Warning
GeneralConstruction to replace the potable water and irrigation lines at Devil’s Elbow will occur June 8–23. To ensure visitor and contractor safety, the site will be temporarily closed during this period. This upgrade will provide visitors with more dependable water service, reduce maintenance downtime, and support long‑term recreational use. Alternative camping may be available at White Sandy, Holter Lake, or Log Gulch. Additional recreation options may be found through Montana FWP or the Bureau of Reclamation at Canyon Ferry. For more information, call (406) 233‑1093.
About Devil's Elbow Campground
Number of accommodations: 43
Campground Amenities
-
Beach Access -
Pet Friendly -
Lake Access -
River Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
43 Sites Available
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Site Details
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43 Sites Available
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Reviews (136)
What Guests Are Saying
Devil's Elbow Campground is praised for its cleanliness, beautiful water views, and extensive walking trails, making it a great spot for outdoor activities like boating and paddleboarding. Many guests appreciated the friendly and helpful campground host, and the spacious sites contribute to a pleasant atmosphere. However, some visitors expressed concerns about noise from generators and a few negative interactions with the host, particularly regarding enforcement of quiet hours and rules.
What Guests Are Saying
Devil's Elbow Campground is praised for its cleanliness, beautiful water views, and extensive walking trails, making it a great spot for outdoor activities like boating and paddleboarding. Many guests appreciated the friendly and helpful campground host, and the spacious sites contribute to a pleasant atmosphere. However, some visitors expressed concerns about noise from generators and a few negative interactions with the host, particularly regarding enforcement of quiet hours and rules.
Review Summary
Linda M
VerifiedDecember 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: B
Our campground host was very kind and helpful. I loved the walking extensive walking trails. The campground was very clean. Overall a very enjoyable weekend! I would return and recommend.
Hannah D
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: B
Very clean area. Water view was amazing. People in near by sites were friendly. Great campsite to walk around. The boat ramp wasn’t far from the site and a great area to put in the paddle board and go. Wonderful areas to paddle to.
Lynn S
VerifiedDecember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: B
I love this campground! It's clean, assessable, we love the ability to keep our boat near by and mostly I love the walking trails.
Mary Jo S
VerifiedDecember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: B
Devils Elbow is a nice, roomy, and well kept campground. Great if you are boating, with it's own ramp onto the Missouri. But, and this is a big BUT, be ready for nearly nonstop generator noise. Lots of folks use them to keep their camping lifestyle afloat, but they do make noise. And the cheaper generators make a lot of noise. It doesn't make for a restful experience if you enjoy the outdoors. Many folks will crank up their generators, turn on their a/c units, and retreat indoors. Great for them, I guess, but not so great for those who'd like to be outdoors and enjoy the scenery.
Easy fix, although not cheap: Electrify the campground and ban the generators. Or at the very least, limit the machines to a few hours a day.
GEORGE S
VerifiedNovember 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: B
Restrooms were clean but out of paper part of the time. Been going there for two years and still no fish cleaning station open, would like a rebate on the rent.
Patrick d
VerifiedOctober 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: B
Host was very attentive and friendly. Camp ground and bathrooms were very clean. Enjoyable stay.
Jared C
VerifiedOctober 5, 2025 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: A
Overall, a good experience. The camp host was definitely more involved then I would have liked, but I don't know her requirements.
Allen W
VerifiedOctober 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: B
The wind made very hard to put boat on trailer
Kathy D
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2025 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: A
The campground needs light in & around the outhouses at night!!!
sharla s
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2025 • Stayed at: 06, Loop: A
Campground and bathrooms were kept very clean.
Location Devil's Elbow Campground
Address:
5965 York Road
Helena, MT, 59602
United States
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 46.7016 / -111.809
Elevation: 1131 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
*** 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. ***
|
| General |
Prairie rattlesnakes and bull snakes inhabit this area. Be cautious of where you step or reach into. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
Prickly Pear cactus are a native plant that will prick you, rip your clothing or your tent and can be very hard to remove. |
| General |
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. |
| General |
There is no power available on site for campers and generators are only allowed from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. |
| General |
There is no black or gray water dump on site. |
| General |
First-come, first-served sites are available in this campground. |
| General |
If you plan to bring a watercraft with you, please remember to always: Clean, Drain, Dry and Inspect your craft for Aquatic Invasive Species. |
| General |
Weather can change drastically in this area. Be prepared for any type of weather event. |
| General |
Stock animals are not allowed in this facility. Non-road legal ATVs, UTVs or motorcycles are not allowed in this facility. |
| General |
Check out time is 11:00 A.M. |
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralConstruction to replace the potable water and irrigation lines at Devil’s Elbow will occur June 8–23. To ensure visitor and contractor safety, the site will be temporarily closed during this period. This upgrade will provide visitors with more dependable water service, reduce maintenance downtime, and support long‑term recreational use. Alternative camping may be available at White Sandy, Holter Lake, or Log Gulch. Additional recreation options may be found through Montana FWP or the Bureau of Reclamation at Canyon Ferry. For more information, call (406) 233‑1093.
