Montana / Lewis and Clark County

Hellgate Campground

Closed — Closed for winter. Group shelters operate May through mid-September and can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Some standard campsites are also reservable.

About

Hellgate Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284 on the eastern shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. As the largest campground on the reservoir, it offers 69 standard campsites and three group use shelters in an open valley setting between the Big Belt and Elkhorn mountain ranges. The Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled through this area in July 1805, and the region later attracted gold miners in the 1850s. Each standard campsite features a gravel camping pad, picnic table, and fire ring. The campground includes three group shelters: Lewis and Clark Shelter (15 campsites), York Shelter (10 campsites), and Hellgate Bay Shelter (5 campsites). A narrow riparian canopy along the reservoir provides partial shade. The adjacent boat ramp and day use area provide two boat ramps and trailer parking. Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers year-round recreation including fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, water skiing, jet skiing, and windsurfing in summer, with ice fishing and skating in winter. The campground is positioned halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, with Helena 25 miles west and Townsend 21 miles south.

Directions

From Helena, head east on County Road 430/Canyon Ferry Road for 38 miles to the Hellgate Campground sign and turn right. From Townsend, head north on Highway 284 for 21 miles and turn left at the campground sign.

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