Best Camping near Helena, MT

Are you in need of a campground near Helena, MT? Helena is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Helena, MT. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Helena, MT (126)

    Camper-submitted photo from Black Sandy State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Sandy State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Sandy State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Sandy State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Sandy State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Sandy State Park Campground

    1. Black Sandy State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    42 Photos
    35 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground

    2. Court Sheriff Campground

    14 Reviews
    34 Photos
    38 Saves

    Overview

    Court Sheriff Campground is located at the very north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284. Court Sheriff Campground offers year-round access to a wide range of recreational opportunities. Court Sheriff Campground is named for the Sheriff family. In 1865 Court Sheriff moved into the region from the state of Illinois to Montana to work the mines. Court Sheriff first worked the mines in Diamond City, then hired on as a carpenter to help build a wooden flume for the Magpie-Gave Hill ditch. In 1875 he opened a general mercantile to serve the miners east of the Missouri River at Cavetown. He moved to nearby Canyon Ferry in 1880, and by 1883 had established a general store and later added a livery stable and two-and-a-half-story hotel.

    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, ice boaters and ice skaters.

    Facilities

    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, ice boaters and ice skaters.

    Natural Features

    Court Sheriff Campground sits at the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorns mountain ranges.

    contact_info

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

    Nearby Attractions

    Court Sheriff Campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park along with the capital city of Helena, Montana. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $15 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Hellgate Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hellgate Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hellgate Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hellgate Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hellgate Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hellgate Campground

    3. Hellgate Campground

    13 Reviews
    57 Photos
    22 Saves

    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

    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.

    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. __

    contact_info

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

    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

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $130 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping

    4. Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    40 Photos
    92 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Cromwell Dixon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cromwell Dixon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cromwell Dixon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cromwell Dixon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cromwell Dixon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cromwell Dixon Campground

    5. Cromwell Dixon Campground

    10 Reviews
    21 Photos
    41 Saves

    Cromwell Dixon Campground, located right on the Continental Divide, provides spectacular views of surrounding country encompassing meadows, timbered slopes, and far away mountains. Trailhead access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is nearby. ACTIVITIES Camping Picnicking

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    Camper-submitted photo from White Sandy Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Sandy Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Sandy Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Sandy Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Sandy Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from White Sandy Campground

    6. White Sandy Campground

    8 Reviews
    41 Photos
    32 Saves

    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.

    Facilities

    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

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $140 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Devil's Elbow Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Devil's Elbow Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Devil's Elbow Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Devil's Elbow Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Devil's Elbow Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Devil's Elbow Campground

    7. Devil's Elbow Campground

    7 Reviews
    38 Photos
    67 Saves

    Overview

    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.

    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.

    Facilities

    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.

    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

    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.

    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

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    8. Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    15 Reviews
    22 Photos
    32 Saves

    Overview

    Holter Lake Campground is situated on the picturesque Holter Lake in west central Montana. The site is located approximately 45 miles north of Helena, Montana, along the Missouri River. The area offers stunning views of the Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area. Gates of the Mountains Historic Site is in close proximity of the campground, which is accessible via a watercraft. The area is overflowing with outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you're into fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, water skiing, or all of the above, all of these activities are in close proximity to Holter Lake Campground. There is surely an activity for everyone!__

    Recreation

    Holter Lake Campground offers excellent recreational opportunities. Activities in the area include camping, boating (motorized and non-motorized), fishing, water skiing, hiking, scenic/wildlife photography, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. There are trails within the general vicinity, as well as multiple fishing access sites and hunting access points. The recreation opportunities in the area are truly boundless.

    Facilities

    Holter Lake Campground offers excellent recreational opportunities. Activities in the area include camping, boating (motorized and non-motorized), fishing, water skiing, hiking, scenic/wildlife photography, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. There are trails within the general vicinity, as well as multiple fishing access sites and hunting access points. The recreation opportunities in the area are truly boundless.

    Natural Features

    Every campsite has a view of the lake and mountains. The campground and day-use area has poplar and green ash trees throughout the campground, which provide shade during the height of the summer. The site is situated in a shrub-steppe landscape, mostly comprised of sage brush and bunch grasses. The campground is surrounded by sparsely wooded hills.

    Nearby Attractions

    Holter Lake Campground is located in a prime location to get out and recreate outdoors. There is access to public lands, where multiple recreation opportunities and experiences are available. The campground is adjacent to the Missouri River, which was also the historical travel corridor for The Lewis and Clark Trail. Holter Lake Campground is situated between Helena and Great Falls.__ In Helena, there are great restaurants, museums, the capitol building, old mining settlements, Last Chance Gulch, Reeder's Alley, and a vibrant downtown area. In or near Great Falls, there is the First People's Buffalo Jump and Interpretive Center, Charlie Russell museum, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs Fish Hatchery and State Park, and Tower Rock State Park. The Continental Divide Trail is nearby.

    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). 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

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest

    9. Moose Creek Campground — Helena Lewis And Clark National Forest

    6 Reviews
    23 Photos
    3 Saves

    Moose Creek Campground is located southwest of Helena, Montana.__ Travel west of Helena on Highway 12 (about 8 miles) and turn south on Rimini Road #695.__ This__9 unit campground is located near other Forest Service features including: rental cabin, picnic area and environmental education trail.__ Also located within a short distance is access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Cabins
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Lake Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Lake Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Lake Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Lake Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Lake Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Lake Campground

    10. Park Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    36 Photos
    118 Saves

    Park Lake Campground is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Helena, Montana. The site provides an opportunity to camp near the placid, lovely Park Lake. You could enjoy fishing for cutthroat and greyling trout in this beautiful mountain lake, hand launch non-motorized boats or picnic along the lakeshore.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
Showing results 1-10 of 126 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Helena

Recent Reviews In Helena

403 Reviews of 126 Helena Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Lost Moose Meadows Campground
    October 16, 2024

    Lost Moose Meadows Campground

    Awesome! Great views!

    Our stay at Lost Moose Meadows Campground was perfect! What a beautiful location in Lincoln, MT. It’s the perfect place to camp and hit the trails on an ATV or side by side. The wife and I, along with our puppy, spent 3 days and 2 nights in early October. The campground is well maintained, every site has hookups, a fire pit and plenty of room for privacy. The restrooms/showers are very accommodating, clean and smelled good. The wife thought they were the best she had the pleasure of utilizing! Our hosts, Matt and Nicole Simpkins, were a pleasure. If you are going to RV in Lincoln, MT, I would definitely recommend this campground. They’re prices are cheap and even offer a military discount.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    September 22, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Bridge closed, no access!

    The road to this location is closed, the bridge is out. There is no access.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Helena North KOA
    September 16, 2024

    Helena North KOA

    Typical KOA but not ADA or electric car friendly

    This is a typical KOA. First the good: Friendly helpful staff until their gone at closing time. Little mini store with a few essentials. Clean bathrooms and showers and clean laundry room with several washers/dryers.$2.00 per load to wash. Can't remember how much to dry. Very cool pinball machine that costs 25 cents per game. Fun fun fun! Another bathroom/shower in middle of park but I never looked inside that one. 65 sites that most have full hook-up and pull-through. A few cool tent sites with gas BBQs. Some cool looking cabins but I never looked inside one. I'm here on 8/24/2024 and RV park is sold out except 3 pull-through sites. All tent sites were full. I don't know about the cabins. Cool playground for kids and large mostly gravel dog run. Edit added: AT&T has 5G and three bars. KOA has wifi but slow slow slow I got 3MPS so instead of KOA wifi I used my iPhone Personal Hotspot that worked great. THE BAD(and reason for only 3 stars): All gravel roads and sites throughout the park. Very close together. Some sites have a very narrow strip of grass. Some of the picknick tables need to be re-painted. Unfortunately while eating breakfast you could be 2 feet away from the next RV dumping their sewer. P.U. The luxury sites don't have that problem. They are at the end of each row and only have a neighbor on the drivers side. I think well worth the extra 17 bucks. Not ADA friendly. Very hard for someone with a walker to get around because of gravel roads/sites. Someone with a wheel chair near impossible. Has a nice handicap shower in main office building. Only problem is that once I take my walker in with me it's very tight and no room to move around. Not EV car friendly. There is a$250 fine and eviction if you plug in your car. The person at the front desk told me the$250 fine and eviction is because EVs overload the outdated system and cause a fire. This KOA is an older one and was wired before EVs. Each individual site has its own 30 amp and 50 amp circuit breaker. Some trees but few and far between. No pool or hot tub. Final thoughts: Make reservations well in advance if you can. This KOA is the best game in town and is mostly sold out in summer. I think(sorry I don't know for sure) there is only one other RV park in town and from what I can tell, it is a much older one. I would proceed with caution before I booked it. Good traveling. See you on the road.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    September 9, 2024

    Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    Basic RV and tent camping with great access to the lake

    We weren’t able to reserve a site but plenty of ff first come sites. Most sites are large that will accommodate a camper and boat trailer. All are back in.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lost Moose Meadows Campground
    September 1, 2024

    Lost Moose Meadows Campground

    Second visit to this great campground

    This is our second visit to lost moose meadows, again it was an awesome experience! The owners are very down to earth wonderful and eager to assist with whatever you may need. I look forward to visiting with them with each visit. Beautiful space very spread out and restrooms/shower facilities very clean and well kept. campers are situated to where they are not right on top of each other, in-fact are very generously spaced apart. It is close to the community of Lincoln Mt and there are ample opportunities to recreate in the vicinity. Alway looke forward to returning.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Fort Harrison RV Park
    August 30, 2024

    Fort Harrison RV Park

    The Juice is not Worth the Squeeze

    Our goal is to leave an unbiased review for future campers. First, don’t check in until 2:00 PM. The billeting office is closed for lunch and doesn’t get back until 2:00. As you don’t have a site number and you’ll need a key for the utilities, it will not do you any good to arrive early. Using our RV GPS, we headed off I-90 onto US-12 into Helena. At West Helena we turned on Williams St., which brought us to the VA Medical Center, then less than a 1/4 mile further to the South Gate. The gate is locked. When we called 406-324-3970(main gate) prior to our arrival, we were told to park in front of the gate and call the number on the post to have security come and let us in. The private security guard checked our IDs, reservation confirmation email, and then called in our names and truck license plate number. We were then told to head to the three story building where the billeting office is located and park in front of the building near the stepped entrance. This is not a large base/post, so don’t worry about getting lost. A lot of reviews talked about going through the North Gate, but as of this writing, they are using the South Gate for arrivals and departures. The main gate barriers are too narrow for a large RV. The billeting office is on the first floor straight a few yards and to the right after you enter the building and also where the free laundry is located. The FamCamp campground (CG) was simple to find, and we went to pull through FHU site 7 with 50/30/20 AMP. Not all the sites in this small CG have 50 AMP. The pull through was easy enough to get into, but its narrow with 9” high cement curbs, which makes getting your sewer up and over a bit of a challenge. They placed a brick thing at each site to help level your sewer hose. Also, depending on how your stairs deploy, dealing with the curb can be a challenge. In our opinion, the cement curbs are a horrible design. This site’s gravel pad was not level, so we had to use our leveler blocks. Water pressure was good at about 50 psi. There’s no CG Wifi, but we had our Starlink, plus we got a 4 bar Verizon signal. There are 12 sites here with row 1-7 being FHUs with 50/30/20 AMP and the back row 8-12 are 30/20 AMP. The sites are close to each other. We had a large class A in the adjacent site and its slideout came to our large cement picnic table. There’s a small restroom building but no showers. There are 6 RV or Tent sites where you could dry camp. There’s no obvious water spigot, but there are grass watering spigots. We saw reviews about a camp host, but we did not notice one. We departed at 10:50 AM and billeting called wondering if we had departed. If you don't turn in your key by 11:00 AM, you are charged an extra day. We were not unsatisfied with our stay, especially the good service and free laundry. But for a three day stay, due to their check in/out procedures, and site challenges, we’ll pass on this CG in the future.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Helena North KOA
    August 26, 2024

    Helena North KOA

    Typical KOA, all gravel, not ADA or electric car friendly

    This is a typical KOA.  First the good:

    Friendly helpful staff until their gone at closing time.  Little mini store with a few essentials.  

    Clean bathrooms and showers and clean laundry room with several washers/dryers.  $2.00 per load to wash.  Can't remember how much to dry.  Very cool pinball machine that costs 25 cents per game.  Fun fun fun!  Another bathroom/shower in middle of park but I never looked inside that one.

    65 sites that most have full hook-up and pull-through.  A few cool tent sites with gas BBQs.  Some cool looking cabins but I never looked inside one.  I'm here on 8/24/2024 and RV park is sold out except 3 pull-through sites.  All tent sites were full.  I don't know about the cabins.

    Cool playground for kids and large mostly gravel dog run.

    Edit added:  AT&T has 5G and three bars.  KOA has wifi but slow slow slow I got 3MPS so instead of KOA wifi I used my iPhone Personal Hotspot that worked great.

    THE BAD (and reason for only 3 stars):

    All gravel roads and sites throughout the park.  Very close together.  Some sites have a very narrow strip of grass.  Some of the picknick tables need to be re-painted.  Unfortunately while eating breakfast you could be 2 feet away from the next RV dumping their sewer.  P.U.  The luxury sites don't have that problem.  They are at the end of each row and only have a neighbor on the drivers side.  I think well worth the extra 17 bucks.

