Lake Alva Campground

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 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. There are a variety of freshwater fish including Kokanee salmon, perch, pumpkinseed sunfish and trout, among other species. Motorized boating is allowed within the no-wake regulation, and 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, popular for its scenic views and abundant wildlife, with active glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows and clear, icy streams alongside vertical cliffs and jagged peaks. Loop 1 has 19 individual RV/tent campsites, available for reservation the Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day; these sites transition to first-come, first-served outside those dates. The 20 campsites in Loop 2 are first-come, first-served. 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, and campground hosts are on site 24 hours a day. A spacious day use area includes a swimming beach, a concrete boat ramp, paved parking for vehicles and boat trailers, and several picnic areas; day use facilities are open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mountain Time, and no reservations are required for day use. Lake Alva is a glacial-formed lake situated in a valley between the Swan and Mission mountain ranges, one of a half dozen lakes in the valley known as the Chain of Lakes through which the Clearwater River flows. At an elevation of approximately 4,200 feet, temperatures are relatively cool on summer days. The area is home to white-tailed deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, and grizzly and black bears. Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of ducks. The town of Seeley Lake is about 11 miles south, offering boat, canoe and kayak rentals, guide services, resorts, gas, groceries, restaurants and lodging. Forests, sweeping views, mountain lakes and rugged peaks can be discovered a short drive up any of the nearby Forest Service roads. Glacier National Park is a day trip away, and Missoula, about an hour from Seeley Lake, is a full-service city with two hospitals, an international airport, hotels and outdoor activities.