Established Camping
Bar Gulch
Bar Gulch is located in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, featuring forested terrain with surrounding hills. The area experiences temperature highs around 80°F in summer and lows near 10°F in winter. Nearby attractions include Canyon Ferry Lake and the Gates of the Mountains, offering opportunities for water activities and scenic exploration.
Description
USDA Forest Service
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
Overview
Bar Gulch Cabin is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. The cabin was originally constructed in the 1930s on Forest Service lands to be used for mining purposes. Instead, it was used for recreational purposes and issued a special use permit, which was transferred to several owners until it was donated to the Forest Service in 1988. Today the cabin is a rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It is accessible by car, but snow removal is not provided in winter. The cabin offers several amenities, but guests should be prepared to bring some of their own supplies and gear.
Recreation
Guests at the cabin can step out to several hiking opportunities right out the backdoor. Belt Divide Trail and Bar Gulch Trail are favorites in the area. Bar Gulch Trail is actually an old road through a timbered gulch, and is mainly used for hunting. The Ridge Trail, located along the crest of the Big Belt Mountains, is a favorite for those on foot, offering expansive views of the surrounding mountain ranges as well as overnight camping opportunities. Guests can take advantage of boating and fishing at Canyon Ferry Lake, which is only five miles away. The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, perch, ling and walleye. The wildlife viewing near the lake is quite impressive as well. It is one of the best in the country for viewing large concentrations of bald eagles. A wildlife management area at the end of the reservoir is home to a colony of terns and pelicans.
Natural Features
Bar Gulch Cabin sits in a grassy, open clearing surrounded by a canopy of mixed-conifer forest. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes. The area offers unique opportunities for viewing wildlife. Elk, bighorn sheep, mule and white-tailed deer, black bear, moose and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well.
Location
Bar Gulch is located in Montana
Directions
Bar Gulch Cabin is located 24 miles from Helena and 30 miles from Townsend on Magpie Road (#425). From Helena, take Canyon Ferry Road over the dam, past Kim's Marina. Continuing east, watch for a left-hand turn onto Magpie Road. From this intersection, proceed up Magpie Road 3.9 miles. Turn left on Bar Gulch Road. Continue on Bar Gulch Road approximately .25 miles to the cabin. The cabin is located on the left. Access to the cabin is good and does not usually require a 4-wheel drive vehicle but the Forest Service does not provide snow removal to the cabin. Please respect the private lands that are near the cabin site.
Address
415 S. FRONT STREET
Townsend, MT 59644
Coordinates
46.6969444 N
111.6241667 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Reservable