Chinamen's Campground
Closed — Closed for the winter season. Reopens in late spring with full services including vault toilets, potable water, trash service, and a campground host through the summer months.
Fire Weather Watch issued March 23 at 1:00PM MDT until March 25 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest below the snow line. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, strongest in southern portions of the district. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent. * IMPACTS... New or existing fires/starts could be difficult to contain.
About
Chinamen's Campground is located at the very northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284. The campground sits between the Big Belt and Elkhorn mountain ranges and offers year-round access to Canyon Ferry Reservoir's extensive recreational opportunities. The area has a rich mining history dating back to the 1850s gold rush, with piles of rock tailings from old gold mines visible throughout the campground. The campground features 38 campsites with gravel roads. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Many campsites are compact and may not accommodate RVs larger than 20 feet. During the summer operating season, services include vault toilets, potable water, trash removal, and a campground host. Some sites are available through advance reservations on Recreation.gov, while others operate as first-come, first-served. Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers year-round recreation including swimming, fishing, sailing, motorboating, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and water skiing in summer. Winter activities include ice fishing, ice boating, and ice skating. The reservoir is located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, making it a convenient stop for travelers exploring Montana.
Directions
Heading north along MT Highway 12/287, drive north to Spokane Creek Road and turn right at the yellow flashing light. Follow Spokane Creek Road for 4.6 miles and turn right onto County Road 430/Canyon Ferry Road and continue to Chinamen's Campground. The campground will be on the right.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 35ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 20ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| dagallagher@usbr.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (406) 475-3921 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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