Encounter the great outdoors from distinctive dwellings that put a new twist on camping trips

By Becca Bergman and J. Gabriel Boylan

Sherman's Travel magazine

he Blackfoot River in Montana once served as a vital thoroughfare for Native American tribes. It later brought explorers (notably Meriwether Lewis), miners, loggers, and homesteaders to the surrounding valley and Garnet Range. Those settlers are gone, and the pine forests have risen again, but the river still draws the intrepid. Now they come for epic horseback treks and stellar fly-fishing (this region provided the inspiration for A River Runs Through It) along with luxurious accommodations on camping trips. Paws Up (www.pawsup.com) offers secluded Big Timber cabins and even a historic farmhouse. The best option: the 270-square-foot tents. These come with a full range of features and services, from custom-made beds to private butlers who can whip up tent-side meals. After a full day of horseback riding or fly-fishing, visitors can unwind in a hot tub, indulge in a spa treatment, and savor a simple but tasty dinner, such as Rocky Mountain trout sautéed with fresh herbs. Then they get to snuggle between 300-thread-count linen sheets. Mr. Lewis never had it so good.