RV Living in Montana: Best Places, Cost, & Checklist [2025]

Montana is a landlocked state blessed with breathtaking views of various natural wonders. These views make Montana an ideal state for RVing. To experience RV living in Montana, you must park your vehicle on private land. While the state permits you to live in an RV, local regulations of cities and towns may not.

You must check with the local authorities about the duration of time you can live in an RV. To ensure comfortable living in an RV in Montana, keep all the necessary supplies ready, including a solar generator. The Jackery Solar Generator is an ideal power backup when you are going on extended RV trips. Read ahead to learn about the best places to live in an RV and the total cost.

Key Takeaways

• RV living in Montana is legal. However, you must check the local ordinances and zoning laws of the cities and towns beforehand to avoid legal trouble.
• Living in an RV in Montana can cost $2,400 to $5,000, depending on fuel costs, internet charges, groceries, etc.
• Camping in an RV in Montana for free is possible when you have all the crucial things, including a solar generator, food supplies, emergency equipment, etc.
• Jackery Solar Generators can power your RV appliances and devices, such as a laptop, AC, heater, tablet, lights, etc.

Is It Legal to Live in an RV Full-Time in Montana?

Yes, living in a full-time RV in Montana is legal, but you must consider the local ordinances and zoning laws. Even if it is private property, there are some conditions that you have to fulfill for hassle-free RV living in Montana.

• You should own the land where you are parking the RV.
• You should have a proper septic system.
• Your land should be in an area where RV residence is permitted.

Not all the cities and towns allow full-time RV living in Montana, even on your private property. If you are looking for an extended stay in an RV, you can choose RV parks and campgrounds.

Best Places to Live in an RV in Montana Year-Round

There are several places to live in an RV in Montana year-round. Most of these places are RV parks and campgrounds spread across Helena, Bozeman, Hamilton, Stevensville, Billings, etc. Most parks have necessary hookups for travelers, such as showers, portable water, campfires, toilets, etc.

1. Black Rabbit RV Park, Hamilton: If you are interested in living full-time in an RV park in Hamilton, Montana, the Black Rabbit RV Park is the ideal choice. The park offers various facilities for your convenience, such as rental cars, free WiFi, a dog park, laundry, restrooms, and tents.
2. Jim & Mary’s RV Park, Stevensville: For a delightful experience of full-time RV park living in Stevensville, Montana, go to Jim & Mary's RV Park. The park is a haven for travelers, providing access to water, sewer, electricity, and WiFi. You can also enjoy annual and weekly social events.
3. Conestoga Campground, Helena: This park is between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks in the Smith River Valley. Surrounded by National Forests, the RV park provides facilities, such as showers, a recreational room, a playground, a pet-friendly park, propane fire pits, free WiFi, etc.

Countless other parks and campgrounds allow living in an RV in Montana year-round, such as Camp Sula RV Campground & Resort, Travellers Rest Cabins and RV Park, Missoula KOA Holiday, and more.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in an RV in Montana?

The cost of RV living in Montana includes several elements, such as campsite fees, fuel costs, power costs, groceries, etc. You have to plan these expenses before beginning your RV living journey.

Montana's full-time RV living cost will be $2,400 to $5,000 monthly. A solar generator can reduce RV living costs by up to $300, depending on the system size, appliances powered, etc. Besides these expenses, you must also have RV insurance to live in Montana.

Note: These costs are estimates and may change depending on the location, the utilities provided by the park, the type of RV, the duration of your stay at a location, etc.

Can You Camp for Free in Montana With an RV?

Yes, you can experience RV living in Montana for free. There are several locations across the state where you can boondock for free. Keep in mind that most of these locations will be dispersed locations without any amenities. You must go prepared and check if the area is under the Bureau of Land Management. Some of the places where you can boondock for free are:

• Bear Creek Campground
• Flathead National Forest
• Custer Gallatin National Forest
• Battle Ridge Campground
• Carbella Recreation Site

Some general rules exist for RV living in Montana at National Forests, BLM, and State Trust Lands.

• Properly dispose of the waste.
• Stay within the area limits.
• For National Forests, you cannot boondock for more than 16 days.
• If you are camping on State Trust Lands, get a permit 30 days before the start date.

