Gipsy Lake Campground
The campground's current operational status is uncertain. The official USFS website now lists this location as Gipsy Lake Day Picnic Area (day-use only), though Visit Montana and legacy USFS data still reference it as an overnight campground. Contact the Townsend Ranger District at 406-266-3425 to confirm overnight camping availability before planning a trip. If open for camping, expect seasonal access limited by snow on the primitive access road, typically late spring through fall.
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
About
Gipsy Lake Campground occupies a serene setting adjacent to a small mountain lake on the east side of the Big Belt Mountains in Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The 5 primitive campsites provide a quiet base camp for exploring the surrounding backcountry, with each site equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The campground serves as the trailhead for the Gipsy/Birch Creek Trail, a 7.5-mile non-motorized route that climbs through the Big Belt Mountains past several spectacular alpine lakes including Hidden, Edith, Grace, and Upper Baldy lakes. The trail continues to an area called the Needles, named for its distinctive rock formations. Fishing opportunities abound both at Gipsy Lake and the lakes along the trail. This is a primitive facility with vault toilets but no potable water. Campers must bring all drinking water and pack out all trash. Access requires navigating approximately 15 miles of increasingly primitive gravel roads from White Sulphur Springs, with the final stretch on Forest Road 8961. Maximum trailer length is 15 feet, making this campground unsuitable for large RVs.
Directions
From White Sulphur Springs, travel west on Highway 360. About 1.6 miles from town where the highway curves sharply right, continue straight onto gravel road. After 6.5 miles at a ranch entrance, stay right at the fork. Continue 7.5 miles to the Helena National Forest boundary as the road becomes more primitive. Within 1 mile of the boundary, turn south onto Forest Road 8961 and follow it 2 miles to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 15ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 15ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 266-3425 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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