Galena Gulch Campground & Recreation Area

Beautiful overnight stay. Relatively easy access for our 40ft fifth wheel right off the highway. The highway noise was drowned out by the sound of the very strong river. Spotty service with ATT and Verizon, not sufficient for work/zoom calls even with WeBoost up. Would have stayed longer if it weren’t for the signal issues. Was still snowing during our stay in mid May and several spots suitable for big rigs were available

(Stayed here 8/17/21): Another great FREE spot right off the highway. I thought the highway buzz would be a downer but it didn’t bother me at all. It’s a small area with maybe a dozen spots but had plenty to choose from when we arrived in the evening. Because it’s small, you are fairly close to your neighbors. Also, because it’s close to the highway, expect late arrivals; there’s always that one person/group coming in well after sunset. There are bathrooms, tables, fire pits and plenty of trees for shade. It was quiet and clean for the most part - some micro-trash.

We arrived after 6 PM on a Monday night and there were multiple spots available. Good roads to get in, back-in sites only. We liked the fact that it was right off the highway - convenient to get to for quick overnight stay. Traffic noise was not bad at all. And otherwise, very quiet. Vault toilets, no water. Next to a nice stream with access from most sites. One bar of ATT service was easily boosted with our WeBoost

I planned to stay here but upon arriving, I only had 1 bar of 4G via ATT so had to relocate so I could work. The sites were clean, along the river and had a table & fire ring. I arrived around 2pm on a Sunday and 4 spots were taken. I imagine this place gets very busy on the weekends. The major drawback is how close it is to the interstate but it’s free! Vault toilet onsite. No other services.

Prior to coming here we were worried all sites would be taken. We arrived mid week around 4pm and to our surprise several options still available. Access is right off hwy and road to dispersed camping you must drive under hwy after exiting. According to allstays, clearance is 12ft. Sites are immediately to the right after you drive over bridge. Two loops in a figure 8 fashion. Total of 11 gravels sites. Each with fire pit, table and path to Boulder River. Sites well spread out. Centrally located 2 vaults, both very clean and stocked with toilet paper. 14 day minimum stay. Other campers come with their ATV’s and the dirt road continues up hill past dispersed area to a paid campground. Town is a short 3 mile drive back into Boulder with an all you need kind of market and large gas station that can accommodate big rigs. We had a friendly neighbor who brought his chain saw and cut down logs from a fallen tree and gave us an “all nighter” log. Despite hearing the occasional road noise during the day and member only shooting range close by, it gets real quiet and dark at night. Pack in and pack out. Great stop if you are traveling between national parks (Glacier and Yellowstone) or just know about this place and need a few days.

Site Details
Daily Rate: Free
Reservations: First-come, first served
Site Pad Material: large back-in sites with grsvel spaces
Water: No
Electricity: No
Sewer: No
Bathroom Facilities: Two pit toilets
Laundry: No
Cable TV: No
Wi-fi: No
Dump Station: Free dump station available in Helena approximately 30-40 minutes away.
Propane: No
Pull Throughs: No
Back In: Yes
Big Rig Friendly: Maybe - max 40ft
Pet Friendly: Yes – Pets must be kept on leash
Elevation: 5,100'

This was a great little free campground on BLM land outside of Helena, MT. There is not much to do in the area but it had decent service for working.

We stayed here for two nights to break up our drive from Yellowstone to Glacier and it fit the bill well. We arrived to a mostly empty campground on Monday and by Wednesday morning at 10 or so all the sites we taken.

The campground had a nice river flowing along the border. Would definitely suggest for a few days or overnight stay.