If you own an RV in Missoula, summer is what you've been waiting for all year. The mountains are green, the rivers are running, and the whole region turns into one giant reason to hit the road. But between trips, that same RV has to live somewhere — and for a lot of folks, that "somewhere" ends up being a driveway, a side yard, or a spot on the street that's more hassle than it's worth.

Before you plan your next getaway, here are five routes worth putting on the calendar — plus why having a proper home base for your rig makes the whole season easier.

1. Glacier National Park via Highway 93

This is the classic for a reason. Head north through the Flathead Valley, swing by Flathead Lake for a lake day, and roll into Glacier for some of the most dramatic scenery in the Lower 48. Going-to-the-Sun Road has size restrictions for larger rigs, so it's worth checking current limits before you go — but even parking outside the pass and exploring by car for a day is worth the drive.

2. The Bitterroot Valley Loop

A shorter trip, perfect for a long weekend. Highway 93 South takes you through Hamilton, Darby, and the string of small towns tucked against the Bitterroot Mountains. Plenty of forest service roads and campgrounds branch off if you want to get further off the grid, and it's an easy there-and-back if you're still breaking in a new rig.

3. Lolo Pass to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness

Highway 12 West out of Missoula follows the Lochsa River into Idaho, tracing part of the old Lewis and Clark route. It's a favorite for anglers and anyone who wants river views the entire drive. Slower going with a trailer in tow, but the payoff is some of the least crowded scenery in the region.

4. Seeley-Swan Valley Run

Highway 83 North threads between the Mission and Swan mountain ranges, past a chain of lakes that make for easy overnight stops. It's a shorter trip than Glacier but has that same big-sky, water-and-mountains combo — good for a weekend when you don't want to commit to a week-long haul.

5. Yellowstone via Highway 87 and 89

A longer haul, but Missoula makes a solid staging point for a Yellowstone run. Give yourself a full day of driving each way and consider breaking up the trip through Bozeman if you're pulling a larger trailer.

The Part Nobody Plans For: Where the RV Lives Between Trips

Here's the thing about Montana summers — the season is short, and rigs tend to get used in bursts. A trip to Glacier one weekend, then two weeks of the RV just sitting there until the next one. If that "sitting there" is happening in your driveway, you're probably dealing with at least one of these:

• HOA rules that don't allow RVs parked out front
• Limited space that makes backing a trailer in and out a project every time
• Sun, weather, and pests taking a toll on something you just paid to have serviced
• Neighbors who mention it more than once

Outdoor vehicle storage solves all of that. Your rig has a dedicated spot, it's off your property, and it's ready to go when the next trip comes up instead of buried behind the garage or blocking half the driveway.

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