U.S. Forest Service · Lolo National Forest · MT

Lake Alva Campground

A photo of Lake Alva on a sunny day. The water and skies are bright blue, and trees and the swan range can be seen in the background.Photo · USFS
Not publishedStatus
ReservableAccess
42Sites
64 ftMax rig

The place

Lake Alva Campground is located on the North shore of Lake Alva, approximately 11 miles north of Seeley Lake, and offers visitors the chance to camp and enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The lake is home to a loon population and has protected nesting areas. The birds' mesmerizing calls can often be heard in the campground. All boats on Lake Alva must operate at a "no-wake" speed year-round. Recreation The campground is a popular destination for swimming, boating, paddling, picnicking, and fishing. Keep reading

There are a variety of freshwater fish including Kokanee salmon, perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, and trout, among other species. Motorized boating is allowed on Lake Alva within the "No-Wake" regulation. Many non-motorized boaters find solace during the evening and morning hours on the lake. The Mission Mountain Wilderness Area is about 15 miles northwest of the campground. The area is popular for its scenic views and abundant wildlife. Active glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows and clear, icy streams, along with vertical cliffs and jagged peaks make up the area. Facilities 19 individual RV/tent campsites within Loop 1 are available for reservation the Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day. These sites will transition to first-come/first-serve outside of these dates. 20 campsites within Loop 2 are available on a first-come/first-serve basis . These campsites can be paid for onsite by scanning a QR Code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Visitors will need to download the free recreation.gov mobile app through Android or iOS. This is best done prior to arrival. All campsites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and a paved parking stall. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash receptacles are available throughout the campground. Campground hosts are on site 24 hours a day. The campground also offers a spacious day use area that includes a swimming beach, a concrete boat ramp, paved parking for vehicles/boat trailers, and several picnic areas. Day use facilities are open year-round from 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Mountain Time. No fees or reservations are required for day use. Natural Features Lake Alva is a glacial-formed lake situated in a valley between the Swan and Mission mountain ranges. It is one of a half a dozen lakes within the valley known as the 'Chain of Lakes' through which the Clearwater River flows. At an elavation of approximately 4,200 feet, temperatures are relatively cool on summer days. The area contains a wide variety of wildlife and is home to white-tailed deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, grizzly and black bears (learn about bear safety ). Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of ducks. The lake is home to a loon population and has protected nesting areas. The birds' mesmerizing calls can often be heard in the campground. Nearby Attractions The town of Seeley Lake, MT is about 11 miles south of the campground. A variety of recreation services such as boat, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as guide services and resorts are offered there. Services like gas, groceries, restaurants, and lodging can also be found in town. Access to a variety of forests, sweeping views, mountain lakes, and rugged peaks can be discovered just a short drive up any of the nearby Forest Service roads. Just a day trip away, Glacier National Park is known for a variety of opportunities to explore alpine landscapes, active glaciers, and view unique wildlife. Contact the park for current conditions. Missoula, one of Western Montana’s outdoor recreation hubs is about an hour from Seeley Lake, MT. Missoula is a full-service city with 2 hospitals, an international airport, and access to services, hotels, and outdoor activities. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (406) 677-2233.

The sites · 42

LoopSiteTypeMax rigElectricADA
1LAS1standard nonelectric52 ft
1LAS10 (Host Site)management
1LAS11 (Host Site)management
1LAS12standard nonelectric56 ft
1LAS13standard nonelectric56 ft
1LAS14standard nonelectric60 ft
1LAS15standard nonelectric60 ft
1LAS16standard nonelectric64 ft
1LAS17standard nonelectric61 ft
1LAS18standard nonelectric55 ft
1LAS19standard nonelectric56 ft
1LAS2standard nonelectric46 ft
1LAS20standard nonelectric55 ft
1LAS21standard nonelectric55 ft
1LAS3standard nonelectric52 ft
1LAS4standard nonelectric58 ft
1LAS5standard nonelectric60 ft
1LAS6standard nonelectric51 ft
1LAS7standard nonelectric50 ft
1LAS8standard nonelectric57 ft
1LAS9standard nonelectric56 ft
2LAS22standard nonelectric
2LAS23standard nonelectric
2LAS24standard nonelectric
2LAS25standard nonelectric
2LAS26standard nonelectric
2LAS27standard nonelectric
2LAS28standard nonelectric
2LAS29standard nonelectric
2LAS30standard nonelectric
2LAS31standard nonelectric
2LAS32standard nonelectric
2LAS33standard nonelectric
2LAS34standard nonelectric
2LAS35standard nonelectric
2LAS36standard nonelectric
2LAS37standard nonelectric
2LAS38standard nonelectric
2LAS39standard nonelectric
2LAS40standard nonelectric
2LAS41standard nonelectric
S&PStandard Campsitemanagement

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

Fees

The nightly fee for individual RV/tent campsites is$20.00, beginning the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Parking is allowed in the designated parking spur for each campsite only. Vehicles that do not fit must deposit an additional vehicle fee of $5.00 and must park in the day-use area. No parking along roadways. Day use facilities are free of charge and are open from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. Outside of peak season (Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day), campsites will be available free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Your representative

This campground sits in MT-01. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard