Hellgate Campground

About

Hellgate Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana along Montana Highway 284. As the largest campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir, it occupies an open valley setting between the Big Belt and Elkhorn mountain ranges, with a narrow riparian canopy along the shoreline providing partial shade. The campground features 69 standard nonelectric campsites, each equipped with a gravel camping pad, picnic table, and fire ring. Three group use shelters are available for larger parties: Lewis and Clark Shelter (15 campsites), York Shelter (10 campsites), and Hellgate Bay Shelter (5 campsites). Vault toilets, drinking water, and a boat ramp are provided. Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers extensive water recreation including fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, jet skiing, water skiing, and windsurfing. The area has historical significance as Lewis and Clark explored and mapped the Missouri River here in July 1805. Helena is 25 miles away and Townsend is 21 miles distant.

Directions

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