June 9 – Both the grounds and the campers of Urban Woods Camp have a retro atmosphere.
The campers’ brightly colored interior and exterior, combined with the campground’s location in the heart of Columbia Falls, create a unique camping experience for those who want easy access to outdoor activities while still enjoying the town’s amenities. Equipped with 10 campers, Urban Woods Camp is the only retro camping experience in Northwest Montana.
In addition to essential amenities like a private bathroom and kitchen, each reservation includes access to a stereo, charcoal grill, picnic table, coffee maker, cruiser bicycles, a community fire pit, and a game room equipped with ping pong, old school arcade games, pop-a-shot basketball , shuffleboard, cornhole and board games.
Erick Gelbke, the camp host, manager and self-described “poop tank technician,” said, “We are lucky to live in a tourist area.
I have always chosen to live in a tourist area because it is usually a great place,” he says. When people come to visit, they are here because they want to be here and not just passing through. I planned this trip to Glacier National Park and have been waiting all their lives to get here, so I’m excited to be able to spread that joy for people.”
Gelbke, a former waiter, bartender and rental manager at Whitefish Lake, always dreamed of having a campground to take care of. After contacting Urban Woods Camp owners Kelcey and Tawnya Bigham, Gelbke was appointed manager and has been involved in every aspect – from marketing to carpentry – of bringing Urban Woods Camp’s vision to life.
“I’m involved in taking care of the plants, getting to know all these campers and solving problems, but also the people part. I love people and have always been in customer service, so I really enjoy it when I that’s what guests do to communicate with, answer questions and help them, I did a good job here,” said Gelbke.
Each brightly decorated, vintage-style camper has a name that references prominent features such as “Going to the Sun Road” and “North Fork” and Gelbke said he wants to add a piece of art or photo for each camper’s namesake in the future.
“Everyone is a little different,” he said. “We recently upgraded the mattresses and added down duvets and lovely pillows, so when you come in it’s presented in a lovely way and there’s usually a little bit of coffee tailored to your first day.”
Campers are suitable for solo travelers, couples or small families; the most spacious model has a queen-size bed and a bunk bed. Gelbke said part of what makes the camp unique is its proximity to the city while still maintaining the status of a campground.
The name Urban Woods truly reflects their space and provides comfort to those dipping their toes into a camping experience for the first time.
“Maybe you don’t want to, or you don’t have the option to take a camper across the country, or you don’t want to stay in a tent in the mud, but you still want a bit of the rustic feeling of camping,” he said. Gelbke. “This is still within walking distance of the supermarket, bars, restaurants and entertainment.”
Other walkable amenities include a walk along the Flathead River, a boat launch, baseball fields, parks and a future skate park.
The campground is open in the summer, but Gelbke said the goal in the future is to provide shelter during the winter season. The entire campground can be rented for work retreats, weddings, family reunions and other events.
“We’re trying to create an experience that’s completely different from others,” Gelbke said. “With our landscaping and the style and atmosphere, we spend a lot of time creating the space and creating an environment that is completely unique and bespoke, and cared for in a way that you won’t find at most other campsites. “
Urban Woods Camp is located at 201 US 2 in Columbia Falls. For more information, visit urbanwoodscamp.com or on Instagram at @urbanwoodscamp.
Reporter Summer Zalesky can be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.
Brightly colored retro campers are the hallmark of Urban Woods Camp in Columbia Falls. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Guy of Treeline Creative)
Urban Woods Camp offers a variety of amenities, including a games room with table tennis and arcade games. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Guy of Treeline Creative)
