{"id":295,"date":"2026-10-18T18:07:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T18:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/?p=295"},"modified":"2026-10-18T18:17:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T18:17:45","slug":"winter-camping-through-the-northern-rockies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/?p=295","title":{"rendered":"Winter Camping Through the Northern Rockies"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.bb-camping-guide table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.92em;table-layout:fixed}.bb-camping-guide th,.bb-camping-guide td{border:0;border-bottom:1px solid #89947d66;text-align:left;vertical-align:top;padding:15px 12px;overflow-wrap:break-word}.bb-camping-guide th:nth-child(1){width:30%}.bb-camping-guide th:nth-child(2){width:30%}.bb-camping-guide th{font-weight:700}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,minmax(0,1fr));gap:22px 16px}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery figure{margin:0;min-width:0;grid-column:span 2}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery figure.bb-tall{grid-column:span 1}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery img{display:block;width:100%;height:230px;object-fit:contain;background:#89947d10}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery figcaption{position:static!important;background:none!important;color:inherit!important;text-align:left!important;padding:8px 0!important;font-size:13px;line-height:1.4;max-height:none!important;overflow:visible!important}@media(max-width:640px){.bb-camping-guide table,.bb-camping-guide tbody,.bb-camping-guide tr,.bb-camping-guide td{display:block;width:auto!important}.bb-camping-guide thead{display:none}.bb-camping-guide tr{border-top:1px solid #89947d66;padding:16px 0}.bb-camping-guide td{border:0;padding:3px 0}.bb-camping-guide td:first-child{font-weight:700}.bb-camping-guide td:nth-child(2){font-size:.9em;opacity:.8;padding-bottom:8px}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:18px 12px}.bb-camping-guide .bb-camp-gallery img{height:180px}} .bb-camping-guide td small{font-size:12px;line-height:1.4}.bb-camping-guide td:first-child>a{font-weight:700}.bb-camping-guide td:first-child{min-width:0}<\/style><div class=\"bb-camping-guide\"><p>These are campgrounds and overnight stops I\u2019ve used on winter snowboarding trips through Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the Canadian Rockies. Canada is part of the adventure, with plenty of destinations worth stopping for along the way. Some are places to settle in and explore; others make a wonderful overnight break. I\u2019ve collected them here so friends can find the locations and see the useful parts\u2014and the drawbacks\u2014of each stop.<\/p><h2>Locations, pros and cons<\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Location \/ GPS<\/th><th>Pros \/ why I stayed<\/th><th>Cons \/ what to check<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=51.4145%2C%20-116.1734\">Lake Louise Hard-sided Campground, AB<\/a><br><small>51.4145, -116.1734<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.canada.ca\/pn-np\/ab\/banff\/activ\/camping\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>The best winter campground I\u2019ve stayed in. It snowed every night, and crews were out first thing each morning plowing the roads and campsites. They wanted you to move so they could clear your site, and even shoveled a path to the electrical pedestal. I paid about US$25 a night\u2014outstanding value.<\/td><td>No cons from my stay. About US$25 was what I paid, not a current quoted rate.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.canada.ca\/pn-np\/ab\/banff\/activ\/camping\">Tunnel Mountain Village II, Banff, AB<\/a><br><small>Campground location linked; my individual site is not recorded<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/parks.canada.ca\/pn-np\/ab\/banff\/activ\/camping\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>Year-round electrical camping near Banff. Roam Route 2 connects the campground area with town.<\/td><td>I only stayed in winter, when it was icy and poorly maintained, and I didn\u2019t like it. Direct campground-to-Sunshine pickup is not confirmed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mountkiddrv.com\/\">Mount Kidd RV Park, Kananaskis, AB<\/a><br><small>1 Mount Kidd Drive \u00b7 operator location<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/mountkiddrv.com\/\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>It seemed every bit as good as Lake Louise Hard-sided. A year-round RV-park base for Nakiska at 1 Mount Kidd Drive.<\/td><td>I wasn\u2019t there while it was snowing, so I can\u2019t compare its snow clearing. Inquire for current rates.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=50.9896%2C%20-118.2808\">The Reverie Campground, Revelstoke, BC<\/a><br><small>50.9896, -118.2808<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/reveriecampground.ca\/\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>Winter campground at 3322 Farrell Frontage Road. Operator lists power, hot showers, Wi-Fi and septic access.<\/td><td>Inquire for rates: call or text 250-814-4995.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=49.649298%2C%20-115.648633\">Fort Steele Rest Stop, BC<\/a><br><small>49.649298, -115.648633<\/small><\/td><td>Right off Kootenay Highway 93\/95, with trees and a river nearby. An easy stop along my route.<\/td><td>Road noise wasn\u2019t bad on Christmas Eve, but there was very little traffic. I don\u2019t know the posted overnight limits.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skicastle.ca\/stay\/\">Castle Mountain Resort, AB<\/a><br><small>Resort overnight-RV area linked<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skicastle.ca\/stay\/\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>I camped in the parking lot, and they were completely welcoming about it.<\/td><td>Check current short-term overnight RV arrangements before going.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=45.623023%2C%20-109.235722\">Itch-Kep-Pe Park, Columbus, MT<\/a><br><small>45.623023, -109.235722<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/www.townofcolumbus.com\/community\/parks-and-recreation\/\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>I\u2019ve stayed here on about three occasions, heading north and coming home. For a free overnight stop, it\u2019s phenomenal\u2014a wonderful place. Finding more places like this would make life on the road much easier.<\/td><td>City currently limits stays to seven days and camping to developed sites. Restroom availability is seasonal; donations are appreciated.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=46.857702%2C%20-110.676024\">Showdown \/ Kings Hill\u2013Silver Crest area, MT<\/a><br><small>46.857702, -110.676024<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/silvercresttrails.com\/location\/\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>I used winter-recreation parking near Showdown. Photos show the BeagleBus in the snow-covered lot.<\/td><td>Treat this as my past overnight location; current overnight permission and snow-clearing arrangements need checking.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=48.615488%2C%20-115.616979\">Turner Mountain area, MT<\/a><br><small>48.615488, -115.616979<\/small><\/td><td>The forest-road area suits my preference for camping away from other people. I\u2019ve seen campers in other pullouts, and there is a more designated camping area a couple of miles down the road.<\/td><td>The photographed spot was available that year because a snowmobile event was using it as a staging area. Don\u2019t assume that exact spot is always available. I haven\u2019t pinned the alternative camping area; check snow access.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=47.327855%2C%20-114.908206\">Peninsula Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area, MT<\/a><br><small>47.327855, -114.908206 \u00b7 photo area<\/small><br><small>Lolo National Forest \u00b7 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/poi\/10134449\">Campground information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>One of my favorite stops: a striking bridge, river ice and time beside the water.<\/td><td>Close to the highway and railway, with definite train noise. Check the access road carefully in snow. No drinking water or trash collection; pack it in, pack it out. The pin marks my photo area, not a verified campground entrance.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=42.609112%2C%20-109.855127\">New Fork River, WY<\/a><br><small>42.609112, -109.855127<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/visit\/new-fork-river-campground\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>A river camp I really liked while travelling north toward Grand Targhee.<\/td><td>Check winter access. BLM\u2019s New Fork Campground is nearby; the photo pin marks my riverside spot rather than the official campground pin.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandtarghee.com\/plan-your-trip\/lodging-options\/winter-camping\">Grand Targhee, WY<\/a><br><small>Back of Parking Lot 2 \u00b7 official camping page<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grandtarghee.com\/plan-your-trip\/lodging-options\/winter-camping\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>Paid slopeside parking: I really liked being right on the hill. Current published 2026\u201327 rates are $43.20 online or $48 walk-up\/holiday per night.<\/td><td>No hookups; overnight plowing. Resort requires chains, recommends 4WD\/high clearance and excludes Class A RVs.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wyoparks.wyo.gov\/index.php\/places-to-go\/guernsey\">Guernsey State Park, WY<\/a><br><small>Park named; my individual campsite is not recorded<\/small><br><small><a href=\"https:\/\/wyoparks.wyo.gov\/index.php\/places-to-go\/guernsey\">Visitor information<\/a><\/small><\/td><td>Open year-round. When I stayed over New Year\u2019s, the beagles and I were the only ones in the park\u2014we had a state park to ourselves. It was cool.<\/td><td>There was little snow during my visit, which may have helped with access. Conditions could be different after heavier snowfall.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&amp;query=43.786396%2C%20-114.489388\">Nordic trailhead north of Sun Valley, ID<\/a><br><small>43.786396, -114.489388<\/small><\/td><td>I remember a high-elevation cross-country-ski trailhead where I spent one or two nights. Photos place me here in February 2025.