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
No available sites
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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
Paul W
VerifiedAugust 18, 2023 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: A
August is a kind of hot month with little to no shade in campground. Good swimming hole for my two labs to cool off.
Really best suited for campers with boats, nice slips to store boat on the river while camping.
Nice clean pit toilets
Britney S
VerifiedAugust 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: B
Would definitely stay here again. The bathrooms were clean and the hosts were great!
Kevin S
VerifiedAugust 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: A
Our first time there. Enjoyed it a lot. Camp Host was great, camp ground was perfect for our needs. We will be back.
Angela L
VerifiedAugust 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: B
The campground is great but they need to do something about the water spigots. We used to use that water to wash filthy feet and legs of our younger crew when they’d come back to camp from playing on the beach. I get that the water is not for drinking but please bake done water source available.
Also the reservation system needs improvement. It’s very disheartening to see the campground full sign when there are numerous no shows. There are lots of people in the area that would use those camp sites. Camping should not be for the wealthy that can get on the website 6 months ahead only yo reserve multiple areas and no show at some of them
Lorna D
VerifiedAugust 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: TENT
This campground is great, especially since overnight campers can leave their boat at the docks for the night. The bathrooms and campsites are clean and tidy. The only downside for us was that only two tents are allowed per site. We had to reserve two full sites in order to have a third tent to accommodate our family. Late night arrivals came and ended up staying on the “unused” second site we had paid for.
scott p
VerifiedAugust 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: TENT
Nice big tent spots
Andrew K
VerifiedJuly 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: TENT
Great location, great views, large area for our rent on soft level ground, covered picnic table was a nice surprise. Would camp here again.
Garrett P
VerifiedJuly 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: A
Best camp on the lake, outstanding HOSTS, always there to help, worked very hard to keep all ship-shape.
A -5- STAR +
Shelie H
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: B
The camp host was the sweetest kindest host we’ve ever had in all of our years camping all over the place!!
Erica M
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: TENT
We had a great stay at this beautiful campground. Lot of trails for bike riding or walking, lots of lookout spots, and the tent camping spots were large. We also saw 3 eagles while we were there which was super awesome .
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.