    Not ADA friendly.  Very hard for someone with a walker to get around because of gravel roads/sites.  Someone with a wheel chair near impossible.  Has a nice handicap shower in main office building.  Only problem is that once I take my walker in with me it's very tight and no room to move around.

    Not EV car friendly.  There is a $250 fine and eviction if you plug in your car.  The person at the front desk told me the $250 fine and eviction is because EVs overload the outdated system and cause a fire.  This KOA is an older one and was wired before EVs.    Each individual site has its own 30 amp and 50 amp circuit breaker.

    Some trees but few and far between.  No pool or hot tub.

    Final thoughts:  Make reservations well in advance if you can.  This KOA is the best game in town and is mostly sold out in summer.   I think (sorry I don't know for sure) there is only one other RV park in town and from what I can tell, it is a much older one. I would proceed with caution before I booked it.  Good traveling.  See you on the road.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lost Moose Meadows Campground
    August 23, 2024

    Lost Moose Meadows Campground

    Roomy sites with great views.

    I recently stayed two nights at Lost Moose,  Newer park with lots of space in-between sites.  Reservations online was simple.  I arrived after the office was closed, but had an email with instructions on how to complete the check in.  Great view of the surrounding mountains as the park is in an open meadow.  I will definitely stay here again.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping
    August 20, 2024

    Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    We loved this place! Only downside is it’s a bit far from anything like grocery stores or gas. Plenty of spots to camp - the first loop doesn’t have a pit toilet but the second and third loop do. Most spots had fire pits and tables. We swam in the water and it was nice. Rocky beach. Service was good for us to work remote. We have Verizon and T-Mobile.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Confederate Disperse Camping Area
    August 15, 2024

    Confederate Disperse Camping Area

    Great spot for the night

    Stayed here twice in early August about a week apart. Any car should be able to get down the road to the campsites. A bit buggy but free. Pit toilet available.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Silos Campground
    August 2, 2024

    Silos Campground

    Bloody awful apocalyptic site

    Maybe one acceptable loop, perhaps mostly for boaters.  But there are 3 other loops: nothing is labeled, so good luck in finding your spot.  The Manager site is not labeled either, and she was of no help.  Dry, hard ground, no trees, nothing that might make a visit enjoyable.  No drinking water; arid, depressing; i kept waiting for the undead to come over the horizon.

    Pretty Lake, though.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Homestake Pass Dispersed
    August 1, 2024

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Nice road

    As a single female tent camping I felt very safe here. One morning a bunch of cows came through my site, which was amazing.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Helena North KOA
    July 30, 2024

    Helena North KOA

    Great!

    Only spent one night, but level sites, full hook ups, showers and laundry clean. An area to play games and we didn’t have our dogs this time but the dog zone looked good and clean.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground
    July 28, 2024

    Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground

    Great week day but packed on weekend

     A lot of water stations.  The boat dock parking area allowed camping along the perimeter. A few paved walking paths near the beach area.   The narrow paved roads made life interesting. The fish cleaning station is closed due to vandalism.  Our first day was 105F which made the lake more inviting.  Evening low of 76F.  No pets on the fairly small swim beach.  All other water access has large rocks for erosion mitigation.

    Our Saturday departure was delayed by FWP boat inspection at the entrance and a long line was inbound to Holter Lake.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Court Sheriff Campground
    July 27, 2024

    Court Sheriff Campground

    Beautiful and clean campground

    We were passing through and needed a place to camp. We were surprised how well kept and beautiful the campground is! The host was amazing and works really hard to keep the sites in tip top shape. The lake is right against the sites and makes for a beautiful place to stay.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Bernie & Sharons Riverfront RV Park
    July 26, 2024

    Bernie & Sharons Riverfront RV Park

    Nice campground

    I called 30 minutes before our arrival for a tent camping spot and the host was easily able to accommodate us. Two men met us in a golf cart and drive us to our nice grassy site. The campground had coin showers with hot water and a family friendly rec room.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    July 24, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Classic blm camping

    Lots of open space and locations to pull out--beautiful views as well! To access this place we went towards Copper City Trail Head, and drove by the entrance onto BLM lands. Also, note that this place seems common for mountain bikers and trail bikers, so you'll likely run into a few of those. Also also, this place is DRY--so be sure to bring your own water (but on the plus side, no bugs!!)

  • Camper-submitted photo from Racetrack Campground
    July 18, 2024

    Racetrack Campground

    Very secluded

    So the road is gravel and pretty far with private property signs on both sides til you get there. Directions take you there with no problem. Two bathroom locations and spots along the creek. No wildlife while we was there. A few other campers but all spaced apart well so it was secluded. It is 15$ and you have a QR code to scan to pay, however there is ZERO signal there to get online to pay so we paid once we left and got back into town for the night we stayed.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Mid-Canon Fishing Access Site
    July 16, 2024

    Mid-Canon Fishing Access Site

    Excellent find!