<\/td><td>Trailhead name and current overnight rules still need confirming.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure><p>A GPS point may mark where I took a photo rather than the campground entrance; those points are labeled. These notes describe my visits, and current services, rates and overnight rules can change.<\/p><h2>One old option to cross off<\/h2><p>I used a free spot near Grand Targhee on an earlier trip, but on a later visit it was posted \u201cno overnight parking or camping.\u201d I switched to the paid Targhee lot. I would not send friends to the old pullout as a current camping option.<\/p><section id=\"clark-fork-video\"><h2>Why I love the Clark Fork River stop<\/h2><p>I shot this video at the Clark Fork River on February 9, 2025. This is one of the reasons I love that spot so much.<\/p><div style=\"position:relative;aspect-ratio:16\/9;width:100%;max-width:900px;margin:20px auto\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KqFNwQIhSvQ\" title=\"Clark Fork River at Peninsula Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area, February 9, 2025\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KqFNwQIhSvQ\">Watch on YouTube<\/a> \u00b7 The official name is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/camping\/poi\/10134449\">Peninsula Dispersed Campground and Recreation Area<\/a>, in Lolo National Forest on the Clark Fork River.<\/p><\/section><h2>A few photos from the road<\/h2><div class=\"bb-camp-gallery\"><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-lake-louise-snow.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-lake-louise-snow.jpg\" alt=\"Snow-covered Lake Louise campground, December 10, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>Lake Louise campground \u00b7 December 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-new-fork-river.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-new-fork-river.jpg\" alt=\"BeagleBus beside the New Fork River, Wyoming \u00b7 January 2026\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>BeagleBus beside the New Fork River, Wyoming \u00b7 January 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-showdown-winter-parking.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-showdown-winter-parking.jpg\" alt=\"Winter parking near Showdown, Montana \u00b7 January 2026\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>Winter parking near Showdown, Montana \u00b7 January 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-clark-fork-river.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-clark-fork-river.jpg\" alt=\"Clark Fork River near the bridge stop, Montana \u00b7 February 2025\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>Clark Fork River near the bridge stop, Montana \u00b7 February 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-fort-steele-river.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-fort-steele-river.jpg\" alt=\"River near Fort Steele Rest Stop on Christmas morning, December 25, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>River at Fort Steele \u00b7 December 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"bb-camp-gallery bb-portrait-gallery\" style=\"margin-top:22px\"><figure class=\"bb-tall\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-fort-steele-camper.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-fort-steele-camper.jpg\" alt=\"BeagleBus at Fort Steele Rest Stop on Christmas morning, December 25, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>Fort Steele Rest Stop \u00b7 Christmas 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"bb-tall\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-turner-mountain-camp.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-turner-mountain-camp.jpg\" alt=\"BeagleBus near Turner Mountain, Montana, February 1, 2025.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>Turner Mountain camp \u00b7 February 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class=\"bb-tall\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-castle-mountain-morning.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/northern-camps-castle-mountain-morning.jpg\" alt=\"Moon over Castle Mountain and its base parking area, February 7, 2026.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><figcaption>Castle Mountain base \u00b7 February 2026<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Winter camping stops through Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and the Canadian Rockies, with location pins, practical pros and cons, and photos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":301,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-places","category-log"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=295"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":308,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295\/revisions\/308"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=295"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=295"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/beaglebuslog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=295"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}