Hellgate Campground
Canyon Ferry Lake — riverside, fishing
Location: Helena, MT, MT
Price: From $10 per night
Price range: $10–$170 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (191 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hellgate-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Hellgate Campground offers excellent water access with camping sites 50 feet from the water's edge and easy beach access for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Google reviewers consistently praise the clean facilities, amazing views, and family-friendly atmosphere.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagles, Common Loons, Mountain Goats, Lazuli Buntings, and Franklin's Gulls have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Hellgate Campground: Sites are approximately 1.5 miles off Highway 284 down a dirt road. Some campsites have shade while others have none—request shaded sites when booking if desired. Water sports are primary draw: bring paddleboards, kayaks, or fishing gear.
Skip Hellgate Campground if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You dislike booking in advance—federal campground requires early reservations..
Best time to visit Hellgate Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though booking early is essential as it is a popular federal campground..
Nearby campgrounds: Jo Bonner Campground (HELENA, MT), Cave Point Group Use Area (Helena, MT), Chinamen’S Campground (HELENA, MT), Court Sheriff Campground (Helena, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Hellgate Campground
Cell signal at Hellgate Campground (Helena, MT): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
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.
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 entrySites are approximately 1.5 miles off Highway 284 down a dirt road.
Some campsites have shade while others have none
request shaded sites when booking if desired.
Water sports are primary draw: bring paddleboards, kayaks, or fishing gear.
Campground operates year-round, though booking early is essential as it is a popular federal campground.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
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 — Canyon Ferry Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Canyon Ferry Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Hellgate Campground cost per night?+
What season is Hellgate Campground open?+
Does Hellgate Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Hellgate Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Hellgate Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Hellgate Campground?+
What season is Hellgate Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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