Montana / Powell County / Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Kading Campground

Closed — Currently closed for the winter season. Road access beyond Hat Creek typically requires snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes due to snow closure.

About

Located 16 miles south of Elliston in the Little Blackfoot drainage, Kading Campground serves as a base for exploring central Montana's Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The campground sits adjacent to the Little Blackfoot River, known for excellent fly fishing with brown trout below Elliston and brook and cutthroat trout upstream. Ten campsites accommodate smaller rigs with a 16-foot recommended trailer length limit. The area offers diverse landscapes from river banks to subalpine terrain, with valleys, dense conifer forests, meadows, and barren ridges. Wildlife viewing opportunities include elk, deer, squirrels, and various birds. A trail from the campground heads south to Blackfoot Meadows, continuing into the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Whitehouse Campground. A small public corral across the road serves equestrians exploring the surrounding trails. The campground operates on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis for trash. Winter access can be challenging, as the Little Blackfoot Road is typically plowed only to Hat Creek, leaving approximately 7 miles of unplowed road for snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe access. The site is located on Forest Road 227, directly across from the historic Kading Cabin.

Directions

From Helena, drive southwest on US Highway 12 to Elliston. Turn left (south) onto Little Blackfoot River Road (Forest Road 227) just east of Elliston. Continue approximately 16 miles south to the campground on the left side of the road, directly across from Kading Cabin.

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