    Beautiful spot! Right by the river! We got the last spot down by the river and the pit toilet. $18 for non residents. Bring your own toilet paper, the toilet was not stocked very well. Fire pits and picnic table at each site. Just beautiful views! By far my favorite spot this trip!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lowland Campground
    July 15, 2024

    Lowland Campground

    Quiet spot with shade

    We stayed four days here and it was great! From Wednesday through Friday, we basically had the entire place to ourselves. Even in July, the mornings and evenings were cool and pleasant. The camp has three clean toilets stocked with toilet paper, and a pump water fountain with clean and cold water to enjoy. Overall pleasant but ATV campers showed up Saturday, driving around the camp, but they were polite after quiet hours. Short trail in the campground, and about five miles from entrance was the Continental Divide Trail. We didn’t know about that until we were leaving, so we will come back to explore. 20 spaces. Will accommodate RV off grid, but no generators after 10 pm, which is good. So quiet at night!!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Copper City BLM
    July 14, 2024

    Copper City BLM

    Open range

    Plenty of pull out sites with some scattered man made fire rings. Secluded quiet and great views

  • Camper-submitted photo from Confederate Campground
    July 14, 2024

    Confederate Campground

    Beautiful…until you are eaten alive

    Love the spot, not many people, picnic tables/fire pits at each pull through spot. Pit toilet was locked. The mosquitoes were absolutely blood thirsty and aggressive and after multiple reapplications of bug spray we had to call it quits. The fire barely kept them at bay, but we still got a few bites sitting next to the heat.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Galena Gulch
    July 11, 2024

    Galena Gulch

    if you're small, skip the campground

    Big rigs have a great space at the bottom of the hill... but if you're in a truck, van, etc., head on up the hill. The road is in great shape. There are some pullouts, but look for a road on the right (veer left at the private drive; you'll see a sign) and you'll find a great site with a fire ring and somewhat level ground. Chances are it'll be COVERED in cow poop, but hey. It's quiet, aside from the mooing of cows, and totally private. There's probably more up the road, too, I just didn't go further. Solitude.



Guide to Helena

Camping near Helena, MT, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just relaxing by the water, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One reviewer at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground mentioned, "The campground is right next to a large boat launch for anyone getting on the water."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. A visitor at Cromwell Dixon Campground noted, "You can turn right off the highway and easily access dispersed camping around the site."
  • Swimming: Enjoy the water at places like Black Sandy State Park Campground. One camper said, "All the sites are on the water. Nice swim area."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Court Sheriff Campground highlights, "The lake is right against the sites and makes for a beautiful place to stay."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A visitor at Hellgate Campground mentioned, "The camp host was amazing and works really hard to keep the sites in tip-top shape."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peaceful environment. One reviewer at Goose Bay - Dispersed Camping said, "I felt so secluded here on a Sunday night."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds lack certain facilities. A camper at Black Sandy State Park Campground pointed out, "You must already have water or get it at the dump station at the entrance."
  • Crowded Weekends: Expect busier crowds on weekends. A visitor at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground noted, "Our Saturday departure was delayed by FWP boat inspection at the entrance and a long line was inbound."
  • Bugs: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in warmer months. A camper at Confederate Campground mentioned, "The mosquitoes were absolutely bloodthirsty and aggressive."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with easy access to water and activities. A reviewer at White Sandy Campground said, "Beautiful big widely spaced sites. Excellent beach area."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor toys. A visitor at Cromwell Dixon Campground suggested, "If you don't fish or boat/kayak/SUP, relaxation would be the next most popular thing to do."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone fueled for fun. A camper at Court Sheriff Campground noted, "Great campground with a mix of sites and day use."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Black Sandy State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites are really tight to get into with a larger rig."
  • Bring Water Containers: Some sites don’t have water hookups. A camper at Hellgate Campground advised, "You must use a bucket or jug for water at the campsites."
  • Be Ready for Generators: Many sites may have campers using generators. A visitor at Holter Dam Rec. Site Campground noted, "None have electrical service so there are lots of generators."

Camping near Helena, MT, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Helena, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Helena, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Helena, MT and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Helena, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Helena, MT is Black Sandy State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 15 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Helena, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Helena, MT.

  • What parks are near Helena, MT?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Helena, MT that allow camping, notably Helena National Forest and Canyon Ferry Lake.