Established Camping
White Sandy Campground
White Sandy Campground, near Helena, Montana, is a scenic spot that offers a laid-back atmosphere right by Hauser Lake. With spacious sites that are well-spaced out, it’s a great place to kick back and soak up the natural beauty.
The campground features a lovely beach area perfect for sunbathing and swimming, although some visitors have mentioned that the water quality can vary. There's also a boat ramp for those looking to hit the water, and the parking area is ample, making it easy to access the lake. As one camper noted, “The views are amazing,” which is a sentiment echoed by many who have enjoyed the picturesque surroundings.
For those who enjoy hiking, there are trails nearby that provide a chance to explore the local landscape. While the campground doesn’t offer many amenities—like showers or picnic tables—visitors appreciate the clean facilities and the peaceful vibe. One reviewer mentioned, “The campground was clean and the sites were spacious,” highlighting the well-kept nature of the area.
If you’re planning a trip, keep in mind that the campground operates from mid-May to September, making it a seasonal retreat for families and friends looking to escape the hustle and bustle. Whether you’re fishing, boating, or just relaxing by the water, White Sandy Campground is a solid choice for a weekend getaway.
Description
Bureau of Land Management
Hauser Lake
Overview
White Sandy is located on the west side of Hauser Lake at the confluence of Prickly Pear creek. White Sandy faces Eldorado Bar and the beautiful Big Belt mountains. It is in an ideal location for outdoor recreation, wildlife watching, water sports, camping and swimming.
Recreation
White Sandy offers excellent recreational access. There is a 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 site. There are trails throughout White Sandy as well as in the surrounding area. Additionally, 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. World class mountain biking trails abound in the area as well. The recreation opportunities are truly boundless.
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.
Nearby Attractions
White Sandy 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.
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation Cancellations & Changes Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. 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. The recreation.gov cancellation policy can be found here: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
Fee Info
$25 per night per camping unit per site, with a maximum of 2 units per site. Group Loop-C Loop with Ramada/Pavilion is $140 per night with a maximum of 2 units per site (x6 sites = 12 units) with no additional fees. *** You must occupy your campsite every night that you have reserved. If you do not show up for 24 hours from "Check-In Time" (2:00 PM), you forfeit the use of that site and are not entitled to any refunds or discounts. *** *** You must occupy the site you reserved and cannot change sites, or move to a different loop of the campground.***
Location
White Sandy Campground is located in Montana
Directions
From Helena drive north, from Great Falls drive south on I-15 to the Lincoln Road exit, turn east on Lincoln Rd and continue to the T-intersection with Hauser Dam Rd, turn left (North) and continue about 4 miles until you reach White Sandy Recreation Area directly in front of you on the right hand side of the road. If you get to Black Sandy state park, you have gone too far.
Address
6563 HAUSER DAM RD
Helena, MT 59602
Coordinates
46.74094 N
111.88876 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonGood
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileGood
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 20 min from Helena
- 1 hr 19 min from Great Falls
- 1 hr 36 min from Bozeman
- 1 hr 59 min from Missoula
