Crystal Lake Group Campsite
The Crystal Lake Group Campground is located in the beautiful Big Snowies south of Lewistown, Montana, at 5,700 feet. Home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the Snowies.
More like this: reservable in Montana · pets allowed in Montana · group sites in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Lake Group site | 40 | Paved | Partial | Lakefront | 24 / – | Yes | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Site Crystal Lake Group site is listed accessible |
Water is available via a spring faucet and is just down from the camping site. An outhouse is provided next to the parking area for the group site. There is room for parking behind the gate in a parking area or to have two (up to 35’) campers parked there as well. Asphalt walkways and tent pads are present but room in the adjacent meadow can be used for bigger tents. Two large picnic tables are on site and a metal fire ring.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest |
| Fees | $20 per night for single unit |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Lewistown, drive west on Montana Highway 200/US 87 for about 8 miles. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake Road. Continue south, following the well-signed directions to the lake for 20 miles. At the "T" junction, turn left and continue on to Crystal Lake. The last 6 miles is paved and mostly a single lane.
| Nearest town | White Sulphur Springs, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.7965° N, 109.5109° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBluff Fire
35 mi from the campground · 96 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Crystal Lake Recreation Area Best Campsites - Angeles National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.
- 11.9 miUhlhorn Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.9 miUhlhorn Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miCrystal Accessible Spur ↗0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miCrystal Lake Loop ↗1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.1 miJack Milborne Trail ↗0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miUhlhorn ↗18.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miGrand View ↗5.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miCrystal Lk Stock Bypass1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miGrandview Trailhead ↗Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Manley’s General StoreBuilding · Garneill · 11.8 mi
Natural features
Settled in the basin of Crystal Lake, the group site offers great access to trails and ta short drive or walk to the lake. Some trees are around the campsite but may not offer much shade.
Recreation
The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails that stem from the Crystal Lake complex provide excellent views and interesting photo opportunities. One trail displays old hieroglyphs in a cave allowing visitors a glimpse of the past.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
Sites at Crystal Lake Group Campsite 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 Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
$20 per night for single unit
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Crystal Lake Group Campsite open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Crystal Lake Group Campsite have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
Yes, pets are allowed at Crystal Lake Group Campsite. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
Site Crystal Lake Group site is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Crystal Lake Group Campsite?
White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.
Source: Getting there
What if Crystal Lake Group Campsite is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Timber Creek Dispersed Campground (5.1 mi, first-come), Jellison Place Campground (27.3 mi, first-come), and Hay Canyon Campground (37.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby