Bitterroot National Forest

1801 N. 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100

NEWS RELEASE
__________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tod McKay
Public Affairs Officer
(406) 363-7122
(406) 531-1130 - CELL
tgmckay@fs.fed.us
April 4, 2011

FOREST ANNOUNCES CONTEST TO NAME CAMPGROUND & GROUP SITE

Hamilton, MT. – Ever thought it would be fun to be the person who gets to name campgrounds and recreation
sites on the National Forest? The Bitterroot National Forest is giving you that rare opportunity this month. The
Forest is accepting nominations from the public beginning today through Tuesday, April 19th of potential names
for its newly renovated Campground and Group Site area at Lake Como, on the Darby Ranger District. Both
projects were funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and are scheduled to open
to the public later this summer. See below for more project history and details.

The Forest is searching for the perfect names that incorporate the history, scenery, recreation opportunities and
wildlife, native to the Forest, Bitterroot Valley, and Western Montana. Along with your entry, each submission
should include 2-3 sentences describing “why” your name is the perfect choice for the Campground or Group
Site area at Lake Como. Contest entries are limited to a maximum of 3 per person.

“It’s not every day that a Forest has the opportunity to re-open and name a Campground and Group Site,” said
Darby District Ranger Chuck Oliver. “We’re excited to share this naming opportunity with the community and
are hoping that schools, groups, families, and individuals will join in the fun and help us come up with a
creative and unique name for our new facilities.”

The winning names will be announced next month at a grand opening event taking place at the Group Site at
Lake Como. Besides being able to tell your friends and family that you named a new campground on the
National Forest, winners will also receive a 2011 season pass to the Lake Como Recreation Area good for free
entrance and access to all day-use areas including swimming, boating and hiking, plus some US Forest Service
merchandise.

When submitting entries please provide: (1) name, address, phone number; (2) reference the
Campground/Group Site Naming Contest; (3) winning name(s); (4) please specify which location your entry
is for, i.e. “Group Site” or “Campground”; (5) 2-3 sentences describing why your name is the best choice.
Submit entries by Tuesday, April 19th to Erica Strayer, Darby Ranger District, 712 N. Main, Darby, MT. 59829
or estrayer@fs.fed.us. Entries can also be hand delivered to the Darby Ranger District on weekdays between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

For more information or details on the naming contest, contact Erica Strayer at (406) 821-3913 or Tod McKay
at (406) 363-7122.

###

Como Group Site: This group site is currently being reconstructed and will re-open to the public in early
summer 2011. The site is located east of Lake Como across from the Rock Creek Horse Camp. It is accessible
to many hiking trails and will include a new pavilion, restroom, picnic tables, group fire ring and parking area.
Once completed, it will be available for the public to reserve for events. Group size will be 75 people.
Currently, there is not a location within the Lake Como Recreation Area to accommodate larger groups, family
gatherings, weddings, reunions etc. To see current photos of the site visit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fsnorthernregion/sets/72157624493259882/. For more information, contact the
Darby Ranger District at (406) 821-3913.

Upper Como Campground: Has been closed for reconstruction since Sept. 2010. When open later this
summer, the campground will include new fire rings and picnic tables, four walk-in tent camp sites (equipped
with table, fire rings, tent pad and walkway to the site), two new outhouses, and a new loop with 9 additional
camp sites.

Lake Como Recreation Area: Is located on the Darby Ranger District and is the most utilized recreation site
on the Bitterroot National Forest and in the entire Northern Rockies Region of the Forest Service System. It is
the only designated Forest Service High Impact Recreation Area in Montana, northern Idaho and portions of
North and South Dakota and is visited by more than 100,000 people annually. The area is extremely popular
with boaters, horseback riders, mountain bikers, hikers, day users, campers, and x-country skiers.