Tent campsites near Seeley Lake, Montana sit between 3,800 and 5,000 feet elevation in the western Montana wilderness. This region contains several fishing access sites with primitive camping facilities, many requiring Montana fishing licenses for overnight stays. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during peak season months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Corricks River Bend fishing access site provides direct access to the Blackfoot River. "The river is great to float and holds enough water into the fall," notes camper Celine K. Sites are "pretty spread out and most along the river" according to Jen F.
Lake swimming: Holland Lake Boating Site offers swimming access with fewer motorized boats than other area lakes. One visitor mentions that "if you are going to paddle or swim you will love this lake," making it ideal for families wanting calmer waters than busier lakes in the region.
Backcountry hiking: For experienced hikers, the 6-mile trail to Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site offers alpine camping without road access. "You will reach your destination of turquoise lake" after a challenging hike through mountainous terrain with significant elevation gain, according to Haley L.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the riverside camping at Corricks River Bend, with Julie L. noting their site "was big enough for two trucks and a camper with plenty of room to spare." The spacing between sites creates privacy despite the campground's popularity.
Mountain wildlife viewing: Turquoise Lake Backcountry Site provides opportunities to observe alpine wildlife. "You will more than likely be neighbors with some goats," reports Haley L., who reminds visitors to properly secure food as "there's lots of wildlife at this lake."
Affordable fishing access: Upsata Lake offers budget-friendly camping with fishing license discounts. As visitor Dexter I. describes, it features "a flat grassy area which appears to be regularly maintained" with five sites that each include "a picnic table and fire ring."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Many campgrounds near Seeley Lake operate with minimal amenities. At Placid Creek Pull Off, Terri F. notes it's "primitive but usable" with "no amenities aside from outhouse." Lady Phyre describes it simply as "a clearing with a clean outhouse."
Road conditions: Access roads to camping areas vary significantly in quality. Celine K. warns that "the road to get to this campsite is rough" when describing Corricks River Bend, while James K. cautions that River Junction's road "would be tough for trailers."
Limited site availability: Many fishing access campgrounds contain only a handful of sites. Johnathan I. notes that Clearwater Crossing has "only 6 sites," while Upsata Lake contains just "five closely connected campsites" according to AmiLinn Jean H.
Tips for camping with families
Boat launch accessibility: For families with watercraft, consider boat ramp limitations. At Holland Lake, Heather B. notes "the boat launch is definitely not for larger boats" but it's "easy for kayak or canoe launch" with "good parking" and "easy access to the restrooms."
Site spacing considerations: At Lindbergh Lake Boat Ramp, Matt describes "several sites grouped together by lake down an access road" with "nice wooded sites and easy access to lake for swimming or boating." This layout works well for families wanting supervision of children near water.
Bear safety requirements: Families must practice proper food storage. James K. notes that River Junction has "a single shared bear box among about 8 sites," while backcountry sites require visitors to "hang your food" as Haley L. advises for Turquoise Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain at many sites. Lady Phyre notes that Placid Creek Pull Off "is not completely level but the road in is easy," making small trailers feasible but potentially challenging for larger units.
Limited turning radius: Several campgrounds have tight access roads. Terri F. warns that Placid Creek has a "rough dirt entrance" that's "not recommended for low clearance or large vehicles" with only "4-5 semi designated parking spaces."
Primitive camping essentials: RV campers at Camp Paxson should note the historical facilities have limited hookups. The camp offers "primitive cabins with electricity and bunk beds but nothing else," according to Megan B., requiring RV campers to be self-sufficient with water and waste management.
