Can you reserve a site at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?

Yes, Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?

25 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT).

Are campfires allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?

Campfires are allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT), Montana — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Clark's Bay Day Use Area is situated on the picturesque "Devil's Elbow" and Clark's Bay of Hauser Lake. Just a short drive from Helena, this area offers stunning views of the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. The area is overflowing with outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you're into fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, boating or all of the above; all of these things are immediately accessed from (the greater) Hauser Lake Recreation Area. There is surely an activity for everyone! While just a short drive from Helena, the state capital; the feeling of seclusion and abundant nature is sure to impress.

Recreation

Clark's Bay offers excellent recreational access. Clark's Bay offers a large, approximately quarter-mile long manicured beach with a volleyball court, pavilions with picnic tables, power and lights. There are vault toilets located in convenient locations throughout the areas. There is a network of non-motorized, dirt, gravel and paved trails throughout Devil's Elbow, Two Camps Vista and Clark's Bay that allow you to walk or bike around the area without contending with vehicles. There are multiple trails within the larger Hauser Lake Recreation area, as well as multiple fishing access sites, hunting access, wildlife viewing and of course boating. World class mountain biking trails abound in the area as well. The recreation opportunities in the area are boundless.

Facilities

Clark's Bay offers several amenities that will make your day enjoyable and comfortable. At Clark's Bay there are two sets of vault toilets located near the beach and parking areas. There is potable water provided throughout the day use area, as well as garbage dumpsters. There are also picnic tables and small pavilions throughout the areas and benches along the lake and trails to take in the views. There is a small marina, general store with gas and a bar/restaurant just a half mile away.

Natural Features

The day use area is situated in a shrub-steppe landscape, mostly comprised of sage brush and bunch grasses. The entire day use area has a view of the lake and mountains. While there are some ponderosa pine and deciduous trees throughout the area, they are scarce and do not provide a large amount of shade, but the lake does help keep the temperatures down a bit on those hot summer days.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (406) 233-1093 or call (406) 318-8100 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

Clark's Bay is located in a prime location to get out and recreate outdoors, or within the capital of Montana. There are hundreds of miles of trails, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands, state parks, the Lewis and Clark Trail and so much more.

Helena (only a short drive away) has all the amenities of a large city with small town charm. There are great restaurants, museums, the capitol building, old mining settlements, Last Chance Gulch, Reeder's Alley and a vibrant downtown with a walking mall area.

Charges & Cancellations

• Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee. Reservation cancellations must be done through recreation.gov.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 25 ft
Up to 100 people per site
Loops: C-Loop

Site types

1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Water hookups
Campfires allowed
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)

Check-in 9:00 AM · Check-out 9:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
RAMADA/PAVILION	C-Loop	Group Shelter Electric	—	Paved	Slight	Lakefront	25 ft	100	♿ 🐾

Getting there

Clark's Bay Day Use Area is located at 5725 York Road, Helena, Montana 59601. From Interstate 90 driving from Bozeman, exit at Exit: 274 US 287 Helena/Ennis, Right turn to continue North on 287 and continue for 57 miles. Turn right onto Lake Helena Drive, then turn right in 450 feet to stay on Lake Helena Drive. Continue for 4 miles through the roundabout. Turn right onto York Road and drive 5.7 miles to Clark's Bay Day Use Area. From Helena/Butte/Great Falls: Drive to (or exit from I-15 onto) Custer Avenue, Head East on Custer Ave. Take left turn onto York Road. Continue on for 15 miles to Clark's Bay Day Use Area.

46.69170, -111.81865 · 46°41'30.1"N 111°49'7.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 32°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	32	37	48	57	66	75	86	85	73	58	43	33
Low °F	14	17	25	32	42	49	55	53	45	34	23	14
Precip in	0.4	0.4	0.5	1.0	1.9	2.2	1.1	1.0	1.0	0.8	0.6	0.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

$5.00/vehicle for day use per vehicle or walk-in group if parking outsite the site and can be paid for on site at the self-serve fee station. The fee covers the use of the facility. A $50.00 annual day-use pass is available for frequent users and is may be purchased online on recreation.gov, search Chain of Lakes Recreation Site - Clark's Bay. The group reservation area can be reserved for $50.00 per day. This fee does not cover the vehicles, which cost $5.00 per vehicle. Reservations can only be made through recreation.gov and are not available on-site.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)

Can you reserve a site at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?: Yes, Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) have?: 1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?: 25 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT).
Does Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) have hookups?: Water.
Are campfires allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)?: Campfires are allowed at Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)

Devil's Elbow Campground 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Riverside Campground 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
White Sandy Campground 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Court Sheriff Campground 5.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Chinamen's Campground 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cave Point Group Use Area 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jo Bonner Campground 7.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bar Gulch Cabin 9.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Clark's Bay Day Use Site less than 0.1 mi · Facility
Devil's Elbow Recreation Site 0.8 mi · Facility
Missouri River Fishing Access Site 7.6 mi · Facility
Vigilante Campground 9.5 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 406-227-3570
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-01.

Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)