Canyon Ferry Lake

Canyon Ferry Dam and Power Plant

Canyon Ferry Dam and reservoir are located in Montana about 50 miles downstream from where the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers join to form the Missouri River. The reservoir has approximately 35,200 water surface acres, 9,360 land acres and 76 miles of shoreline, and offers excellent fishing opportunity for rainbow trout, perch, ling, and walleye. There are three marina concessions (Goose Bay Marina, Kim's Marina and Yacht Basin Marina) on the reservoir which provide a variety of public recreation facilities and services such as boat launching, camping, rental docks, small stores, etc. Reclamation also provides campgrounds, day use and picnic areas, concrete boat launches, and a seasonal visitor center. A wildlife management area at the end of the reservoir is managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and is home to a colony of terns and pelicans. The upland areas around the reservoir provide habitat for Chestnut-collared Longspurs and Long-billed Curlews, as well as hundreds of Pronghorn antelope, mule deer and white tail deer. Current Reservoir Levels

Parking Pad

Parking Pad 225

Campsite

Campsite 225

Canyon Ferry Dam

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About 21 miles east of Helena, Montana on US 12-287.

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Permits info

Important Information

This is a boat in only site. It has a bear box which can accommodate one typically sized cooler. Do not bring more food than can fit in the bear box.All Jackson Lake campsites require packing out solid human waste. This site has a fire grate which allows campfires unless restricted under high fire danger.

Facilities

Chinamen's Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Review campsite details -- RV's larger than 20 feet long maybe be to large for many of the campsites.

This Campground is located at the very northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284 and offers year-round access to a wide range of recreational opportunities. The Canyon Ferry area has a rich mining history. In the 1850’s 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, ice boaters and ice skaters.

Facilities

This Campground has 38 campsites many of the campsites are too small for RVs larger than 20 feet long. The campground has gravel roads with campsites containing a picnic table and a fire ring. During the summer months services include vault toilets, potable water, trash, and a campground host.

Natural Features

This Campground sits at the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorn’s mountain ranges.

Nearby Attractions

Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park along with the capital city of Helena, Montana. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.

contact_info

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

Jo Bonner Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Jo Bonner Campground is located at the Northeastern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir; 30 miles east of Helena, Montana and offers year-round access to a wide range of recreational opportunities. Jo Bonner Campground is named for Josephine Agnes Martin Bonner (1907-1965) by Montana's Governor John Bonner (1902-1970). Today, Jo Bonner Campground is a small quaint campground that offers easy access.

Recreation

Facilities

Jo Bonner Campground has 17 designated campsites . Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire rings. During the recreation season facilities at Jo Bonner campground include two vault toilets, potable water, trash dumpster, and a campground host. There is a gravel boat launch with a courtesty dock located just outside of the campground.

Natural Features

Jo Bonner Campground is located at northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorns mountain ranges.

Nearby Attractions

Jo Bonner Campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park along with the capital city of Helena, Montana. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.

contact_info

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

White Earth Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

White Earth Group Use Shelter is located at White Earth Campground, just east of the town of Winston, Montana, on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through this region. On July 22, 1805, Sacagawea recognizes the country and assures the men that the three forks of the Missouri were of no great distance. This news gave the expedition hope in the anticipation of soon reaching the headwaters of the Missouri River.

Recreation

Facilities

White Earth Group Use Shelter is 30' X 44' shelter with electrical power. The shelter has 8 picnic tables, 5 campsites and an accessible vault toilet. White Earth Campground has 36 designated campsites, a boat ramp, and a parking area for boat trailers. During the peak summer months services include vault toilets, potable water, trash, recycling containers and campground hosts.

Natural Features

White Earth Campground sits along the banks of Canyon Ferry Reservoir in the open valley between the Big Belt and Elkhorn mountain ranges.

Nearby Attractions

White Earth Group Use Shelter is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. The city of Helena, MT, the state's capital, is 25 miles away. For up-to-date events visitwww.helenamt.com/

contact_info

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

CAVE POINT GROUP USE AREA Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Cave Point Group Use Shelter is located at the very north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Highway 284. Cave Point offers year-round access to a wide range of recreational opportunities. The Canyon Ferry area has a rich mining history. Cave Point is named for one of the first settlements in the area, Cavetown. Visitors to the shelter can envision the original horse drawn ferry crossing that transported miners across the mighty Missouri River to work the mining camps.

