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Submission
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.
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.
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.
**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.**
Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.
From Lewistown, drive west on Montana Highway 200/US 87 for about 8 miles. Turn left (south) on Crystal Lake Road. Continue south, following the well-signed directions to the lake for 20 miles. At the "T" junction, turn left and continue on to Crystal Lake. The last 6 miles is paved and mostly a single lane. On December 1, the paved section is gated, and access beyond the gate is by snowmobile, skis, snowshoes or hiking only.
The best little mountain lake in the world. Excellent hiking to soaring cliffs, sparkling waterfalls & 2 different ice caves. Plus the serene 'no wake' lake itself is just right for a romantic canoe ride. Lots of wildflowers too... the Shooting Stars smell like root beer:) Enjoy!
This use to be the most beautiful campgrounds in Montana, until the USFS said the trees were dangerous. They had every tree in the campgrounds cut down and hauled off. Not much privacy now as every camp site can be watched by all the other campers in the other campsites.
The lake itself is absolutely gorgeous. The downsides, the road up is crazy narrow. We don't think we're going to chance taking our camper up. We came head on with another Tacoma, driven by a very inexperienced driver. She was too nervous to move over or back up when she still had at least a foot to the side of her vehicle. We barely had enough room to squeeze both of us past. The campground is hideous, they've clear cut it but left all the scrub and stumps so it's just a giant tripping hazard, no shade at all. I’d say this area is great for a day trip or back country camping, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend the unsightly campground. I’m sure they had a reason for doing it, but it just looks sad.
This is the best campsite in all of America. It is even one of the safest campsites that i have been too as well. Ever since the USFS deemed the numerous trees dangerous and ordered their removal it has been a much safer and therefore better place to camp for a night or weekend with the entire family. Additionally, the lack of dangerous large trees nearby the various campsites will help prevent campers from absconding in illegal activities with the benefit of cover from the trees. The camper community can now easily police themselves for a safe, happy, and very legal vacation at the foot of Old Baldy! Enjoy your Vacation!!
Was there today 7/4/23 my first time,,I live by heath MT.
Beautiful gorgeous drive,, campground was wide-open , no privacy .
Still few campers there& picnic area, boat laucharea, trail area too.
Unfortunately I just used my truck camera.
LoL too lazy use my phone camera
