Page 29 - HC Vacation Guide 2022

CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL
The Continental Divide trail offers exquisites views through the Helena National Forest. The trail can be accessed off main travel routes at the following mountain passes: MacDonald, Rogers, Flesher, Stemple and Priest.
More info: southwestmt.com/listings/4520.htm or continentaldividetrail.org/day-and-section-hiking/
GEOCACHING
Helena is no novice when it comes to treasure
hunts. In July of 1864, four miners, down on their luck, gave it one “Last Chance” and struck it rich in Helena. The region, named Last Chance Gulch, grew almost overnight, producing an estimated (in today’s dollars) $3.6 billion in gold over a 20 year period.
Now -150 years later, Helena appeals to treasure hunters of a different kind. Helena is a geocacher’s dream. Helena, Montana has developed a GeoTour that highlights our engaging history, attractions
and everything that makes Helena, well, Helena! The GeoTour highlights the unspoiled nature and history of Montana’s Capital City area. Explore the Helena National Forest, take a photo from the Firetower, follow Lewis & Clark’s route along the Missouri, discover the hidden treasures of a city built during the gold rush of 1864.
Helena has evolved into the region’s geocaching leader with a new trackable GeoCoin and received the title “Best for Geocaching” from Rand McNally’s and geocaching.com’s Best of the Road contest. Come catch the best in Helena!
More info: www.helenamt.com/geotour
PUBLIC CAMPING
Places to pitch a tent or pull up an RV are plentiful around Helena. The Helena National Forest offers numerous camping opportunities. State-owned land near Helena is also home to nice camping areas. Most camping sites are open from Memorial Day weekend until Sept. 15.
More info:
• Helena Ranger District: (406) 449-5490
• Bureau of Reclamation: (406) 475-3310
• Montana State Parks: Book campsite reservations by calling 1-855-922-6768 or stateparks.mt.gov
Popular camping areas:
• Alhambra RV Park: Clancy; for details, visit
alhambrarvpark.net
• Buzz Inn RV Park & Campground: 5 miles E of Helena on US Hwy 12
• Cromwell Dixon Campground: located on MacDonald Pass
• Black Sandy and White Sandy Campground: located at Hauser Lake northeast of Helena
• Lincoln Road RV Park: for details, visit lincolnroadrvpark.net. Exit 200 off I-15
• Townsend/Canyon Ferry Lake KOA: 81 Silos Road, Townsend
• Vigilante Campground: located northeast of York
• Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds: 98 West Custer Ave.
CANYON FERRY LAKE
Located east of Helena, Canyon Ferry Lake features day use sites, overnight camping areas, public boat launches, fishing, hiking, bird watching and more. Visit the Canyon Ferry Visitor Center to get the full story on recreation opportunities in the Canyon Ferry Lake area. To find the visitor center, turn right (east) on Custer Avenue from N. Montana Avenue. Soon, Custer Avenue turns into Canyon Ferry Road. Follow the road about 17 miles as it approaches the lake, then winds over the dam at the north end. The visitor center is about a mile past the dam.
More info: (406) 475-3310
HAUSER LAKE
Hauser Lake was created in 1908 when Samuel T. Hauser dammed the Missouri River to supply cheap electrical power for mining companies in Butte and Anaconda. Today, the area is ripe with recreational opportunities, including
four campgrounds:
• Riverside Campground: located near the base of the Canyon Ferry Dam
• Devil’s Elbow Campground: located at the bridge on Highway 280/York Road
• Black Sandy and White Sandy Campgrounds: drive north on Montana Avenue to Lincoln Road and turn east. Follow the highway to the dirt road and go north.
HOLTER LAKE
Holter Dam was completed east of Wolf Creek in 1918. Today, the Holter Lake area features a variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, boating and camping. Shore camping areas include Juniper Bay, Log Gulch and Departure Point.
FLOATING
The Helena area provides a variety of canoeing, rafting and kayaking opportunities for residents and visitors to the area. Early summer is the best time
for high water with many of the area’s best rivers flowing out of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex to the north.
More info: To rent or purchase items, or get more info about floating opportunities, at area shops, including The Base Camp, Montana Outdoor Sports, Bob Ward & Sons, Capital Sports & Western, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
DEARBORN RIVER
Flows southeast from the Bob Marshall Wilderness
to the Missouri River Near the town of Craig. The Dearborn River is crossed by the Dearborn River High Bridge which was constructed in 1897. The Dearborn is a Class 1 for recreational purposes.
BLACKFOOT RIVER
The Blackfoot is renowned for its recreational uses including fly fishing, floating and canoing. The Blackfoot flows near Lincoln and travels all the way
towards Missoula.
MISSOURI RIVER
Considered one of the longest rivers in North America, the Missouri River flows east and south for miles before entering the Mississippi. Lots of floating opportunities to Helena’s north and east.
KAYAKING ON THE MISSOURI FLY FISHING
CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL
GO TO HELENAMT.COM FOR DETAILS
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