USA / Montana
Camper Rental Montana Glacier, Yellowstone and Endless Sky
Montana is where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains. Glacier National Park in the north and Yellowstone access from the south make this a two-park state. Between them: millions of acres of national forest, free BLM camping and some of the least crowded highways in the lower 48.
Montana Rental Options
| Platform | Montana Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoorsy | $100-$350/night | Best MT selection, truck campers for backcountry |
| RVshare | $90-$300/night | Good value, delivery to campgrounds |
| Cruise America | $140-$250/night | Billings and Bozeman depots |
Best Road Trips
Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier NP)
50 miles across the Continental Divide. The most dramatic mountain road in America — carved into sheer cliff faces with 1,000-foot drops. Vehicles must be under 21 feet long and 8 feet wide. No motorhomes. Campervans and small trucks only. Logan Pass at the summit has mountain goats walking through the parking lot. The road opens mid-June to mid-October depending on snow. Apgar and Many Glacier campgrounds book 6 months ahead on recreation.gov.
Beartooth Highway
68 miles of switchbacks between Red Lodge and Yellowstone's northeast entrance. Climbs above 10,947 feet. Charles Kuralt called it "the most beautiful drive in America." Snow walls line the road in June. Alpine lakes and wildflower meadows at the top. Free dispersed camping in Custer Gallatin National Forest along the route. Open late May to mid-October. No vehicle length restrictions but the switchbacks are tight — 30+ feet gets uncomfortable.
Yellowstone from the West (Big Sky corridor)
Bozeman to Yellowstone's west entrance via Big Sky. 90 miles. The Gallatin River canyon has roadside camping in national forest ($10-$15/night, first-come-first-served). West Yellowstone is the busiest gateway town. Enter Yellowstone early morning (before 8am) to avoid the entrance backup. Madison and Norris campgrounds inside the park take reservations — book immediately when they open in spring.
Missouri River Breaks
Central Montana backcountry. The Wild and Scenic Missouri runs through a remote canyon with free BLM camping, no crowds and landscapes that look exactly like they did when Lewis and Clark passed through. High-clearance vehicle recommended for some access roads. This is true off-the-beaten-path Montana — you might not see another person for days. Best with a truck camper or small 4WD van.
Montana Camping Tips
- → Glacier NP has vehicle restrictions. Going-to-the-Sun Road: 21 feet max length, 8 feet max width. This eliminates all Class C motorhomes and most travel trailers. Campervans, truck campers and small vans only. Plan accordingly — rent a smaller vehicle if Glacier is the priority.
- → Bear country — all of it. Grizzly bears roam throughout western Montana. Bear spray is essential for hiking ($40-$50, available at every outdoor shop). Store food in bear boxes at campgrounds. Never leave food, coolers or scented items outside your vehicle overnight. Glacier NP has the strictest food storage requirements in the system.
- → National forest camping is abundant and cheap. Montana has more national forest than any state except Alaska. Dispersed camping (free) and developed campgrounds ($10-$20/night, first-come-first-served) are everywhere along forest roads. Custer Gallatin, Flathead and Lolo national forests have the most options near the parks.
- → Summer is short. The realistic camping season is mid-June through mid-September. Snow can fall at elevation any month. Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road doesn't fully open until late June most years. The Beartooth opens even later. Plan around snowplow schedules, not calendar dates.
- → Gas stations are far apart. In eastern Montana and the Missouri Breaks, you can drive 100+ miles between fuel stops. Fill up whenever you see a station. Don't assume the next town has gas — some "towns" on the map are a post office and nothing else.
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