Grasshopper Campground

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Campground closure

Site Closed

Grasshopper Campground closure

Closure order for Grasshopper Campground

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

HELENA-LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST

BELT CREEK-WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS RANGER DISTRICT –

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MONTANA

Forest Order

Grasshopper Campground Area Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):

It is prohibited to go into the restricted area for public health and safety. [36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e)]

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2)
Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty; and
Any other person meeting exemption requirements specified in the order.

DESCRIBED AREA

Grasshopper Campground (T9N R8E Section 17) is closed in its entirety, with the entirety of Grasshopper Loop Campground Road south of where it intersects with Grasshopper Creek Road and spanning 300 yards from the centerline of the loop road. The trail is only closed at its intersection of the Grasshopper Campground area described above.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to prohibit entry onto National Forest System Lands and includes all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on Grasshopper Campground (T9N R8E Section 17), that is hereby incorporated into this order and depicted on the attached map (Attachment A). This closure is for public safety due to campground updates, culvert installations, and general site enhancements from 0600 on July 27, 2026 through 1800 on November 1, 2026.

IMPLEMENTATION

This Order shall be in effect from 0600 on July 27, 2026 and shall remain in effect until 1800 on November 1, 2026, or until the order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.
A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/helena-lewisclark/alerts.
Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Contact the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District in Stanford, MT, (406) 566-2292, and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Helena, MT, (406) 449-5201, for more information about this Order.
This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

/s/ Emily Platt

Forest Supervisor

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Grasshopper Campground is the only developed campground in the Castle Mountains and a mere 11 miles from White Sulphur Springs. The 12 campsites sit above Grasshopper Creek on a scenic hillside. Grasshopper Campground usually closes in early December. Many hunters stay at Grasshopper Campground because it is one of the last campgrounds to close in the area. Hunters cannot hang game in the campground. The campground can only accommodate a maximum trailer length of 22 feet and is not suitable campers with large RVs.

Above the campground is access to a motorcycle trail open from December 1st through Oct 15th.

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 1^st to December 1^st 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.