Lakeside Lolo Campground
Lakeside Campground is located at the south end of Lake Alva, in Montana's Lolo National Forest. The campground offers a chance to camp and enjoy recreational activities such as swimming, fishing and boating. 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.
More like this: reservable in Montana · big rigs in Montana · pets allowed in Montana · group sites in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 3 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 58 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
5 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSS2 | LAKESIDE CAMPGROUND | Tent only | Back-in | 15 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| LSS4 | LAKESIDE CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| LSS5 | LAKESIDE CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| LSS6 | LAKESIDE CAMPGROUND | Standard | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| LSG3 | LAKESIDE GROUP CAMPSITE | Group | 48 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Lakefront | 25 / 6 | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 58 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
- 1 group camping site, 3 individual RV/tent sites, and 1 tent site are available for reservation the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, when the campground closes for the season.
- The accessible group campsite can accommodate up to 25 people and up to four RVs and six vehicles.
- All campsites are equipped with picnic tables and a campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided, there is no drinking water available at the campground. Trash collection is not available- Please Pack it Out. Campground hosts onsite 24 hours a day.
- There is no day-use area at Lakeside Campground. Day-use access to Lake Alva is located a mile North on Highway 83, at Lake Alva Campground. The area is equipped with a boat launch, boat trailer parking, and a swimming beach. Lake Alva is a No-Wake lake.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 28 to September 30 |
| Forest | Lolo National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations Required through Recreation.gov Memorial Day to Labor Day |
| Fees | Five standard family sites (max 10 people) at $10 per night are available at this campground on a first-come first-served basis. $5 fee for each additional vehicle after two vehicles. Fees are charged from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Group Sites: $50 per night. |
| Rules | Food storage orders are in place. Please see our Bear Safety and Food Storage Information for important information about food storage to protect you and the bears from unwanted encounters. All boats on Lake Alva must operate at a “no-wake” speed year-round. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the junction of Montana Highways 200 and 83 (locally referred to as Clearwater Junction), travel north on Highway 83 for approximately 15 miles to the town of Seeley Lake. Continue north on Highway 83 for 9.9 miles. The campground the entrance is on the west side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Seeley Lake, Montana |
| Coordinates | 47.3194° N, 113.5773° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Trash collection is not available- Please Pack it Out.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D6 Horseshoe West Unit 37
15 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx D6 Horseshoe West Unit 20
16 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx D6 Horseshoe West Unit 23
17 mi from the campground
- PrescribedGlade Creek Piles Rx
35 mi from the campground · 1 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bretz RV & Marine ↗ | 35.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Backcountry Racks ↗ | 36.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- Seeley Lake is about 10 miles south of the campground, with boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. The town of Seeley Lake lies on the southeastern tip of the lake. A variety of services are offered there, including boat, canoe, kayak and row boat rentals.
- 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.
- 5.1 miRiver Point Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miRichmond- Marshall Hookup ↗9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miRichmond Clearwater Loop South ↗6.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.4 miRainy Lake East0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miRainy Lake West0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miColt Creek ↗15.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile and 2 more
- 2 miWest Fork Clearwater River ↗7.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Lolo National Forest.
- inLolo National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,625,457 acres
- 8.8 miBob Marshall Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 1,062,694 acres
- 10.3 miMission Mountains Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 74,524 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Laird's Lodge Historic DistrictHistoric district · Seeley Lake · 8.9 mi
- Camp Paxson Boy Scout Camp (24Mo77)Building · Lolo National Forest · 9.5 mi
- Double Arrow LookoutBuilding · Seeley Lake · 10.9 mi
Natural features
- The campground is situated at the south end of Lake Alva, and offers shade and lake access. At an elevation of approximately 4,200 feet, temperatures are relatively cool on summer days.
- The lake is home to a loon population, and has protected nesting areas during May and June. The birds' mesmerizing calls can often be heard in the campground.
Recreation
- Lake Alva is in a great spot for boating and fishing. Anglers will find a variety of freshwater fish, including Kokanee salmon, whitefish, pike, trout and perch, among other species.
- A boat ramp is available at nearby Lake Alva Campground, one mile north on Highway 83. All motorized boating must operation at a "No-Wake" speed year-round. Many non-motorized boaters find solace during early evening/morning hours on the lake. Swimming is also a popular activity.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Sites at Lakeside Lolo Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations Required through Recreation.gov Memorial Day to Labor Day Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Five standard family sites (max 10 people) at $10 per night are available at this campground on a first-come first-served basis. $5 fee for each additional vehicle after two vehicles. Fees are charged from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lakeside Lolo Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 28 to September 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lakeside Lolo Campground have?
8 sites, including 3 standard sites without power, 1 tent-only site, and 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
The longest site here provides 58 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lakeside Lolo Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Food storage orders are in place.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
FCC coverage maps show T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Lake Alva is in a great spot for boating and fishing. Anglers will find a variety of freshwater fish, including Kokanee salmon, whitefish, pike, trout and perch, among other species. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lakeside Lolo Campground?
Seeley Lake, Montana. Seeley Lake is about 10 miles south of the campground, with boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities. The town of Seeley Lake lies on the southeastern tip of the lake. A variety of services are offered there, including boat, canoe, kayak and row boat rentals.
Source: Getting there
What if Lakeside Lolo Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake Alva Campground (0.4 mi, partly first-come), Rainy Lake Campground (1.4 mi, first-come), and Lake Inez Point 6 (Group Camp Site) (2 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby