Black Sandy State Park
RV Guide

Introduction

Sitting on the western shore of the 25-mile long Hauser Lake is Black Sandy State Park, a great destination for water activities and the ultimate RV camping experience. Located along Hauser Dam Road, seven miles north of Helena on Interstate 15, Montana, this state park offers RV campers unique opportunities to enjoy boating, fishing, water-skiing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, ice fishing, ice skating, as well as bicycling and mountain biking. All these culminate in a total fun experience for the campers and vacationers at the park.

The 43-acre Black Sandy State Park which sits at an elevation of 3,835 feet features various facilities and amenities for RV campers to make use of while at the park. These include boat ramp, slips and dock, RV dump stations, Day Use Areas, pay stations, parking lots, Park Host and Park Office, picnic areas, restrooms (flush and vault toilets), Visitor Information Center, as well as a scenic viewpoint.

The park features ADA accessible sites and the Black Sandy Campground with 35 campsites available for RVs and tents, as well as 16 boat slips. Electric hookups for RVs are available in most of the campsites in the park, and pets are allowed in all the campsites. Interpretive displays in the park describe the history of this area.

RV Rentals in Black Sandy State Park

Transportation

Driving

Black Sandy State Park is located along Hauser Dam Road, seven miles north of Helena on Interstate 15, and is therefore a simple drive-in park with easy accessibility whether by RV, trailer, or any other motorized vehicle. The main park road, called Black Sandy Park Road grants all visitors and campers easy access to the different areas in the park. There are no driving restrictions within the park.

Parking

Black Sandy State Park has six parking areas distributed across the entire park area, giving campers various options for parking their RVs, trailers, or cars. These parking lots are located around the Pay Station, Day Use Area, and the Sandy Black Campground. All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles are required to fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur provided. Any equipment that does not fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur are to be parked outside the campground, and where no outside parking is available, a second campsite will be required.

Public Transportation

There are no public transportation facilities available at Black Sandy State Park.

Campgrounds and parking in Black Sandy State Park

Campsites in Black Sandy State Park

Reservations camping

Black Sandy Campground

Black Sandy Campground in Black Sandy State Park features 29 standard pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents, and 6 walk-in pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. All the standard campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs, however the walk-in campsites are not equipped with RV hookups. RV length limit at the campground is 35 feet. Amenities at the campground include restrooms (vault and flush toilets), access to drinking water, picnic area, swimming beach, RV dump station, day use area, boat ramp and boat slip, and waterfront access. Open fires are allowed only in established iron fire rings and grills. Propane and LPG camp stoves are allowed. Smoking is not allowed except in enclosed vehicles or developed sites at least three feet in diameter and cleared of all flammable materials. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. Fireworks are prohibited.

Seasonal activities in Black Sandy State Park

In-Season

Boating

Black Sandy State Park is popular as a boating destination for RV campers and visitors. The park, which sits on the shores of the Hauser Lake, provides amazing boating opportunities for vacationers at the park, as it features a boat ramp, two courtesy docks, as well as several boats slip rental facilities. Consequently, RV campers at the park enjoy boating adventures on the Hauser Lake creating memorable experiences.

Hiking

Hiking is one of the favorite activities of RV campers at Black Sandy State Park. The Black Sandy Trail in the park, which varies in difficulty from easy to moderate, takes hikers up gently sloping mountains all the way to the scenic overlook in the park where campers can catch the sight of the picturesque vegetation as well as the beautiful landscape and extent of the Hauser Lake. So, pack your hiking boots are you make your trip to the park to enjoy the wonderful hiking exercise.

Fishing

RV campers that love fishing and angling enjoy doing so on the 3,200-acre Hauser Lake in Black Sandy State Park. The lake yields variety of fish species such as brown trout, walleye, and perch. As a result, both professional anglers and beginners who are on RV vacation at Black Sandy State Park do not miss out on the fun provided by the fishing opportunities. Furthermore, in winter, the park provides ice fishing opportunities for campers and vacationers.

Off-Season

Swimming

Hauser Lake in Black Sandy State Park, with an average depth of 26 feet and a maximum depth of 70 feet, provides wonderful swimming opportunities for RV campers and vacationers at the park. Swimming is restricted to the designated swimming area on the beach, and no lifeguards are on duty. Hence, safety and caution are recommended for all swimmers at the park.

Picnicking

Black Sandy State Park has a dedicated picnic area for RV campers and visitors at the park to enjoy picnics while at the park. The picnic area is conveniently located at a waterfront so that it offers full view of the Hauser Lake to campers as they enjoy their meal. As a result, the park is a well-loved destination for picnics and outdoor activities.

Water Skiing

Besides enjoying boating, fishing, and swimming on Hauser Lake at Black Sandy State Park, the park offers RV campers the opportunity to engage in water skiing on the lake. The water-skiing opportunities offered to visitors and vacationers therefore caps the wonderful adventure that campers enjoy at the park, leaving a great and lasting RV camping experience.