Clark's Bay Day Use Area Shelter (MT)

Overview

Clark's Bay Day Use Area is situated on the picturesque "Devil's Elbow" and Clark's Bay of Hauser Lake. Just a short drive from Helena, this area offers stunning views of the Big Belt and Elkhorn Mountains. The area is overflowing with outdoor adventure opportunities. Whether you're into fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, boating or all of the above; all of these things are immediately accessed from (the greater) Hauser Lake Recreation Area. There is surely an activity for everyone! While just a short drive from Helena, the state capital; the feeling of seclusion and abundant nature is sure to impress.

Recreation

Clark's Bay offers excellent recreational access. Clark's Bay offers a large, approximately quarter-mile long manicured beach with a volleyball court, pavilions with picnic tables, power and lights. There are vault toilets located in convenient locations throughout the areas. There is a network of non-motorized, dirt, gravel and paved trails throughout Devil's Elbow, Two Camps Vista and Clark's Bay that allow you to walk or bike around the area without contending with vehicles. There are multiple trails within the larger Hauser Lake Recreation area, as well as multiple fishing access sites, hunting access, wildlife viewing and of course boating. World class mountain biking trails abound in the area as well. The recreation opportunities in the area are boundless.

Facilities

Clark's Bay offers excellent recreational access. Clark's Bay offers a large, approximately quarter-mile long manicured beach with a volleyball court, pavilions with picnic tables, power and lights. There are vault toilets located in convenient locations throughout the areas. There is a network of non-motorized, dirt, gravel and paved trails throughout Devil's Elbow, Two Camps Vista and Clark's Bay that allow you to walk or bike around the area without contending with vehicles. There are multiple trails within the larger Hauser Lake Recreation area, as well as multiple fishing access sites, hunting access, wildlife viewing and of course boating. World class mountain biking trails abound in the area as well. The recreation opportunities in the area are boundless.

Natural Features

The day use area is situated in a shrub-steppe landscape, mostly comprised of sage brush and bunch grasses. The entire day use area has a view of the lake and mountains. While there are some ponderosa pine and deciduous trees throughout the area, they are scarce and do not provide a large amount of shade, but the lake does help keep the temperatures down a bit on those hot summer days.

Nearby Attractions

Clark's Bay is located in a prime location to get out and recreate outdoors, or within the capital of Montana. There are hundreds of miles of trails, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands, state parks, the Lewis and Clark Trail and so much more.

Helena (only a short drive away) has all the amenities of a large city with small town charm. There are great restaurants, museums, the capitol building, old mining settlements, Last Chance Gulch, Reeder's Alley and a vibrant downtown with a walking mall area.

Charges & Cancellations

• Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.Reservation cancellations must be done through recreation.gov.

Photos

Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Access and view of parking lot in Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
Beach at Clark's Bay Day Use Area. Paved path accessing Devil's Elbow Campground from Clark's Bay Day Use Area.
BLM
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
Overview of Clark's Bay Day Use Site.
BLM
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
Reservable group ramada and restroom; beach volleyball in the background; paved access to the vault toilet
BLM
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
Clark's Bay Day Use Site sign.
BLM
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Small watercraft launching at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
Beach volleyball court by reservation site
BLM
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Shade structures by the swimming area at Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
Paved route accessing Clark's Bay Day Use Area
BLM
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
Self serve fee station at Clark's Bay Day Use Site
BLM

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

Iconograph of a person swimming
SWIMMING SITE
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Iconograph of a person water skiing
WATER SPORTS
Iconograph of a letter V
VISITOR CENTER
Iconograph of a snowflake
WINTER SPORTS
Iconograph of a person looking through a scope on a rifle
HUNTING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a fish head and a fishing hook on a line
FISHING
Iconograph of a tent.
CAMPING
Iconograph of a spoked wheel and an arrowhead.
HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
Iconograph of a person climbing a rock wall.
CLIMBING
Iconograph of a person on a jet ski.
BOATING
Iconograph of a bicyclist
BIKING

Addresses

5700 YORK ROAD
Helena
Montana
59601

Geographic Coordinates

46.6917, -111.81865

Directions

Clark's Bay Day Use Area is located at 5700 York Road, Helena, Montana 59601. From Interstate 90 driving from Bozeman, exit at Exit: 274 US 287 Helena/Ennis, Right turn to continue North on 287 and continue for 57 miles. Turn right onto Lake Helena Drive, then turn right in 450 feet to stay on Lake Helena Drive. Continue for 4 miles through the roundabout. Turn right onto York Road and drive 5.7 miles to Clark's Bay Day Use Area. From Helena/Butte/Great Falls: Drive to (or exit from I-15 onto) Custer Avenue, Head East on Custer Ave. Take left turn onto York Road. Continue on for 15 miles to Clark's Bay Day Use Area.

Fees

$5.00/vehicle for day use per vehicle or walk-in group if parking outsite the site and can be paid for on site at the self-serve fee station. The fee covers the use of the facility. A $50.00 annual day-use pass is available for frequent users and is may be purchased online on recreation.gov, search Chain of Lakes, Clark's Bay.
The group reservation area can be reserved for $50.00 per day. This fee does not cover the vehicles, which cost $5.00 per vehicle. Reservations can only be made through recreation.gov and are not available on-site.