Big Sky Camp Paw (Camp Paw)

Big Sky Camp Paw is a camping-first furry convention in Helena, Montana, and that alone makes it unusual in the current North American lineup. It is built around outdoor space, campground logistics, and a smaller community-run culture rather than a city hotel or convention-center footprint.

2026: Camp Paw in Helena

The official site already confirms July 16-20, 2026 for the next Camp Paw at Hellgate Campground outside Helena. That keeps the event in the same Montana camping-con lane it has used since moving to the Helena area in 2023 to keep growing.

Camp Paw fills a real geographic and format gap. It gives the Mountain West a furry event with its own identity, and the organizers' history page makes it clear this is not a one-off gathering. The convention has been evolving since 2012 and has already outgrown multiple previous campgrounds.

Getting There

• Flying: Helena Regional Airport (HLN) is the most direct option, though many attendees may also route through larger Montana airports and drive.
• Driving: Camp Paw is fundamentally a drive-in event, so a car or coordinated rideshare is the simplest way to handle gear and campsite logistics.
• Pack for outdoors: This is not a hotel weekend. Weather shifts, camping supplies, and ride coordination matter.

Accommodation

• Campground base: Hellgate Campground is the core of the experience, not just the venue.
• Bring the right gear: Sleeping arrangements, site setup, and personal comfort are much closer to a camping trip than a hotel con.
• Community scale: Camp Paw's smaller size is part of the appeal, especially for attendees who prefer a less crowded environment.

Past Years

2025: Hellgate Retreat. The 2025 edition of Big Sky Camp Paw gathered the Montana community at Hellgate Campground. The event focused on its traditional retreat-style format with communal camping and outdoor social activities.

Highlights

• Montana-only niche: There is nothing else quite like this in the region.
• Long-running history: The event's roots go back to 2012.
• Outdoor format: Camp Paw is a real camping convention, not just a con with a bonfire.
• Growth story: Official history says the event keeps moving to larger sites as it expands.