Big Larch Campground
Big Larch Campground is located on the east shoreline of Seeley Lake within the Lolo National Forest in Montana. A great place to cool off on a hot day, it has a beach and a boat ramp, as well as ample shade for those who just want to relax and enjoy nature. The campground is a favorite of locals, with plenty of space for camping, picnicking and recreating on the water.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Montana · 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 | 51 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 51 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
53 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLS01 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS02 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS03 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 22 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS04 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS05 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Paved | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS06 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS07 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 23 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS08 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS09 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 22 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| BLS10 | 1 | Standard | Back-in | 27 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 10 / 2 | 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 | 51 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The nightly fee for individual RV/tent campsites is $20.00 through peak season (Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day). The nightly fee for group campsites is $50.00 through peak season. The nightly fee for bicycle campsites is $10.00 through peak season. |
| Accessibility | Sites BLS12, 00A, 00B, Group Campsite are listed accessible |
- Two group camping areas, 29 individiual RV/tent campsites, and three bicycle campsites are available for reservation the Friday before Memorial Day to Labor Day. These campsites will transition to first-come/first-serve outside of these dates.
- 19 individual sites are available on a First-Come/First-Serve basis. These campsites can be paid for onsite by scanning a QR Code using the Recreation.gov mobile app. Visitors will need to download the free recreation.gov mobile app through Android or iOS.
- All campites are each equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings with grills, and a large paved parking area. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash receptacles are avaliable throughout the campground. Campground hosts on site 24 hours a day.
- The campground also offers a spacious day use area that includes a roped-off swimming beach, a boat ramp, a dock, boat trailer parking, and several picnic areas. Day use facilities are open year-round from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. No fees or reservations are required for day use.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Spring to Year round, not plowed |
| Forest | Lolo National Forest |
| Booking | Individual sites in Loops 1 and 4 are first come, first serve. Individual sites in Loops 2 and 3 are available for reservations on www.recreation.gov starting April 24, 2024. |
| Fees | $20 per night. $5 fee for each additional vehicle after two vehicles. Fees charged from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. For Group A or Group B sites, the fee is $50.00 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From 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. Directions to Group Sites: Continue straight at the first fork and the group sites will be on the left.
| Nearest town | Seeley Lake, Montana |
| Coordinates | 47.1922° N, 113.4939° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- These campsites can be paid for onsite by scanning a QR Code using the Recreation.gov mobile app.
- Visitors will need to download the free recreation.gov mobile app through Android or iOS.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx D6 Horseshoe West Unit 37
6 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx D6 Horseshoe West Unit 20
7 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx D6 Horseshoe West Unit 23
8 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 ↗ | 14.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Bretz RV & Marine ↗ | 32 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures ↗ | 32 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Larch Campground Review, Loki National Forest on Seeley Lake Montana
Worth a stop
• The town of Seeley Lake, MT on the southeastern tip of the lake offers a variety of recreation services such as boat, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as guide services and resorts. Services like gas, groceries, restaurants, and lodging can also be found in town. Access to a variety of forests, sweeping views, mountain lakes, and rugged peaks can be discovered just a short drive up any of the nearby Forest Service roads. • Just a day trip away from Seeley Lake, Glacier National Park is known for a variety of opportunities to explore alpine landscapes, active glaciers, and view unique wildlife. Contact the park for current conditions. • About an hour from Seeley Lake, Missoula is one of Western Montana’s outdoor recreation hubs. Missoula is a full-service city with 2 hospitals, an international airport, and access to services, hotels, and outdoor activities.
- 12.9 miRiver Point Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miTamaracks Trail B0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miRoller Coaster Cutoff0.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.3 miCutoff0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miBig Larch Nature0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miCommunity Hall0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miRoller Coaster3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe and 1 more
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
- 14.3 miBob Marshall Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 1,062,694 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
- Camp Paxson Boy Scout Camp (24Mo77)Building · Lolo National Forest · 1.2 mi
- Double Arrow LookoutBuilding · Seeley Lake · 2.6 mi
- Double Arrow LodgeBuilding · Seeley Lake · 3.3 mi
Natural features
- Big Larch Campground is located on the east shoreline of Seeley Lake, a 1,025 acre, glacial-formed lake within the "Chain of Lakes" - through which the Clearwater River flows.
- The campground is nestled in a mixed conifer forest, including plenty of tall larch and pine trees. While there is ample space between sites, the lack of understory makes for minimal privacy. At an elevation of about 4,000 feet, temperatures are pleasant throughout most of the summer months.
- The area contains a wide variety of wildlife and is home to white-tailed deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, grizzly and black bears (learn about bear safety ). Both the bald and golden eagle reside in the forest, along with trumpeter swan, herons and dozens of varieties of ducks.
Recreation
• The campground is popular for swimming, fishing, biking, paddling and boating. Anglers cast for a variety of freshwater fish including Kokanee salmon, bass, whitefish, pike, trout and perch, among other species. Water skiing is a popular activity on the lake. • The Clearwater Canoe Trailhead just North of Seeley Lake offers excellent flat water for viewing wildlife such as blue herons and river otters. The water trail is popular with canoeists and kayakers as it stretches 3.5 miles, or a couple of hours, down the river. • The Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail on the East side of the valley offers an incredible day hike exploring recent burns, dense forests, and a large waterfall.
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 Big Larch Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Larch Campground?
The nightly fee for individual RV/tent campsites is $20.00 through peak season (Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day). The nightly fee for group campsites is $50.00 through peak season. The nightly fee for bicycle campsites is $10.00 through peak season.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Larch Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Larch Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Spring to Year round, not plowed.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Larch Campground have?
58 sites, including 51 standard sites without power and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Larch Campground?
The longest site here provides 51 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 Big Larch Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Larch Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Larch 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
Are there accessible sites at Big Larch Campground?
Sites BLS12, 00A, 00B, and Group Campsite are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Big Larch Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and 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 Big Larch Campground?
• The campground is popular for swimming, fishing, biking, paddling and boating. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big Larch Campground?
Seeley Lake, Montana. • The town of Seeley Lake, MT on the southeastern tip of the lake offers a variety of recreation services such as boat, canoe, and kayak rentals as well as guide services and resorts.
Source: Getting there