The short answerThe Clearwater Valley around Seeley Lake holds a string of glacial lakes, from Rainy Lake and Lake Alva in the north to Salmon Lake in the south, plus nearby Placid Lake. Placid is the largest by FWP's acreage and Seeley the deepest of the measured chain lakes; most have a public launch and a campground.
The lakes around Seeley Lake are strung along the Clearwater River like beads. Rainy Lake is the headwater lake at the top of the chain, above Lake Alva.6 Below Alva and Lake Inez comes Seeley Lake, beside the town, and then Salmon Lake, the last lake before the river leaves to join the Blackfoot.3 Placid Lake and the smaller, higher Clearwater Lake round out the set.
Two things surprise first-time visitors. By FWP’s figures, Placid Lake (about 1,212 acres) is a little larger than Seeley Lake (about 1,031 acres), though Seeley is deeper.12 And they are deep: of the five chain lakes FWP has mapped, every one goes below 65 feet.
How do the lakes compare?
Figures are from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) FishMT waterbody pages. “Notable fish” is a selection from FWP’s species lists, not the full list. Access details are as of 2026; confirm with the managing agency before you go.
| Lake | Acres | Max depth | Notable fish (FWP) | Public access and camping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeley Lake | 1,0311 | 125 ft1 | Kokanee, northern pike, yellow perch, westslope cutthroat | USFS Big Larch Campground: concrete launch, dock, swim beach, 48 individual sites10 |
| Placid Lake | 1,2122 | 90 ft2 | Kokanee, westslope cutthroat, largemouth bass, yellow perch | Placid Lake State Park: launch, 40 sites, showers11 |
| Salmon Lake | 6313 | 70 ft3 | Kokanee, northern pike, yellow perch, rainbow trout | Salmon Lake State Park: launch, 24 sites12 |
| Lake Inez | 2884 | 69 ft4 | Kokanee, westslope cutthroat, northern pike, brook trout | USFS Lake Inez Campground: launch, 5 first-come sites plus 1 group site13 |
| Lake Alva | 2985 | 95 ft5 | Kokanee, westslope cutthroat, northern pike | USFS Lake Alva Campground: concrete ramp, swim beach, 39 sites; no-wake lake14 |
| Rainy Lake | 826 | No FWP figure | Westslope cutthroat, bull trout, lake trout | Not verified; ask the ranger district |
| Clearwater Lake | 1047 | No FWP figure | Westslope cutthroat, brook trout | Short trail in; primitive campsite, no amenities (2017 report)15 |
Neighboring Swan Valley lakes
These two lie farther north in the Swan Valley and fall under FWP Region 1. We cover them briefly on More lakes nearby.
| Lake | Acres | Max depth | Notable fish (FWP) | Public access and camping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Lake | 4148 | 156 ft8 | Kokanee, lake trout, westslope cutthroat | Flathead NF campground and boat ramp; see More lakes nearby |
| Lindbergh Lake | 8159 | 121 ft9 | Kokanee, lake trout, brook trout | Small Flathead NF campground; see More lakes nearby |
Bull trout, a native species, appear on FWP’s species list for every lake above except Clearwater Lake. Special rules apply to them, so read the current FWP regulations before you fish. Each lake page summarizes the 2026 rules that apply to it.
Choosing a lake
- For a swim beach and an easy launch near town: Seeley Lake’s Big Larch Campground.10
- For showers and electric hookups: Placid Lake State Park, which has 17 electric sites.11
- For quiet water: Lake Alva, where the Forest Service requires boats to run no-wake year-round.14
- For a short walk to a small lake: Clearwater Lake, about a quarter mile from the trailhead.15
- For paddling a river into a lake: the Clearwater Canoe Trail, which ends at the north end of Seeley Lake.
Before you camp at any of these lakes, read our page on wildlife and bear safety for food storage rules.
Seeley Lake
Seeley Lake by the numbers: 1,031 acres, 125 feet deep. Where to launch and swim, boating and AIS rules, fish and 2026 regulations, loons, ice season and camping.
Placid Lake
Placid Lake near Seeley Lake: 1,212 acres, 90 feet deep, a state park with 40 campsites and a launch, 2026 fees, fish species and the special northern pike rules.
Salmon Lake
Salmon Lake south of Seeley Lake: 631 acres and 70 feet deep, a state park on Highway 83 with a launch and 24 campsites, kokanee stocking and 2026 pike rules.
Lake Inez
Lake Inez, 9 miles north of Seeley Lake on Highway 83: 288 acres, 69 feet deep, a small year-round Forest Service campground with a launch, and 2026 fishing rules.
Lake Alva and Rainy Lake
Lake Alva and Rainy Lake at the top of the Clearwater chain: size and depth, Lake Alva Campground and swim beach, the no-wake rule, loons and 2026 fishing rules.
Clearwater Canoe Trail
Paddle the Clearwater River Canoe Trail into Seeley Lake: a 3.5-mile flat-water route with a walk-back trail, no shuttle needed. Directions, parking, wildlife and rules.
More Lakes Nearby
Lakes near Seeley Lake beyond the main chain: Clearwater Lake's short loop, Holland and Lindbergh lakes in the Swan Valley, and notes on Summit and Big Sky lakes.
Common questions
What lakes are in the Clearwater chain near Seeley Lake?
Which lake near Seeley Lake is the biggest?
Which lakes have state parks?
Which lakes have free camping or no fees?
Property for sale around Seeley Lake
Price reduced
Price reducedSources
- FishMT: Seeley Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Placid Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Salmon Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Lake Inez, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Lake Alva, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Rainy Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Clearwater Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Holland Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Lindbergh Lake, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Big Larch Campground, USDA Forest Service, Lolo National Forest
- Placid Lake State Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Salmon Lake State Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Lake Inez Campground, USDA Forest Service, Lolo National Forest
- Lake Alva Campground, USDA Forest Service, Lolo National Forest
- Stroll to Clearwater Lake (2017), Seeley Swan Pathfinder
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on October 18, 2026. Spot something out of date? Send a correction.
Keep reading
Seeley Lake
Seeley Lake by the numbers: 1,031 acres, 125 feet deep. Where to launch and swim, boating and AIS rules, fish and 2026 regulations, loons, ice season and camping.
Clearwater Canoe Trail
Paddle the Clearwater River Canoe Trail into Seeley Lake: a 3.5-mile flat-water route with a walk-back trail, no shuttle needed. Directions, parking, wildlife and rules.
Summer at Seeley Lake
Summer at Seeley Lake: July highs near 83 F with cool nights, swimming and boating on the chain of lakes, the canoe trail, Fourth of July and loon season.