Lake Alva Recreation Area
A day use site on a quiet no-wake lake
Lake Alva Recreation Area is a day use site north of Seeley Lake, featuring a swimming beach, picnic tables, and a boat ramp on a quiet, no-wake lake.
Features: A swimming beach, two picnic sites with campfire rings and grills, a boat ramp, and a campground.
Accessibility info and site description: From Hwy 83 ten miles north of Seeley Lake, turn west at the signs for Lake Alva campground, then turn left at the fork. There are four parking areas that make up one large parking lot, and no accessible parking. The accessible restroom can be found at the center of the one way loop near the boat ramp. One picnic site is located on the far side of this loop, and the other is at the second parking area on the right. The path to the swimming beach is at the corner of the first parking area on the left, marked with a sign. There's a short paved path, followed by a step down onto a graveled trail that leads downhill to a somewhat grassy spot with a sign that says "no lifeguard". This is the designated swimming site, but note that there is no true "beach" here. The distance from the parking lot to the swimming beach is about 100 feet.
My experience: Lake Alva's best feature is that it's a no-wake lake, which means it will be more peaceful than other lakes nearby. This is a great spot for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, or even floating on an inner tube. The swimming beach leaves much to be desired, as there is no actual beach, and the small grassy area won't fit many people. However, a few Google reviews suggest that this recreation area is less busy than other nearby sites, so it may provide an opportunity to recreate on the water without the crowds!
Overall, Lake Alva Recreation Area is a smaller and less developed site, but it's also quieter and has less crowds. Come here for boating, fishing, and swimming on this peaceful no-wake lake!
For more information, visit:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234347?tab=info
