Bar Gulch Cabin
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: TOWNSEND, MT, MT
Price: From $25 per night
Price range: $25–$50 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (27 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bar Gulch Cabin is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. The cabin was originally constructed in the 1930s on Forest Service lands to be used for mining purposes. Instead, it was used for recreational purposes and issued a special use permit, which was transferred to several owners until it was donated to the Forest Service in 1988.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bar-gulch-cabin to be notified when sites open up.
Historic 1930s cabin in Helena National Forest offers a rustic recreational getaway with great views and quiet surroundings. Google reviewers praise clean facilities, on-site host, and peaceful atmosphere.
Wildlife alert: Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Osprey, Pileated Woodpecker, and Bullsnake present within 8km
Insider tips for Bar Gulch Cabin: Book early — it's a federal campground with high demand Bring your own firewood or plan to purchase — rangers do not sell wood Arrive during daylight — the area is pitch dark at night and difficult to navigate Water spigot available near bathrooms Porta potty restrooms on site
Skip Bar Gulch Cabin if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites. You prefer online reservation-free camping. You visit outside May-October season.
Best time to visit Bar Gulch Cabin: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Jo Bonner Campground (HELENA, MT), Court Sheriff Campground (Helena, MT), Chinamen’S Campground (HELENA, MT), Cave Point Group Use Area (Helena, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bar Gulch Cabin
Cell signal at Bar Gulch Cabin (TOWNSEND, MT): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bar Gulch Cabin is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. The cabin was originally constructed in the 1930s on Forest Service lands to be used for mining purposes. Instead, it was used for recreational purposes and issued a special use permit, which was transferred to several owners until it was donated to the Forest Service in 1988.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a federal campground with high demand
Bring your own firewood or plan to purchase
rangers do not sell wood
Arrive during daylight
the area is pitch dark at night and difficult to navigate
Water spigot available near bathrooms
Porta potty restrooms on site
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Bar Gulch Cabin is located 24 miles from Helena and 30 miles from Townsend on Magpie Road (#425). From Helena, take Canyon Ferry Road over the dam, past Kim's Marina. Continuing east, watch for a left-hand turn onto Magpie Road. From this intersection, proceed up Magpie Road 3.9 miles. Turn left on Bar Gulch Road. Continue on Bar Gulch Road approximately .25 miles to the cabin. The cabin is located on the left. Access to the cabin is good and does not usually require a 4-wheel drive vehicle but
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bar Gulch Cabin cost per night?+
What season is Bar Gulch Cabin open?+
Does Bar Gulch Cabin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bar Gulch Cabin?+
How do I make reservations at Bar Gulch Cabin?+
What is the cell service like at Bar Gulch Cabin?+
What season is Bar Gulch Cabin open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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