Road noise is the first thing campers mention about Salmon Lake State Park Campground, and it shapes the experience more than the lake views do. Situated along Highway 83 near Seeley Lake, the campground is divided into an upper loop and a lower loop, and the difference between them matters. Sites in the upper loop sit close enough to the highway that traffic carries through during the day, while the two lower-loop sites, numbers 22 and 23, drop down toward the water and catch less of that sound. RV campers report the noise bothers them less than tent campers do.
The lower loop's proximity to Salmon Lake is its main draw. Those two sites are right on the water, each with a covered picnic table, and one reviewer notes they are large enough for a sizable RV or trailer. The upper loop has flush toilets and pay showers, while the lower loop relies on pit toilets. Walk-in sites above the lake give tent campers a quieter option with views through the firs. Dogs are allowed throughout, and firewood is available on-site at $4 per bundle.
Lake access for the broader campground runs through a path between sites 22 and 23, which has caused friction among visitors over who can use the shoreline. The main boat launch and day-use area sits about a mile south, and that space gets busy, even midweek. "A long lake that often doesn't have a lot of boaters on it," notes Jamie O., though the day-use zone tells a different story on summer weekends. Anglers and paddlers tend to find the lake itself uncrowded once they're on the water.
The campground runs from May 1 through September 30, with reservations available. Full hookups with electric, water, and sewer make it functional for RVs, though campers report that rigs over 30 feet have had trouble with parking. Staff are consistently described as attentive and present, and the shower facilities draw repeated praise for cleanliness. Placid Creek Pull Off to the northwest offers a lower-key alternative for campers who want fewer neighbors and less highway proximity.
Description
Nestled between the majestic Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges, Salmon Lake provides a beautiful and tranquil setting to enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife viewing. Immediately adjacent to Montana 83, this park is an access point to one of the beautiful lakes in the Clearwater River Chain-of-Lakes. Plan to fish, picnic, launch your boat, water-ski, read, review interpretive signs, or let your children get the wiggles out after a long drive in this woodland setting of western larch, ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir.
Up the road check out the Seeley Lake Center and Museum displays featuring natural resource, Forest Service and logging history. For the bird enthusiast Seeley Lakes spring Loon Festival provides unique bird watching sights, the fall Tamarack Festival, and if you are looking for winter fun check out the Winter Festival and Race to the Sky sled dog race, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. For more information and special events contact Selley Lake Ranger Disctrict (406) 677-2233, Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce Museum (406) 677-2880, or the Swan Ecosystem Center in Condon (406) 754-3137.
ADA designated campsites may only be reserved and occupied by a party who can provide proof of disability upon arrival. Proof of eligibility for at least one member of your party will be required in the form of a DMV (or other states equivalent) issued person with disabilities placard or disabilities motor vehicle license plate. The eligible member of your party must be an occupant of the site for the entire reserved period. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your reservation fee. Additional cancellation fees will be applied.
Camping is allowed in designated areas only. All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur provided. Any equipment that does not fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur must be parked outside the campground in an area designated by the park manager.
Reservations are non-transferable and cannot be sold, bartered, or traded. The primary occupant and/or their party are the only persons authorized to camp in the site during the duration of their reservation.
Check-in time is 2:00pm for campsites (local time).
Check-out time is 1:00pm for campsites (local park time). Late checkouts may incur additional fees unless prior arrangements have been made with park staff.
The maximum capacity at each individually signed or numbered campsite is eight (8) people. This typically involves a single camping unit, which includes, but not limited to, a tent, motor home, camping bus, truck mounted camper shell, pull-type camper, or other device designed and commonly used for sleeping.
Campfires are allowed in designated areas only!
This is bear country and food storage and food waste rules apply. A locker is available for those traveling without a hard-sided vehicle to store food and other bear attractants. Bear resistant garbage dumpsters are located throughout the campground and must be used.
Pets must be kept on a leash. Please check with destination park staff for local restrictions.
Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am.
Fireworks are prohibited in all parks at all times. No Exceptions..
All watercraft entering Montana must be inspected before launch and purchase Vessel AIS Prevention pass. For more information visit cleandraindrymt.com.
In case of an emergency when visiting Montana State Parks, please dial 911. You may also wish to notify park staff for additional assistance if necessary.
For non-emergency assistance please contact park staff.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
All watercraft entering Montana must be inspected before launch and purchase Vessel AIS Prevention pass. For more information visit Clean.Drain.Dry.
Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSalmon Lake State Park Campground is located in Montana near Seeley Lake
Public CampgroundDirections
Salmon Lake State Park is locate 5 miles south of Seeley Lake on Montana 83.
Address
P.O. Box 136; 2329 Highway 83 N.
Seeley Lake, MT 59868
Coordinates
47.09221051875929 N
113.39747530687822 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/30/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/11/26- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 8/11/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/30/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/11/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 8/11/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 43 min from Missoula, MT
- 1 hr 29 min from Helena, MT
- 2 hrs from Great Falls, MT
- 2 hrs 52 min from Bozeman, MT
