Big Larch Campground

Star3.99
83 reviews
Big Larch Campground, 3335 MT-HWY 83 N, Seeley Lake, MT, 59868
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

4,000 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

50 campsites

Season

Peak season operates...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Seeley Lake Ranger District site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Big Larch Campground
$0.00 - $50.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Nightly fees are $20 for individual tent/RV sites, $50 for group sites, and $10 for bicycle campsites during peak season. Outside of peak season, all...
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Standard Site Fee$20.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$10.00
Group Site Fee$50.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
406-677-2233
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What Campers Say

3.99

Mixed Reviews

Based on 83 reviews

70 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanhikinglake

"User reviews reflect mixed experiences at Big Larch Campground. Positive feedback highlights its scenic location, clean facilities, and variety of activities, while concerns include poor maintenance, noisy generators, and camp host issues."

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Campground Map

Big Larch Campground, 3335 MT-HWY 83 N, Seeley Lake, MT, 59868

Big Larch Campground

Big Larch Campground, 3335 MT-HWY 83 N, Seeley Lake, MT, 59868

Driving directionsFrom I-90 take exit 109 for MT-200 E and travel for 32.3 mi. Turn left onto MT-83 N and travel 14.0 mi to Seeley Lake, MT. Continue north on Highway 83 for 1 mile. The campground entrance is located on the west side of the highway. Continue straight at the fork and the group sites will be on the left.
Access is via paved roads from Highway 83. Seasonal snowplowing is intermittent, limiting access during winter months to the entrance and boat launch.
Nearby places
Seeley Lake (1 mile, 5 min), Missoula (approx. 50 miles, 1 hour)
Nearby supplies
Seeley Lake (1 mile) offers gas, groceries, restaurants, lodging, and recreation services like boat rentals.

Best Time to Camp at Big Larch Campground

Perched at 4,000 feet, Big Larch enjoys a delightful mountain climate where summer days bring warmth perfect for lake activities, while evenings cool down just enough for cozy campfires and restful sleep. As autumn arrives, the namesake larch trees transform into golden torches against evergreen neighbors. Winter blankets the area in snow, transforming the landscape into a quiet wonderland and limiting access to the more adventurous souls.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May 23–Sept 1; warm days, lake activities, swimming, boating and hiking available.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 3% in MT

Larch trees in a mountain setting likely offer strong fall color and pleasant shoulder-season camping.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Off-season camping is free and peaceful; shoulder-season offers quiet access though weather can be cool.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Park operates primarily May–Sept; winter services not discussed and conditions likely limited.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 23 to September 1.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Peak season operates from May 23 through September 1. Outside these dates, sites are free on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts.

About Big Larch Campground

Discover Big Larch Campground, where spacious sites nestle along the pristine east shore of Seeley Lake, creating an ideal basecamp for Montana adventures. This well-appointed haven features thoughtful amenities including vault toilets, fresh drinking water, and a designated swimming beach with rope boundaries for safe family fun. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, diving into crystal-clear waters, or setting off on scenic trails, Big Larch serves as your gateway to endless outdoor pursuits in the heart of Lolo National Forest.
Big Larch Campground provides options for individual RV/tent camping sites, group camping sites, and bicycle camping sites. The campground operates on a reservable basis during peak season and transitions to first-come, first-serve in the off-season.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
3:00 PM Mountain Time
Check-out
1:00 PM Mountain Time
Stay Limit
Scan and Pay camping operates on a first-come, first-served basis outside peak season. Peak season reservations are capped at 16 days.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Big Larch Campground is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, offering access to swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and water sports. It features a roped-off swimming beach, a boat ramp, and trails for exploration. Fishing is popular, with anglers casting for Kokanee salmon, bass, whitefish, pike, trout, and perch.
HikingNearby trails include the Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail and Clearwater Canoe Trailhead. Morrell Falls provides a day hike with dense forests and a waterfall, while Clearwater Canoe Trail offers a flat-water experience stretching 3.5 miles for viewing wildlife such as herons and otters.
FishingFishing opportunities include Kokanee salmon, bass, pike, trout, perch, and whitefish in Seeley Lake. Water skiing is also popular among visitors.
SwimmingA roped-off swimming beach is part of the campground's day-use area, offering easy access to swimming.
BikingBiking trails are available for campers, although specific details about trail types or lengths are not provided.
BoatingA boat ramp and dock provide easy access to Seeley Lake for boating activities. Non-motorized options like paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular.
Wildlife viewingWildlife commonly spotted includes white-tailed deer, elk, mountain goats, bears, bald eagles, golden eagles, trumpeter swans, herons, and various duck species.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity is common; bear-resistant trash and food storage protocols are mandatory. Ticks and snakes are noted in overgrown areas.
Active AlertsNo current alerts.
Food Storage RequiredShared lockers available near hiker/biker sites and standard campsites for bear safety.

Weather at Big Larch Campground

Reviews

4.0
83 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Big Larch Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews reflect mixed experiences at Big Larch Campground. Positive feedback highlights its scenic location, clean facilities, and variety of activities, while concerns include poor maintenance, noisy generators, and camp host issues.
Review Summaries
Based on 83 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the campground's proximity to Seeley Lake, clean vault toilets, and availability of bear boxes. Activities like hiking, swimming, and fishing are highly regarded.
Based on 83 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include overgrown campsites, minimal privacy, barking dogs, lack of enforcement of quiet hours, and insufficient toilet maintenance ('The smell from that bathroom was completely...
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Based on 83 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing a weed-whacker for overgrown sites, securing bear boxes, and visiting during off-season for free camping. It is also advised to park in designated areas to avoid...
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Based on 83 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak season reviews often note a lack of privacy and crowded conditions, while off-season camping is described as peaceful and free of charge.
Based on 83 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Great place! Awesome, friendly camp host. Clean facilities and campsites.' - Bud Man 2. 'Camp host did not enforce any rules. Load till really late. Generators all night.' - Tim A 3. 'Pack it in...
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Based on 83 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Loop-specific reviews highlight sites 00B and 00A. Site 00A accommodates up to five families and has a large clean beach area. Site 00B includes a bear box but nearby vault toilets are reported as...
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Based on 83 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilets and paved parking areas are accessible, but minimal privacy and overgrown vegetation may pose challenges for some visitors.
Based on 83 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but several reviews express concerns about camp host dogs barking and chasing campers at night.
Based on 83 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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