Camping sites around Helena offer access to both mountain terrain and waterfront opportunities with elevations ranging from 3,800 to 6,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s while nights cool to the 50s even during peak season. Most campgrounds maintain accessibility from May through September with some remaining open year-round for winter camping.
What to do
Hiking from campgrounds: The Continental Divide Trail connects directly to Cromwell Dixon Campground, providing access to extensive trail systems. "A nice hike through rolling terrain. Plenty of open sky in most sites for clear satellite lines," notes Dexter I., who also mentions the campground sits at higher elevation for cooler summer temperatures.
Fishing opportunities: Canyon Ferry Lake and Missouri River offer abundant fishing access for multiple species. Hellgate Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. According to Heidi B., "We stayed here for 4 nights over 4th of July weekend. Beautiful trails and a lot of them! We had campsites #1-6... they were great sites with plenty of level areas."
Water recreation: Non-motorized boating at Park Lake provides peaceful paddling conditions. "The lake is beautiful, plenty of shore fishing and large day use areas with tables and firepits. Dirt boat launch as this is a non-motorized lake, manpower only," explains Sadie P. about the lake conditions.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Court Sheriff Campground offers well-separated sites with concrete amenities. "Spacious sites near water and a boating and swimming area. No amenities. Generator allow 7am to 10pm. Most sites had very little shade," reports Lowell S.
Lake access: Many campgrounds feature direct shoreline access for swimming and watercraft launching. At White Sandy Campground, campers appreciate the dedicated swim areas. "The camp site was perfect and right on the water, but the water was full of algae. There were signs all over saying it was unsafe but people were still swimming," cautions Megan about summer water conditions.
Cleanliness: Campers consistently note well-maintained facilities throughout the region. "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," notes Anna about waterfront sites.
What you should know
Campsite reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Nice big state park campground, but it fills up quickly. Views are good but they aren't the Montana stereotypical snow-capped peaks. The camp sites where we stayed were pretty close together but right on the water," explains Harry H. about Black Sandy State Park Campground.
Weather considerations: Strong winds affect some lake campgrounds due to limited tree cover. One camper at Hellgate notes: "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."
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds experience highway noise depending on location. At Cromwell Dixon, Steve V. mentions "Moderate road noise until dark. Beautiful views and dark skies at night for stargazing."
Cell service variability: Signal strength varies considerably between campgrounds. "Basically no cell service. Sometimes it flits in and out, not to be counted on," notes Mimi about connectivity at one location, while other campers report strong reception at higher elevation sites.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Helena feature dedicated swimming beaches for children. Riverside Campground offers water access below Canyon Ferry Dam with "walking paths with benches. Nice boat ramp with plenty of parking," according to Dexter I.
Playgrounds and recreation: Devil's Elbow Campground features paved trails connecting to nearby recreation areas. "A paved trail goes around most of the campground and trails lead to the nearby Clark's Bay recreation area which has a large swim area and volleyball courts and shelters," writes Dexter I.
Safety considerations: Monitor water conditions for algae blooms during summer months. Justin notes about White Sandy: "During our stay there was an algae outbreak, so most people stayed out of the water. I would recommend staying somewhere else if the water isn't swimmable."
Quiet times: Enforcement of quiet hours varies between campgrounds. At Court Sheriff, one reviewer mentions: "My criticism is there is a road that to my complete surprise had constant traffic at all hours of the night... Extremely loud music, nonstop barking dogs, generators and proximity to vehicles on highway is absolutely sucky."
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Limited dump stations operate seasonally near many campgrounds. "July 20-23, 2019 Will not return. Sites 002 and 021 Electric and water available. Dump station out of order. Flush toilets," notes Annell N. about service limitations.
EV charging restrictions: Most campgrounds prohibit electric vehicle charging due to electrical system limitations. At Helena North KOA, Kenyon reports "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."
Site sizes and access: Many campgrounds have variable site sizes affecting larger RV access. "Most of the sites are really tight to get into with a larger rig. Can rent a boat slip if you want," advises Mimi about waterfront camping options for those with larger recreational vehicles.
