Crystal Lake
Moore
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
Crystal Lake is a small natural lake of about 45 acres at 5,700 feet in the Big Snowy Mountains of central Montana, on the Judith Ranger District of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The Forest Service's Crystal Lake Campground sits at the lake's south end below Mount Harlow, and the agency lists swimming among the recreation opportunities there, along with canoeing, kayaking, wading, floating and fishing. The Big Snowies are an island range rising straight out of the prairie.
The lake is at the end of Crystal Lake Road, about 20 miles south of Lewistown and roughly 15 miles southeast of Moore as the crow flies. From Lewistown, take US 87 west about 8.7 miles to the Forest Access sign, turn left onto the gravel Crystal Lake Road, bear left at the Y after 5.3 miles, turn left at the recreation area sign after another 3.9 miles, and continue 12.7 miles to the lake. From Moore, a signed county road heads south and east to the same junction. The road narrows to a single lane in places and only the last 5.7 miles are paved. There is parking in the campground loops at the south shore and at the Grandview picnic area and the boat ramp along the east shore.
Swimming is informal. There is no designated beach, no buoys and no lifeguard, so people wade in from the open shoreline around the campground and from the Crystal Lake Shoreline Loop, an easy 1.75 mile hiker-only trail that circles the water and reaches the whole shore. The lake is fed by snowmelt and sits on porous limestone, so it stays shallow, around 15 feet at its deepest, and the snowmelt water stays cold well into summer. Gas-powered motors are not allowed, so the surface is shared only with canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and float tubes launched from the non-motorized ramp.
There is no charge to visit the lake, swim, picnic or hike. The Forest Service lists fees only for overnight use: $20 per night for a single campsite at the 28-site first-come, first-served campground (open from about June 2 to late October, 16-day stay limit) and $60 per night for the Crystal Lake Cabin, which is reserved through Recreation.gov. The campground has potable water in summer and accessible vault toilets. On December 1 the paved section of road is gated, and winter access is by snowmobile, skis or snowshoes over about six miles.
Water level is the main thing to check before you go. Because the lake drains through its limestone bed, it drops steadily over the summer, and the Forest Service warns that in drought years it may dry up by late July. By fall the main body of water can sit well back from the original shoreline. The area is bear country and a food storage order is in effect from March 1 to December 1, so food and scented items cannot be left out at your site. Cell service is minimal, and snow can linger on the higher trails into early July.
Beyond the water, Crystal Lake is the hub for trails into the Big Snowies. The Ice Caves Trail climbs about 2,200 feet to permanent ice caves near the crest, the Crystal Cascades Trail leads to a waterfall that spills from a cave, and the Grandview Trail gains about 1,000 feet to a viewpoint over the prairie. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks stocks the lake with rainbow trout each summer, and a current Montana fishing license is required.
More Information
Big Snowy Mountains - Wikipedia
The Big Snowy Mountains (Gros Ventre: níichʔibííkʔa, lit. 'it is never summer'[1]) are a small mountain range south of Lewistown in Fergus County, Montana. Considerably east of and isolated from the main crest of the Northern Rockies, they are one of the few points of significant elevation in the immediate area and are considered one of Montana's island ranges.[2][3] The range's highest elevation is 8,681 feet (2,646 m).[4] The smaller Little Snowy Mountains are a contiguous range immediately to the east.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Snowy_MountainsCrystal Lake
Crystal Lake, located about an hour outside of Lewistown in the Big Snowy Mountains, provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails surrounding Crystal Lake provide excellent views and photo opportunities. The Ice Caves Trail takes you to permanent a permanent ice cave, while the Crystal Cascades Trail brings you to a scenic waterfall.
https://hiddenmt.com/crystal-lake-in-central-montanaCrystal Lake - Enjoy Lewistown
Located in the Big Snowy Mountains of central Montana, Crystal Lake, at an elevation of 5,700 feet, boasts spectacular scenery and lots of hiking,...
https://www.enjoylewistown.com/crystal-lakeCrystal Lake Cabin, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Recreation.gov
Explore Crystal Lake Cabin in Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana with Recreation.gov. Crystal Lake Cabin provides sweeping views of Crystal Lake in the heart of the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana. Located about 20 miles south of Lewistown
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234422Crystal Lake, Montana - Discovering Montana
Crystal Lake is a picturesque mountain lake nestled deep in the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana, to the south of Lewistown.
