At a glance
Close to Helena, far from the crowds
Lost Moose Meadows is in Lincoln, about an hour northwest of Helena by way of Highway 279. If you’re visiting Helena but would rather not stay in the city, Lincoln gives you mountain views, much more room between RVs and a scenic drive into town.
- Drive
- About 1 hourHighway 279 over Flesher Pass, one of the prettiest drives around Helena.
- Sites
- 40 full hookupWater, sewer and 20/30/50 amp electric at every site.
- Big rigs
- Pull-throughs to 115 ftBack-ins up to 75 ft, and every site is level.
- Space
- Nearly 100 ft apartMany neighbors are nearly 100 feet apart, with just 40 sites on about 15 acres.
- Nights
- Quiet and darkVery little light pollution and more stars than most people are used to seeing.
- Season
- April 15 to October 15Book online any time, or call us.
Why Lincoln
Lincoln or Helena?
Both are good choices. It depends on what you want from your stay.
Stay in Helena if
- You’ll be in town every day for work, school or appointments
- You want restaurants and shopping a few minutes away
- You’re only passing through for a night
Stay with us if
- You want room between you and your neighbors
- You’d rather hear elk than traffic at night
- You want the Blackfoot River, forest trails and the Scapegoat Wilderness right outside your door
- You don’t mind a beautiful hour long drive into town
The drive
Getting between Lincoln and Helena
Highway 279 over Flesher Pass
From I-15 on the north side of Helena, take the Lincoln Road exit and follow Highway 279 north. The road climbs through ranch country to Flesher Pass, about 6,000 feet, where the Continental Divide Trail crosses, then drops to Highway 200 for the last few miles into Lincoln.
It’s a paved two lane mountain highway with curves and grades on both sides of the pass, so give yourself time if you’re towing or driving a big rig.
Stop in Marysville
Historic Marysville is a short detour off Highway 279. It was once a booming gold town, and the Marysville House restaurant in the old train station is a local favorite.
Make it a loop
For a full day drive from camp, head west on Highway 200 and south on Highway 141 to Avon, then east on Highway 12 over MacDonald Pass into Helena. Come home over Flesher Pass on Highway 279. It’s a favorite of motorcycle riders too.
Wildlife on the way
Keep an eye out for deer and elk in the meadows along Highway 279, especially early and late in the day.
Things to do
What to see in Helena
Last Chance Gulch
DowntownThe historic walking mall, built right where prospectors struck gold in 1864. Great shops and places to eat.
Montana State Capitol
Free toursA beautiful 1902 building with murals by Western artist Charles M. Russell.
Montana Heritage Center
Free admissionThe Montana Historical Society’s new museum, opened in late 2025, with galleries on Montana’s history, its tribal nations and a gallery of Charles M. Russell’s art.
Cathedral of St. Helena
DowntownA stunning Gothic cathedral with 59 stained glass windows.
Gates of the Mountains
Summer boat toursA two hour boat ride through a towering limestone canyon on the Missouri River, on the route Lewis and Clark followed.
Mount Helena City Park
Right above townMiles of hiking and biking trails with views over the whole valley.
Reeder’s Alley
Historic districtA cluster of 1860s brick buildings from Helena’s gold rush days.
Summer events
Summer in Helena
Helena is busy all summer. A few favorites during our season:
Helena Farmers Market
Saturday mornings from May through October, filling two blocks downtown with hundreds of Montana vendors.
Alive at Five
Free outdoor concerts with food trucks on Wednesday evenings, June through August, at different spots around town.
Symphony Under the Stars
The Helena Symphony plays an evening concert on the lawn at Carroll College in July, finished off with fireworks. Thousands of people bring a blanket.
Last Chance Stampede and Fair
Late July brings a pro rodeo, concerts, a carnival and fair exhibits to the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds.
Dates change every year, so check with the organizers before you plan around an event.
Lakes
Lakes near Helena
The Missouri River runs just east of Helena, with big lakes for boating, fishing and swimming.
Canyon Ferry Lake
The big one, on the Missouri east of Helena. Boating, fishing, sandy beaches and plenty of room to spread out.
Hauser Lake
A Missouri River lake northeast of Helena, popular for boating and fishing.
Holter Lake
Farther down the Missouri near Wolf Creek, and home to the Gates of the Mountains boat tours.
Spring Meadow Lake State Park
A small lake right in Helena with a walking trail, swimming and fishing. A nice stop on a hot afternoon.
A day in Helena
A day in Helena from camp
- MorningDrive over Flesher Pass and stop in Marysville for a look around the old gold town.
- Late morningWalk Last Chance Gulch and Reeder’s Alley, then visit the Capitol or the Montana Heritage Center.
- LunchGrab lunch downtown.
- AfternoonTake the Gates of the Mountains boat tour in summer, or hike Mount Helena.
- EveningStock up on groceries, head home over the pass and end the day by the fire.
Staying longer
Stock up, settle in, or head on
Stock up in town
Helena has grocery stores, RV parts and service, hardware stores and anything else you might need during your stay. Many guests spend the day in town and come back to camp for a quiet evening.
Monthly stays
Staying a month or more? Stays of 30+ nights get 25% off on select sites and skip the lodging tax. See monthly stays.
Heading on
From Lincoln it’s about an hour and a half to Missoula and about three hours to Glacier. See our day trips for more ideas.
Keep exploring
More to see and do

Open April 15 to October 15
About an hour from Helena, with a lot more room.
Book your site in the mountains and day trip to the capital.



