How to Tent Camp in Montana

Tent camping in Montana can be a rewarding experience.

With proper preparation, camping in Montana can be a rewarding experience. Whether you prefer an overnight stay in a public campground or a weeklong stay in a remote wilderness, Montana offers scenic and rustic camping opportunities. Note that tent camping takes some special preparation, particularly in the backcountry. Campers must be able to pack food, treat water, deal with inclement weather and know what to do when encountering wildlife. Special gear can be purchased or borrowed for every possible obstacle. Camping locations can be scouted in person or researched in books and online.

Things You'll Need

• Rain fly for tent
• Warm clothing
• Raingear
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Freeze-dried food
• Propane stove with fuel
• Cooking gear
• Iodine tablets or water filtering pump
• Wilderness first aid kit
• Insect spray
• Camping permits
• Maps
• Compass or GPS unit
• Stuff sack
• Food-hanging rope
• Bear spray

Instructions

1. 

   Waterproof tents make camping enjoyable.

   Bring a tent that fits the number of people in your camping party. Make sure the tent is waterproof, with no tears or holes that might create a leak inside the tent walls. Practice setting up the tent before the trip to verify that all parts are included. Carry a rain fly, the tarplike flap that covers the tent and adds a layer that protects you from heat and rain.

2. 

   Pack appropriate clothing.

   Pack clothes for all types of inclement weather, no matter which season you decide to camp in. Expect the possibility of snow year-round, especially at high altitudes, even in summer. Plan to carry raingear in the summer months, as thunderstorms or rain squalls frequently appear in the afternoon and evening. Carry ample clothing for cold weather in winter months, including thermal underwear, gloves, mittens, ski hats, wool socks, insulated boots, down jackets and other gear that is rated for temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Purchase gear made of synthetic material, because it dries faster when it gets wet from snow, rain or sweat.

3. 

   Bring a warm sleeping bag.

   Make sure all sleeping bags are properly rated for the temperatures you will encounter during the season you go camping. Bring a sleeping pad to lay flat underneath each sleeping bag for insulation against the cold ground and moisture.

4. 

   Plan meals in advance.

   Plan meals for the number of campers in the party. Select items that correspond to the type of camping you expect to undertake. Do not carry heavy food supplies for extended hiking trips. Consult recreational stores for the latest in freeze-dried meals, which offer lightweight dining options in secure packaging. Purchase nonperishable food that is packaged to prevent spoiling without refrigeration. Obtain a propane cookstove and fuel that is appropriate in terms of weight to the type of camping you will undertake, as well as lightweight cooking gear.

5. 

   Treat water before consuming it.

   Carry iodine tablets or a water filtering pump to treat water for giardia and other possible microorganisms found in stream water. Use your stove and lightweight cooking gear in winter months to boil snow for water. Heat water until it comes to a full rolling boil so that all microorganisms are killed and the water is purified, a technique that can be effective year-round.

6. 

   First aid kits are essential.

   Bring a wilderness-endorsed first aid kit, something most recreational suppliers sell. Make sure to remember necessary prescriptions and medication for encounters with pollen, grasses, trees and the like. Pack a supply of bug spray for mosquitoes, deerflies and horseflies.

7. 

   Familiarize yourself with area maps.

   Research necessary permits and fees for state or federal campsites. Purchase or reserve necessary backpacking permits if camping will take place in the backcountry. Buy necessary maps and a compass or GPS unit before travel to practice using technical mapping techniques and understanding geographic concepts.

8. 

   Be bear aware.

   Bring a stuff sack and lightweight rope that you can use to hang your food 10 to 12 feet off the ground to protect it from bears. Purchase bear spray from a local recreational supplier. Hike in a group and talk loudly as you go to alert bears to your presence. If attacked by a bear, do not fight back. Play dead by tightening into a tucked position, bringing your knees to your chest and your arms around your face.

Tips & Warnings

• Decide in advance which type of camping you will undertake. Necessary supplies differ greatly depending on whether you intend to camp in a public campground next to your car or further afield in the backcountry, in which case your group will need to carry all gear.

• Pay attention to changes in weather. Carefully study the weather forecast for the area in which you wish to camp, especially during the transitional periods between seasons.

• Visit the local U.S. Forest Service ranger station to meet with personnel and receive about local area safety regulations, wildlife viewing recommendations and any other precautions or advice.

• Bring a journal. The natural world can be quite beautiful, meaningful and rejuvenating. Carry something in which you can write about what you experience. Do not worry about writing perfectly; instead, allow yourself to write down anything without the worry of rules.

• Educate yourself about camping in bear country. Western Montana has a rather wide-ranging population of grizzly bears and black bears. Make sure you know what to do in the event of an encounter with bears.

References

• "Foghorn Outdoors: Montana, Idaho, & Wyoming Camping;" Judy L. Kinnaman; 2001