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Montana Dispersed (and inexpensive) Camping |
•Troy
•Swan Lake
•Wisdom |
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| The Yaak River Campground is located on Highway 2 about ten miles from the Idaho border and 8 miles from the town of Troy. The campground spreds to both sides of the river. The fee is $10 for camping, $5 with a Senior Pass. The unique thing about this campground is that most sites are paved, even around the table and fire rings. At first we thought we were in the handicapped site but then noticed all sites were paved. The campground has a host, water, tables, fire rings, vault toilets and several sites are on the Yaak or Kootenai Rivers since the campground is at the confluence of the two rivers. Road 2 is noisy during the day but quiet at night. There is a train track across the Kootenai River and the trains run about every hour. No crossing is near so they aren't using their horns but you will still hear them. No chance here for solar and very slim chance for satellite (only if you can shoot a signal between the trees). No cell reception either. GPS48 33.614N, -115 58.386W |
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| Swan Lake Campground is 1/4 mile from the tiny town of Swan Lake. This is about 50 miles south of Kalispell on Highway 83. Still this is close enough to visit the many other lakes and hiking trails in the area as well as Glacier National Park. This is the most expensive National Forest Park we've stayed in at $15 or $7.50 with a Senior Pass. It is very well kept with a host, tables, fire rings, vault toilets, water and a creek running through the park. Solar and satellite is available at some sites. This is a larger park, but quiet. No cell reception here. GPS: 47 56.199N, -113 50.701W |
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The May Creek Campground is on the southern border with Idaho. About 45 minutes south of Missoula turn onto Highway 43 toward Wisdom. The park is located 17 miles west of Wisdom, only 6 miles from Lost Pass. The fee is $7, $3.50 for Senior Pass. We camped in the pack animal staging area to get solar and satellite Internet. The actual sites are gravel with a table, fire ring, vault toilets, water and hiking trails. This campground is virtually on the Lewis and Clark Trail and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. The Big Hole National Battlefield is only 7 miles and should be visited to get a feeling of the trials the Nez Perce were put through in 1877. No cell reception. GPS: 45 39.045N, -113 46.970W |
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