The Crystal Lake Group Campground is located in the beautiful Big Snowies south of Lewistown, Montana, at 5.7 ft. Home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the Snowies.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
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View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
Jan
Feb
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Dec
Currently closed
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
Potable Water
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Crystal Lake Group site, Loop: CRYSTAL LAKE GROUP CAMPSITE
The Crystal Lake Group Campsite offers a spacious and relatively private setting, with well-laid-out tent sites and ample picnic tables, though some tables need maintenance. Guests appreciated the clear, drinkable water and the rich wildlife and plant life in the area. However, there were concerns about the cleanliness of the bathroom facilities and parking issues, especially on weekends due to day hikers. Overall, visitors expressed enthusiasm for returning to the site.
Our large campsite was perfect for our family. The area had been cleaned up with no debris left from other users. We thoroughly enjoyed the hike to the Ice Caves and canoeing in the Lake. Other campers were very good about practicing distancing during this time as well. The area is still so beautiful even with the absence of the trees in the campsite areas. We will hope to come up and camp again.
Our large campsite was perfect for our family. The area had been cleaned up with no debris left from other users. We thoroughly enjoyed the hike to the Ice Caves and canoeing in the Lake. Other campers were very good about practicing distancing during this time as well. The area is still so beautiful even with the absence of the trees in the campsite areas. We will hope to come up and camp again.
Crystal Lake is a nice area. To get there it's a mix of about 20 mi of gravel and 1 lane paved roads. The gravel roads are well maintained. The 1 lane paved roads are a little iffy if you're pulling a trailer and its a busy travel day. The lake is beautiful and small enough hike around it if you have a few hours. The surrounding area is gorgeous as well. The campground isn't very big, there's about 20 or so sites in the loop and I believe they are all first come first serve. There is a Group campsite and a cabin which are reserveable. We reserved the Group Site which sits closer to the trail head. ONE thing to know if you reserve the Group site, call ahead during the week and get the lock pass code. We overlooked that requirement and almost had to stay in the regular camping area because the gate was locked. Luckily during the evening the camp host came down to see if we paid the nightly fee and he had the code. That said, the camp host wasn't clearly identified anywhere and apparently they were camped out behind the cabin. It appears that at one point either there was a fire or beetle kill in the meadow that the camp sites are in as there are no trees in the immediate area. Its kind of like an large open area that has a lot of overgrowth. The Group site area has what appears to be a great tent camping layout but the brush is way overgrown and you cant really tell. The regular campground looks the same. Don't get me wrong, the Crystal Lake area is stunning, its just seems like the campgrounds haven't been really tend to in a few years. We saw a few fish being pulled out of the lake, lots of hikers heading up the trails and a few deer passing through the meadow. Overall it was a nice experience. Good hiking trails and beautiful (smaller) lake to play or relax on. One thing it lacked, for us at least, is trees in the campground and area's to ride our SxS.
Crystal Lake is a nice area. To get there it's a mix of about 20 mi of gravel and 1 lane paved roads. The gravel roads are well maintained. The 1 lane paved roads are a little iffy if you're pulling a trailer and its a busy travel day. The lake is beautiful and small enough hike around it if you have a few hours. The surrounding area is gorgeous as well. The campground isn't very big, there's about 20 or so sites in the loop and I believe they are all first come first serve. There is a Group campsite and a cabin which are reserveable. We reserved the Group Site which sits closer to the trail head. ONE thing to know if you reserve the Group site, call ahead during the week and get the lock pass code. We overlooked that requirement and almost had to stay in the regular camping area because the gate was locked. Luckily during the evening the camp host came down to see if we paid the nightly fee and he had the code. That said, the camp host wasn't clearly identified anywhere and apparently they were camped out behind the cabin. It appears that at one point either there was a fire or beetle kill in the meadow that the camp sites are in as there are no trees in the immediate area. Its kind of like an large open area that has a lot of overgrowth. The Group site area has what appears to be a great tent camping layout but the brush is way overgrown and you cant really tell. The regular campground looks the same. Don't get me wrong, the Crystal Lake area is stunning, its just seems like the campgrounds haven't been really tend to in a few years. We saw a few fish being pulled out of the lake, lots of hikers heading up the trails and a few deer passing through the meadow. Overall it was a nice experience. Good hiking trails and beautiful (smaller) lake to play or relax on. One thing it lacked, for us at least, is trees in the campground and area's to ride our SxS.
Crystal Lake is a nice area. To get there it's a mix of about 20 mi of gravel and 1 lane paved roads. The gravel roads are well maintained. The 1 lane paved roads are a little iffy if you're pulling a trailer and its a busy travel day. The lake is beautiful and small enough hike around it if you have a few hours. The surrounding area is gorgeous as well. The campground isn't very big, there's about 20 or so sites in the loop and I believe they are all first come first serve. There is a Group campsite and a cabin which are reserveable. We reserved the Group Site which sits closer to the trail head. ONE thing to know if you reserve the Group site, call ahead during the week and get the lock pass code. We overlooked that requirement and almost had to stay in the regular camping area because the gate was locked. Luckily during the evening the camp host came down to see if we paid the nightly fee and he had the code. That said, the camp host wasn't clearly identified anywhere and apparently they were camped out behind the cabin. It appears that at one point either there was a fire or beetle kill in the meadow that the camp sites are in as there are no trees in the immediate area. Its kind of like an large open area that has a lot of overgrowth. The Group site area has what appears to be a great tent camping layout but the brush is way overgrown and you cant really tell. The regular campground looks the same. Don't get me wrong, the Crystal Lake area is stunning, its just seems like the campgrounds haven't been really tend to in a few years. We saw a few fish being pulled out of the lake, lots of hikers heading up the trails and a few deer passing through the meadow. Overall it was a nice experience. Good hiking trails and beautiful (smaller) lake to play or relax on. One thing it lacked, for us at least, is trees in the campground and area's to ride our SxS.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Crystal Lake Group Campsite
204 W Folsom St., White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645 United States
From Lewistown, drive west on Montana Highway 200/US 87 for about 8 mi. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake Road. Continue south, following the well-signed directions to the lake for 20 mi. At the "T" junction, turn left and continue on to Crystal L...
From Lewistown, drive west on Montana Highway 200/US 87 for about 8 mi. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake Road. Continue south, following the well-signed directions to the lake for 20 mi. At the "T" junction, turn left and continue on to Crystal Lake. The last 6 mi is paved and mostly a single lane. On December 1, the paved section is gated, and access beyond the gate is by snowmobile, skis, snowshoes or hiking only.