Devil'S Elbow Campground
Hauser Lake
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.
Devil's Elbow offers several amenities that will make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. Devil's Elbow is a 48-site campground that has spacious and level gravel parking pads that accommodate RVs, camper trailers and tents. Of the 48 sites, there are five sites that are specifically designated for tents. All sites are reservation only.
Devil's Elbow features a large concrete boat launch with a courtesy dock, as well as day use and overnight dock slips for campers. The docks are first-come, first-served with no assigned slips. A fish cleaning station is available near the day-use parking at Devil's Elbow. There are men's and women's vault toilets located in each loop of the campground as well as near the boat launch. There is potable water provided throughout the campground and day use areas, as well as garbage dumpsters. Every campsite contains a fire ring with a grill grate in addition to a picnic table. There are also picnic tables and small pavilions throughout the areas and benches along the lake to take in the views. There is a small marina, general store with gas and a bar/restaurant just a half mile away.
Need to Know
*** 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.***
Caution: While it is uncommon to sight a bear in the area, it is possible. Bears, raccoons, ravens, seagulls, magpies and other animals will get into your food if not properly stored. Please be prepared to store your food either in your vehicle, RV or trailer or in a bear-proof container while camping.
- Prairie rattlesnakes and bull snakes inhabit this area. Be cautious of where you step or reach into.
- Black widows are very common in the area; while not usually deadly, their bite can be extremely painful and has caused local necrosis of the associated tissues and severe illness.
- Prickly Pear cactus are a native plant that will prick you, rip your clothing or your tent and can be very hard to remove.
- Campsites are limited to no more than 2 RVs or 2 tents or a combination of 1 RV and 1 tent. Each RV or tent is considered a camping unit and must pay the fee per unit.
- There is no power available on site for campers and generators are only allowed from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- There is no black or gray water dump on site.
- First-come, first-served sites are available in this campground.
- If you plan to bring a watercraft with you, please remember to always: Clean, Drain, Dry and Inspect your craft for Aquatic Invasive Species.
- Weather can change drastically in this area. Be prepared for any type of weather event.
- Stock animals are not allowed in this facility. Non-road legal ATVs, UTVs or motorcycles are not allowed in this facility.
Check out time is 11:00 A.M.
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.
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.
Changes & 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
Contact Information
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5965 York Road Helena MT 59602
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 406-227-3570 OR 406-533-7600
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Devil's Elbow Campground is located at 5965 York Road, Helena, Montana 59601. From Interstate 90 driving from Bozeman, exit at Exit: 274 US 287 Helena/Ennis; right turn to continue north on 287 and continue for 57 miles. Turn right onto Lake Helena Drive, then turn right in 450 feet to stay on Lake Helena Drive. Continue for 4 miles through the roundabout. Turn right onto York Road and drive 6.2 miles to Devil's Elbow Recreation Area. From Helena/Butte/Great Falls: Drive to (or exit from I-15 onto) Custer Avenue, head east on Custer Ave. Take left turn onto York Road. Continue on for 16 miles to Devil's Elbow Recreation Area; or take the Lincoln RD exit on I-15, Head East on Lincoln Road until it intersects with Lake Helena Dr (T-Intersection). Take a right (South) on Lake Helena Dr (this route contains portions of dirt and gravel roads) and continue until the road turns back into pavement, take a left (East) on Deal Lane and follow the road until it terminates at York Road. Take a left (North) on York Road and continue for about 2 miles to Devil's Elbow.
Available Campsites
- Site 10, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 48, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 32, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 03, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site LOOP C CAMPSITES WITH RAMADA/PAVILION, Loop C, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 28, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 47, Loop TENT, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 33, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 01, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 36, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 04, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 43, Loop TENT, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 34, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 30, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 46, Loop TENT, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 02, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 45, Loop TENT, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 31, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 29, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 44, Loop TENT, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 35, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
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