River Point Day Use Area

A day use beach and swimming site with views of the Swan Mountain range

River Point Campground has a free day use area on Seeley Lake, featuring a beach, swimming area, and picnic tables.

Features: A beach, swimming area, and picnic tables.

Accessibility info and site description: Follow the signs past the campground, straight to the free day use area. There is a large paved parking area with no accessible parking, and two accessible restrooms at the center. Head toward the lake through a wooded area about 100 feet to the swimming beach. There is a gradual slope down to the water's edge, and a beautiful view of the mountains. To find the picnic tables, take the path to the right of the beach through the woods about 100 feet, or about 200 feet to the left of the beach, where there is another three picnic tables and a circle of benches surrounding a campfire. The paths through the woods are mostly flat, covered in pine needles, with some branches, pinecones, and soft spots.

River Point Campground Day Use Area

Two accessible restrooms

A large parking area with no accessible parking spots

From the parking lot, head toward the lake through the woods

Heading toward the beach

Swimming beach sign and posted rules

Be sure to check for blue green algae blooms before getting in the water

View of the beach to the right

View of the beach to the left

Head into the woods to the left of the beach area to find picnic tables

Heading to the left of the beach

Benches surrounding a campfire

Picnic tables in the woods

View from one of the picnic tables

Follow the path to the right of the beach area to find additional picnic tables

A couple of picnic tables in the woods

Heading back toward the beach

One of the many paths through the woods

My experience: There are many campgrounds around Seeley Lake, but very few day use areas, so I was excited when I heard about this site. It's a short distance from the parking lot to the small beach and offers beautiful views of the Swan Mountain range. The picnic tables are spread out throughout the woods which provides a little space between other visitors. I visited on a cold day in May, so there weren't many other people there at the time, but according to recreation.gov, this site gets heavy use all year round. Also note: there was a sign at the swimming beach warning of blue green algae blooms, so be mindful of checking the reports (link below) before visiting and checking the water before going in, especially later in the summer and in the fall.

Overall, River Point offers a great opportunity to visit Seeley Lake without staying at a campground. Enjoy the views as you lay on the beach, take a swim, or have a picnic in the woods!

 

For more information visit:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10107638?tab=info
Read more about toxic algae blooms here:
https://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/Epidemiology/hab/
Check for reports of blue green algae blooms here:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/12f8eb354a51402e9a4732269c515c53