Hellgate Campground
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.
More like this: electric hookups in Montana · reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana · group sites in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 69 |
| group shelter electric | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
72 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 002 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 003 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 004 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 005 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 006 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 007 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 008 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 009 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| 010 | Standard | Partial | No | Springs | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 120 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | We only charge fees during "Peak Seasons" the 1st weekend of May through the second weekend of September. |
| Accessibility | Sites York Group Use Campsites "B", Hellgate Bay - Group Use Campsites "C", Lewis and Clark Group Use Campsites "A", 16 and 4 more are listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Helena, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.6177° N, 111.6401° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedBear Gulch Rx
21 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedWakina Sky Rx
21 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedSure Thing Swamp Rx
34 mi from the campground · 180 acres
- PrescribedKings Hill Cabin Piles Rx
47 mi from the campground · 1 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | D & D RV Center ↗ | 17.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 17.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Hellgate Campground
Worth a stop
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.
- 6.2 miNever Sweat Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.9 miClark's Bay Day Use Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miLittle Hellgate ↗6.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.9 miFrontage Trail4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.2 miCave Ridge ↗9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 4.5 miHoliday1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 4.9 miHellgate Ridge ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest begins about 9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9 miHelena-Lewis and Clark National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,177,729 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Spokane Hill Airway BeaconStructure · Winston · 6.2 mi
- W. C. Child RanchBuilding · East Helena · 13.4 mi
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.
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.
Guidebooks for Montana
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hellgate Campground?
Sites at Hellgate Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Hellgate Campground?
We only charge fees during "Peak Seasons" the 1st weekend of May through the second weekend of September.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hellgate Campground?
Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Hellgate Campground have?
72 sites, including 69 standard sites without power and 3 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Hellgate Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Hellgate Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Hellgate Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hellgate Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Hellgate Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Hellgate Campground?
Sites York Group Use Campsites "B", Hellgate Bay - Group Use Campsites "C", Lewis and Clark Group Use Campsites "A", and 16 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 8 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Hellgate Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Hellgate Campground?
Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers a wide range of year-round recreational opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hellgate Campground?
Helena, Montana. Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Area is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.
Source: Getting there