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How to turn your Missoula, Montana micro wedding into a wedding camp!
- Donna Langston
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
Here at The River House, riverhousemontana.com, we hear "Wow this place feels like my favorite summer camp!" Whether it's the 20 acres on the river, the beautiful forest and mountains or just the cool log buildings, all we know is nobody ever wants to leave. If you don't mind having to push your guests to leave then this location might be perfect for your wedding celebration!
To create this camp vibe for your wedding you need at least two nights but preferably more. Make a list of 22 people to join you for this long wedding celebration. Bring the people you love the most, feel the most comfortable with and resonate with. Having the right people just helps this celebration to be exciting yet also feel like your favorite pair of old jeans.
You need to find a place to gather, recreate and commune with a beautiful environment. Of course, we feel The River House is just that. Sure bragging isn't attractive but it's hard not to when you're in the Swan Valley, Montana. A few facts about the Swan Valley, we sit between two wilderness areas, the Bob Marshall Area and Mission Mountains Wilderness.
"The United States Congress designated the Bob Marshall Wilderness in 1964 and it now has a total of 1,009,352 acres. The entire wilderness is in Montana. It is managed by the Spotted Bear and Rocky Mountain Ranger Districts. The Bob Marshall Wilderness was named after early forester, wilderness preservation pioneer, and Wilderness Society cofounder Bob Marshall. This region was set aside as the South Fork, Pentagon, and Sun River Primitive Areas in 1941, and designated as wilderness in 1964. Here is one of the most completely preserved mountain ecosystems in the world, the kind of wilderness most people can only imagine: rugged peaks, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, grassy meadows embellished with shimmering streams, a towering coniferous forest, and big river valleys."(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/recreation/bob-marshall-wilderness-complex)
"Mission Mountains Wilderness are high mountain lakes, impressive mountain views. Wild landscapes. Solitude. These are just some of the words used to describe the Missions Mountain Wilderness. With a trail system to lead you to the more popular lakes, and plenty of countryside to practice your wilderness route finding skills, the Missions has something for every type of recreationalist. Take your kids on an easy hike to Glacier Lake. Or challenge yourself to use wilderness skills traveling to Mollman Lakes."(https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/recreation/mission-mountains-wilderness)
What this means is you're in a corridor for wildlife, this includes grizzly bear, mountain lions, foxes, elk and of course deer. In fact we have the rare claim of having one of the most complete ecosystems in the lower 48. At The River House I witnessed a black wolf chasing an elk in the river! I do believe the elk got away but it was a sensational scene. Of course these viewings can't be promised but if you keep your eyes open you never know what you'll see!
Arriving at your wedding venue you'll be given another tour of the venue to feel familiar with everything. At this point the place is yours. You and friends fill the fridge with all the food and drinks and fill the freezer behind the log bar with ice. You'll need a bartender(s) for the weekend to keep your guests happy and safe. Due to the accommodations and comfortable furniture no one needs to drive after they've been drinking.
You should pick your space to sleep, perhaps the master bedroom with adjoining bathroom in the restored log home. Then you appoint people to their spaces or let them decide. At The River House there are cotton or linen sheets for your comfort. There are down quilts, pendleton or summer blankets to meet everybody's needs.
After everyone is settled it's time to figure out who is cooking and cleaning up, as long as it's not the bride! A few miles away is The Mercantile, Condon's grocery store,https://www.facebook.com/missionmountainsmerc/ Just down the road is The Swan Valley Center, a classic memory of what grocery stores use to be, a hodgepodge of food, tools and of course ice cream! For the times of not wanting to cook there is The Hungry Bear Restaurant about 4.5 miles away, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063762180349#
Night time can bring hanging in the gathering space playing pool, listening to music or have your own karaoke party on our stage with our professional set up. As the stars come out it's time to hang out by the fire pit, perhaps having smores.
When you have several days in your wedding celebration you can break up your wedding preparations with recreation. According to Adventures in the US here are some recommended activities, https://adventuresintheus.com/2025/06/17/montanas-best-kept-secret-the-seeley-swan-valley/
🛶 1. Paddle the Clearwater Canoe Trail
This gentle, meandering water trail flows through wetlands, pine forest, and wildlife-rich backcountry before connecting with Seeley Lake. It’s perfect for a quiet morning or sunset paddle, with a good chance of spotting moose, beaver, or bald eagles along the way.
✔️ What to Expect:
3.5-mile float
Great for beginners
Rental kayaks and canoes available in Seeley Lake
📍 Launch at Clearwater Canoe Trailhead (north of Seeley Lake)
🥾 2. Hike to Holland Falls
Want a short hike with a big payoff? The Holland Falls Trail near the tiny town of Condon takes you through a pine forest to a stunning waterfall crashing down a granite cliff. The trail is family-friendly, and the views over Holland Lake are postcard perfect.
✔️ What to Expect:
3.3 miles round-trip
Moderate incline, well-marked
Go early for the best light
📍 Holland Lake Trailhead, Condon, MT
🏞️ 3. Take a Scenic Drive Along Highway 83
Sometimes the journey is the destination—and this one is breathtaking. The Seeley-Swan Scenic Drive is about 90 miles long and hugs the edge of a valley filled with alpine lakes, glacier-carved peaks, and sleepy small towns. Pull off often. Take the back roads. Don’t rush it.
✔️ Top Stops Along the Way:
Salmon Lake State Park (great picnic spot)
Swan Lake (quiet and less developed than Flathead)
Mission Mountain Winery (just north in Dayton)
📍 Route: Clearwater Junction to Swan Lake, MT
🦌 4. Spot Wildlife in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
The “Bob”, as locals call it, is one of the most remote wilderness areas in the lower 48—and the Seeley-Swan Valley is one of the best access points. While some treks into the Bob are multi-day backpacking adventures, there are also trailheads and shorter hikes that offer a taste of its wild beauty.
✔️ Wildlife You Might See:
Grizzlies (bring bear spray!)
Elk, moose, mountain goats
Rare birds and untouched alpine meadows
📍 Morrell Falls, Pyramid Pass, and Meadow Creek Trailheads
🏕️ 5. Camp Under the Stars—or Stay in a Rustic Lodge
Whether you’re pitching a tent, parking your RV, or booking a cozy cabin, this valley offers plenty of ways to unplug. The stars here are incredible, and there’s something magical about falling asleep to the sound of the forest.
✔️ Lodging Options to Check Out:
Lindey’s Prime Steak House & Cabins in Seeley Lake
Laughing Horse Lodge in Swan Lake (rustic + gourmet food)
Forest Service campgrounds along lakes and creeks
📍 Throughout the valley
🚲 6. Ride the Seeley Creek Fat Bike & Ski Trails
This spot transforms into a winter wonderland, and one of the coolest ways to explore it is on fat bikes or cross-country skis. Groomed trails loop through quiet forest, and the scenery is just as beautiful under a blanket of snow.
✔️ Best in:
December through March
Equipment rentals in Seeley Lake
Warm up after at a local café or brewery
📍 Seeley Creek Nordic Trails
🎣 7. Fish (or Float) the Swan River
If fly fishing is your thing—or if you’re just looking for a peaceful afternoon on the water—the Swan River is packed with trout and surrounded by views that make it hard to focus on your line. In the summer, locals float this lazy stretch with tubes and coolers in tow.
✔️ Insider Tip:Check with local outfitters for updated fishing regulations and flow conditions. Spring and early summer are best for floating.
📍 Near Bigfork and Swan Lake
🎨 8. Explore the Local Art Scene
It might feel remote, but the Seeley-Swan Valley has a surprisingly creative community. From handmade crafts and log furniture to photography and painting, local galleries and festivals showcase art deeply rooted in nature and mountain life.
✔️ Check Out:
Seeley Lake Historical Museum & Gallery
Mission Mountain Mercantile
Summer arts festivals and farmers markets
📍 Seeley Lake & Condon
🚗 The Best Part? Hardly Anyone Knows About It
You won’t be stuck in traffic. You won’t wait in line for a view. You won’t be elbow-to-elbow on a trail. In the Seeley-Swan Valley, you get the beauty of Montana without the crowds, and the kind of quiet adventure that reminds you why you travel in the first place.
Staying at The River House Wedding Venue can go beyond a traditional wedding celebration. With a camp like set up at the venue in a beautiful valley with many recreational opportunities a long weekend or even more days can offer an opportunity to connect with what's important. So when you think of camp; fun, connections with people, activites, campfires, smores, and spending time in nature why wouldn't you want a micro wedding that has all that! Add marrying your partner and celebrating love to all that and you've got magic!
If you want magic in your wedding celebration please contact us to learn more and set up a tour, https://www.riverhousemontana.com/contact-8 For more information on The River House Wedding & Event Venue check out our instagram and facebook pages:
https://www.instagram.com/theriverhouseweddings/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564208978040
As a locally owned family wedding venue we recognize the value these types of venues bring to the wedding industry. We all work hard to offer our wedding couples the best experience for their wedding celebration. Below is a list of other locally owned wedding venues in different parts of the United States.
Thank you so much for your time we are here to help you have the best wedding ever.
Donna Langston
The River House Wedding & Event Venue
Condon, Montana
406-861-2873
About me: I'm a lover of mountains, rivers and trees and wish to share our beautiful place in Condon, Montana with others. As a mental health therapist, I understand the importance of making your dreams come true. I often use my skills to help the wedding celebration have minimal stress and maximum joy!
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