Coulter Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Open May through October. Access by boat only from Gates of the Mountains Boat Club or Holter Dam area, or via Trail #257. First-come, first-served with a 14-day maximum stay.

About

Coulter Campground is a remote boat-in only campground offering 5 primitive campsites on the east side of Upper Holter Lake in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Located adjacent to the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness within a scenic river canyon, the campground provides an exceptional backcountry experience with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and solitude. The campground is accessible only by private boat from Gates of the Mountains Boat Club or the Holter Dam area, or by hiking Trail #257. Approximately 1 mile north of the campground is Meriwether Picnic Site, a large day-use area with wilderness access and boat docks connected by a scenic river trail. The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for trout and walleye, with shore and motorized boat fishing available. As a primitive campground, amenities are basic but adequate for experienced campers. Sites include vault toilets but no potable water, so visitors must bring their own. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system and no fees. The remote location and boat-in access ensure a peaceful camping experience surrounded by Montana's dramatic canyon landscape.

Directions

Located on I-15 north from Helena to the Gates of the Mountains or Wolf Creek exits. Boat access only from the Gates of the Mountains Boat Club or the Holter Dam area. Can also be accessed via Trail #257.

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