Accommodations and Camping

Accommodations

The Hungry Horse Ranger District (406/387-3800, www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead [1]) rents out several rustic cabins ($30–50) and a rather remote lookout ($20).

Other than camping, about the least expensive lodging you’ll find in this area is at the Crooked Tree Motel (406/387-5531, $70–140), west of Hungry Horse [2] on Highway 2. Some rooms have kitchenettes, and there’s also an indoor pool and RV park.

Between Hungry Horse and Coram, find the Tamarack Lodge (406/387-4420 or 877/387-4420, www.historictamaracklodge.com [3], $99–275), where the log lodge dates back to 1907. Rooms are also available in cabins and a motel. Lodge rooms ($135) include a B&B-style breakfast.

Even though its name is a little odd, the Mini Golden Inns Motel
(8955 Hwy. 2 E., 406/387-4313 or 800/891-6464, www.hungryhorselodging.com [4], $100 and up) is a surprisingly pleasant place to stay along this busy highway, with many wheelchair-accessible rooms. Pets are allowed.

Located 55 miles south of Highway 2, the Spotted Bear Ranch (800/223-4333, www.spottedbear.com [5]) is an upscale lodge catering mostly to anglers and hunters. A three-day fishing vacation here costs $2,100 per person, including all meals and guide service.

Camping

There are eight Forest Service campgrounds (406/387-3800, www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead [1], $10–12) around Hungry Horse Reservoir [6]. It’s necessary to bring your own drinking water to all of them; even those that once had piped water have had their services cut back.

Lost Johnny Camp is eight miles down Road 895 from Hungry Horse; Lost Johnny Point is one mile farther. Lid Creek is 15 miles from Hungry Horse; Lakeview is 24 miles; Handkerchief Lake is 35 miles from Hungry Horse on Road 895, then another two miles on Road 897.

There’s a trail from Handkerchief Lake up to the Jewel Basin Hiking Area [7].

Spotted Bear is at the south end of the reservoir, 55 miles from Martin City on Road 38 (and about the same distance from Hungry Horse).

Elk Island (accessible only by boat), Murray Bay, and Emery Bay are along the east side of the reservoir. Emery Bay is the closest spot to Martin City; it’s seven miles down Road 38.