Horse Packing at Lake Como Recreation Area

Lake Como is a naturally occurring lake that has beenon a day per vehicle or season pass basis. Day
raised for irrigation purposes. They have nowpasses are available at Lake Como and day or
developed a wonderful recreation area in theseason passes are available at the Darby Ranger
surrounding land as well as the new reservoir. ThereDistrict or with area merchants.
is boating, hiking, biking, interpretive trails, swimming,Below is a list of all the facilities at Lake Como:
fishing, horse packing and use as a base camp toRock Creek Trailhead.
explore the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.Little Rock Creek Trailhead.
It's often used as a starting point for hunting overLake Como National Recreation Trailhead.
the divide into Idaho, as it is located only about 20Beach Area - 40 vehicle parking area, toilets and
miles from the state border. Due to the extensivedressing rooms, 14 picnic tables, garbage, swim area
efforts of the backcountry horseman, the trails andand beach.
campsites area exquisitely maintained. The equestrianBoat Launch - 30 vehicle/boat and 7 passenger
campground is the only handicap accessible horsevehicle parking, toilets and boat launch.
packing area west of the Mississippi. It was built inPicnic Area - 15 vehicle parking, toilets, tables, grills
1993.and fire rings.
There are three camping areas Equestrian, RV, andRock Creek Horse Camp - 11 sites, 4 pull-through
Tent with varying fees. Although, fees are notsites, hitch rails and feed troughs, accessible toilets,
charged out of season when the mountains thatno water available, garbage facilities. One group site
surround the area are filled with snow. There's almostwith large fire ring and benches and parking for 5
a dozen mountain biking and hiking trailheads in thevehicles.
park, varying from the Round the Lake Trail (10Creekside dispersed area - group camping.
miles) to short interpretative trails.Lake Como Campground - 10 RV sites with hookups
Don't forget the long wilderness trails that are welland one group RV site.
over 100 miles long for horse packing. There areUpper Campground - 11 tent sites.
water sources everywhere in the form of spigots.Wood's Cabin Environmental Education Center and
But fill up prior to taking to a trail. Groups may rentrental - The cabin sleeps 15 and holds up to 50 for
the Wood's Cabin per night. It's spectacular, but call inmeetings with toilets, wood stoves, and propane
advance as it fills early in the year.cook stove.
There is a wonderful beach area for swimming andThere's a 14-day limit on stays and all sites are on a
sun bathing. The view of the large mountainsfirst-come-first-serve basis. Reservations can be
overhead is chilling and so is the water! Wildlife ismade.
abundant including bears, but things seem to be keptDirections: From Hamilton, Montana drive 12 miles
clean, so do the same and there should be nosouth on Highway 93. Or, from Darby, Montana drive
problem.4 miles north on Highway 93. Go east on Lake Como
In season, the recreation area is a Recreation FeeRoad (well marked with a forest service sign) for 3
Test project. All vehicles parked within the recreationmiles. The road directly enters the Recreation Area.
area must display a valid Recreation Pass. Passes are