Trout Creek Motel, Cabins, & RV Park, Trout Creek MT

Stay Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 10
This is an amazing park: certainly one of the top ten we've ever visited. We parked on beautiful putting-green quality grass, under huge pines, surrounded by landscaped dividers. Quiet, dark at night, only the sound of an occasional distant train to break the silence. Marginal Verizon cell phone and no Aircard reception, but the park's WiFi worked well. No pool, mini-golf, or frills, just beauty in a place surrounded by mountains. Beautiful lake and mountains nearby. The Passport America rate of $14/night makes this the best bargain we've ever found.  Trout Creek Motel, Cabins, and RV Park

Missoula KOA, Missoula MT

Stay Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 9
This is an exceptional KOA in that you get your money's worth. Large sites with trees and grass, convenient to shopping, extensive facilities, including an on-site breakfast cafe make this a worthwhile stay. Although close to the main highway, it's quiet and dark at night (once the kids get tucked in) and the landscaping maintenance is noteworthy. Paved roads and level gravel sites.  The free WiFi worked well, and the cable TV was very good. Lot of trees so not always a clear shot to the satellite.  You can't do better in the Missoula area.  Missoula KOA

Sula Country Store and Resort

Stay Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
This is a nice little campground in the tall pines at the South end of the Bitterroot Valley. Nothing fancy, only one 50A site but otherwise full (30A) hookups, right next to the East Fork of the Bitterroot River. No Verizon cell or Aircard service, and no TV or cable. Finding a hole in the trees for a satellite is also a challenge. There is a nice little store with an excellent cafe for breakfast or lunch Wed-Sun. There’s a pond with huge trout where the kids can fish.  This is a great spot for a nice quiet evening with the smell of wood smoke and pines.  A relaxing stay for $25/night.  Sula Country Store and Resort

Ennis RV Village, Ennis MT

Stay Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  Good – 9
This is the kind of park we wish we could find in every town; friendly check-in, good sized sites with real grass, and level, gravel sites with an area for the awning and picnic table. The free WiFi worked well, and Verizon cell and Aircard coverage was good. No cable TV, but only small trees so good shot at the Satellite.  Hookups were good, especially the water which had good pressure and was very soft. Quiet and dark at night, there was little road noise. It is convenient to Ennis, Virginia City, and the Madison River trout fishing access areas. A great stay in a beautiful area for $33/night.  Ennis RV Village

Hardin KOA, Hardin MT

Stay Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
Finally, a KOA that is reasonably priced and delivers on its promises. Friendly owner, golf cart escort, and large, level gravel sites. Good hookups, shade, some grass, and free WiFi that worked. Small but adequate pool and playground. Verizon Cell and Aircard worked well; free cable TV, and satellite TV may be a problem due to the large cottonwoods. Not much in Hardin, but a good place to stage a visit to the Little Big Horn Battlefield. Plan on cooking at home, the Hardin dining possibilities are few and unsavory. The nightly campground ice cream social to raise money for charity is a nice touch.  Priced at $35/night.   Hardin KOA

Green Valley Campground, Glendive MT

State Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  BAD – 6
It's hard to criticize a park that only charges $16.50 a night, and aside from the train noise, this is a good overnight stop. Level sites, trees, (some will block satellite reception), good hookups & excellent soft water were all a plus. On check-in, after driving over the railroad tracks right outside the park entrance, my wife asked about train noise and was told "we're on a siding, so it's not a problem at night". Well, the siding sounded like it ran through the site next to ours, and the train's horn was enough to rattle the windows. Verizon cell and Aircard worked well, nice since the park has no wireless. No cable TV, but clear shot at the satellite. Road noise from the interstate was negligible. An OK park in an area without many options, but bring your earplugs.  Green Valley Campground

Roughrider Campground, Minot ND

Stay Date:  August 2009
Our Rating:  GOOD – 7
This is a nice campground with enormous potential. The new owners are working to improve the infrastructure, but some areas, such as the dirt roads that turn to ruts and mud when it rains, need immediate improvement. Pull through sites are long, but with side-by-side hookups you're touching awnings with your neighbor. The water pressure is also sporadic depending on the number of people in the park. On the plus side, the park has many large trees (no cable - we had to use a portable dish to find a hole), is fairly quiet, and is convenient to town. The free WiFi was very strong and the Verizon cell and Aircard service also worked well. The owners and staff are friendly and eager to please, and the $25/night rate is very reasonable.  Roughrider Campground