About Hellgate Campground
Number of accommodations: 70
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Reviews (384)
What Guests Are Saying
Hellgate Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and beautiful location with lakefront access. Campers appreciate the hospitable host and the inviting atmosphere, making it a favorite for group outings. While some mention issues with check-in timings and high winds, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Hellgate Campground is highly praised for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and beautiful location with lakefront access. Campers appreciate the hospitable host and the inviting atmosphere, making it a favorite for group outings. While some mention issues with check-in timings and high winds, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to return.
Review Summary
Ken S
VerifiedJuly 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: A
This was the worst experience we have had in 17 years of coming to Hellgate campground.
- The mosquitoes were terrible and during the week we were there, at no time did we see anyone come out and spray for them (as we have seen them do it in the past). When we asked the campground host about someone coming out to spray, he stated that the mosquitoes would only be there for a couple more days ??? (that was the first time I have ever had someone use such a lame excuse).
- On the weekend, someone out by the point was shooting off fire works (big fireworks) around 11:00 pm. I spoke with the campground host the following morning and he stated it would be to hard to find out who was shooting them off (his trailer was dark and he never even came out in an attempt to locate the offenders).
- The dirt road coming into the campground from the main highway was wash boarded bad and had pot holes everywhere. Even when you entered the campground (after the cattleguard, near the first set of bathrooms) that entire section of the roadway was ridiculous.
- People were celebrating someone's 30th birthday party (which is understandable) however the last time I looked at the clock was 11:45 pm and the people and music was still ridiculously loud (once again, the campground host never came out of their trailer to ask to group to shut it down).
- As described above, the quiet hours were not even attempted to be enforced. I understand that people want to come out on their days off and have a good time, so do I, but the quiet hours are there for a reason and need to be enforced.
As, I have never performed the duties as a campground host, I am not sure of their duties, however based off campground host we have visited with in the past, the two that were "working" during the time we were there, were worthless (sorry to say).
Ken S
VerifiedJuly 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 18, Loop: A
This was the worst experience we have had in 17 years of coming to Hellgate campground.
- The mosquitoes were terrible and during the week we were there, at no time did we see anyone come out and spray for them (as we have seen them do it in the past). When we asked the campground host about someone coming out to spray, he stated that the mosquitoes would only be there for a couple more days ??? (that was the first time I have ever had someone use such a lame excuse).
- On the weekend, someone out by the point was shooting off fire works (big fireworks) around 11:00 pm. I spoke with the campground host the following morning and he stated it would be to hard to find out who was shooting them off (his trailer was dark and he never even came out in an attempt to locate the offenders).
- The dirt road coming into the campground from the main highway was wash boarded bad and had pot holes everywhere. Even when you entered the campground (after the cattleguard, near the first set of bathrooms) that entire section of the roadway was ridiculous.
- People were celebrating someone's 30th birthday party (which is understandable) however the last time I looked at the clock was 11:45 pm and the people and music was still ridiculously loud (once again, the campground host never came out of their trailer to ask to group to shut it down).
- As described above, the quiet hours were not even attempted to be enforced. I understand that people want to come out on their days off and have a good time, so do I, but the quiet hours are there for a reason and need to be enforced.
As, I have never performed the duties as a campground host, I am not sure of their duties, however based off campground host we have visited with in the past, the two that were "working" during the time we were there, were worthless (sorry to say).
Karen W
VerifiedJuly 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: B
We've camped at Hellgate for over 15 years. The campground has literally gone to hell in the last several years. This year is truly an all-time low. The bathrooms are really disgusting. The camp hosts do put out toilet paper, and may wipe the toilet seat, but that seems to be the extent of their cleaning. The back area of the toilet is never cleaned, the floors are seldom swept, and the cobwebs and bugs aren't swept from the walls.
During this visit, we had dogs running loose (as seems to be the norm anymore) and a pit bull attacked another dog. There were at least 6 children present and some were trying to help separate the dogs. Anyone of them could have been injured during that attack. This could have been prevented if the "dogs on leash" rule had been enforced. Additionally, the dogs are pooping anywhere they want in the campground! Yuk!
And as is usual in recent years, the fire pits are not cleaned between reservations. I'm really not sure what the camp hosts do anymore! Do they have any duties? Or have all the campground rules just gone out the window and there really are no rules anymore?
c
Karen W
VerifiedJuly 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: B
We've camped at Hellgate for over 15 years. The campground has literally gone to hell in the last several years. This year is truly an all-time low. The bathrooms are really disgusting. The camp hosts do put out toilet paper, and may wipe the toilet seat, but that seems to be the extent of their cleaning. The back area of the toilet is never cleaned, the floors are seldom swept, and the cobwebs and bugs aren't swept from the walls.
During this visit, we had dogs running loose (as seems to be the norm anymore) and a pit bull attacked another dog. There were at least 6 children present and some were trying to help separate the dogs. Anyone of them could have been injured during that attack. This could have been prevented if the "dogs on leash" rule had been enforced. Additionally, the dogs are pooping anywhere they want in the campground! Yuk!
And as is usual in recent years, the fire pits are not cleaned between reservations. I'm really not sure what the camp hosts do anymore! Do they have any duties? Or have all the campground rules just gone out the window and there really are no rules anymore?
c
Josh L
VerifiedJuly 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
The road inside the campground gate has not been graded this year. There are so many pot holes and wash boards you have to go about 5mph and it beats up your camper and boats. Speed limits are not being followed and side by sides are tearing up and down the roads at all hours of the day and night. In the past this campground has been well cared for and now it’s just rundown
Josh L
VerifiedJuly 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 13, Loop: A
The road inside the campground gate has not been graded this year. There are so many pot holes and wash boards you have to go about 5mph and it beats up your camper and boats. Speed limits are not being followed and side by sides are tearing up and down the roads at all hours of the day and night. In the past this campground has been well cared for and now it’s just rundown
Jordan T
VerifiedJuly 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: A
Hot with no shade and LOTS of mosquitoes, but family had a great time swimming by the dock area.
Jordan T
VerifiedJuly 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: A
Hot with no shade and LOTS of mosquitoes, but family had a great time swimming by the dock area.
Judy W
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop:
The host was friendly and helpful.
The campground area was clean and meet and roomy #10
Judy W
VerifiedJune 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 010, Loop:
The host was friendly and helpful.
The campground area was clean and meet and roomy #10
Location Hellgate Campground
Address:
7700 Canyon Ferry Road
Helena, MT, 59601
United States
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.
Hellgate Campground is accessible via Hwy 284, which is approximately 21 miles from Townsend, MT. The campground is also reachable from Co Rd 430/Canyon Ferry Rd, which connects to Helena, MT.
Latitude & Longitude: 46.6177 / -111.64
Elevation: 1170 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
