Skidway Campground

About this campsite

Campground: Skidway Campground.

Location

Skidway Campground•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

MON☀️

19° / 7°

—

TUE☁️

21° / 10°

💧 4%

WED☁️

20° / 10°

💧 4%

THU🌤️

24° / 11°

💧 1%

FRI☁️

23° / 5°

💧 13%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

11.3 km away

RILLWAY CABIN

Overview Rillway Cabin is located 14 miles east of Townsend, Montana along scenic Deep Creek in Helena National Forest. Its history can be traced to Dr. A.C. Kelly, a physician who arrived in Townsend in 1915 and served as mayor from 1920-1924. In 1918, Dr. Kelly obtained a term permit from the Forest Service for the cabin site. The cabin was built between 1918 and 1922, then sold to Nellie Hale Averill and her son-in-law, Floyd L. Hollaway. By 1924, the cabin was known as "Rillway," a combination of the Averill and Hollaway family names. Today the cabin is a comfortable, rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It offers the easiest access of any cabins on the Helena National Forest, being accessible by vehicle year-round. Several amenities are offered, but guests will need to bring some of their own supplies. Recreation The cabin offers nearby access to a number of trails and roads. A cross-country ski trail is just up the highway and snowmobiling areas are close by as well. Deep Creek flows adjacent to the cabin, providing anglers with a scenic backdrop for fishing. The creek provides habitat for a variety of trout. Facilities The cabin can accommodate up to 6 people and comes furnished with 3 sets of bunkbeds with mattresses. Amenities include a fireplace insert, propane lanterns, a table and chairs, propane cook stove, cleaning supplies, utensils and cookware. An outhouse with vault toilet is near the cabin. An axe and snow shovel are provided. Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed. The cabin does not have electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing during their stay. Fuel is not provided for the lanterns or propane stove, so guests should bring 1 or 2 small propane cylinders, along with backup lighting. Guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food should be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. No firewood provided from June 1st - August 31. Natural Features The cabin is tucked back near a moss-covered canyon wall with Deep Creek splashing through the backyard. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds, including the more common elk, mule and white- tailed deer, squirrel, black bear, moose and a variety of birds. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well.

18.7 km away

THOMPSON GUARD STATION

Overview Thompson Guard Station is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. Historical records indicate that the guard station was built in 1954 for rangers in the district, but it may have been used as a cookhouse for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp prior to that date. In later years, engineering and road maintenance crews used the cabin as lodging. Today, the cabin is a rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It is accessible by car, but snow closes the road in winter and access is maintained to within about 4 miles of the cabin on the east side. During these periods, guests should be prepared to reach the cabin by snowshoes, cross-country skis or snowmobile. The cabin offers many amenities, but guests must bring some of their own gear and supplies. Recreation Gipsy Lake is 1 mile south of the cabin and is accessible by vehicle. It offers rainbow trout fishing and a launch for non-motorized boats. Another 3 miles south of Gipsy Lake are Hidden Lake, Upper Baldy Lake and Edith Lake. A number of multi-use trails and roads are in the area, offering chances to hike, mountain bike or ride horses. The winter landscape is ideal for snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Facilities The guard station is furnished with 6 single beds with mattresses to accommodate up to 6 people. The cabin has a Monarch cook stove, propane lanterns, propane stove and a wood heat stove. Other amenities include a table and chairs, cleaning supplies, dishes, utensils and cookware. An outhouse with vault toilet, picnic table and a campfire ring are near the cabin. An axe and snow shovel are provided. Firewood may be available, but it is not guaranteed. There is a fenced corral just below the cabin. The cabin does not have electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Guests must bring a sufficient amount of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Fuel is not provided for the propane lanterns or stove, so guests should bring 1 or 2 small propane cylinders, along with backup lighting. Guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food should be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. No firewood provided from June 1st - August 31. Natural Features Thompson Guard Station sits in a grassy, open clearing backed by mixed conifer forest. The area around the cabin offers a variety of landscapes, from river banks to subalpine terrain. Valley bottoms, dense forests, meadows and barren ridges are mixed with streams, rivers and lakes. Wildlife in the area abounds. Elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, squirrels and a variety of birds are commonly seen. The more elusive badger, wolverine, mountain lion and lynx find habitat here as well. Nearby Attractions Canyon Ferry Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, perch, ling and walleye. The wildlife viewing near the lake is quite impressive as well. It is one of the best in the country for viewing large concentrations of bald eagles. A wildlife management area at the end of the reservoir is home to a colony of terns and pelicans. White Sulphur Springs is about 17 miles away and, as the name implies, there is a hot spring open to the public, which is owned by a local motel.

33.2 km away

INDIAN ROAD GROUP USE SHELTER

Overview Indian Road Group Use Shelter is located at the southern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, just north of Townsend. It can accommodate up to 75 people and is attached to Indian Road campground. This 33’ X44’ shelter offers 8 picnic tables and 2 grills. Two vault toilets are located just across the parking lot. There is also a small fishing pond for kids and individuals with disabilities. This area is open to the public on a first come first serve baisis. 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 skaters. Facilities Indian Road Group Use Shelter is a 30' X 44' shelter with eight picnic tables, two grills, and a few accessable vault toilets. These is a fishing pond for the use of childeren and individuals with dissabilities. The shelter sits adjasent to Indian Road Campground, which is a first come first serve campground. The parking lot is graveled with ample space. There is also a ramp which is used by anglers and paddlers when the water level permits. Natural Features Indian Road Group Use Shelter sits along the Missouri River at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir between the Big Belt and Elkhorns Mountain ranges. Young willows line the small fishing pond and mature cottonwoods provide shade in the grassy areas around the pavilion. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (406) 475-3920. Nearby Attractions Indian Road Group Use Shelter Is located along the Missouri River at the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, between the Big Belt and Elkhorns Mountain ranges. The Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area, managed by FWP, is in close proximity; offering ample opportunities for bird watching and paddling during permitted seasons. For up-to-date events in Broadwater County, Townsend, Montana, visit www.townsendmt.com , and for Helena visit, www.helenamt.com .