The Crystal Lake Group Campground is located in the beautiful Big Snowies south of Lewistown, Montana, at 5,700 feet. Home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the Snowies.
Recreation
The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails that stem from the Crystal Lake complex provide excellent views and interesting photo opportunities. One trail displays old hieroglyphs in a cave allowing visitors a glimpse of the past.
Facilities
Water is available via a spring faucet and is just down from the camping site. An outhouse is provided next to the parking area for the group site. There is room for parking behind the gate in a parking area or to have two (up to 35’) campers parked there as well. Asphalt walkways and tent pads are present but room in the adjacent meadow can be used for bigger tents. Two large picnic tables are on site and a metal fire ring.
Natural Features
Settled in the basin of Crystal Lake, the group site offers great access to trails and ta short drive or walk to the lake. Some trees are around the campsite but may not offer much shade.
Nearby Attractions
Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.
Nearby Activities
Biking
Boating
Historic & cultural site
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Swimming site
Gallery
Directions
From Lewistown, drive west on Montana Highway 200/US 87 for about 8 miles. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake Road. Continue south, following the well-signed directions to the lake for 20 miles. At the "T" junction, turn left and continue on to Crystal Lake. The last 6 miles 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.
Located off Magpie Road #425 (about 6 miles north of Highway #284) this facility was designed to accomodate large trailers. The trailhead provides access to motorized trails in the Big Belt Mountains.
This trailhead is located a short distance west of Flesher Pass, off Highway #279. The facility provides access, both north and south, to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. A kiosk providing information is located at the trailhead.
Directions
Access to this trailhead is located about ¼ mile west of Flesher pass off Highway 279.
This undeveloped facility provides access into the Scapegoat Wilderness. The trailhead is located near Reservoir Lake and adjacent to Forest Road #4106.
Directions
Access to this trailhead is located approximately 2.5 west of Lincoln off Highway 200. Turn north on the Beaver Creek road #4106 and travel 8 miles to Reservoir Lake and the nearby trailhead.
The Gipsy Lake Picnic Site is located adjacent to a small mountain lake on the east side of the Big Belt Mountains. This recreation site can be accessd off the Duck Creek Road #139.
The Missouri River Fishing Access is located at the west end of Road #138 and adjacent to the Missouri River and Beaver Creek. This section of the Missouri River is free-flowing and located between Hauser Dam and Upper Holter Reservoir. There is a scenic trail that parallels the Missouri River between Beaver Creek and Hauser Dam. Along this route, birds such as osprey, bald eagles, great blue herons, American white pelicans and the double-crested cormorant are frequently spotted.
Directions
Follow Highway 280 east of Helena approximately 16 miles to the small community of York. Proceed north on the dirt road about 8 miles to Nelson and the intersection with the Beaver Creek Road. Turn left and follow the Beaver Creek Road approximately 6 miles to the Missouri Rive
Park Lake Campground is located approximately 20 miles southwest of Helena, Montana. The site provides an opportunity to camp near the placid, lovely Park Lake. You could enjoy fishing for cutthroat and greyling trout in this beautiful mountain lake, hand launch non-motorized boats or picnic along the lakeshore.
Nearby Activities
Camping
Fishing
Picnicking
Directions
From Helena travel south on Interstate 15 for 8 miles, Exit interstate at the Clancy exit. Travel west 8 miles on the County Road and 6 miles west on Forest Road 4009 to the Park lake Campground.
Moose Creek Campground is located southwest of Helena, Montana. Travel west of Helena on Highway 12 (about 8 miles) and turn south on Rimini Road #695. This 9 unit campground is located near other Forest Service features including: rental cabin, picnic area and environmental education trail. Also located within a short distance is access to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Eagle Guard Station is located in high grasslands and surrounded by a scattered forest in the Elkhorn Mountains in west-central Montana.
The former Eagle Creek Ranger Station was built by miner Richard Owen in 1895. While his family lived there, the area was in a booming gold rush. In
1908, the cabin was taken over by the Forest Service for administrative use. It is the oldest administrative log structure on the Helena National Forest, predating the
establishment of the Forest.
Today the cabin is a rustic retreat for guests seeking relaxation and recreation. The cabin is accessible by car, but the last 4 miles are
only open to foot, horseback and cross-country ski traffic from December 2nd through May 15th. Several amenities are provided, but guests should be prepared to pack
in some of their own supplies and gear.
Recreation
Eagle Guard Station provides guests with outstanding opportunities for photography, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
The area offers centralized access to the Elkhorn Mountains with numerous hiking trails and roads leading to the Elkhorn’s historical resources. Popular hikes include
those to Crow Creek Falls and Poe Park. An interpretive trail is accessible just beyond the cabin.
When snow allows, skiing gives visitors an up-close look at concentrations of wintering elk.
Facilities
The entire site consists of the cabin, a woodshed, vault toilet, barn, horse corrals and a fire ring. The cabin can accommodate up to six people on three sets of bunk
beds with mattresses. A wood stove provides heat and a propane camp stove can be used for cooking. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, dishes, propane lantern, utensils
and cookware.
An axe and snow shovel are provided. Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed.
There is no available potable water or electricity at this facility. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing, as well as one
or two small propane canisters to use with the propane stove and lantern.
Guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, flashlights, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage
bags. All trash and food should be packed out, and guests should clean the cabin before leaving.
No firewood provided from June 1st – August 31.
Natural Features
Eagle Guard Station is situated on the southeast flanks of the Elkhorn Mountains in a beautiful open grassland setting, an outstanding location for viewing elk.
Crow Creek Falls, the largest waterfall in Helena National Forest, is located within hiking distance of the cabin and is a sanctuary for many wildlife species,
including the threatened Canada lynx, the sensitive goshawk and westslope cutthroat trout.
The area offers unique opportunities for viewing wildlife in their natural habitat. Bighorn sheep, mule and white-tailed deer, black bear, moose and a variety of
birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine and mountain lion find habitat here as well.
Nearby Attractions
Historic town sites and mining areas such as Elkhorn, Hassel, Ruddville and Diamond Hill mines are nearby for guests interested in the mining history of the Elkhorns.
Nearby Activities
Biking
Historic & cultural site
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Hunting
Winter sports
Wildlife viewing
Gallery
Directions
All mileage is approximate from the highway.
From Helena, take Highway 287 for 26 miles southeast towards Townsend, Montana. Turn right
on Indian Creek Road just before crossing the Missouri River. Travel for 3 miles, then turn left
onto Forest Road #4031 (purple sign). Travel 5 miles to an intersection and stay to the right.
This road will lead down a hill, into a narrow canyon and under a conveyor belt for the current
mining operations in that area. Stay to the left, but continue on Forest Road #4031 for another
2.5 miles. Turn right and travel 0.5 miles to the cabin.
From December 2 through May 15, the last 4 miles are not open to motorized vehicles. Access
to the cabin is by foot, ski, or horseback.
