Helena Area Canyon Ferry Lake Hauser Lake Holter Lake |
Canyon Ferry Lake
Canyon Ferry has become one of Montana's foremost recreation areas because of its proximity to Helena, Great Falls and Butte. The reservoir covers 25 miles and there are 24 Bureau of Reclamation maintained recreation sites around the reservoir. There is east access to the reservoir from US Highway 12 east of Helena or just north of Townsend. Canyon Ferry offers a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, year-round fishing for trout and salmon, camping, sightseeing, picnicking, hiking, hunting, waterskiing, nature study, and swimming. Boat access is available at all of the campsites. A number of additional public boat launch areas are located near the dam on the north end and near Townsend on the south end. A Sapphire mine, laundromat, dining, entertainment, cabins, beaches, house boats, showers, and grocery stores are available in the area. Click here for more photos.
Hauser Lake
Hauser Lake is a 3,200 acre reservoir on the Missouri River created by Hauser Dam. The lake yields Kokanee Salmon; for which it holds the state record, rainbow and brown trout, walleye and perch. It is an extremely popular take-off point for weekend boating, fishing, and water skiing. There are two scenic public campgrounds on Hauser Lake, White Sandy and a few yards further Black Sandy State Park. Click here for more information.
Holter Lake
Holter Lake is located in west central Montana near Helena. There are well maintained campgrounds available. It is in an open, grassy area near the shore of Holter Lake surrounded by sparsely wooded hills, There is a prairie dog town just down the road and food service within close proximity of these BLM sites. A three-site camping and day use complex (Holter Lake, Log Gulch, and Departure Point Recreation sites) includes 140 camping units; 25 day-use units; 3 designated swimming areas; 2 multi-laned boat ramps; paved/graveled entrance roads. The area provides great opportunities for boating, riding, swimming, wildlife observation, hiking, and fishing for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, walleyes and perch. Click here for more photos.
