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Clark's Bay Day Use Site

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Clark's Bay Day Use Site

Clark's Bay Day Use Site is a scenic recreation area in central Montana only a short distance northeast of Helena. The day-use area is one of over 850 natural sites protected and administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is a government agency responsible for watching over federal lands, and their jurisdiction covers 247.3 million acres of land, most of which is located in the western United States. In addition to being beautiful areas with plenty of recreational opportunities, the vast majority of these BLM sites are wonderful destinations for camping enthusiasts. Visitors will find well-kept campgrounds at the sites, offering a peaceful setting to connect with nature and sleep out in the fresh air.

The Clark's Bay Day Use Site, found a few miles south of Helena National Forest, lies on the shores of Hauser Lake. Although camping overnight isn't permitted in the day-use area, the site is a popular destination for a variety of outdoor activities. Local residents and travelers alike visit the park regularly to enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, volleyball, and more.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

1906 Trail

The 1906 Trail is a gorgeous out-and-back trail with significant elevation gains. Located in Mount Helena City Park, the trail is a popular destination for trail runners and tends to get pretty busy at times. The best time to visit the trail is between May and October, and you're free to bring your pups along with you.

Length: 2.9 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Missouri River Beaver Creek Trail

Located in the lush woodlands of Helena National Forest, the Missouri River Beaver Creek Trail offers a truly picturesque hiking experience. The out-and-back trail will take you along the Missouri River and through beautiful forests where many wildlife species regularly roam. Because the trail and surrounding area are so popular for hiking, fishing, and paddle-boating, you'll likely see quite a few other guests enjoying outdoor recreation during your visit. However, there's plenty of space to go around, and it shouldn't detract from the peaceful experience.

Length: 3.6 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing & Boating

The Clark's Bay Day Use Site is conveniently located right on the banks of Hauser Lake, which happens to be an excellent fishing destination. The 3,200-acre reservoir is inhabited by numerous rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, and perch. The lake is also an extremely popular take-off point for boating, swimming, and watersports. In addition to Hauser Lake, the attached Missouri River offers visitors great opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, floating, and fishing.

Climbing

The closest significant climbing opportunities to Clark's Bay Day Use Site are likely found in and around Helena National Forest. Perhaps the most significant climbing destination in the area is Mount Helena, which is preserved as a lovely city park. The park tends to get quite busy, and many of its visitors are adventurous climbers looking to reach the peak's summit. The climbing at Mount Helena is sport on limestone and almost entirely single-pitch.

Wildlife Viewing

If you're a wildlife enthusiast, the Clark's Bay Day Use Site will provide you with fantastic opportunities to bird-watch and spot cool local species. With the Helena National Forest so close to the site, many different animals have been known to roam the area. While you're relaxing by the lake, you might see elk, moose, mule deer, or whitetail deer taking a sip from the refreshing reservoir. As you make your way through the serene forested trails, you may cross paths with bears, bighorn sheep, porcupines, woodchucks, or Rocky Mountain goats.

Picnicking

The Clark's Bay BLM site is perfectly equipped for picnicking. The area contains numerous picnic tables and even a group picnic shelter. To use the group shelter, though, you'll need to reserve it online for $50. Alternatively, many picnickers visiting the site opt to bring picnic blankets with them and lay them out on the shores of the nearby lake.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Visitors can partake in RV camping near the Clark's Bay Day Use Site, but they must do so outside of the actual day-use area. Fortunately, there are one or more Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the area that you can find by searching "BLM camping near me." The Devil's Elbow Campground happens to be right next door to the Clark's Bay site and features 42 campsites. If you require a campsite that features RV hookups and modern conveniences, you can drive towards Helena and choose from the many available RV parks.

Free Camping

If you prefer dispersed BLM RV camping, you'll have plenty of options near Clark's Bay Day Use Site. Most likely, you will find a variety of suitable clearings for Bureau of Land Management free camping just about anywhere along the majestic Missouri River or within the lush Helena National Forest.

RV Rentals Near Clark's Bay Day Use Site Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Clark's Bay Day Use Site BLM trip

When you're heading to the Clark's Bay Day Use Site, remember that there's a $5 fee per vehicle. There are also $40 seasonal passes available. Don't forget that the area is only open seasonally; the site is available between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. from May 1st to early October. You'll also want to prepare for some of the local wildlife that inhabits the area. Bears aren't especially common around the site, but they do come sniffing around at times. To avoid any problems, keep your food packed up tightly and bring along some bear spray, just in case. Additionally, when walking around the site, watch your step for rattlesnakes, bull snakes, and black widow spiders. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

By making an effort to leave no trace of your visit to the BLM area, you can help keep it pristine and open to the public for many years to come. It doesn't take too much effort to help keep the site clean and beautiful. For one, avoid tampering with or removing anything you find out in nature. Dispose of all garbage, waste, or leftover food; if there aren't any proper receptacles, you'll need to remove it when you depart. Avoid confronting any wildlife, and provide your fellow campers with respect and privacy. When setting up a campsite, only do so if the desired camping surface is durable land. Do your best to plan and prepare for your trip ahead of time, and if you find yourself burning a campfire, don't let it grow any larger than necessary.

Clark's Bay Day Use Site Location

To reach the Clark's Bay Day Use Site from Helena, MT, follow I-15 northbound until Exit 193 for Cedar Street. Take the exit, then travel on Washington Street until you reach Canyon Ferry Road. Take a right and continue for about 0.5 miles, then turn left onto York Road. Follow York Road for roughly 11 miles through the town of Lakeside, and you'll reach entrance signs for the site.

Ready to visit Clark's Bay Day Use Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

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