Black Sandy State Park

Tucked along the shores of Hauser Lake in Lewis and Clark County, Black Sandy State Park packs a surprising amount of recreation into its compact 43 acres. Fed by the Missouri River as it flows through a series of canyon dams north of Helena, Hauser Lake gives this small park a big backdrop — clear water flanked by rolling grasslands and scattered ponderosa pine.

Water access is the main draw here. A well-maintained boat ramp makes Black Sandy one of the most popular launch points on Hauser Lake, where anglers target rainbow and brown trout, walleye, and perch. If you don’t have a boat, the shoreline fishing is solid, especially in spring and early fall when trout move into shallower water. Swimming is popular through the summer months, though there’s no lifeguard on duty.

Beyond the water, the park offers picnic shelters, a volleyball court, and horseshoe pits — simple amenities that make it a reliable day-use destination for families coming out of Helena, just 20 minutes to the south. The cottonwood-shaded picnic areas fill up fast on summer weekends, so arriving early is worth the effort.

The best window to visit runs from late May through September, when water temperatures are comfortable and the days are long. Spring brings wildflowers to the surrounding hills, while fall offers quieter shores and golden cottonwood canopies.

Black Sandy works best as a day trip or a stop on a larger tour of the Helena-area reservoirs — a small park with genuine lake-country appeal.

Explore Nearby

• Helena–Lewis and Clark National Forest — National Forest in Montana
• Lower Blackfoot River Corridor — Public Land in Montana
• Ear Mountain — Public Land in Montana
• Beaverhead–Deerlodge National Forest — National Forest in Montana