Seeley Lake and Condon cordially invite you to experience the pristine beauty of the Seeley-Swan Valley! Highway 83 in northwestern Montana is your pathway to these communities and to adventures which will thrill your senses and create lasting memories.

The Seeley-Swan Valley stretches for ninety densely forested miles between the rugged Mission Mountains and the magnificent Swan Range. The Clearwater River to the south, and the Swan River to the North, connect a chain of lakes along the valley floor.

These sparkling lakes, and the many streams which feed them, beckon water enthusiasts. Campgrounds, motels and rustic resorts dot the shores of the larger lakes and provide easy access for boating, water skiing and swimming. Rafting and kayaking, whether whitewater of scenic, are popular here.

The Seeley-Swan Valley is an angler's paradise! Several species of trout abound as well as Kokanee Salmon. High alpine lakes, hidden in the Mission Mountains and the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness offer rewards of unspoiled beauty and fresh trout suppers around a campfire.

Hikers, backpackers, horseback riders, and nature lovers of all types will find a myriad of opportunities to challenge their imaginations. Outfitters are available to provide extended trips on horseback where visitors experience the awesome sights, sounds, and solitude of places seldom frequented by man, but teeming with wildlife. Whatever your pleasure, from quietly absorbing the mountain views from Condon to celebrating the 4th of July in Seeley Lake, you cant miss the color which surrounds you. See the rare and delicate Glacier Lillies, the white-crowned beargrass, the riot of summer flowers, and the green, greener, greenest shades of forests. Experience the Seeley-Swan Valley!

Fall in the Seeley-Swan Valley is a feast for the eyes! Cold begins to mix with the green in the forests, as the Cottonwood, Birch and Aspen trees change color toward the end of September. Splashes of red add contrast to the landscape. In October, the Valley explodes into gold as the western Larch needles change color prior to dropping.

The lure of scenery makes it difficult to stay indoors. After and early snowfall, the fresh white peaks, the stands of golden larch, the green conifers and the endless blue sky arc all reflected in the lakes. Fall is a favorite time for photographers - professional and amateur.

Visitors to the valley are entranced by this colorful season - many return year after year, for in addition to the color, fall provides opportunities to observe the wildlife on the move. Deer, Elk, Bear, an occasional moose, grouse, and the bald eagle. Migrating birds of many types all provide entertainment.

Hunters travel thousand of miles to experience the thrill of hunting in the Seeley-Swan. Located between the summer range in the Bob Marshall and the winter range in the valley, hunters find excellent opportunities for trophy elk and whitetail bucks, as well as mule deer, black and grizzly bear, and the majestic mountain goat. The adventurous hunter will find the ultimate in vacation fulfillment whether on wilderness pack trip high in the mountains or late season hunt using horseback or 4-wheel drive.

Fisherman delight to the fall runs of the Dolly Varden trout and Kokanee salmon. Campers enjoy the crisp, clean air, the aroma of the campfire and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Seeley Lake and Condon offer fine accommodations to enhance your fall experience.

Imagine the most beautiful winter scene on a postcard or  Christmas card. Now imagine the same scene, only you are part of the picture! You will be when you experience winter in the Seeley-Swan Valley!

Our relatively mild climate benefits from Pacific air masses. The mountains and dense forests protect the valley from wind. The results are snowfalls which gently turn the valley floor into a plush, powdery carpet of white, truly a winter wonderland!

Out altitude range is 3,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. From Thanksgiving through March, there is ample snow for all types of winter sports.

Join the residents of Seeley Lake and Condon as they race their snowmobiles through the countryside on trails groomed by local snowmobile club volunteers.

Enjoy the solitude and great exercise of cross country skiing or snow shoeing. While you are out your are likely to meet a deer or snowshoe rabbit and some memorable photography could result.

Ice fishing is very popular. It is a rewarding and challenging, and the friendly residents offer tips and warm conversation on the frozen lakes. 

Unique to much of the west, and the Seeley-Swan Valley in particular, is the abundance of public land. Most of this 90 mile long valley is forest service, State, Plum Creek Timber Company land.

Before you retire for the night, bundle up and treat yourself to an old-fashioned horse drawn sleigh ride, complete with jingle bells. Delight in the moonlight reflecting on the snow.

Our fine restraints and pubs offer food and drink to warm you up after a day of vigorous fun. Relax in front of the fire at one of our rustic lodges. All this and more are yours when you Experience the Seeley-Swan Valley!

"Sky Conditions" Calendar year 2000

Annual (2000 leap year 366 days)
CPC = 232 days = 63%
MC = 81 days = 22%
OVC = 53 days =15%

Information compiled by Kay McCoy based on weather observations noted in the monthly "record of climatologically observa-tions" taken at the weather station located in Seeley Lake Ranger Station for the National Weather Service (Dick Taylor weather observer).

Observations may be considered arbitrary based on observers opinion of extent of cloud cover. This information did not include the "smoke" days due to the wildfires in the Northwest considering them a typical