Family Camping Activities for All Ages: Games, Hiking, and Campfire Fun
Explore family camping activities that bring all ages together, from outdoor games and scenic hikes to memorable campfire fun that creates lasting memories.
Hello, fellow Montanans! When we're looking for a place to enjoy our state's incredible outdoors, we often seek out reliable, welcoming campgrounds where we can unwind and create lasting memories. However, it's equally important to be informed about places that might not meet those expectations or could even lead to significant issues. "Ashley Lake Hideaway" in Kalispell, MT, presents a complex picture, and based on recent public feedback, it appears to operate more as a short-term or long-term rental property with serious management concerns rather than a traditional public campground accessible to the general public for recreational stays. This article aims to provide a factual overview based on available user reviews, serving as a critical piece of information for local Montanans considering this location.
The information provided through customer reviews suggests a concerning pattern of behavior from the management of Ashley Lake Hideaway. While the name might evoke images of serene lakeside camping, the experiences shared by former occupants paint a very different picture involving unexpected lease terminations and financial disputes. Our goal here is to present these facts clearly, so you, our local users in Montana, can make informed decisions when looking for places to stay. This content will focus on the details that have emerged, rather than promoting it as a typical recreational campground, highlighting why it might not be suitable for the stable, enjoyable camping experience many Montanans seek.
Ashley Lake Hideaway is listed at 100 Sherman Rd Office, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA. Kalispell is a prominent city in Northwest Montana, serving as a commercial hub for the Flathead Valley and a gateway to recreational areas like Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. Ashley Lake itself is a beautiful body of water known for its clear, turquoise waters, located approximately 17 miles west of Kalispell.
Traditional camping at Ashley Lake is typically found at designated USDA Forest Service campgrounds such as Ashley Lake North Campground and Ashley Lake South Campground, both managed by the Flathead National Forest. These are accessible via Ashley Lake Road (#912) from Highway 2 west of Kalispell. The North campground has 6 campsites and a host site, while the South campground is smaller with 2 sites. These official Forest Service sites offer basic amenities like vault toilets and fire rings, but no potable water, and have stay limits.
However, the address provided for "Ashley Lake Hideaway" (100 Sherman Rd Office) and the nature of the reviews suggest this location is not one of these public Forest Service campgrounds. Instead, it appears to be a privately managed property, possibly involving cabins, lodges, or residential rentals that are marketed for stays near Ashley Lake. The mention of "moving in," "lease agreement," and "parents that have children that just started school" strongly implies it functions as a residential rental property, either short-term or long-term, rather than a publicly accessible recreational campground.
Therefore, accessibility to "Ashley Lake Hideaway" would involve driving to this specific private address in Kalispell, rather than navigating to a designated public campground entrance. Prospective visitors should be aware that the experiences described in the reviews are distinctly different from those typically associated with public camping facilities.
Based on the provided customer reviews, "Ashley Lake Hideaway" appears to offer services more akin to a private rental property rather than a public campground. The nature of these services, and the management of them, have been a source of significant concern for past occupants:
It is critically important to note what is NOT mentioned or implied as a service, which would be typical for a recreational campground:
The core "services" appear to revolve around the provision of residential space for a fee, with significant negative feedback regarding the stability and transparency of these arrangements.
Based on the provided, albeit concerning, customer reviews, the "features" or "highlights" of Ashley Lake Hideaway are described with a mix of initial appeal and significant drawbacks:
However, the overwhelming "features" highlighted by the negative reviews are concerning management practices:
It is evident that any initial "highlights" like affordability or a friendly host were severely overshadowed by the described operational issues, making the negative management practices a defining "feature" of this place as portrayed by customer feedback.
Based on the provided information, the contact details for Ashley Lake Hideaway are:
Address: 100 Sherman Rd Office, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Phone: (406) 261-3250
Mobile Phone: +1 406-261-3250
Given the nature of the reviews, which strongly suggest issues related to a private rental property rather than a public campground, any contact with "Ashley Lake Hideaway" at these numbers should be made with caution and an awareness of the potential for the issues described by past customers. It is important to note that these phone numbers and address appear to be for the management or office associated with the property, not a public information line for a recreational site.
For individuals seeking information about actual public camping facilities in the Ashley Lake area, it is recommended to contact the managing authority for those sites, which is the Flathead National Forest. Their general contact information is typically:
When considering "Ashley Lake Hideaway," it would be prudent to exercise extreme diligence. If contacting them, be prepared to ask very specific questions about the nature of the accommodation, the terms of any lease or rental agreement, cancellation policies, and any potential hidden fees or conditions, given the serious concerns raised in customer reviews. It would also be advisable to seek legal counsel if considering any long-term lease with this entity, based on the past experiences shared by reviewers.
For Montanan locals seeking genuine, reliable outdoor experiences, "Ashley Lake Hideaway" in Kalispell, based on the provided customer reviews, appears to be fundamentally unsuitable as a traditional "campground" or even a stable short-term rental option. The core of its unsuitability lies in the severe and recurring issues reported by former occupants, which directly contradict the values of stability, transparency, and fair dealing that Montanans expect from local businesses and accommodations.
Montanans cherish the ability to plan their outdoor adventures and living arrangements with confidence. The repeated instances of "terminating our lease agreement after one month without any cause!" and the management "taking our money then demanding to get the heck!" represent a significant threat to financial and residential stability. This directly impacts "families that are left because they have children that just started school and no parent should have to deal with that." Such experiences are antithetical to the peace of mind and security that locals seek, whether in a permanent residence or a temporary vacation spot.
While one review mentions an "Affordable price close to Kalispell" and a "super friendly" host, these initial positives are completely undermined by the alleged patterns of "continuously moving people in and out" and demands for more money after an initial agreement. For a Montanan looking for a trustworthy place to stay or camp, these reported practices are deeply concerning and suggest an environment of instability and potential exploitation rather than hospitality.
In contrast, when Montanans think of camping near Ashley Lake, they typically envision the reliable, if rustic, experiences offered by public lands campgrounds like Ashley Lake North or South, where rules are clear, and operations are transparent. These public sites provide a predictable environment for enjoyment. "Ashley Lake Hideaway," as portrayed, appears to operate in a manner that creates significant risk and distress for its occupants.
Therefore, for any Montanan local, it is crucial to understand that "Ashley Lake Hideaway" does not align with the expectations of a dependable campground or even a safe rental property. Locals are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution, thoroughly investigate, and consider the severe negative feedback before engaging with this establishment for any type of stay. This information serves as a vital warning to protect fellow Montanans from potentially disruptive and financially damaging experiences, guiding them towards more reputable and stable options for enjoying our beautiful state.
Identifies as women-owned
Restroom
After moving in, we were given notice to vacate. Something involving county sanitation? Never got a legitimate reason. Just took our money then demanded to get the heck! Terminating our lease agreement after one month without any cause! Disgusting human beings. I figured as much when they agreed to a deposit amount and a week later came knocking for more, going back on their previous word and of course we forked up the $. Apparently they need all they can get as they were continuously moving people in and out throughout our stay…. Hope they get it figured out and stop messing with people and their stability. I’ll be praying for the families that are left because they have children that just started school and no parent should have to deal with that. Good luck.
Affordable price close to kalispell. The host is super friendly.