Hellgate Campground
Canyon Ferry Lake
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.
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.
Notifications and Alerts
Effective immediately, Reclamation will require all boats launching at Lake Berryessa to participate in a seal program to prevent the spread of invasive mussels. All vessels wishing to launch at Lake Berryessa will be inspected. A red quarantine seal will be applied for 30 days during, which the vessel will not be permitted to launch. Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may return to the lake and have the seal removed by authorized staff and will be allowed to launch. For more information on this updated protocol, please view the press release here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5031.
Need to Know
No show reservations are subject to cancellation after the third night.
- Campsites must be occupied each night.
- All campsites are to be considered single unit sites unless marked as a double site. Single campsites are limited to one camping / sleeping unit per campsite. An exception will be made for parents with young children; Parents may have one additional tent for children under the age of 18.
- RVs, vehicles and trailers must be parked on the gravel/pavement and within designated areas of the campsite or established parking area provided.
- Shelters allowing overnight camping will be limited to the number of campsites allowed at each shelter and restricted to designated campsites at each shelter location.
- No electrical source for camp trailers or RVs is available at shelters.
- Campsites are available for each of the following shelters: Lewis & Clark Shelter 'A' - 15 campsites $170.00 / night. York Shelter 'B' - 10 campsites $130.00 / night. Hellgate Bay 'C' - 5 campsites $90.00 / night.
Pets must be physically constrained by a leash under 6' in length. Do not leave pets unattended. It is your responsibility to clean up after your own pet.
Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Be considerate of other campers. Activities and noise should be kept to a level that does not disturb other campers. Generators are not allowed during quiet hours. The use of loud, profane, or abusive language or music is prohibited.
Personal property used to reserve campsites, including RVs and tents will be removed in accordance with 43 CFR Part 423.23.
Check in time is 5pm. Check out is 4pm.
While at Canyon Ferry Reservoir:
CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that comes in contact with water. Never dump unwanted bait, worms, fish parts or other organisms into the water. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/
STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. REMOVE plants, seeds, animals and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicle. CLEAN your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. STAY on designated roads and trails and use local firewood. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/
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
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.
Contact Information
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7700 Canyon Ferry Road Helena MT 59601
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 406-475-3921
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving 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.
Available Campsites
- Site 009, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 48, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 39, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 50, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 32, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 64, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 38, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 53, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 35, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 49, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 44, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 29, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 54, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 68, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 51, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 57, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 42, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 52, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 69, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 55, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 59, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 45, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 61, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 67, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 58, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site York Group Use Campsites "B", Loop , Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 65, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 56, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 66, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 47, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 40, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Hellgate Bay - Group Use Campsites "C", Loop , Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 20, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 62, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 34, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 33, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 30, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 63, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 41, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 37, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 46, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 60, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 43, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Lewis and Clark Group Use Campsites "A", Loop , Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 003, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
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