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Hellgate Campground in Montana
Moderate to Book

Hellgate Campground

Canyon Ferry Lake, Montana

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As of October 2026, Hellgate Campground is a campground in Montana with 72 campsites. Hellgate Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Hellgate Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Hellgate Campground is located at 46.6177° N, 111.6401° W.
people allowed on 58 of 72 sites
8
people allowed on each of the 2 largest sites
150

Hellgate Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Mid-stay changes allowed
  • Group bookings open: 6 Months
  • Changes allowed: 2 change(s) per reservation
  • Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive days
  • Maximum stay: 14 days
  • Book up to: 6 Months

Published by Recreation.gov for Hellgate Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Hellgate Campground

  • Standard 69
  • Group 3
  • Accessible 8
  • Hookups 2

What an RV fits

  • 20 ft2 sites

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain · Access: Gravel road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, water sports.

All sites at Hellgate Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsMax RVHookupsAccess
11AStandard8---
12AStandard8---
13AStandard16---
14AStandard8---
15AStandard8---
16AStandard8--Accessible
17AStandard8---
18AStandard8---
19AStandard16---
20AStandard8--Accessible
21AStandard8---
22AStandard8---
23AStandard16---
24AStandard8---
25AStandard8--Accessible
26AStandard8---
27AStandard8---
28AStandard16---
29AStandard8---
30BStandard1620 ft--
31BStandard8---
32BStandard8---
33BStandard8---
34BStandard8---
35BStandard8---
36BStandard8--Accessible
37BStandard8---
38BStandard8---
39BStandard8---
40BStandard8---
41CStandard1620 ft--
42CStandard8---
43CStandard8---
44CStandard16---
45CStandard16---
46CStandard8---
47CStandard8---
48CStandard16---
49CStandard8---
50CStandard8---
51CStandard8---
52DStandard8---
53DStandard8---
54DStandard16---
55DStandard8---
56DStandard16---
57DStandard8---
58DStandard8---
59DStandard8--Accessible
60DStandard8---
61DStandard8---
62DStandard8---
63DStandard8---
64DStandard8---
65DStandard8---
66DStandard8---
67DStandard8---
68DStandard8---
69DStandard8---
001-Standard8---
002-Standard8---
003-Standard8---
004-Standard8---
005-Standard8---
006-Standard8---
007-Standard8---
008-Standard8---
009-Standard8---
010-Standard8---
Hellgate Bay - Group Use Campsites "C"-Group50-ElectricAccessible
Lewis and Clark Group Use Campsites "A"-Group150-ElectricAccessible
York Group Use Campsites "B"-Group150--Accessible

About Hellgate Campground

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

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.

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

Contact Info

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

Rules and notices at Hellgate Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Hellgate Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

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/

Hellgate Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Hellgate Campground?

Hellgate Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 72 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Hellgate Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Hellgate Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Hellgate Campground have?

Hellgate Campground has 72 campsites.

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