Montana has no large cities, with its most populous, Billings, just cracking the 100,000 mark. Most have fewer than 50,000 residents, but since they’re located so far apart, you should find all the amenities and attractions you need. For many visitors, Missoula is the first introduction to Montana. Its location on Interstate 90, just a few hours’ drive east of Spokane, makes it quite accessible as far as Montana towns go. It stands apart from the rest of the state due to its more liberal culture, organic food stores, international restaurants, and a diverse population. If you’re not ready to dive straight into Montana’s cowboy lifestyle, Missoula is a soft landing. The beautiful walking paths around the University of Montana and the Clark Fork River are great for a stroll or biking if you’ve got a set of wheels. February’s Big Sky Film Festival always draws visitors from out of state and even out of the country.
Missoula KOA lies just north of a large shopping complex on Reserve Street (one of Missoula’s main thoroughfares) and has a pool, mini-golf course, hot tub/sauna, and full hookups for your RV rental. Missoula also has loads of public land a short drive away where campers looking for fewer amenities can find some peace and quiet.
Bozeman is another place to visit with a Montana camper rental. Home of Montana State University, Bozeman has a thriving restaurant scene along with tons of great events throughout the year. The Sweet Pea Festival in August and Hatch Film Festival in October are two of the state’s most popular. The Museum of the Rockies has some fantastic dinosaur exhibits (some of the most complete fossils have been found in Montana), along with a planetarium and rotating cultural displays.
Sunrise Campground is probably the most convenient place to stay when you’re RV camping in South Central Montana. It’s just outside the downtown area and has full hookups, laundry facilities, and a small playground to enjoy. Numerous primitive campgrounds can be found in nearby Bridger or Gallatin Canyon if you’d prefer to stay in the heart of nature.
If you’re looking for a small-town atmosphere with spectacular scenery, Whitefish is the place to be. It’s been rated one of America’s best ski towns, being only a short drive from Whitefish Mountain ski resort. In the summer, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, one of the largest wilderness areas in the Lower 48, and Glacier National Park beckon backpackers to explore their forests. Whitefish RV Park is a little south of town, just off the Whitefish River, and has a dump station, laundry facilities, and is within walking distance of great shopping.
Another great place to camp in Montana is Billings. As the largest city in the state, Billings has more shopping and chain stores than any other Montana town. The city’s MetraPark arena is where some of America’s biggest entertainers play when traveling through Montana. Campgrounds and RV parks near Billings are plentiful, too. Billings KOA sits on the banks of the Yellowstone River, just south of the downtown area. It has a pool, hot tub, camp kitchens, mini-golf, and some of the largest sites for your rental RV.
Montana is known as Big Sky Country. The wide-open spaces and high peaks framing them give the illusion of a sky that’s bigger than all the rest. The landscapes here are unrivaled, the towns fascinating, and when you stay in Montana RV campgrounds, all you need is a camp chair to enjoy the show.