Camp & Hike
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Camping in the mountains of Glacier National Park is a one of a kind experience. The base campground has flush toilets, a garbage disposal, and a mooring facility large enough to accommodate his 40-foot-long RV.
Glacier National Park has been called the "Crown of the Continent," and rightfully so. With sparkling jewel-like glaciers, stunning blue streams, and waterfalls cascading over meadows filled with tiny summer flowers, this mountain park on the Canadian border is sure to impress royalty.
Many of us on the Wanderlog team love to travel, so when we travel to new places, we of course always look for the most popular locations.
Get ready to experience the best of Glacier National Park, with top spots like Two Medicine Campground, St. Mary Campground, Glacier National Park, and Bowman Lake Campground. Well, with that said, let's take a look at the best campgrounds in Glacier.
1. Quartz Creek Campground
This small campground is located south of Polebridge in the North Fork area of the park and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seven campsites offer tent campers a secluded and tranquil experience.
The road to get there is bumpy, so an RV is not recommended. It is typically open from late June to October. There is no potable water here, but water for drinking and cooking can be filtered from the river or brought in. Pit toilets are available seasonally.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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Open year-round; recommend season June – September
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7 Tent campsites
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Pit toilet
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No water
Nearby Attractions:
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Inside North Fork Road
2. Logging Creek Campground
Please Note: Logging Creek Campground will close in 2023.
There are only seven campsites at this first-come, first-served campground south of Polebridge Ranger Station. RVs are not recommended and drinking water is not available here, but water can be filtered from Logging Creek or brought with you. Seasonal pit toilets are available during campground operations, typically from late June through October.
Although this campsite is located in a remote location, you will enjoy complete solitude and a very peaceful camping experience. It's the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy stunning star views and observe a variety of wildlife.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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Open year-round; recommend season June – September
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7 Tent campsites
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Pit toilet
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No water
Nearby Attractions:
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Polebridge Ranger Station
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Historic Polebridge Mercantile
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Inside North Fork Road
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Logging Lake.
3. Kintla Lake Campground
If all other campgrounds in the park are full, Kintla Lake Campground is a great last resort option. Due to its remote location in the northwestern part of the park, it is less popular, but the beautiful views of the lake make up for the long journey.
The road to the campsite is bumpy and campervans are not recommended. Drinking water and pit toilets are available seasonally, and tent campers can find his first-come, first-served sites open from early June to early September.
Each campsite is surrounded by tall trees and has crystal clear views of the lake. Lake Kintla is surrounded by mountains, making it a perfect backdrop for photos. Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities on the lake, offering breathtaking views worth millions of dollars.
There are 13 campsites here, all equipped with pit toilets and manual water pumps. Although open all year round, peak camping season is from June to September.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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Open year-round; recommend season June – September
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13 Tent campsites
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Water pump
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*No toilets
Nearby Attractions:
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Upper Kintla Lake
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Boulder Pass Trail
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Boulder Pass
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Hole In The Wall Area
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Polebridge Ranger Station
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Historic Polebridge Mercantile and more.
READ ALSO: Best Waterproof Tent for Family Camping in Heavy Rain
4. Cut Bank Campground
You can locate Cut Bank on the east side of the park between St. Mary's and Two Medicine, Cut Bank is a small 14-site campground suitable for tents only. Hidden spots among the trees and nearby trailheads offer great views of the surrounding mountains.
You can hike further to Medicine Grizzly Lake, 9 miles away, but even the short distance is worth the walk. Please bring your own water as there is no water here.
However, seasonal pit toilets are available. This campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, but will close in 2021 and 2022. At the time of publishing this article, an opening date had not yet been announced.
The peace, quiet, and solitude you'll find at this campground is something you can't find at most large campgrounds.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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Open year-round; recommend season June – September
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14 Tent campsites
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No toilets
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No water
Nearby Attractions:
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Medicine Grizzly Lake
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Morning Star Lake and much more.
5. Bowman Lake Campground
Just south of the Canadian border, you will find this small campground in the North Fork section of the park. Trailers are not recommended due to the slow and bumpy dirt road leading to the campground.
Pitch your tent on the tree-lined shores of Bowman Lake and enjoy the peace and tranquility. There are pit toilets and seasonal drinking water here.
Campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are mostly open from mid-May to early September. Bowman Lake has 46 campsites with pit toilets and potable water.
The main camping season is June to September, but the campground is open year-round for winter camping. However, water is not available during this period.
