How much does camping cost at Lake Alva Campground?

Camping fees at Lake Alva Campground range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lake Alva Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lake Alva Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lake Alva Campground before I book?

Yes! Lake Alva Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Lake Alva Campground?

Lake Alva Campground is open May 22 to September 04. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Lake Alva Campground?

Lake Alva Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Lake Alva Campground?

Fire policies at Lake Alva Campground: Campfires must be completely extinguished before leaving campsite unattended.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Lake Alva Campground have?

Lake Alva Campground has 39 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Alva Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Lake Alva Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Lake Alva Campground?

Lake Alva Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Lake Alva Campground

4.11

33 reviews

Top 23% in MTSpring

SwimmingSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Lake Alva Campground Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Lake Alva Campground Official Website

Get Directions

Lake Alva Campground

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Lake Alva Standard Nonelectric: $20.00; Standard S&P: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(406) 677-2233

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Lake Alva Campground

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Campground Map

Lake Alva Campground

47.3250, -113.5820

Nearby places

Seeley Lake, MT - about 11 miles south of the campground

Missoula - described as about an hour from Seeley Lake.

Weather at Lake Alva Campground

Current alerts(8)

Access to the campground during winter is determined by snow level; road is not plowed.
Bear resistant trash and food containers must be closed and secured by users after depositing items. Failure to secure containers could result in a citation.
Bears frequent the area; please store all food and attractants in a locked vehicle, or in a certified bear resistant container. Click here for more information.
Click here for more information on the Lolo National Forest.

Best Time to Camp at Lake Alva Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliably warm, comfortable days (typically mid-60s to low 80s°F) and cool nights (40s–50s°F) at 4,200 ft, making water activities pleasant without oppressive valley heat. Swimming, boating (remember the year‑round no‑wake policy), and shore fishing are at their peak, and loons are active and visible from shore while designated nesting areas remain protected. Expect moderate crowds with the busiest periods on holiday weekends and July–August; reservations for Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak water activity season; warm days, swim/beach/boating/fishing at best in July–August.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 04. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Lake Alva Campground

Lake Alva Campground sits in mid-elevation forest near Seeley Lake, Montana, offering direct access to a clean, warm lake with a no-wake policy. The campground features well-spaced, shaded sites and is known for exceptionally clean facilities and helpful hosts who provide bear and fire safety education. Campers enjoy swimming, shore fishing, and watching loons during the summer season.

The campground offers developed campsites for RVs and tents across two loops: Loop 1 contains 19 individual RV/tent campsites (reservable the Friday before Memorial Day through the Tuesday after Labor Day, then first-come/first-serve outside those dates), and Loop 2 contains 20 first-come/first-serve campsites payable onsite via a Recreation.gov QR code. A day-use area is also provided.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliably warm, comfortable days (typically mid-60s to low 80s°F) and cool nights (40s–50s°F) at 4,200 ft, making water activities pleasant without oppressive valley heat. Swimming, boating (remember the year‑round no‑wake policy), and shore fishing are at their peak, and loons are active and visible from shore while designated nesting areas remain protected. Expect moderate crowds with the busiest periods on holiday weekends and July–August; reservations for Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation4200 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryGlaciers carved this valley millennia ago, leaving Lake Alva cradled between the Swan Range to the east and the Mission Mountains to the west at 4,200 feet elevation. The lake connects to other alpine lakes via the Clearwater River, forming the scenic Chain of Lakes system. Dense forest surrounds the campground, providing shade and spacing between sites. Loons nest in designated areas and call across the water throughout summer. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, elk, moose, black bears, and grizzlies. Bald and golden eagles, trumpeter swans, herons, and ducks frequent the lake and shoreline.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

3:00 PM

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov mobile app (Loop 2 payment via onsite QR code; Loop 1 reservations available through Recreation.gov during the specified reservation season).

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and paved parking stalls at each campsite; paved day-use areas and parking.

Site SizeEach campsite includes a paved parking stall.

Total Campsites39 campsites

Recommended SitesLoop 1: 19 individual RV/tent campsites are reservable during the Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day and become first-come/first-serve outside that window. Loop 2: 20 campsites are first-come/first-serve and can be paid onsite by scanning a Recreation.gov QR code. All campsites include 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.

