Sylvia Lake Campground
Open year-round, first-come, first-served. The road is not plowed in winter; access is limited to snowmachine when snowbound. No potable water available. 16-day stay limit.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 7:30AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
AQAMT The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Gallatin, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Madison, Mineral, Missoula, Park, Powell, Ravalli, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, Sanders, Yellowstone counties in effect until 9AM on 08/11/2026 An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedance of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. Elevated particulate levels from wildfire smoke As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Columbia Falls, Frenchtown, Libby and Missoula are Unhealthy. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Billings, Dillon, Great Falls, Helena and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. As of 7AM on 08/10/2026, particulate levels in Butte, Cut Bank, Hamilton, Lewistown and Sleeping Giant are Moderate. When air quality is Unhealthy... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children should avoid prolonged exertion; everyone else should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mtdeq.us
Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho
Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region
It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.
About
Tucked away 33 miles northwest of Whitefish in the Flathead National Forest, Sylvia Lake Campground offers a quiet, primitive camping experience on the shores of a small mountain lake. The campground has just 3 designated sites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box for food storage. A vault toilet serves the campground. No fees are charged, and sites are first-come, first-served with a 16-day maximum stay. The primary draw is fishing for native grayling and cutthroat trout. A small steel and timber boat ramp provides easy launching for canoes and kayaks. Horse and pack animals are permitted. The area also offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The campground is open year-round but is not plowed in winter, limiting access to snowmachines when the area becomes snowbound. Summer from June through September sees the most use. Campers must bring their own drinking water as no potable water is available on-site.
Directions
Located 33 miles northwest of Whitefish. Take Highway 93 northwest out of Whitefish, turn onto Farm to Market Road, then turn onto Star Meadows Road (Forest Service Road 539). Continue to Forest Service Road 113 which turns into FS Road 538B; go 3.5 miles to the signed campground entrance.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 758-5204 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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