Lake Alva Campground

Star2.94
44 reviews
Lake Alva Campground

Quick Facts

4,200 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

39 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Lake Alva Campground site

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Lake Alva Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Day use facilities are open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time. No fees or reservations are required for day use.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(406) 677-2233

What Campers Say

2.94

Mixed Reviews

Based on 44 reviews

29 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleanshade

"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."

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Best Time to Camp at Lake Alva Campground

Perched at 4,200 feet elevation, Lake Alva enjoys refreshingly cool summer temperatures that provide welcome relief from valley heat—perfect for active days on the water or exploring nearby trails. The day use areas welcome visitors year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time, offering four-season access to this mountain gem.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Loop 1: reservations available from the Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day; outside those dates Loop 1 transitions to first-come/first-serve. Loop 2 campsites are available on a first-come/first-serve basis (no reservation dates specified). Day use facilities are open year-round (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time).

About Lake Alva Campground

Nestled along the pristine north shore of Lake Alva, just 11 miles north of Seeley Lake, this tranquil campground offers the perfect lakeside escape for swimming, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching. The lake's protected loon population thrives here thanks to designated nesting areas and a year-round no-wake policy that keeps the waters peaceful. Choose from 19 reservable sites in the seasonal Loop 1, or try your luck at one of 20 first-come, first-served sites in Loop 2.
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 SeasonsPerched at 4,200 feet elevation, Lake Alva enjoys refreshingly cool summer temperatures that provide welcome relief from valley heat—perfect for active days on the water or exploring nearby trails. The day use areas welcome visitors year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time, offering four-season access to this mountain gem.
ElevationAt approximately 4,200 feet above sea level, the campground sits in that sweet spot where mountain air keeps summer days comfortably cool while still allowing for extended camping seasons. This elevation creates an ideal climate for both campers seeking respite from lowland heat and the diverse wildlife that calls these mountains home.
Natural Features and SceneryLake Alva tells the story of ancient glaciers that carved this stunning valley between the towering Swan and Mission mountain ranges thousands of years ago. As one jewel in the celebrated 'Chain of Lakes' connected by the flowing Clearwater River, the lake sparkles with glacial clarity against a backdrop of dramatic peaks. The surrounding wilderness teems with life—watch for white-tailed deer browsing at dawn, elk bugling in autumn meadows, or the rare sight of mountain goats and bighorn sheep navigating cliff faces. Moose wade through shallow waters, while both grizzly and black bears roam the forests. Overhead, bald and golden eagles soar alongside trumpeter swans and herons, while numerous duck species dabble in quiet coves. The haunting call of loons echoes across the water from their protected nesting sites, a sound that has defined wilderness for generations.
Geological RegionThis glacial-carved valley cradles Lake Alva between the impressive Swan Range to the east and the Mission Mountains to the west, creating a dramatic landscape shaped by ice age forces. The lake forms a vital link in the scenic 'Chain of Lakes' system, where the Clearwater River threads through multiple alpine lakes like beads on a string, each one a testament to the powerful glaciers that sculpted this region millennia ago.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and paved parking stalls at each campsite; paved day-use areas and parking.
Sites SizeEach campsite includes a paved parking stall.
Total Campsites39 campsites
Recommended CampsitesLoop 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.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutTwo loops: Loop 1 has 19 individual RV/tent campsites (paved parking stall per site) and Loop 2 has 20 campsites. 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. A spacious day use area includes a swimming beach, boat ramp, paved parking, and picnic areas.
Open and Closed SeasonLoop 1: reservations available from the Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day; outside those dates Loop 1 transitions to first-come/first-serve. Loop 2 campsites are available on a first-come/first-serve basis (no reservation dates specified). Day use facilities are open year-round (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time).
Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov mobile app (Loop 2 payment via onsite QR code; Loop 1 reservations available through Recreation.gov during the specified reservation season).
Walk-in AvailabilityLoop 2: first-come/first-serve. Loop 1: first-come/first-serve outside the reservation season.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

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.
Fishing
Lake Alva contains Kokanee salmon, perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, trout, and other freshwater species.
Swimming
A day-use swimming beach is available; day-use facilities are open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time with no fees or reservations required.
Boating
Boating is allowed with a strict year-round no-wake speed requirement for all boats; a concrete boat ramp and paved trailer parking are provided. Motorized boating is permitted under the no-wake regulation; paddling and non-motorized boating are common.
Wildlife viewing
The area supports diverse wildlife including a loon population with protected nesting areas, white-tailed deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, grizzly and black bears, bald and golden eagles, trumpeter swans, herons, and many duck species.
Beach activities
A spacious day-use area includes a swimming beach open year-round (6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. MT) with picnic areas and boat ramp; no day-use fees or reservations are required.
Water Sports
Paddling and motorized boating (subject to no-wake regulation) are common on the lake.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring with grill. No specific fire restrictions or bans are stated in the provided information.

Hazards

General hazardsPresence of large wildlife including grizzly and black bears; typical wildlife encounters may occur. No other specific hazards are listed.

Weather at Lake Alva Campground

42
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 9.7 mph
Overcast

Weather History
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Emergency Services

Missoula — full-service city with two hospitals (described as about an hour from Seeley Lake).

Good to know

Peak season datesFriday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day
Trash and recyclingTrash receptacles available throughout the campground.
Proximity to water featuresLocated on the north shore of Lake Alva; campground includes a swimming beach, concrete boat ramp, and paved parking for vehicles/boat trailers.
HostCampground hosts are on site 24 hours a day.

Campground Map

Lake Alva Campground
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 mi to the town of Seeley Lake, MT. Continue north on Montana Highway 83 for 26.1 mi and turn left into the entrance of Lake Alva Campground.
Accessible via I-90 to MT-200 E, then MT-83 N to the campground entrance.
Nearby places
Seeley Lake, MT - about 11 miles south of the campground
Missoula - described as about an hour from Seeley Lake.
Nearby supplies
Seeley Lake, MT — services including gas, groceries, restaurants, lodging and recreation services
about 11 miles south.

Reviews from booking and map sources

2.9
44 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Lake Alva Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% 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 44 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...
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Based on 44 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...
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Based on 44 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...
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Based on 44 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...
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Based on 44 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...
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Based on 44 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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