https://discoveringmontana.com/lakes/crystal/Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest | Crystal Lake Cabin | Forest Service
Crystal Lake Cabin is located in the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana approximately 20 miles south of Lewistown. It provides the opportunity to rent a large one-room cabin which accommodates up to four (4) people. Crystal Lake, for which the recreation area is named for, is nearby and provides a number of water related activities including: canoeing, kayaking, wading, floating and fishing.PetsNo pets are allowed in the rental cabin at any time.Pets are to be leashed or kenneled outside the cabin at all times.Users are responsible for removal of all pet food and droppings prior to departure.The LakeIs stocked annually during the summer months with trout.Can be fished with a current Montana State fishing licenseNo gas-powered motors are allowed on the lake.Bears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/recreation/crystal-lake-cabinHelena-Lewis and Clark National Forest | Crystal Lake Campground | Forest Service
Crystal Lake Campground is in the shadow of Mt. Harlow at an elevation of 5,700 feet. The 28 campsites are large and widely spaced, and recent removal of hazard trees has left each camp site with expansive views of the surrounding mountains. The largest slot can accommodate a maximum trailer length of 45 feet and is a suitable campground for large RVs. Crystal Lake Campground opens around June 2nd and closes in late October. Nearby trailheads lead to the Crystal Lake Loop Trail and a trail which leads to ice caves. In the summer, Crystal Lake is well-suited for canoeing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. During drought years, the lake may dry up by late July.All campgrounds on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not available. Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days in one location. A campground fee is required. Please pay at the self-serve campground fee station. Campsites cannot be reserved by simply paying for the site; camper must be present. A food storage order is in effect from March 1st to December 1st to prevent human-bear conflicts on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Store all unattended food and attractants properly. Please see Food Storage Order for specifics. Open and close dates can vary depending on snowfall conditions. Please call the local district office or check our website. Leashed dogs are welcome. Horses are not allowed in campgrounds. Motorized OHVs must stay on the campground road. The campgrounds include access to potable water during the warmer months, and all have at least one handicap accessible vault toilet. Each campsite has a fire ring and/or grill, and a picnic table. Even if water is unavailable, campground fees are still required.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/recreation/crystal-lake-campgroundThe Crystal Lake Scenic Drive in Montana : Information, Photos and Maps
Detailed information, custom maps and numerous photographs showcase the Crystal Lake Scenic Drive in the Big Snowy Mountains of Central Montana, near Lewistown.
https://www.bigskyfishing.com/scenic-drives/crystal-lake.phpBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Moore
- Head north on N Broadway Ave toward NW 2nd St (0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto NW 5th St (0.3 mi)
- Turn right onto I-35 Frontage Rd/
N Service Rd (0.7 mi) - Slight left (signs for I-35 N/
US-77 N) (0.1 mi) - Merge onto I-35 N/
US-77 N (7.3 mi) - Take the exit onto I-35 N/
I-40 E/ US-62 E toward Wichita/ Ft Smith (1.2 mi) - Keep right to continue on I-35 N/
US-62 E, follow signs for Tulsa/ Wichita Continue to follow I-35 N(5.7 mi) - Merge onto I-35 NToll roadEntering Kansas(144 mi)
- Take exit 42 for I-135 toward I-235/
Wichita/ Salina/ US-81 Toll road(0.6 mi) - Continue onto I-135 NToll road(95.7 mi)
- Take exit 95B to merge onto I-70 W toward HaysEntering Colorado(410 mi)
- Take exit 289 toward Ft Collins (0.2 mi)
- Merge onto E470 N (443 ft)
- Take the ramp onto E-470 NToll road(9.7 mi)
- Keep left to stay on E-470 NToll road(15.6 mi)
- Take exit 47 to merge onto I-25 N toward Ft Collins (16.5 mi)
- Keep left (6.0 mi)
- Merge onto I-25 NEntering Wyoming(349 mi)
- Keep left to continue on US-87 N (0.7 mi)
- Merge onto I-90 WEntering Montana(156 mi)
- Take the exit to stay on I-90 W toward Billings (3.8 mi)
- Take exit 452 for I-90BL N/
US-87 N toward Lockwood/ Roundup (0.2 mi) - Turn right onto I-90BL W/
US-87 N/ First Ave N/ Old US 87 (1.2 mi) - Turn right onto US-87 N (0.8 mi)
- Turn left onto E Airport Rd (2.8 mi)
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto MT-3 N (3.1 mi)
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto MT-3 (40.4 mi)
- Turn left onto MT-3 N/
US-12 W (signs for Harlonton) (44.9 mi) - Turn right onto US-191 N (35.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Sipple Rd (6.2 mi)
- Slight right toward Rockford Rd (240 ft)
- Turn right onto Rockford Rd (1.0 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Rockford Rd (1.7 mi)
- Turn right onto Crystal Lake Rd (12.4 mi)
- Turn right to stay on Crystal Lake Rd (410 ft)
Crystal Lake in summer, with its open shoreline and the limestone cliffs of the Big Snowy Mountains courtesy of Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA↗ (Public domain↗)
Canoeists on Crystal Lake below the forested slopes of the Big Snowy Mountains (historic Forest Serv courtesy of Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA↗ (Public domain↗)
Crystal Lake seen from the ridge above, with the central Montana prairie beyond. courtesy of Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA↗ (Public domain↗)
Crystal Lake after an early snowfall on the surrounding forest. courtesy of Forest Service Northern Region from Missoula, MT, USA↗ (Public domain↗)
