Van Lake Campground

About this campsite

Campground: Van Lake Campground.

Location

Van Lake Campground•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

FRI🌤️

20° / 9°

💧 4%

SAT☁️

21° / 11°

💧 1%

SUN☀️

24° / 9°

—

TODAY☁️

24° / 10°

—

TUE☁️

22° / 10°

—

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

6.8 km away

Cedar Creek Campground

Campground: Cedar Creek Campground.

12.4 km away

Soup Creek Campground

Campground: Soup Creek Campground. Operated by Montana DNRC.

12.9 km away

OLD CONDON RANGER STATION

Overview Old Condon Ranger Station is open year-round, providing access to great recreation opportunities in every season. Visitors to the area enjoy fishing in the nearby Swan River, as well as hiking and exploring areas surrounding the cabin. Varieties of birds and wildlife make their home in the area. The cabin provides modern amenities and can be reached by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring some of their own supplies to ensure a comfortable stay. Recreation Guests at the house enjoy fishing in the nearby creek and river, as well as viewing wildlife. The facility affords scenic views of the Mission Mountains. A variety of trails are available nearby for hiking and backpacking. The same trails serve as popular areas for cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Facilities The two-story cabin greets guests with a screened porch and a green painted front door. It has a living and dining room with a propane furnace, as well as electricity and a full kitchen. The kitchen includes a refrigerator with freezer and a modern gas range and oven. Cabinets are stocked with basic cookware, plates, cups, bowls and utensils. Upstairs are three bedrooms with a mix of two double and four single beds (two sets of bunkbeds). The couch in the living room also folds flat for use as a bed. Old Condon can comfortably sleep up to eight people. An indoor bathroom features running water and a flush toilet. Guests should bring bedding, food and personal toiletries. Binoculars are recommended for bird and wildlife watching. Click here for more cabin details. Guests must clean the cabin and carry out all trash before leaving. Natural Features The cabin is nestled in Swan Valley just west of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It sits about five miles east of the Swan River. From the front porch, guests can see views of the Mission Mountains across an open field. Behind the cabin is a stand of towering mixed pine trees and Simpson Creek flows nearby. Part of a historic Forest Service compound, the ranger's residence was constructed in the early 1920s and later restored for public use. Historically, the site was used year round to operate the Condon Ranger District, which has been renamed as the Swan Lake Ranger District. The work center was relocated in the 1960s, but some structures remain to remind visitors of the old Forest Service days. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (406) 837-7500. Nearby Attractions Limited supplies are sold at a general store in Condon, about 20 minutes from the cabin.

13.9 km away

Point Pleasant Campground

Campground: Point Pleasant Campground.

23.0 km away

MISSION LOOKOUT

Overview Mission Lookout towers above the forest canopy, providing guests with unrivaled 360-degree views of the beautiful Swan Range, Mission Mountains and Swan Lake. The site served for 75 years as a fire detection tower, and the current lookout has been around since its construction in 1959. The tower can be accessed by vehicle. A parking area is adjacent to the facility. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Will sleep up to 4 people. Dogs are NOT ALLOWED in the Lookout. Recreation Along with the spectacular scenery, the immediate area offers visitors an unlimited array of outdoor activities ranging from fishing and swimming at the nearby Swan Lake, to watching migratory waterfowl at the wildlife viewing area. Hunting is also popular not far from the lookout. Shooting within 150 yards of the Lookout or from/across roads is prohibited. A variety of hiking and mountain biking trails can be found in the area. Facilities The 15-by-15 facility sits atop a 40-foot tower. It is equipped with a built-in double bed and two folding cots, to accommodate up to four adults. The lookout also has a propane cooking stove, simple cooking utensils and a table with four chairs. A modern vault toilet, picnic area and fire ring are located at the base of the tower. No water or electricity is available. Guests should bring plenty of water, bedding, food, firewood, toiletries and a non-open flame light source, such as a battery-powered lantern, as candles are not allowed within the cabin. href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/flathead/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=67022&actid=101">Click here for more cabin details. Natural Features At an elevation of approximately 3,700 feet, the cabin affords views of Flathead National Forest, including the Mission Mountains and Swan Lake. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area. Nearby Attractions The town of Swan Lake, about 15 minutes away, has a general store with limited groceries and a restaurant.