Montana / Lewis and Clark County

Devil's Elbow Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates from May 1 through early October. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Special Weather Statement issued April 11 at 1:26PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

1:26 PM — 2:15 PM

At 124 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near East Helena to 7 miles east of Boulder. Movement was north at 45 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and accumulating pea size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations impacted include... Helena, Townsend, East Helena, Montana City, Wickes, York, Rimini, Alhambra, Corbin, Spring Meadow Lake State Park, Elkhorn State Park, Winston, Silos, Clancy, Black Sandy State Park, Jefferson City, and Goose Bay.

About

Devil's Elbow Recreation Area occupies a picturesque bend on Hauser Lake, approximately 20 minutes east of Helena. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, this 48-site campground offers reservation-only camping on spacious, level gravel pads that accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Five sites are specifically designated for tent camping. Every campsite provides views of the lake and surrounding Big Belt and Elkhorn mountains. The facility features a large concrete boat launch with courtesy dock and first-come, first-served overnight dock slips for campers. A fish cleaning station is available near the day-use area. The campground sits in a shrub-steppe landscape dominated by sagebrush and bunchgrasses with scattered ponderosa pine, providing limited shade but unobstructed views. An extensive network of paved and gravel trails connects Devil's Elbow to Clark's Bay and Two Camps Vista, offering non-motorized access for walking and biking. The area provides excellent access to fishing, boating, hunting, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking. A small marina with a general store, gas, and restaurant sits just half a mile away. While remote in feel, the campground's proximity to Helena provides convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining a secluded atmosphere on the lake.

Directions

From Helena: Exit I-15 onto Custer Avenue and head east. Turn left onto York Road and continue for 16 miles to Devil's Elbow Recreation Area. Alternatively, take the Lincoln Road exit from I-15, head east to Lake Helena Drive intersection, turn right (south) on Lake Helena Drive, then left on Deal Lane to York Road, and left (north) on York Road for 2 miles to the campground entrance. All access roads are paved.