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Gateway Boat Camp
The Gateway Boat Camp is located approximately 8.5 air miles from Eureka, and 0.18 miles from the Canadian Border. The campground has 5 sites with tables and fire rings. Amenities include a pit toilet and hitching rack. The most popular way to gain access to this campground is by boat (boat must be beached) although access by trail is available too.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | This campground is managed from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but is available all year to visitors. Access is dependent upon weather conditions. |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $0.00 Pack in/Pack out |
| Restrictions: | 14 day stay limit on all National Forest System Lands. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed. Lighting of fireworks is not allowed on National Forest System Lands |
| Closest Towns: | Eureka, Montana |
| Water: | no potable water offered |
| Restroom: | Pit Toilet |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Directions: By water, from the Rexford Bench Campground boat launch travel north on Lake Koocanusa for 6.5 miles. By land, from Eureka follow Hwy 37 west to Airport Road. Turn right and follow for 6 miles to road 15653. Turn left and follow for 0.67 miles to the trailhead. The trail is 5.95 miles long. Laundry, gas, ice and store can be found in Eureka |
Activities
Sand Play
Areas below the high water mark of the Koocanusa Reservoir are open to all motor vehicles including both highway legal and non Highway legal vehicles with the exception of areas signed on the ground for resource protection.
Campground Camping
Lake and Pond Fishing
Lake Koocanusa is a 90 mile long reservoir held back by the 422' tall Libby Dam. Lake Koocanusa was completed in 1972 as a joint project between the United States and Canada . Alice Beers, from Rexford, Montana, combined the first three letters from KOOtenai River, and the first three letters of CANada and USA.
Lake Koocanusa is home to a variety of fish species. Sport fish include rainbow trout, west slope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, bull trout, brook trout, kokanee salmon (blueback), burbot (ling), whitefish, large scale sucker, long nose sucker, northern pike minnow, peamouth, redside shiner, yellow perch and Kamloops (a strain of rainbow trout). The lake has a maximum depth of 370 feet and an average depth of 127 feet.
The surface area of the lake is 28,723 acres and the shoreline is 127.96 miles long.
Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks web site for fishing regulations.
Boating - Motorized
Highlights
- Be Bear Aware!
Montana is bear country! Learn about bears and safe practices while visiting the Kootenai - Food Storage Order
A food storage order signed in 2022 requires food storage practice across the Forest to reduce the potential for human-wildlife encounters - Know Before You Go
Regardless of the activity, always be prepared! Stay informed of current conditions and follow safe practices when enjoying your National Forests
- Leave No Trace
Visitors are asked to practice Leave No Trace principles while on the Kootenai National Forests to help maintain this abundant ecosystem and sustainable recreation.
- Weed Free Forage
It is a violation of rule (FS) and law (State of Montana) to utilize forage or mulch materials that contain the seeds of noxious weeds
Location
