Montana camping

Planning on retreating to the Great Outdoors over Independence Day or over the next couple of weeks? Temperatures are expected to soar in to the upper 80s next week and July is always a great time to head out to one of our area's beautiful lakes and rivers.

Well, after another long winter behind us, the recent snowfall notwithstanding, we have come to Memorial Day Weekend and Summer's unofficial start. Regardless of the weather or the forecast there are many who will be heading to area campsites for the holiday weekend, and local forester and outdoor recreation enthusiast Jocelyn Dodge says that the campgrounds are ready. She shared with us some things you should know beforehand if you're heading for a campsite or river over the long weekend.

Our top picks to go camping with your partner.

Where will you be camping this year?

Fourteen new fires were reported in the last 24 hours (7/31), and multiple counties have either Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions. Know before you go with these resources.

Make no mistake. It is HOT in Southwest Montana this summer. As temperature records fall across the entire country, the mercury in our neck of the woods has gone into the 90s several times already and August looks as though it could be another scorcher. However, there are areas nearby where the temperatures are a bit cooler, the air has a little more moisture, and the views are unbeatable. Southwest Montana forester and outdoor recreation expert Jocelyn Dodge has a few viable suggestions.