Map showing campground location near Townsend, Montana

Camper submitted image from Ponderosa - Canyon Ferry Reservoir USBR

Ponderosa - Canyon Ferry Reservoir USBR

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks within the sites around Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area, Ponderosa sits along the eastern shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, a dam-created body of water on the Missouri River east of Helena. The campground is accessible by both vehicle and boat, and reservations are available for those planning ahead. It operates year-round, though spring visits tend to bring fewer crowds and cooler, windier conditions.

Water access is central to the experience here. Fishing and boating draw the majority of visitors, and a boat ramp provides direct reservoir access. Motorized boat traffic on the open water makes shoreline swimming less practical except in designated areas. Summer water temperatures can run notably warm, and algae growth has been observed during peak heat months. Mosquitoes tend to be heavy in mid to late summer. Sites are dry, with no hookups, and the terrain is largely open with limited tree cover, leaving campers exposed to wind.

The campground sits near several other options along the reservoir. Cottonwood Campground is located roughly a half mile southeast, and Silos Marina & Campground lies a few miles north with additional marina facilities. Crowding is a recurring theme in reviews during summer weekends. As Tavy J. put it, "the campsite was nice, the water was not," a reminder that conditions on the reservoir itself vary considerably by season. Visiting in spring or fall reduces both congestion and insect pressure.

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Map & DirectionsPonderosa is located in Montana near Townsend

Public Campground

Directions

From Helena, MT: Head east along Co Rd 430/Canyon Ferry Rd from Helena, MT, continue for 38 miles to the Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Area sign and turn right. Continue straight until you reach the campground. From Townsend, MT: Head north on Hwy 284 for 21 miles and turn left at the Hellgate Campground and Group Use Shelter Areasign. Continue straight until you reach the campground.

Coordinates

46.35800005 N
111.54000075 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Reservable

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

28 min from Helena, MT
54 min from Bozeman, MT
1 hr 40 min from Great Falls, MT
2 hrs 9 min from Missoula, MT

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Ponderosa

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the level sites and good facilities including restrooms and boat access. Some visitors expressed disappointment with crowded conditions and lack of shade trees. Wind exposure was occasionally mentioned as a concern.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Dexter I.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 28, 2021

Not a Campground - Camping at this location not allowed

Their is no campground or camping area on Canyon Ferry that is called Ponderosa Campground. The location on the map is not an area open to camping. All the below review are for different locations on the lake.

Month of VisitOctober

Jessica B.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Riverside Campground, below dam

Stayed at Riverside Canyon Ferry Campground. Beautiful drive in and across dam. Smaller less congested Campground than others on the lake itself. Boat ramp for river access and fishing, Quick access to top of dam and beach areas for swimming. Great views.

SiteRiverside

Month of VisitJune

(4) View All

Jack T.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 15, 2021

Canyon Ferry Dispersed Camping

Near Goosebay Harbor. Rough roar 3 miles Long to a hidden gem.

(4) View All

Tavy J.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2020

Canyon Ferry Is Dying

Canyon Ferry is a reservoir created by the Pick-Sloan flood management plan in the 1940s and was built in 1954. The series of dams flooded and destroyed Native Lands and prevented the river from naturally flooding the flood plains around it. As a result, the natural landscape was altered and it is evident upon visiting that it is suffering. The trees are dying and the scene looks like Africa in a drought. There is a lot of water, but it is stagnant and prevented from flowing due to the dam. The water is swampy, thick and full of algae, I measured surface temperature at 83 degrees. Natural lakes at the same time were around 64. Getting in the water feels like getting in warm bisque, and is not refreshing. No fish were biting, but I believe a turtle bit me when in the water. Mosquitoes are prolific, they thrive in stagnant warm water, like this. According to locals they were better at the time I was present than earlier, which seems an impossibility. This water is dead and gross and needs to be discharged. It looks like a swimming pool that nobody maintains at an hourly rate Florida motel. It is obviously not fresh, not filtered, not moving, and is just sitting there growing algae and mosquitoes. Quagga mussels were a fear, and if anyone knows where they thrive, it is in dirty polluted gross water, not clean water. The local efforts attempt to prevent invasion but they only "invade" dead water like the Great Lakes. This water does not seem safe to swim or fish from.

The campsite was nice, the water was not.

SiteGoose Bay Marina

Month of VisitJuly

Dexter I.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

A windy campground

Silos Campground has 77 dry sites, 4 gazebos, handicapped accessible restrooms and RV sites. Stays are limited to 14 days and the nightly fee is $10 per camper unit. Golden Age pass holders are $5.00 a night.

A word of Caution - Silos Campground can be very windy, very few trees except for a few along the lake, otherwise sites are in the open

Month of VisitJune

Diane H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2016

Nice spots near Canyon Ferry Lake

I camped there in spring and there were very few hardy souls camping then. It was a little windy and cold but it was beautiful and not crowded at all. There are no hook ups so it is dry camping but the site was pretty level and it was easy to park my trailer in a spot.

(4) View All

Nic F.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2016

Nice

No trees

Jen R.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2016

Great lake, but crowded

This is the kind of place you want to come only if you have a boat to put in the water and I meant a boat with a motor or a gootsize sailing boat. This is not where the shoreline is fun boats cause to much wake to fishing and swimming is out of the question (unless in designated small area). The camp grounds are always full and that means your on top of one another. Not my idea of camping, I like to get away from everything and everyone when I camp so this is not my favorite place.

Carla S.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2016

My Spot

My Favorite Summer Spot At The Lake!! Lots Of Campsites Along Canyon Ferry as well as day spots, restrooms and access. Fishing Boating, Restaurant At Yacht Basin!! It's Perfect!!