Need help booking Lake Alva Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Campsites include a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and a paved parking stall. Accessible vault toilets, drinking (potable) water, and trash receptacles are available throughout the campground; campground hosts are on site 24 hours a day. The day-use area includes a swimming beach, a concrete boat ramp, and paved vehicle/boat trailer parking.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground and lake support swimming, boating (motorized and non-motorized under restrictions), paddling, picnicking, fishing, and abundant wildlife viewing. Nearby Wilderness areas and Glacier National Park provide additional backcountry and alpine recreation opportunities within a day trip.

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.1

33 reviews

Satisfactory

Lake Alva Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly love Lake Alva Campground, describing it as clean, quiet, and very peaceful, with consistently friendly and helpful camp hosts. People highlight the beautiful forested setting, well-spaced sites, and easy access to a clean, swimmable lake. Most visitors say they would definitely return and some call it one of their favorite campgrounds.

Review Summaries

Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the cleanliness of the campground and bathrooms, the quiet, peaceful atmosphere, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the hosts (including bear and fire education). They also love...

Based on 33 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints are minimal and relatively mild. One reviewer notes the need for more ground maintenance, and another mentions that some sites can be challenging to back into with a 29’ trailer. A...

Based on 33 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer with a 29’ trailer reported that “some of the camp spots were a challenge to back into,” including the one they reserved, suggesting that certain sites may be tight or have difficult...

Based on 33 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect a short walk to the lake rather than waterfront sites; all sites are set back from the water but close by. Larger RVs or trailers, around 29 feet, may find some sites tricky to back into, so...

Based on 33 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful site. Lots of camp sites. Well maintained, clean and quiet. The campground host is very friendly." "One of the most peaceful campgrounds on the planet. Tim, the host, was friendly and...

Based on 33 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want peaceful lakeside camping with attentive hosts and easy water access in a forested setting.

Skip if

You need motorized boating opportunities or prefer campgrounds open beyond summer months.

Nearby Campgrounds

Lake Alva Campground, North Shore of Lake Alva, Montana

Lake Alva Campground sits on the north shore of its namesake lake in Lolo National Forest, roughly 30 minutes from Seeley Lake. The 59-site campground splits into two loops: 19 reservable sites and 40 first-come, first-served. Fees run $20-$50 per night. The no-wake lake attracts paddlers and anglers looking for quiet water, and mature trees provide decent privacy between sites.

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Lakeside Lolo Campground sits on the shore of Lake Alva in Lolo National Forest, managed by the Seeley Lake Ranger District. This intimate site offers lakefront camping with direct water access for boating and fishing, plus designated quiet zones for watching nesting loons. The campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, but no drinking water or trash service.

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Holland Lake Campground

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200 RANGER STATION ROAD

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Campgrounds

Lolo National Forest

Lake Alva Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Lake Alva Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

Situated at the north end of Lake Alva, this campground offers a chance to camp out and enjoy lake activities such as swimming, fishing and boating. There are also wildlife and bird watching opportunities here, and it is 15 miles to the Mission Mountain Wilderness. All boats on Lake Alva must operate at a “no-wake” speed year-round.Beginning in 2024, campsites in Loop 1 will be available for reservations on <a href="http://www.recreation.gov">www.recreation.gov</a> starting April 24, 2024. Reservations will accepted from the Friday before Memorial to Tuesday after Labor Day. Individual sites in Loop 2 will remain first come, first serve.

About the campground

The elevation is 4,100 ft. There are two loops - North and South. The campground is located adjacent to Lake Alva, a Loon nesting area during May and June. It is thickly wooded with mature and young trees, such as Western Larch, Douglas fir and Alder. This thick combination of trees provides privacy between sites. Outfitters and equipment rental information is available from the Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce (1-406-677-2880).

Seasons & access

Depending on snow, open May through October.

Facilities

One threaded water spigot is located at the fee station - entrance to campground. Lolo National Forest 349

Water activities

Lake Alva is 310 acres and a “no wake” lake. The beach is gravel and grass. Some Loon nesting areas may be restricted during May and June.

RV information

The parking aprons are gravel and paved. There is an RV waste station, with no potable water, available for a fee behind Lindey's Restaurant located north of Boy Scout Rd in Seeley Lake, MT.

Directions

From Seeley Lake, MT, take State Rt. 83 north 11.2 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.4 miles to campground.

National Forest: Lolo National Forest
Ranger District: Seeley Lake
Elevation: 4100
Rate: $10 per day
Maximum Stay: 14