Magpie Creek

Magpie Creek provides boat ramp access to Canyon Ferry Reservoir, a massive 33,500-acre impoundment of the Missouri River near Helena. The site features a concrete boat ramp suitable for kayaks, canoes, and motorboats. This location is ideal for paddlers looking to explore one of Montana's premier fishing reservoirs, which stretches 96 miles along the shoreline and offers excellent opportunities for trout, walleye, perch, and ling.

The area is well-developed for recreation, with three marinas, multiple day-use areas, and several campgrounds within 10 miles (including reservable options like Devil's Elbow and Jo Bonner Campgrounds). Paddlers should note that Canyon Ferry Dam blocks downstream travel—there is no portage option around the dam, so any trip continuing beyond the reservoir requires arranging a separate vehicle shuttle. The nearby Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Helena Valley Reservoir provide additional exploration opportunities.