5 Camping Spots in the Bitterroot for Memorial Weekend

I checked out the Bass Creek Campground Wednesday and noticed quite a few people already set up for the long Memorial Day weekend. That is just one of the many camping areas in the Bitterroot Valley that will be available for you and your family. I've picked five:

Bass Creek Recreation Area - Charles Water Campground has 26 campsites and toilets. First-come, first-served and as I mentioned, lots of campsites are already taken. The Larry Creek Group Camp is available through the National Reservation system.

Blodgett Campground - It's west of Hamilton in Blodgett Canyon and there are trails to hike. Just be careful of the bank-full Blodgett Creek. Take your camera!

Lake Como - So many opportunities here! A campground for RVs, a separate campground for tents and such, a swimming area (it's cold!) and the boat launch on the south side of the lake has the ramp installed for the season. The picnic area is popular for a day trip, too. The horse camp is below the dam. At Lake Como, there is a $5 daily charge or $30 season pass. Camp hosts are on site.

Indian Trees Campground - It's at the base of Lost Trail Pass and is in the historic area of the Lewis and Clark Trail through the valley. There are 15 campsites and toilet. Camp host is on site.

Crazy Creek Campground and Crazy Creek Horse Camp - north of Sula, just a few miles off US 93. You'll find a campground with 7 campsites and a horse camp with 7 campsites.

This list may not include your favorite place and there are others to discover on the Bitterroot National Forest. Get a map and explore! However, there are places NOT to go. Skalkaho Highway is still closed. The Spring Gulch campground is closed due to flooding. Other areas are also affected by high water. That will change daily. The Lost Horse Road is not open past the turnoff to Como because of lots and lots of mud and snow. We had a report that there's about seven feet of snow at Twin Lakes and both lakes are frozen.

Take along your own drinking water. Many water systems at the campgrounds are not yet running for the season. And if you have garbage at the end of your stay - Pack it in, Pack it out! The usual cautions - stay on designated roads, make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT when you leave your camping area, expect heavy traffic in places like Lake Como, check for ticks, and if you're in a burned area, be careful of standing dead trees that could fall.

And most important - Have Fun! More information is available on the Bitterroot National Forest website.

Categories: Missoula News