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Glacier National Park: This ‘Hipcamp’ Site Was the Highlight of My Road Trip
Editor’s note: The sponsors of this article — REI and Hipcamp — did not pay for the author’s trip to Glacier National Park or her stay at Mooseshroom.
The Mooseshroom Hipcamp near Glacier National Park has two well-stocked kitchen spaces, a community fire pit, and a shower house with a real toilet and hot water. If not for the national park, my group would’ve been content with never leaving Mooseshroom during our two-week road trip.
Luckily, you could win a similar experience. GearJunkie teamed up with REI and Hipcamp (for iOS, Android, and PC) for a sick giveaway. Enter to win free gear, a two-night Hipcamp stay, and a $1,000 travel voucher. You might even choose Mooseshroom should you win the grand prize!
Here’s the story of my very own Hipcamp stay that was the highlight of my trip.
Exploring Our Hipcamp Site
First Impressions
We pulled into Mooseshroom from the bustling highway that runs through Coram, Mont., to Glacier National Park. It was easy to find the four compact tent sites, two of which were ours.
Before even setting up, we were curious about what was waiting for us down the hill from our sites. We had read that there was a bathhouse and shared cooking space, but we weren’t prepared for the creature comforts we were about to experience.
Our Hipcamp host, Terri, greeted us alongside her big, fluffy dog and gave us a tour of the community space.
Amenities
We scurried down the incredibly steep gravel walkway past two occupied yurts to find the bathhouse, with separate men’s and women’s showers. It had not only a fire pit but also a deck, an outdoor kitchen, and two cabins surrounded by flowers and trees.
The kitchen setup was a dream. It had more pans than my own kitchen at home, along with a fridge and freezer, coffee, tea, fresh herbs, spices, and anything else needed for a dank dinner after a long day.
One gas stovetop range sat on one side, and the other had a grill cooktop for all your post-hike cravings. It was covered nicely in case of inclement weather.
If you visit, be sure to fill up your water bottles, because this water is straight magic. We all agreed it might have been the best water we’d ever had.
We properly took advantage of all the Mooseshroom amenities and happily ditched our camp stove and Aeropress for a few days. Bonus: There was coffee waiting for us in the morning. Terri rocks!
You can also rent e-bikes from a business adjacent to Moosehroom if you want to try riding the Going to the Sun Road before all the cars tramp through.
Did I mention Mooseshroom is 21-plus? No kids allowed! For us, this was an unexpected blessing. I love kids, but they can often be unpredictable, and the uninterrupted silence at night was much appreciated. 10/10.
Host Connections: A Hipcamp Staple
I think the unique position that Hipcampers have when choosing a Hipcamp site over a normal campground experience is the opportunity for unique experiences that traditional campgrounds don’t offer.
Normally, you’d only see your neighbors at campsites as you come and go. But the benefit of a host experience is that they have insider knowledge about things like weather, food, and the best spots to visit.
That was definitely the case with our experience at Mooseshroom. Terri was an amazing host and offered her best advice while offering all the amenities we could imagine. Plus, her pets were a cherry on top, as we were missing ours waiting at home.
Upgrades Planned for 2023
I also caught up with our host to get the scoop on what’s to come for Mooseshroom. Here are the spoilers:
- Four new campsites. Terri plans to add a few more rustic spots for tent campers or van lifers to stop by and have a level spot to call home for a few days. These spots would be a little further away from the others at Mooseshroom and would trade the shared bathhouse and kitchen amenities for additional peace and quiet.
- Landscaping. As if Mooseshroom isn’t beautiful enough already, she’s got some awesome upgrades planned for the next year.
Local Food and Drink Near Coram
Terri will always recommend the best local food and drink options if you ask. Here are a few for the next time you’re in the area:
- Glacier Distilling Co.: Conveniently located right across Hwy 2 from Mooseshroom, Terri highly recommends this place.
- Josephine’s: Another option for cocktails, this speakeasy has a little bit of everything.
- Sunflower Cafe & BBQ: Open during peak months of the Glacier Campground, I can confirm that this place is delicious. And if you’ve just gotten done with a long day of hiking, you’ll fit right in.
- Packers Roost: This iconic bar has some unique Montana history baked in. This place doesn’t have a website, so you’ll just have to go see the atmosphere for yourself!
- The Raven: Head a little further out of town and you’ll find yourself in the Caribbean of Montana, where you can enjoy lakefront dining with plenty of food options for everyone.
Booking a Hipcamp Site
Hipcamp makes it pretty easy to book a site. You can use the app on your phone or go online.
Type in your dates (or don’t if you’re flexible) and the number of guests to get a list of adventure options. From there, you also have the option to select whether you want a campsite, RV space, or other lodging.
We reached out to Terri before we booked because messaging the host is allowed right there in the app. Pro tip: It’s easiest to search for a Hipcamp site by its city and state (e.g., Mooseshroom is in Corum, Mont.).
Happy Hipcamping!
This article is sponsored by REI and Hipcamp. Check out Mooseshroom and other outdoor accommodations for your next adventure.
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