The camping in Montana is, whether at a campground or in the backcountry, superb. Montana camping is for many people what dreams are made from. The clear skies, the wonderful air, the beautiful sunsets, and the mysterious wildlife—these are the captivating images of camping beneath the Big Sky that Montana is singularly famous for.
The good news is that those camping dreams do occur—until the mid-summer snow arrives. Or until the cold June rains starts and doesn’t end for days. Or until the local insect population carries away anything not nailed down. Or until the friendly local grizzly bear decides to pay a midnight visit to your encampment.
Overall, camping in Montana is diverse, beautiful, crummy, exciting and unpredictable—all at the same time.
To help future visitors better prepare for their trip, I’ve put together this “Camping Gear Guide.” This section of Big Sky Fishing should help a new Montana camper accomplish two things. The first is too better prepare oneself for the unpredictable nature of Montana camping. The second purpose is to help people properly outfit themselves for a camping trip. A camping trip in Montana is doomed to disappoint without the right gear.
Also, this section covers the gear and techniques needed for enjoyable camping. If you plan to do some hiking, please visit the Hiking Gear Guide section for helpful tidbits of information. Articles provide information about hiking gear, and practical advice like how to avoid a broken leg hiking, how to prevent blisters and other nuggets of information learned through misadventure.
Do you like to shiver all night long? If not, get a good sleeping bag – it’s the difference between feeling good in the morning and feeling worn out and old.
Without a good sleeping pad, you are destined for a bad night sleep – regardless of how much you spent on that fancy sleeping bag.
Campfires are great…until there are fire restrictions. Learn about the different types of camping stoves available and which stove is best for your needs.
Outfitters are the ultimate tent for cold weather camping in the backcountry and where you have something, other than your back, to carry it.
These tents are for, as the name suggests, family camping. This guide helps you select the right type of tent for your family camping needs.
Buckets are handy items at camp. But they are bulky and heavy. So use a collapsible bucket instead.
Other Camping Related Articles
- Sleeping Bag Care Guide – How to keep your sleeping bag looking, and working, like new.
- Understanding Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings – What a sleeping bag temperature rating really means.
- Camping in Grizzly Country – How to prevent Mr. Grizzly Bear from paying a midnight visit to your camp.
- Camping in Rattlesnake Country – Some tips and advice on how to avoid a rather unpleasant encounter.
- Camping & Hiking with Your Dog – How to safely hike and camp with your dog in Grizzly Country.
And for further reading…
Related Hiking Gear Articles
Articles about hiking gear that are helpful and useful for camping.
- Fleece Clothing Guide – Or how to stay warm while camping during Montana’s frigid nights.
- Water Filtration Guide – Article about water filters for day hiking, but also helpful information for campers, too.
- Hiking & Camping Sock Guide – How to prevent your feet from getting cold while camping out in Montana.