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A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service group campground

Crystal Lake Group Campsite

Forest Service group campground in Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Fergus County, Montana. 6,041 feet. 14.1 miles from Judith Gap.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
Elevation
6,041 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
1 1 group standard area non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Fergus County

Overview

The Crystal Lake Group Campground is located in the beautiful Big Snowies south of Lewistown, Montana, at 5,700 feet. Home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the Snowies.

Recreation

The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails that stem from the Crystal Lake complex provide excellent views and interesting photo opportunities. One trail displays old hieroglyphs in a cave allowing visitors a glimpse of the past.

Facilities

Water is available via a spring faucet and is just down from the camping site. An outhouse is provided next to the parking area for the group site. There is room for parking behind the gate in a parking area or to have two (up to 35’) campers parked there as well. Asphalt walkways and tent pads are present but room in the adjacent meadow can be used for bigger tents. Two large picnic tables are on site and a metal fire ring.

Natural Features

Settled in the basin of Crystal Lake, the group site offers great access to trails and ta short drive or walk to the lake. Some trees are around the campsite but may not offer much shade.

Nearby Attractions

Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • horseback riding
  • swimming site

The land around Crystal Lake Group Campsite

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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