Stock up on bug spray before your trip. Bowman Lake is notorious for mosquitoes.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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Open year-round
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46 Tent campsites
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Vault toilets
Nearby Attractions:
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Bowman Lake Trail
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Quartz Lakes Loop
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Polebridge Ranger Station
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Historic Polebridge Mercantile
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Kintla Lake
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Inside North Fork Road
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Outside North Fork Road, and more.
6. Sprague Creek Campground
This small, quiet campground is located on the shores of Lake McDonald, just off the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You don't want to miss out on a campsite with an unobstructed view of the lake, so be sure to check the campsite details before choosing.
This campground is ideal for tent campers and no towed vehicles are allowed. However, if you have a small travel trailer less than 21 feet long, this campground is for you.
Generators are prohibited, but flushing toilets, drinking water, and trash dumpsters are available. Book your stay from mid-May to mid-September at recreation.gov.
The “Road to Sun” runs right near the campsite, making it a perfect starting point. However, it's not completely quiet as you can hear the cars on the street.
Luckily, amenities are right at your doorstep, with a camp store, free shuttle, boat tours, restaurants, and gift shops nearby. The campground also has flush toilets as well as drinking water.
Summary:
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Reservations Required
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Open June – September
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25 Tent campsites
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Flush toilet
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Potable water
Nearby Attractions:
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Lake McDonald
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Sperry Glacier)
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Trail of the Cedars
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Avalanche Lake
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West Side of Going to The Sun Road
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Logan Pass and more.
7. Avalanche Creek Campground
One of the park's most popular campgrounds, Avalanche Creek is located on the picturesque Going-to-the-Sun Road. Staying here makes it easy to hit the trails early and before the crowds to popular hiking trails to Avalanche Lake and along Logan Pass.
This RV-friendly campground accommodates RVs up to 8 feet in length in many locations and has seasonal dump stations and potable water, making camping with your home on wheels easy. Flush toilets are also available seasonally.
We have parking spaces available for wheelchair users. All sites must be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov. This campsite is open from mid-July to mid-September.
Of the 87 campsites, 50 can accommodate RVs up to 26 feet in length. Avalanche is also equipped with flush toilets and sinks, so it's also recommended for those who don't like primitive things.
Like many campgrounds in the park, Avalanche does not accept reservations. Therefore, if you want to visit these popular spots, we recommend arriving early. It's a 7.2 mile round trip walk from the campground to Avalanche Lake.
The Trail of Cedars is within walking distance, and Lake McDonald is only a 10-minute shuttle ride away.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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Typically open June-September
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87 Tent and RV campsites up to 26′
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Flush toilets
Nearby Attractions:
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Lake McDonald
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Road to Polebridge / North Fork Area
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Lake McDonald Lodge
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Sperry Trail (Sperry Chalet, Sperry Glacier),
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Mount Brown Lookout Trail
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Trail of the Cedars
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Avalanche Lake
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West Side of Going to the Sun Road and much more.
8. Fish Creek Campground
Another big campground near Apgar Village, Fish Creek, is located on the shores of Lake McDonald. Intended for all campers, this campground has sites for tents up to 35 feet in length, as well as an RV dump, several wheelchair accessible sites, and restrooms for the disabled.
Equipped with a shower and special non-generator loop. Tent camper for people with physical disabilities. Open from late May to early September. Reserve your spot online at Recreation.gov.
It is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park, so it's best to book before you stay. Some locations offer stunning views of Lake McDonald. This campground also provides quick access to wildlife viewing along the Rocky Point Trail and Camas Road.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served; Reservations available
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Typically open June-September
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178 Tent and RV campsites up to 35′
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Flush toilets
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Showers
Nearby Attractions:
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Apgar Village
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West Glacier townsite
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Lake McDonald
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Lake McDonald Lodge
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Sperry Trail (Sperry Chalet, Sperry Glacier)
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Mount Brown Lookout Trail
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Avalanche Lake
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West Side of Going to The Sun Road
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Inside North Fork Road
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Outside North Forth Road
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Polebridge - North Fork Area, and more.
9. Apgar Village Campground
Apgar is the park's largest campground and one of the few that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. A popular and lively campsite located in the village of Apgar. Located near the visitor center, gift shop, camp store, and restaurants at the south end of Lake McDonald.
Campers have access to flush toilets and free showers. There is a seasonal garbage disposal and drinking water on site. Both locations are wheelchair accessible, and the evening ranger program in the amphitheater is a highlight of your stay here.
