Directions: From Clearwater Junction turn north on Highway 83 and travel approximately 15 miles to the town of Seeley Lake.  The lake is bordered by Highway 83 and Boy Scout Road.  Four possible put-in sites are available around the lake.  Off Highway 83 is the Big Larch Forest Service campground and the Forest Service ranger district office, both of which have put-ins.  Follow the signs to the boat launch in the campground.  At the Forest Service office, go south past the office and look for an outhouse with a parking area.  This put in also serves as the Clearwater Canoe Trail takeout.  Off Boy Scout Road are two federal campgrounds, River Point Campground and Seeley Lake Campground. Follow signs in the campgrounds to the boat launches or swim areas.

Latitude-Longitude:    47.11.662  /  -113.30.755          

Elevation: 3,993 ft.

Lake size: 1,031 acres                                         

Land ownership: National forest, state of Montana, and private.

Facilities: Outhouses are available at all four sites.  Boat launches are located at Seeley Lake Campground, and Big Larch Campground.  At the Seeley Lake Ranger Station is a kayak and canoe launch site.  Kayaks and canoes can also be launched from the day use swim area of the River Point and Seeley Lake campgrounds.

Boating regs: Standard boating regulations for the state of Montana.

How to launch: Launch from the boat ramps or gravel beaches at the four launch sites.

Description of paddle: Nestled between the Swan Range and Mission Mountains, the lake provides an opportunity for varied water craft activity.  The shoreline is dotted with private cabins and guest lodges.  From the north end of the lake, paddlers can venture well into the Clearwater Canoe trail from mid-July on, once river runoff has subsided.

Potential issues: During summer, moderate to strong winds generally come up in the afternoon, and that can make the trip across the lake challenging and potentially dangerous.  Also, summer thunderstorms can bring not only lightening but strong winds on the leading edge of the front. In July and August powerboats ply the lake from about 10 in the morning until dusk potentially, creating rough water conditions.

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