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Camping near Helena

The Montana magic is real in Helena—paddle the Missouri and hike, bike, or climb in the mountains.

97% (392 reviews)
97% (392 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Helena

Star Hosts in Helena

Under $50

12 top campgrounds near Helena

98%
(48)

Big-Enough Ranch

2 sites ¡ Lodging40 acres ¡ Boulder, MT
Horse ranch on 40 acres located just outside of Boulder, MT. Exceptional views and peace and quiet at this retreat cabin. 20 acres to the East has and old hunting cabin alongside a creek. Also an old mining test pit from the late 1800’s mining boom, as well as a hand built irrigation ditch that runs through the property.
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$80
 / night
97%
(72)

The Trail Enthusiast's Basecamp!

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Helena, MT
This five-acre oasis was once a landscape nursery. So given the close proximity to downtown we are a hidden sanctuary from the outside world, secluded by cottonwood trees and mature foliage. The site now serves as a wedding venue and offers views of Mount Helena to the South and the Sleeping Giant to the North. Learn more about this land: Pitch a tent in our aspen grove or park your camper/RV in the grassland field. You're close to downtown with lots of privacy/scenery. You'll have views of regal Mount Helena to the South and The Sleeping Giant to the North. The South Hill trail complex is a great place to explore as well as the Scratchgravels. The Missouri River is only 20 minutes away as well as Lake Hauser and Canyon Ferry. If new to the area and interested in history, we recommend the Tour Train. We also have several great breweries - our favorites include Ten Mile and Blackfoot Breweries (a perfect stop you can ride to after a trail ride/hike in the South Hills). This site is perfect for those wanting to explore Downtown Helena, it's renowned trail systems, but still sleep under the stars. Pets are allowed. Please make sure you pick up after them. There is water throughout the property that you are welcome to use for cleaning, but it is not potable.
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$25
 / night
100%
(2)

Mountain Biker's Getaway

1 site ¡ RV20 acres ¡ Helena, MT
We have a 20 acre parcel where we live that is right next to the trail system and also 5 minutes from downtown Helena. We love hosting our friends who come to mountain bike and enjoy Helena and are happy to host you! We have a small trail cut into the property that is available for your use and a forest for you to play in
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$25
 / night
100%
(1)

Date Street Cabin @ C Lazy M Meadow

1 site ¡ Lodging7 acres ¡ MT
A small cabin sleeps 4 with 2 queen beds and room to stake a tent. Sits on 6 acres with a creek bed under large trees and overlooks a meadow. Includes an outhouse, potable water, grill, picnic table and a "smokeless" fire pit. Dishes, utensils, firewood and bedding included. Come stay in MT City; only 5 miles from all historic Helena has to offer! 4 restaurants/bars within walking (>1 mi.). 3 large lakes w/in 10 miles with beaches, boating and sight seeing opportunities; the Missouri river within 15 miles for fishing, boating, paddle boarding, hiking and biking. Come relax! Sleeps 4 in beds. Additional guests allowed with permission and fee (tents and/or or campers). While exploring Helena, we recommend the Walking Mall and the lower end of Last Chance Gulch for shopping and dining. You can also do a self guided tour of the Capitol building and then ride the tour train through Helena to get a quick history lesson. If you want to do something outside, we suggest Houser Lake at Lakeside with a bar and grill, a beach, fire pit, volley ball, etc. There is also guided boat rides at Gates of the Mountains on Holter Lake (about 20 miles towards Great Falls). If you are looking to go hiking, Mount Helena is a nice hike, but maybe a bit much for small kiddos, unless you have a backpack. If you'd like additional suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Hope you enjoy your stay! Party Tent available at additional charge.
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$85
 / night
Booked 1 time

Ten Mile Creek Retreat

1 site ¡ RV1 acre ¡ Helena West Side, MT
Located right off HWY 12 on a 1/4 acre, this retreat offers Ten Mile creek frontage with private easy access, a fire pit, firewood, and picnic table. Enjoy the sunrise and listen to the birds! If you are around in springtime, a moose has even been spotted. It’s a great spot to rest and just listen to the water.
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$30
 / night
100%
(5)

Farm Land Escape

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents53 acres ¡ Helena, MT
Please contact me through here 1-2 days prior to your arrival so I can get your area ready. As there may be one other camper from time to time as well. I want you to have the privacy and the experience as if it was only you and you’re family staying. This 53 acres use to be owned by a guy named John Helberg which is who the road is named after. It’s the original homestead land dated over 100 years ago where they farmed for there dairy cows and other livestock. This is right off a dead end road. You will have a view of a Montana farm field with the Rocky Mountains in the background. Dark nights out of the town means the stars will be out and about! This is a quiet secluded area there is a house near by, he is an older gentlemen you won’t even know he’s there. Depending on time of year there will be a field full of crop or the farm getting farmed. There very well could be some horses near by to pet!! Located 10 minutes from the lakes. 5 minutes from a reservoir. 10 minutes from town. 15 min to closest hiking areas. Helena really is the heart of fun very centralized for all directions of fun! Very easy pull in and pull out area. Please not there may be other campers enjoying as well Black Sandy State Park and Helena National Park are both under 15 miles away. Enjoy hiking and If you’re the boating type, head down the Missouri river in search of a rumored rope swing or jump off the boat for a dip in the crystal waters of Hauser Lake. Looking to avoid all the crowds or enjoy a solitary weekend under the endless Montana sky? Just head to Black Sandy during the winter months! You’ll find the same great stunning views and an ice skating experience that will put your grandparents’ childhood tales to shame. I do have power 50 amp, fresh water, grey water hook up, no black water. This option may not be available all of the time.
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$65
 / night
100%
(1)

West Side Wonder

1 site ¡ RV1 acre ¡ Helena, MT
Enjoy camping in the trees on Mount Helena. Trail access for biking, hiking, running, dog walking and wildlife watching. Power and water are available. There is a dump station within 4 miles. Beautiful location with amazing star gazing, wildlife and outdoor adventures. Quiet neighborhood - so no parties! Less than 1/2 mile of dirt road off the level and paved (just above Montana Wild and Spring Meadow Lake). Plenty of room for large campers!
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$55
 / night
100%
(4)

The Junkyard

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ East Helena, MT
The junkyard is a nice pet friendly spot about 6 miles from downtown Helena. Right near a creek, hikes, and the lake. It is a commercial area, as I run a towing company, but pretty quiet, you might even find some camper parts! I have water and power on site as well. I really enjoy the van life and nomad community and love to help out.
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$39
 / night

A Wet dogs paradise

1 site ¡ RV, Tent5 acres ¡ Montana City, MT
Welcome to our little slice of paradise! Conveniently located just minutes from the Montana City exit on I-90, yet you would never know how close you are to Helena's city center and all the outdoor activities it has to offer. This property is lush with multiple walking trails to gardens and creek access. Camp spots are all level and well maintained with picnic tables and fire rings. Easy access to multiple spots on Prickly Pear Creek with fishing and wading. 10 to 20 minutes to shopping centers, schools, fairgrounds, baseball fields, and soccer fields. Plenty of room for trailers to turn around!
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$45
 / night

Mount Helena Hideaway

1 site ¡ RV1 acre ¡ Helena West Side, MT
Quiet, wooded acre on the west side of Mount Helena trail system. You will have privacy, as well as beautiful views of the Helena Valley and access to miles and miles of hiking and biking trails. You are 15 - 20 minutes to Canyon Ferry Lake, Hauser Lake and Lake Helena. There is water and power available, but no dump or garbage. Perfect location to park while you enjoy all that Helena has to offer. 2 miles to downtown.
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$57
 / night
Booked 10 times

Lakeview Farms

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents23 acres ¡ Helena Valley Northeast, MT
Are small startup hay farm that has beautiful views of Hauser reservoir with three recreational sites on it within a 15-minute drive as well as 15 minutes the other direction allows two access points to lake Helena. we have a large flock of chickens that free roam the property as well as dairy cow who wanders through the front yard and Hayfield. Nearby Lakeside Bar and Grill has a great menu with lake access and music on the weekends, that is within walking distance. about 2 miles from our property there in the Helena Reservoir that has lovely walking trails, that your pets can run off leash as well as fishing access.
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$20
 / night
100%
(1)

Mercedes B.’s Land

3 sites ¡ Lodging16 acres ¡ Helena, MT
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$150
 / night

Dog-friendly getaways

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Camping near Helena guide

Overview

Helena is all about the outdoors. Just minutes from the downtown coffee shops and craft breweries, the surrounding valley features hills and mountains rising in every direction. The mighty Missouri River corridor provides endless boating, fishing, and paddling in a number of reservoirs and the river itself, plus three local lakes. With hundreds of miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, and access to both the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and BLM lands, it’s hard to not fall in love with the area, where campgrounds, RV parks, and regional parks are prolific. If Helena campgrounds are full, try the parks in Townsend to the south.

Where to go

Hauser Reservoir

Just 15 minutes from downtown, Hauser Reservoir has a long lakeshore with developed boat ramps, bathrooms, and campsites. This reservoir is the first in a string of three major impoundments, each with excellent fishing and boating opportunities—trout and walleye fishing are popular on the lakes and on the Missouri River below Hauser Dam. Canyon Ferry Reservoir and Holter Reservoir are the subsequent downstream reservoirs, and all three combine to create a major corridor of water recreation and camping. You can even find reservable, boat-access-only campgrounds.

Craig

Craig is the trout capital of Montana, home to the Missouri River’s fabled waters perfect for fly fishing. So many trout feed here due to the cold water spilling from Holter Dam and the huge insect populations that hatch on the water’s surface. Shoreline access points are common, and numerous boat ramps allow access for drift boats and rafts from the dam to the town of Cascade.

Gates of the Mountains

Just outside of Helena, take a boat ride at Gates of the Mountains to experience area scenery while learning about the trials of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Boat tours operate during summer, with several large vessels featuring both open-air seating and covered areas. Riders can see the river constrict between great canyon walls while keeping an eye out for mountain goats and other wildlife on the cliff faces.

Canyon Ferry Reservoir

When it comes to water sports, the Canyon Ferry Reservoir is the place to be. From the campgrounds along the shore, you can paddle, boat, fish, and swim. To the north, Black Sandy State Park offers expansive water and mountain views, while the BLM-run White Sandy area features 32 campsites.

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

For shaded mountain campsites and remote adventure, head for this national forest. Sleep next to a creek under towering sequoias at Tenmile, or hit the Continental Divide Trail from your tent camping site at Moose Creek.

When to go

Helena is a year-round destination with plenty of summer and winter activities, though campers will find the most conducive weather conditions in summer from June through October—perfect for mountain biking and paddle boarding. The city’s location near Glacier National Park, a destination busiest in summer, means campsites book up quickly for the summer months around Helena too. Fall and spring offer cool, quiet hikes, while winter visitors should consider an RV site with hookups or a cabin rental with heating due to cold, snowy weather. Get outside for cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.

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