Can you reserve a site at Hellgate Campground?

Yes, Hellgate Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Hellgate Campground?

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

Are pets allowed at Hellgate Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Hellgate Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Hellgate Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Hellgate Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Hellgate Campground, Montana — 72 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

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.

The facts

72 bookable sites
8 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 120 ft
Up to 150 people per site
Loops: A, B, C, D

Site types

69 Standard Nonelectric
3 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

72 campsites at Hellgate Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
001	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	40 ft	8	🐾
002	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	40 ft	8	🐾
003	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	40 ft	8	🐾
004	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	40 ft	8	🐾
005	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	40 ft	8	🐾
006	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	40 ft	8	🐾
007	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	30 ft	8	🐾
008	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	30 ft	8	🐾
009	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	30 ft	8	🐾
010	—	Standard Nonelectric	—	—	Severe	Springs	30 ft	8	🐾
Hellgate Bay - Group Use Campsites "C"	—	Group Shelter Electric	—	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	—	50	♿ 🐾
Lewis and Clark Group Use Campsites "A"	—	Group Shelter Electric	—	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	—	150	♿ 🐾
York Group Use Campsites "B"	—	Group Shelter Electric	—	Gravel	—	—	—	150	♿ 🐾
11	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	Lakefront	45 ft	8	🐾
12	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	50 ft	8	🐾
13	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	120 ft	16	🐾
14	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	100 ft	8	🐾
15	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	55 ft	8	🐾
16	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	45 ft	8	♿ 🐾
17	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	60 ft	8	🐾
18	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	95 ft	8	🐾
19	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	115 ft	16	🐾
20	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	♿ 🐾
21	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	85 ft	8	🐾
22	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	60 ft	8	🐾
23	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	110 ft	16	🐾
24	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	60 ft	8	🐾
25	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	♿ 🐾
26	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	104 ft	8	🐾
27	A	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	55 ft	8	🐾
28	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	80 ft	16	🐾
29	A	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	80 ft	8	🐾
30	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	25 ft	16	🐾
31	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	40 ft	8	🐾
32	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	40 ft	8	🐾
33	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	50 ft	8	🐾
34	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
35	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	25 ft	8	🐾
36	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	37 ft	8	♿ 🐾
37	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	25 ft	8	🐾
38	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	47 ft	8	🐾
39	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	🐾
40	B	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	20 ft	8	🐾
41	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	25 ft	16	🐾
42	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	25 ft	8	🐾
43	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	32 ft	8	🐾
44	C	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	85 ft	16	🐾
45	C	Standard Nonelectric	Parallel	Gravel	Moderate	Lakefront	85 ft	16	🐾
46	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	20 ft	8	🐾
47	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	32 ft	8	🐾
48	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	16	🐾
49	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	33 ft	8	🐾
50	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	32 ft	8	🐾
51	C	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	32 ft	8	🐾
52	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	28 ft	8	🐾
53	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	33 ft	8	🐾
54	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	41 ft	16	🐾
55	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
56	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	49 ft	16	🐾
57	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	🐾
58	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	46 ft	8	🐾
59	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	32 ft	8	♿ 🐾
60	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	🐾
61	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	33 ft	8	🐾
62	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	🐾
63	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
64	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	40 ft	8	🐾
65	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	🐾
66	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
67	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	8	🐾
68	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
69	D	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	37 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

From Helena, MT: Head east along Co Rd 430/Canyon Ferry Rd from Helena, MT, continue for 38 miles to the Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Area sign and turn right. Continue straight until you reach the campground.

From Townsend, MT: Head north on Hwy 284 for 21 miles and turn left at the Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Areasign. Continue straight until you reach the campground.

46.61766, -111.64013 · 46°37'3.6"N 111°38'24.5"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, 15.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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

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 Hellgate Campground

Can you reserve a site at Hellgate Campground?: Yes, Hellgate Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Hellgate Campground have?: 72 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Hellgate Campground?: 120 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Hellgate Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Hellgate Campground.
Does Hellgate Campground have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Hellgate Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Hellgate Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Hellgate Campground

Jo Bonner Campground 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cave Point Group Use Area 3.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Chinamen's Campground 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Court Sheriff Campground 4.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Riverside Campground 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bar Gulch Cabin 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
White Earth Campground 7.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT) 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Never Sweat Trailhead 6.2 mi · Facility
Coulter Campground 8.6 mi · Campground
Devil's Elbow Recreation Site 9.8 mi · Facility
Clark's Bay Day Use Site 9.9 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Hellgate Campground