Sylvia Lake Campground
Open — Open year-round first-come, first-served with no fees. Winter access is limited to snowmachines as roads are not plowed. The area is typically snow-bound from late fall through spring. 16-day stay limit applies.
R1-2024-01 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.
R1-2025-01 Camping stay limits & prohibitions on pallets and refuse use for target shooting
This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within all national forests in Montana, and the Dakota Prairie National Grasslands, Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
R1-2023-02 - NCDE Food and Wildlife Attractant Storage Order
Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order for the Flathead, Lolo, Kootenai, Helena-Lewis and Clark, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests within the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.
R1-2023-01 Northern Region Camping Restrictions
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, and South Dakota.
Order 01-15-00-25-01: Bob Marshall, Scapegoat, and Great Bear Wilderness Restrictions
Occupancy and Use and Trail Restrictions for the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, as well as trail, stock, and camping restrictions on Our Lake Trail and lake area (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), beneath the Chinese Wall (Helena-Lewis and Clark NF), and Castle Creek Riverside Campsite (Flathe
Current Avalanche Danger and Forecast
Avalanche Danger: Know before you go! Avalanche Forecasts at Flathead Avalanche Center
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
4.4 miles of National Forest System Trail 800 Tally-Ashley will be closed for public safety during logging activities starting 9/4/2025 - 9/1/2026 unless rescinded sooner.
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
From September 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, unless rescinded, the following is prohibited in the Ryan Road area:Camping or otherwise occupying a site except where designated .
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
NFS Road 1625 is closed between milepost 2.84 and 5.08 for public safety due to road substrate slumping. This closed segment is from the junction with Rd #9881 at milepost 2.84 to the end of Rd #1625 starting 8/13/2025 - 8/12/2027 unless rescinded sooner.
Water Vessel Prohibitions
Violating State water vessel safety and operation laws and regulations is prohibited on all Flathead National Forest waterways.
About
Sylvia Lake Campground offers a secluded mountain camping experience on a small alpine lake in the Flathead National Forest, 33 miles from Whitefish, Montana. The campground has just 3 designated campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box for food storage. A vault toilet serves the campground, but no potable water is available, so campers must bring their own. The lake features a small steel and timber boat ramp designed for launching canoes and kayaks. Anglers can fish for native grayling and cutthroat trout in the lake's clear waters. The campground operates as a pack-in, pack-out facility with no garbage service. Access to the campground requires traveling along Forest Service roads, with signs marking the way at most intersections. The area is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis without fees, though winter access is limited to snowmachines as the road is not plowed. Summer and fall are the most popular seasons for camping, with moderate use levels.
Directions
Located 33 miles from Whitefish. Take Highway 93 northwest out of Whitefish, Montana. Turn right onto Farm to Market Road. Turn right off Farm to Market Road onto Star Meadows Road (Forest Service Road 539). Take this road to Forest Service Road 113 that turns into FS Road 538B and go 3.5 miles. Look for the campground site sign on the right. Signs mark the way to Sylvia Lake at most intersections along the route.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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 | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 758-5204 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Sylvia Lake Campground | |
| View on Recreation.gov |
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