Essential RV Living Checklist for Montana

When you have all the essential items by your side, RV living in Montana becomes much easier. Items such as a power source, food supplies, emergency gear, a work setup, etc., come in handy on RV trips, especially when boondocking.

• Power: Boondocking requires power, as no power hookups exist in dispersed locations. A solar generator with RV solar panels would be an ideal power source. Jackery Solar Generators can power your RV appliances and gadgets for hours.
• Water & Waste: The RV parks and campgrounds that charge campsite fees have resources for water and waste. You can check these parks before starting your journey. Moreover, in the RV, you must have garbage bags and other water storage and waste disposal equipment, such as a sewage hose, a connector, a freshwater hose, etc.
• Food storage, Cooking, and Safety: If you cook, keep propane, a portable grill, utensils, and food storage containers in your RV. Pack reflective triangles, road flares, spare batteries, a first-aid kit, and a fire extinguisher to ensure safety.
• Internet and Work-From-RV Setups: Invest in a wireless modem or hotspot for an internet connection and a foldable desk. Keep your laptop, tablet, and other work-related items inside the RV to create a dedicated workspace.
• Emergency Gear: RV living in Montana can be tough in case of wildfires or storms. Pack a satellite communication device, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers to ensure safety during emergencies.

Jackery Solar Generators for RV Living in Montana

Solar generators are an ideal power source for RV living in Montana. Whether in an RV playground or a boondocking National Forest, a solar power generator can keep your RV powered at every location. Jackery Solar Generators can help you save power costs by powering your work setup, RV AC, lights, etc., via renewable energy sources. Jackery manufactures reliable solar power products, including solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus Roam Kit

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus Roam Kit is an ideal companion for your RV living in Montana. The kit comes with Jackery SolarSaga 100 Prime Solar Panels that can be installed on top of your RV for consistent power. Its 30dB whisper-quiet operation ensures a noise-free environment for sound sleep inside the RV.

Appliance Running Time

• Mini Fridge (400W) = 2.5H
• Laptop (150W) = 6.2H
• LED TV (100W) = 8.8H
• Outdoor Fan (300W) = 3.3H
• Coffee Maker (700W) = 1.4H

Customer Review

“My Jackery 1000 Plus does exactly what it is advertised to do. I use it for camping and love that I can add battery Packs. Solar Charging is in an acceptable range. Perfect for what I need it for.” - Deborah Wheeler.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a reliable product for RV living in Montana, especially if you are boondocking. Boondocking sites have no external power source, and the high-capacity Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can efficiently run your RV devices at these sites. Whether it is your laptop, AC, or coffee maker, get an uninterrupted power supply in the middle of a forest at zero electrical cost.

Appliance Running Time

• Refrigerator (900W) = 1.9H
• Space Heater (1500W) = 1.1H
• Portable AC (1000W) = 1.7H
• Electric Grill (1800W) = 1.9H
• Electric Kettle (900W) = 1.9H

Customer Review

“I went off-grid with it, and we love it. We live in a camper and power up everything for at least 2 days without charging, but using everything, so I'm very happy that we got it. We have a small Jackery that we relied on, but now we have no problem with power.” - Marcin Powichrowski.

RV Living in Montana FAQs

Is it possible to live comfortably in an RV through the winter in a northern state like Montana?

Yes, living comfortably in an RV through the winter in Montana is possible. You can park your RV at a campground, use a solar generator to power the space heater, and keep yourself warm.

Can you live in an RV full-time in Montana?

Yes, you can explore full-time RV living in Montana if you are in a campground or RV park. However, local ordinances and zoning restrictions can prevent you from staying for a long time in cities or towns.

Why do people buy RVs in Montana?

People prefer to buy RVs in Montana because the state does not impose sales and personal property taxes on these vehicles. Thus, purchasing an RV in Montana can save you money.

Is it legal to live in an RV in Montana?

Yes, it is legal to live in an RV in Montana. However, certain cities and towns may have zonal restrictions that prevent you from doing so for an extended period.

Conclusion

Montana is a beautiful state, and RVing is one of the key ways to explore it. If you plan to live in an RV in Montana, ensure that you plan your journey while considering every detail, including stay locations, regulations, essential things, and a solar generator. Jackery Solar Generator can be your reliable companion for RV living in Montana. It ensures consistent power for your RV appliances for long hours.