it is less than an hour’s drive from Missoula, Montana and a half hour from Hamilton. Coming from anywhere to the north, east, or west, you can take Interstate 90 to Highway 93, and if you are coming from the south you can just take Highway 93.
While it seems like it is all highway driving, you will be on some narrow and tricky back roads when you get deeper into the forest. In fact, some of the best scenic drives that Idaho and Montana have are part of the Bitterroot National Forest. Between Philipsburg and Hamilton, Montana along the Skalkaho Highway (MT-38), you can find some of the best waterfall views in the country. The waterfalls more than 150 feet from the Sapphire Mountains to make an awesome photo opp.
Driving in the Bitterroot National Forest may be tricky if you are in a large campervan or RV and the campgrounds are pretty rustic as well. Many of the campgrounds in the forest are in the protected areas where you would have to walk to but even the ones with roads are difficult to maneuver. It’s best to park your rig at the campsite and walk or ride to wherever you want to go.
If you love fishing, the Rombo Campground is an excellent choice for you. Located on the West Fork of the Bitterroot River in the Montana mountains, you can choose from 15 spacious campsites on seven acres of wooded land. Each campsite has a cleared space, picnic table, fire pit with grill, and fits RVs up to about 40 feet long. There are also pit toilets and drinking water access for you to use located around the park.
Some of the popular activities here include hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and rafting. Boats are welcome too, but they have to be non-motorized. Some of the fish that are caught here regularly include trout, whitefish, bass, and walleye. Because this is bear country, you must keep your food and other scented items locked in an airtight container. In addition, your dogs and cats are welcome but must be kept properly restrained at all times.
The Alta Campground in southwestern Montana has 15 campsites along the banks of the West Fork of Bitterroot River where you can fish, swim, or kayak. Painted Rocks Lake is also just a short walk away where you can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming. The campground has four ADA-accessible campsites and one picnic shelter for a group up to 30 people. Each of the 15 sites has a picnic table, fire pit, and a cleared space for a tent or an RV up to 50 feet long. You can also find potable water access in four different areas throughout the campground and several pit toilets around the park.
While you are here, take a hike on one of the various trails in the Bitterroot Forest where you can see bighorn sheep, elk, moose, mule and white-tail deer, and a plethora of different types of birds. Some of the trails can be used for biking or ATVing as well. It is best to reserve your spot way ahead of time, especially if you are going to be here on a holiday or weekend. This is a popular spot that fills up fast. Pets are allowed as long as they are properly restrained at all times during your stay.
Make sure you pack your climbing gear in the camper because you can find some of the best rock faces and terrains in the country right here in the Bitterroot National Forest. One of the best places is the Lost Horse Canyon by Hamilton off Highway 93. There are multiple bouldering sites with numerous multi-pitch climbs. You can climb the giant crags over Lost Horse Creek or some of the giant boulders on the canyon floor. Blodgett Canyon, just west of Hamilton, has 1,200-foot granite cliffs and walls with some of the best views in the state.
Whether you are looking for some easy topwater fishing for crappie, bass, or perch or want to grab one of those lunker catfish off the bottom, you will find your perfect spot here. The alpine streams and lakes also have a ton of rainbow and cutthroat trout and the brown trout migrate in the autumn. Fly fishing with jigs or other artificial lures can land you a trophy-sized trout in no time. So put your fishing poles and tackle in the RV now so you don’t forget them.
Hook the trailer to the rig before heading to the forest because the Bitterroot has 15 trails to explore on your ATV. The Divide Creek Trail is 2.8 miles long, and the Ward Mountain Trail in Darby Ranger District is just over six miles long. The West Fork Ranger District has the 3.5-mile Colter Creek Trail, which starts at Trail 673 and the Overwhich Creek Trail beginning at Road 5703 that is almost four miles long. Be sure to wear your helmets and other safety gear and watch out for equestrians and motorcycles that share these trails.
Charles Waters Campground has 26 single family campsites and one double site for a large group. There is even a bicycle site and an equestrian site in case you want to bring your horse. One of the sites has electricity and is ADA-accessible as well. All campsites include a picnic table, fire pit, and trailers up to 70 feet long. They also have potable water access and vault toilets, which are ADA-accessible too.
The campground has plenty to offer including being a part of the Bass Creek Recreation Area, which has several hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. There are also several picnic areas here, and you can easily access to Bass Creek and Larry Creek. These sites are first-come, first-served, so you need to get here early if you want a spot. This is especially true on holidays or weekends. Dogs and cats are welcome as long as they are restrained during your stay. You can find this campground just a few miles from Stevensville on Bass Creek Road.
The Lake Como Campground, also known as Lower Como, is a nice campground with plenty of shade from mature fir and pine trees. There are 11 campsites that can fit up to a 125-foot RV or camper, so it does not matter how big your rig is, it will fit. They are open on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you want a space on holidays and weekends, you are going to have to come really early. Three of the 11 campsites are ADA-accessible and they all have electric, water, picnic tables and fire rings with grills to cook on.
The campground has four ADA-accessible vault toilets and provides access to the 913-acre Lake Como beach, which is sandy and big enough for even the largest groups. Because this is bear country, it is important to keep your food and other scented items locked in an airtight container, and your pets must be on a leash or otherwise restrained at all times during your visit.
With over 100 hiking trails in the Bitterroot National Forest, you have no reason to just sit in the RV while you are here. Some of the best day trails include the three-mile Lake Como National Recreation Trail. It starts at Road 1111 and ends at Trail 580. You can see the waterfall if you make it all the way to the end. The five-mile Palisade Trail starts at Willow Mountain Road and ends at Forest Trail 86. You will travel along the ridge and into the Sapphire Mountains by the Skalkaho Game Preserve. If you want a short trail, try the 1.1-mile Lappi Lake Trail by Lappi Lake in Ravalli County.
Big game hunting is popular in the Bitterroot National Forest as there are numerous species to hunt. Some of these include the mule deer, elk, and whitetail deer. They also hold lotteries in which you can try for a chance to hunt Rocky Mountain Goat, bears, Bighorn Sheep, or moose. If you would rather hunt the smaller critters like turkeys, squirrels, quail, and rabbits, there are a plethora of those in this forest. So make sure you don’t forget to put your hunting gear in the campervan.
Hook the horse trailer to the RV because there are 59 different trails for equestrians in the Bitterroot National Forest. The Sawtooth Trail, just outside of Hamilton, Montana, is 11.4 miles long, the 5.2-mile Canyon Creek Trail begins at Road 735 and ends at Canyon Lake. The Rock Creek Trail in Darby, Montana is 11.6 miles and it takes you to a gorgeous waterfall. The nine-mile Bass Creek Trail begins at Road 1326.2 and ends at the West Forest Boundary. No matter which of the dozens of trails you choose, you are sure to have a great experience.
