Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Wolf Creek, Montana · Butte Field Office
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15/night
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Log Gulch Campground is a Bureau of Land Management (Butte Field Office) recreation site on Holter Lake, a Missouri River reservoir near Wolf Creek, Montana, and a solid lake to swim in for this stretch of the state. An organized swim area rather than a hidden swimming hole, the site has an official, designated swimming beach with an enclosed swim area open Memorial Day through Labor Day, alongside a 70-site campground, boat launch, and day-use facilities.
The recreation site sits on the shore of Holter Lake, a ~4,800-acre reservoir on the Missouri River formed by Holter Dam, in the canyon country north of Helena near Wolf Creek. The BLM site includes poplar and ash trees providing summer shade, gravel campsite pads, and lake-access boat docks; it is reached via Recreation Road and Beartooth Road off I-15 exit 226.
Swimming at Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management
BLM describes an 'enclosed swimming area' with a beach, open seasonally (Memorial Day through Labor Day) with no lifeguard on duty; restrooms and a changing room are located nearby. No first-hand trip reports describing water clarity, temperature, or depth were found, so swimming conditions beyond the official facility description are unconfirmed.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Great Falls: I-15 S toward Helena, take exit 226 to Wolf Creek, turn left under the overpass toward Recreation Road, continue onto Recreation Road, then turn right onto Beartooth Road after the bridge and continue about 7.5 miles to Log Gulch. From Helena: I-15 N toward Great Falls, exit 226, turn right toward Recreation Road, left onto Recreation Road, right onto Beartooth Road, then 7.5 miles to the site.
Parking: Gravel parking pads at each of the 70 campsites (68 accommodate RVs/tents, 2 are tent-only); day-use parking available for a $5/day fee.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up site: campsites, the day-use lot, and the enclosed swim beach are all clustered together on the lakeshore off Beartooth Road, so no hike is required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
BLM describes an 'enclosed swimming area' with a beach, which is more contained than open-lake shoreline and generally easier to supervise kids in, but the official site page and Recreation.gov both note there is no lifeguard on duty, so caregivers need to actively watch children rather than rely on staff.
Parking
Paid, $5/day (day-use hours 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)
Day-use parking area serves the swim beach/boat ramp; separate gravel parking pads exist at each of the 70 campsites for overnight visitors.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms and a changing room are located at the recreation site near the swim beach, per the BLM Log Gulch page; potable water is also available on-site.
Hours
Day-use area open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; the designated swimming area operates seasonally Memorial Day through Labor Day (BLM Log Gulch Recreation Site page).
On the water
BLM and Recreation.gov describe a boat ramp and docks at Log Gulch with first-come, first-served overnight/day-use slips, but neither states any craft-type restrictions (no stated no-wake or electric-only zone was found). Local rental operators on the lake focus on pontoons and wakeboats; this pass found no explicit source confirming kayak/canoe/paddleboard rules, though carry-in non-motorized craft are typically unrestricted at public BLM boat ramps of this kind.
Rentals nearby
Pontoon boats and wakeboats for rent on Holter Lake, described as suited for fishing, exploring, and water sports
Holter Lake, Wolf Creek, Montana
Full-service marina offering boat storage, fuel, rentals, and a convenience store on Holter Lake
Holter Lake, Wolf Creek, Montana
Self-captain pontoon rental (8-guest capacity) with fish finder, radio, tables, and life jackets; launches from the renter's choice of the first or second Holter Lake campground
Prices: $599 for 8 hours, full tank of gas included
1380 Beartooth Road, Wolf Creek, Montana 59648 (on Holter Lake, near the Log Gulch/Departure Point campgrounds) · Self-scheduled; boat fueled and ready upon arrival
Backstory
Holter Dam, which formed Holter Lake, was completed in 1918 and raised the Missouri River's water level by about 100 feet at that location.
Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management: FAQ
Does Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management charge a fee?
Camping is $15/night per unit per the BLM site description (a max of 2 units per site), though the Recreation.gov booking listing shows a current camping rate of $25/unit/night; day-use fee is $5 (7 a.m.-10 p.m.). Senior/Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount.
Is Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management kid friendly?
BLM describes an 'enclosed swimming area' with a beach, which is more contained than open-lake shoreline and generally easier to supervise kids in, but the official site page and Recreation.gov both note there is no lifeguard on duty, so caregivers need to actively watch children rather than rely on staff.
Do I need to hike to reach Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management?
Day-use parking area serves the swim beach/boat ramp; separate gravel parking pads exist at each of the 70 campsites for overnight visitors.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management?
BLM and Recreation.gov describe a boat ramp and docks at Log Gulch with first-come, first-served overnight/day-use slips, but neither states any craft-type restrictions (no stated no-wake or electric-only zone was found). Local rental operators on the lake focus on pontoons and wakeboats; this pass found no explicit source confirming kayak/canoe/paddleboard rules, though carry-in non-motorized craft are typically unrestricted at public BLM boat ramps of this kind.
When is the best time to visit Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management?
Summer; the designated swimming area operates Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What are the rules at Log Gulch Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management?
7-consecutive-day stay limit (14 days within a 28-day period per Recreation.gov); quiet hours 10 p.m.-7 a.m. with no generators permitted; camp hosts on-site daily Memorial Day through Labor Day; swimming area has no lifeguard on duty.
More swimming holes near Wolf Creek
★ Top verifiedHolter Lake Campground - U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Wolf Creek, Montanalake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Nimrod Hot Springs
Byrne, Montanahot spring
🥾 0.5 mi hike⛺
River Point Campground
Seeley Lake, Montanalake
⛺🛶
Seeley Lake Campground
Seeley Lake, Montanalake
⛺🛶🚤
Glen Lake Rotary Park
Bozeman, Montanalake
⛺🛶🏄
★ Top verifiedKobayashi Beach
Ennis, Montanalake
⛺🚤🛶🏄