Can you reserve a site at Watkins Creek Trailhead?

No. Watkins Creek Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Watkins Creek Trailhead

Facility · Montana ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Gallatin National Forest (NF) · Open Access

6,694 ft
Elevation

Watkins Creek Trailhead starts off with Trail #215, it is a trailhead that connects to three trail opportunites including:

Trail #215 to #209 - Coffin Lake - A rountrip 10 mile out and back hike - Coffin Lake gains 1800 feet elevation beginning in an open meadow and gain elevation to the alpine lake.
Trail #215 continues on and connects to the Continental Divide Trail
A third choice is #215 to trail #209 which then connects to trail #216, West Fork of Watkins Creek leading to Sheep Lake. Sheep Lake can also be accessed through Trail #218 off Hwy 87.

Refer to Forest Map and Motor Vehicle Use Map for foot and bicycle use in the area.

Getting there

44.79849, -111.29731 · 44°47'54.6"N 111°17'50.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 79°F in Jul, down to 23°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	23	28	38	47	58	68	79	78	68	51	34	23
Low °F	4	5	14	23	32	39	45	43	37	28	18	6
Precip in	3.1	2.8	2.2	2.3	3.1	3.0	1.6	1.4	1.6	2.1	2.5	3.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about Watkins Creek Trailhead

Can you reserve a site at Watkins Creek Trailhead?: No. Watkins Creek Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Watkins Creek Trailhead

Lonesomehurst Campground 5.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cabin Creek Campground 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Beaver Creek Campground 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rainbow Point Campground 5.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Basin Station Cabin 6.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cabin Creek Cabin 7.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Beaver Creek Cabin (MT) 8.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hilltop Campground (MT) 13 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cliff Point (MT) 13.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Red Canyon Creek 5.4 mi · Facility
Basin Station Cabin 5.8 mi · Campground
Baker's Hole Campground 11.6 mi · Campground

Comments

Contact

Info Recreation.gov

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

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.