## Overview

 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.\_\_ 
## 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. 
## Facilities

 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.\_\_\_\_ 
## 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. \_\_ 
## Nearby Attractions

 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. For up to date events visit, [ click here][1] 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (406) 475-3920. 

[1]: http://www.helenamt.com

Hellgate Campground

Canyon Ferry Lake is an expansive lake reaching 33 miles from Townsend to Helena, MT. Gorgeous scenery that is reminiscent of the ocean: long, white-sand beaches, warm waters (in the summer), and the lake disappearing into the horizon. Hellgate Campground is the largest developed campground with 69 campsites along the banks of the lake. Some campsites are for single cars only and some have space for multiple vehicles. Each campsite has a designated fire ring and picnic tables. Verizon cell coverage is available. Rated a four-star because this campground is popular and fills up quickly, a little too populated for my personal preference.

Scenic Shores

This is a beautiful campground right on canyon ferry lake! The camp host where super nice and drove around often to check on the campground! The site was very clean when we showed up! I would defiantly recommend people to this campground!

Beautiful and nice 

I know everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to a site. I treasure seclusion, trees, and a lack of crowds/people. This site is by some beautiful water, but that’s about all it has. No trails, everything is wide open and people can really get packed in there. That being said, it’s ok for a quick weekend trip if you live in Helena. Not my first, second, or third choice tho. Lots of RV’s. Keep in mind that this is the same for all of the sites in the canyon ferry/Missouri River area. Just not for me. 

Not my kind of camping 

Disclaimer, I went Memorial Day weekend. But it was RV hell. And I don't know about that "one unit per site" nonsense - almost every site near me had one or two RVs/campers plus a tent, or some combo like that. So many people, so loud, yelling and laughing and running generators. I'm glad they had a good time - I'm not a "get off my lawn" camper, but it was a little extra. The bathrooms are very clean and convenient! And if you camp in loops A, B, or C, you get your own slice of waterfront property on the other side of some nice shade trees. Side note, someone had poached my reservation so when I arrived, first stop was camp host to regulate. Which she promptly did so no biggie.

Not great for tent camping

Very exposed to wind gusts due to lack of trees. First evening was uncomfortable due to constant wind. Boat launch did not have docks set up on memorial day weekend. Made boat use very difficult. Otherwise it was a nice stay.


No docks; too windy

This campground is huge it sits on a peninsula jutting out in the the Missouri River. Some spots have trees which provide much needed shade in this dry area. Deer came through the campground while we were there. We had a trailer but the sites seem primitive, no power or water hookups. There was a vault toilet and a place to pump water from but I think we were there right at the end of the season so the pumps might have been off. Trailer was easy to back into our slot, but several places had pull throughs. We would definitely stay here again.

Giant campground where nearly every site has beach access

We stayed here for 4 nights over 4th of July weekend. The camp hosts make rounds quite often, so rules are followed pretty closely. We took ATVs and rode them to a trailhead that starts just across the highway from the campsite. Beautiful trails and a lot of them! We had campsites #1-6 and even through the reservation website says "severe grade", they were great sites with plenty of level areas for a large camper and most of them were shaded and had trees in between the sites. Sites #1-6 are not on the water; so you do have to drive or walk to the water or get a campsite that is right on the water (there are many of those). There are 2 boat ramps with courtesy docks for boats and parking for trailers. A short drive down the road (or drive the boat down) is Kim's Marina which has a convenience store for food, essentials, beer, ice, etc.