Hotels in Red Lodge

In addition to the properties discussed here, I recommend the Comfort Inn of Red Lodge, 612 N. Broadway, Red Lodge, MT 59068 (tel. 888/733-4661 or 406/446-4469), which charges $140 to $160 double in peak season.

Camping

There are 16 Forest Service campgrounds available in the Red Lodge area, with sites for more than 700 campers. Many of the larger campgrounds accept reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service (tel. 877/444-6777; www.recreation.gov), and the rest are first-come, first-served. For information, contact the Beartooth Ranger District Office of the Custer National Forest, at the south end of town along U.S. 212 (tel. 406/446-2103).

Those seeking commercial campgrounds, with all the usual RV hookups and other amenities, can head to the Red Lodge KOA, 7464 U.S. 212 (tel. 406/446-2364). It has grassy and shady sites, a heated outdoor pool, and a convenience store, and charges $27 to $34 for tents, $27 to $35 for RVs, and $55 to $60 for basic cabins. It's typically open from mid-May through September.