Boondocking in Montana

[drocknut]

I did a search on this subject but only came up with the Montana brand trailer. I just bought my first travel trailer and am planning to full time in it but I don't have a lot of money to stay in fancy rv parks or campgrounds. I'm between jobs and trying to get some things going for income but need a place to park in the meantime. I've checked on several sites including the free camping website and allstays but am coming up empty. Aside from camping at Wal-Mart a few nights I'm at a loss as to where I might be able to set up my trailer that won't cost me an arm and a leg. I don't mind boondocking but am not that experienced at finding spots or at doing it in general. I am currently in Missoula, MT but am needing to be in Helena for a few weeks because of appointments and such but after that it's anyone's guess where I could land. I'm winging it here and it's scary but don't know what else to do at this point. Any advice or ideas would help. I'll try to check in again soon but have to depend on free wifi right now so with the trailer in tow it may be harder to find.

[drocknut]

Thanks, I checked out the links. A lot of the campgrounds are closed until Memorial Day but I do now have a few places to check out when I head that way. Decided to visit with friends a bit longer but I do need to get back to Helena soon.

[EsoxLucius]

I use the MVUM to find likely areas and then Google satellite images to zoom all the way in to see if the area looks like it has been used for camping before. Sometimes you will actually see someone camping there in the image.

[j3ff9ack]

Check out http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/northern/hel.htm for the FS campgrounds around Helena. There is also camping along Hauser Lake and Canyon Ferry Reservoir - there are boondocking sites as well as campgrounds that are reasonable in price.

[drocknut]

Good point Eurocamper always good to keep it legal.

[Eurocamper]

An atlas would still be good idea, but the advantage of the Forest Service MVUM is that it is a legal document that lays out just exactly where you can and where you can't legally dispersed camp in a National Forest. I know of no other maps that contain this information.

[drocknut]

Eurocamper and campersuz great tip, will definitely check into that. Been thinking about buying the Delorme atlas and guidebook for Montana but not sure I'll be able to understand it with all the different terrain markings and such. Forest service map might be easier.

[campersuzid]

Check on-line for the Motor Vehicle User Map (try search string: "helena national forest mvum"). The only problem with mvum is it often doesn't show non-forest service connecting road but great for finding dispersed camping areas.

[Eurocamper]

When you get to an area stop in at the local Forest Service Ranger Station and ask for the District's "Motor Vehicle Use Map." The map will show you exactly where you can dispersed camp for free. You can usually stay in a National Forest for 14 continuous days in any 30 day period. If you work it right you can move from one National Forest to another and camp for free all summer.

[drocknut]

Thank you for the replies. I'll be checking out the links soon. I worked trimming trees in Eastern Montana and some of North Dakota all summer last year so unfortunately I know about the boom problems. Fortunately the boom has not spread this far west and I hope it doesn't. I did go to the forest service in Helena and talked to them but all they wanted to do was sell me their map. Unfortunately we don't have a Cabalas or Cracker Barrel in Helena. The Walmart allows overnight parking but I am hoping for something a bit more rustic where I could set up for more than a few nights. The season hasn't started so some of the campgrounds near here aren't open yet. I will probably just camp at Walmart for a few days if they'll let me so I can be close to my storage unit and get out things I want in my trailer. I can take drives to scope out the area while I'm at it. I'll check back in again soon in case there are any more suggestions. Thanks again.

[n7bsn]

RoyB wrote:
The north border MONTANA and adjoining States area camp sites are really hosed up now for the on-going OIL BOOM in that region. Everyone has re-located up in that region with no where to live it seems... Every available spot has a mobile home or camper sitting on it now... What a mess...

Roy Ken

EH?
Roy, you have no clue what you are talking about. While far eastern Montana is certainly impacted by the oil boom in North Dakota, the area the OP is asking about is between 6 and 10 hour drive from that area.
Montana is much larger then your understand. Border to border on I-90/I-94 is about 660 miles

[agesilaus]

Cabelas and Cracker Barrel also allow overnight parking, get permission from the store manager. And there is this site:

Free Campgroiunds

[RoyB]

The north border MONTANA and adjoining States area camp sites are really hosed up now for the on-going OIL BOOM in that region. Everyone has re-located up in that region with no where to live it seems... Every available spot has a mobile home or camper sitting on it now... What a mess...

Roy Ken

[dahkota]

US Campgrounds

This site might help. It shows Public campgrounds. There are 5 forest service campgrounds not far from Helena, and 1 state park. Stay one night there and you can drive around looking for a good boondock site, or ask at the ranger station if they know of any.

[2oldman]

Montana boondocking thread