Y Fork (FR 4005-A1) in MT -- Camping Rules & Access
Y Fork (FR 4005-A1) in MT
Road corridorHelena-Lewis and Clark NF, Helena Ranger District
16 mi from Helena West Side
5.0 mi off US 12 (straight line)
Maps 5,360 ft
Camping permission not confirmed
Miles 1.2–2.3 and 4.1–4.4 cross land the Forest Service doesn't manage; camping there needs the landowner's permission.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest ↗
Stay limit: 16 consecutive days · 32 days total per calendar year · then move 0.5 mi
VerizonMARGINAL
AT&TNONE
T-MobileNONE
StarlinkGOOD
Road Access
Difficult
- 9.5 of this road’s 11.2 miles are maintained for high-clearance vehicles, dirt the whole way.
- Near Pauly Springs.
- Estimated climb: 2,700 ft over 11.2 miles through 10 switchbacks, with sustained grades near 14% and pitches to 27%.
- Terrain estimates show roadside drops of up to ~120 ft on the downhill side.
- A gate 11 miles along the road.
Setting
Fairly secluded
- Well separated here, with the nearest through road 0.7 miles off.
- A lake lies 0.2 mi off.
- Esmeralda Hill stands 1,608 ft above the map pin, 3.3 miles north.
Rules
Climate averages
October normals 31–53°F, 1.7″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.