Recreation

Facilities

Cave Point Group Use Shelter is a small 30' X 36' shelter with six picnic tables and an accessible vault toilet and can accommodate up to 50 people. Access is shared with a road through Kim's Marina.

Natural Features

Cave Point Group Use Shelter sits at the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountain ranges.

contact_info

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

INDIAN ROAD GROUP USE SHELTER Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Indian Road Group Use Shelter is located at the southern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, just north of Townsend. It can accommodate up to 75 people and is attached to Indian Road campground. This 33’ X44’ shelter offers 8 picnic tables and 2 grills. Two vault toilets are located just across the parking lot. There is also a small fishing pond for kids and individuals with disabilities. This area is open to the public on a first come first serve baisis.

Recreation

Facilities

Indian Road Group Use Shelter is a 30' X 44' shelter with eight picnic tables, two grills, and a few accessable vault toilets. These is a fishing pond for the use of childeren and individuals with dissabilities. The shelter sits adjasent to Indian Road Campground, which is a first come first serve campground. The parking lot is graveled with ample space. There is also a ramp which is used by anglers and paddlers when the water level permits.

Natural Features

Indian Road Group Use Shelter sits along the Missouri River at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorns Mountain ranges. Young willows line the small fishing pond and mature cottonwoods provide shade in the grassy areas around the pavilion.

contact_info

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

Nearby Attractions

Indian Road Group Use Shelter Is located along the Missouri River at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, between the Big Belt and Elkhorns Mountain ranges. The Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area, managed by FWP, is in close proximity; offering ample opportunities for bird watching and paddling during permitted seasons.

For up-to-date events in Broadwater County, Townsend, Montana, visit www.townsendmt.com, and for Helena visit, www.helenamt.com.

Hellgate Campground Campground

List of Campsites

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

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.

contact_info

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

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

COURT SHERIFF CAMPGROUND Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Court Sheriff Campground is located at the very north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284. Court Sheriff Campground offers year-round access to a wide range of recreational opportunities. Court Sheriff Campground is named for the Sheriff family. In 1865 Court Sheriff moved into the region from the state of Illinois to Montana to work the mines. Court Sheriff first worked the mines in Diamond City, then hired on as a carpenter to help build a wooden flume for the Magpie-Gave Hill ditch. In 1875 he opened a general mercantile to serve the miners east of the Missouri River at Cavetown. He moved to nearby Canyon Ferry in 1880, and by 1883 had established a general store and later added a livery stable and two-and-a-half-story hotel.

Recreation

Facilities

Court Sheriff Campground is very popular and a well-developed campground. The campground is paved with 48 campsites, most are located along the water. During the peak summer months services include vault toilets, potable water, trash, recycling containers and a campground host.

Natural Features

Court Sheriff Campground sits at the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorns mountain ranges.

contact_info

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

Nearby Attractions

Court Sheriff Campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park along with the capital city of Helena, Montana. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.

Riverside Campground Campground

List of Campsites

Overview

Riverside Campground is located 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, below the dam at the northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Riverside Campground provides space for campers, day users, and large groups. 27 paved campsites, a group use area with a picnic pavilion, 6 pit toilets, an accessible fishing dock, a boat ramp and day use picnic area. This popular location below the dam attracts many families, boaters and fisherman.

Recreation

Facilities

Riverside Campground has 27 campsites, a group use camping area, a boat ramp, parking area for boat trailers and several day use picnic sites. Each campsite has a paved camping pad, a fire ring and picnic table. During the peak summer months services include vault toilets, potable water, dumpsters and campground hosts.

Riverside Group Campsites include exclusive access to a picnic shelter, accessible vault toilets and 7 campsites. The picnic shelter is 30' X 45' with 8 picnic tables and a large fire ring. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. The group campsites and pavilion are set apart from the rest of the campground, providing adequate space and privacy for groups to enjoy.

Natural Features

Riverside Campground sits below Canyon Ferry Dam along the banks of Hauser Reservoir. The current is swift, and swimming is not advised. Ample fish in the water makes this a prime location for bird watching. Loons, cormorants and pelicans are often present patrolling the waters; while bald eagles and osprey make appearances to showcase their fish hunting skills.

Nearby Attractions

Riverside Campground is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. The city of Helena, Montana, the state capital, is 25 miles away. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.

contact_info

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

Recreation Areas and Campground Database