Hellgate Campground

Photo · Taryn Preston, USBR

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

72Sites

120 ftMax rig

The place

Hellgate Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284. In July of 1805 the Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled through the Canyon Ferry area exploring and mapping the Missouri River. When Lewis visited the area he described it as a beautiful and extensive plain country of about 10 to 12 miles wide which extended upwards further than an eye could see. In the 1850s the gold rush hit the Canyon Ferry area attracting miners from all over the United States in the hopes of striking it rich. Keep reading

Recreation Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers a wide range of year-round recreational opportunities. Water related activities include everything from swimming and fishing to sailing and motor-boating. Canoeists and kayakers explore the many quiet backwater bays. Jet skiers, windsurfers and water skiers skim the summer waves, while winter draws ice fishermen and ice skaters. Facilities Hellgate Campground consists of 69 campsites and 3 Group Use shelters with overnight Camping. Each standard campsite consists of a gravel camping pad, picnic table, and a fire ring. Campsites are limited to one camping unit is permitted per site unless marked as a double campsite. (double campsites are clearly marked on the site posts). Hellgate Boat Ramp and Day Use Area provides two boat ramps, parking area for boat trailers and several day use picnic sites. There are three Group Use Shelter Areas: Lewis and Clark Group Use Shelter Includes 15 campsites. Each campsites has a fire ring and picnic table. The shelter is 30’ X 60’ with 12 picnic tables, 3 grills, and 2 group use fire rings. 3 vault toilets are easily accessible. York Group Use Shelter Includes 10 campsites. Each campsites has a fire ring and picnic table. The Shelter is 30’ X 60’ and contains 12 picnic tables, and 1 large communal fire ring. 1 vault toilet is easily accessible. (Formerly called Shelter B) Hellgate Bay Group Use Shelter Includes 5 campsites. Each with a fire ring and picnic table. The shelter is 30’ X 36’ and contains 7 picnic tables and 2 grills. and 1 large communal fire ring near the shelter. Natural Features Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Area sits along the banks of Canyon Ferry Reservoir in an open valley between the Big Belt and Elkhorns mountain ranges. Along the bank of the reservoir there is a narrow riparian canopy that provides partial shade. Nearby Attractions Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Area is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. The city of Helena, Montana, the state capital, is 25 miles away and the city of Townsend, Montana, is 21 miles away. For up to date events visit, click here Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (406) 475-3920.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 72

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric	ADA
A	11	standard nonelectric	45 ft	—
A	12	standard nonelectric	50 ft	—
A	13	standard nonelectric	120 ft	—
A	14	standard nonelectric	100 ft	—
A	15	standard nonelectric	55 ft	—
A	16	standard nonelectric	45 ft	—	yes
A	17	standard nonelectric	60 ft	—
A	18	standard nonelectric	95 ft	—
A	19	standard nonelectric	115 ft	—
A	20	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—	yes
A	21	standard nonelectric	85 ft	—
A	22	standard nonelectric	60 ft	—
A	23	standard nonelectric	110 ft	—
A	24	standard nonelectric	60 ft	—
A	25	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—	yes
A	26	standard nonelectric	104 ft	—
A	27	standard nonelectric	55 ft	—
A	28	standard nonelectric	80 ft	—
A	29	standard nonelectric	80 ft	—
B	30	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
B	31	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—
B	32	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—
B	33	standard nonelectric	50 ft	—
B	34	standard nonelectric	50 ft	—
B	35	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
B	36	standard nonelectric	37 ft	—	yes
B	37	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
B	38	standard nonelectric	47 ft	—
B	39	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
B	40	standard nonelectric	20 ft	—
C	41	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
C	42	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
C	43	standard nonelectric	32 ft	—
C	44	standard nonelectric	85 ft	—
C	45	standard nonelectric	85 ft	—
C	46	standard nonelectric	20 ft	—
C	47	standard nonelectric	32 ft	—
C	48	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—
C	49	standard nonelectric	33 ft	—
C	50	standard nonelectric	32 ft	—
C	51	standard nonelectric	32 ft	—
D	52	standard nonelectric	28 ft	—
D	53	standard nonelectric	33 ft	—
D	54	standard nonelectric	41 ft	—
D	55	standard nonelectric	30 ft	—
D	56	standard nonelectric	49 ft	—
D	57	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
D	58	standard nonelectric	46 ft	—
D	59	standard nonelectric	32 ft	—	yes
D	60	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
D	61	standard nonelectric	33 ft	—
D	62	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
D	63	standard nonelectric	30 ft	—
D	64	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—
D	65	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
D	66	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
D	67	standard nonelectric	38 ft	—
D	68	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—
D	69	standard nonelectric	37 ft	—
	001	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—

SHOWING 60 OF 72 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

We only charge fees during "Peak Seasons" the 1st weekend of May through the second weekend of September.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in MT-02. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard