Devil's Elbow Campground
Devil's Elbow Recreation Area is situated on the picturesque "Devil's Elbow" of Hauser Lake. Just a short drive from Helena, the 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.
More like this: reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana · group sites in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV, no hookups | 37 |
| Tent-only | 5 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 6 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
43 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 02 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 03 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 04 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 05 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 06 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 07 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 09 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 10 | A | RV | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 10 / 3 | Yes | Preferred |
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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Additional Camping Units: $25 per day/night Loop C: $50 per reservation for the Ramada/Pavilion plus $25 per night for each site. Max of 2 RVs or tents per site. Each RV/tent costs $25. You must occupy your campsite every night that you have reserved. |
| Accessibility | Sites 36, 37, 38, 39 and 3 more are listed accessible |
Devil's Elbow offers several amenities that will make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. Devil's Elbow is a 48-site campground that has spacious and level gravel parking pads that accommodate RVs, camper trailers and tents. Of the 48 sites, there are five sites that are specifically designated for tents. All sites are reservation only. Devil's Elbow features a large concrete boat launch with a courtesy dock, as well as day use and overnight dock slips for campers. The docks are first-come, first-served with no assigned slips. A fish cleaning station is available near the day-use parking at Devil's Elbow. There are men's and women's vault toilets located in each loop of the campground as well as near the boat launch. There is potable water provided throughout the campground and day use areas, as well as garbage dumpsters. Every campsite contains a fire ring with a grill grate in addition to a picnic table. There are also picnic tables and small pavilions throughout the areas and benches along the lake to take in the views. There is a small marina, general store with gas and a bar/restaurant just a half mile away.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Devil's Elbow Campground is located at 5965 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.
| Nearest town | Helena, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46.7016° N, 111.8095° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). • Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window • Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedBear Gulch Rx
16 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedWakina Sky Rx
16 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- PrescribedSure Thing Swamp Rx
30 mi from the campground · 180 acres
- PrescribedHogum Creek Road Piles Rx
38 mi from the campground · 5 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 ↗ | 4.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sierra ↗ | 11.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | D & D RV Center ↗ | 11.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Devil's Elbow Campground Review Helena, Montana
Worth a stop
Devil's Elbow 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.
- 0.8 miClark's Bay Day Use Site ↗Day use
- 7.3 miMissouri River Fishing Access Site ↗Fishing site
- 9.2 miNever Sweat Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.4 miMeriwether Picnic Area ↗Day use
Public land it sits in
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness begins about 8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8 miGates of the Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 28,460 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
- Silver Creek SchoolBuilding · Helena · 9.8 mi
- W. C. Child RanchBuilding · East Helena · 10.4 mi
- Montana Aeronautics Commission Operations Historic DistrictBuilding · Helena · 11.1 mi
Natural features
The campground and day use areas are situated in a shrub-steppe landscape, mostly comprised of sage brush and bunch grasses. Every campsite 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.
Recreation
Devil's Elbow offers excellent recreational access. Devil's Elbow has a small beach area, picnic areas, as well as a ramada/pavilion with power and lights, available by advanced reservation. There are vault toilets located in convenient locations throughout the area. 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. There are several world class mountain biking trails in the area as well. The recreation opportunities in the area are truly boundless.
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 Devil's Elbow Campground?
Sites at Devil's Elbow 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 Devil's Elbow Campground?
Additional Camping Units: $25 per day/night Loop C: $50 per reservation for the Ramada/Pavilion plus $25 per night for each site. Max of 2 RVs or tents per site. Each RV/tent costs $25.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Devil's Elbow Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Devil's Elbow Campground?
A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Devil's Elbow Campground have?
49 sites, including 37 RV sites without hookups, 5 tent-only sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Devil's Elbow Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Devil's Elbow Campground have hookups?
Yes, water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Devil's Elbow Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Devil's Elbow Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Devil's Elbow 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 Devil's Elbow Campground?
Sites 36, 37, 38, and 39 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 7 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 Devil's Elbow Campground?
FCC coverage maps show 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 Devil's Elbow Campground?
Devil's Elbow offers excellent recreational access. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation