Overview
Chinamen’s Campground is located at the very northern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, 30 miles east of Helena, Montana, along Montana Highway 284 and offers year-round access to a wide range of recreational opportunities.
The Canyon Ferry area has a rich mining history. Many of the mountains in the area had once been mined for gold. In the 1850’s the gold rush hit the Canyon Ferry area attracting miners from all over the United States in the hopes of striking it rich.
Today Chinamen’s Campground is named for the Chinese miners that worked the area for gold. The Chinese proved to be very efficient miners because they were able to collect gold out from claims previously mined and had been abandoned as unprofitable. Throughout the campground you can see piles of rocks tailing from the old gold mines.
Recreation
Canyon Ferry Reservoir offers a wide range of year-round recreational opportunities. Water related activities include everything from swimming and fishing to sailing and motor-boating. Canoeists and kayakers explore the many quiet backwater bays. Jet skiers, windsurfers and water skiers skim the summer waves, while winter draws ice fishermen, ice boaters and ice skaters.
Facilities
Chinamen’s Campground has 38 campsites many of the campsites are too small for RVs. The campground has gravel roads with campsites containing a picnic table and a fire ring. During the peak summer months services include vault toilets, potable water, trash, and a campground host.
Natural Features
Chinamen’s Campground sits at the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorn’s mountain ranges.
Nearby Attractions
Chinamen’s Campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir is located halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park along with the capital city of Helena, Montana. For up to date events visit, www.helenamt.com.
Nearby Activities
- Boating
- Camping
- Water activities
Gallery
Directions
Heading north along MT highway 12/287, drive north to Spokane Creek Rd and turn right Yellow flashing light. Follow Spokane Creek Rd for 4.6 mi and turn right onto Co Rd 430/Canyon Ferry Rd and continue on to Chinamen’s Campground. The campground will be on the right.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S
Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W