The campground is open year-round, but water and restrooms are closed during the winter. Reservations are required when the campground is fully open (usually late April to early October). Reserve your campsite at Recreation.gov.
Summary:
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Reservations Required
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Open year-round
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194 Tent and RV campsites up to 40′
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Flush toilets
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Showers
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RV dump station
Nearby Attractions:
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Apgar Village
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West Glacier townsite
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Lake McDonald
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Road to Polebridge / North Fork Area
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Lake McDonald Lodge
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Sperry Trail (Sperry Chalet, Sperry Glacier)
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Mount Brown Lookout Trail
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Trail of the Cedars
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Avalanche Lake
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West Side of Going To The Sun Road and much more.
READ ALSO: Best 4 Person Roof Top Tent for Family Adventure
10. St. Mary Campground
This large campground on the east side of the glacier is perfect for RVs. Some sites can accommodate 40-foot-long rigs, and many can even accommodate 35-foot-long tents.
One of the few year-round campgrounds in the park, surrounded by aspen forests and close to all the amenities of the St. Mary area, including several restaurants and the St. Mary Visitor Center, with easy going-to-center access. can be accessed. -the- sun road and lake.
If you are a tent camper and prefer peace and quiet to the noise of a generator, stay in the A Loop, which is considered generator-free. The campground is equipped with a trash dumpster, potable water, flush toilets, and free showers for campers.
Reservations are required during the summer months from mid-May to mid-September. Reservations can be made at recreation.gov.
All locations will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year. Unlike many other campgrounds in the park, St. Mary's has flush toilets, showers, and a surrounding landfill.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served; Reservations available
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148 Tent and RV campsites up to 35′
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Flush toilets
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Showers
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Dump station
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Some cell phone service
Nearby Attractions:
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St. Mary Visitor Center
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St. Mary East Entrance to Glacier National Park
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St. Mary townsite
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Going To The Sun Road
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Many Glacier Area
11. Two Medicine Campground
Located 21 miles from East Glacier and adjacent to Two Medicine Lake, this lovely campground offers campers great opportunities to hike, boat, or just relax in nature.
Tree stands offer a degree of privacy, and some locations allow RVs up to 35 feet in length. The campground has a seasonal garbage disposal, potable water, and flush toilets. Tent campers should choose pitches 1-36, which do not require a generator.
During the summer months (usually late May to mid-September), sites must be reserved in advance at Recreation.gov. The simple first-come, first-serve principle may continue until October, depending on the weather.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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100 Tent and RV campsites up to 25′
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Flush toilets
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Potable water
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Dump station
Nearby Attractions:
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Scenic Point Trail
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North Shore Trail
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South Shore Trail
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Dawson Pass Trail
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Dawson Pitamakan Pass Loop
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Upper Two Medicine Lake
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Two Medicine Pass
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Rockwell Falls
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Twin Falls
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East Glacier Montana
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Glacier Park Lodge (in East Glacier), and more.
12. Rising Sun Campground
Located on the east side of the park, on the shores of Lake St. Mary, this campground is typically open from early June to early September. Some locations are sheltered and surrounded by trees, while others are open and susceptible to cool breezes.
This campground was named because the sunrise, when the morning light falls on Mt. Akahashi, is especially beautiful.
Some areas of this campground can accommodate smaller equipment as long as it is less than 25 feet in length. This is the only first-come, first-served campground in the park that can accommodate his RV.
Please note that the use of generators is prohibited on Sites 49-84. There is a garbage disposal facility and drinking water here. There is a wheelchair accessible site and toilets with flush toilets and coin showers. This campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Summary:
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First-come, first-served only
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84 Tent and RV campsites up to 25′
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Flush toilets
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Potable water
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Dump station
Nearby Attractions:
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St. Mary Visitor Center
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St. Mary East Entrance to Glacier National Park
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St. Mary townsite
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Going To The Sun Road
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Otokomi Lake Trail.
13. Many Glacier Campground
Many Glacier Campground is located towards the end of a scenic road in the northeast corner of the park, approximately 10 miles from the Canadian border.
This area of the park is home to the stately Many Glacier Lodge, which offers stunning views of Swiftcurrent Lake. It feels like you've been transported to the Alps. The most popular activity in this part of the park is hiking, and many beautiful trails begin in this area.
Multiple campsites offer parking for vehicles up to 35 feet in length, seasonal trash disposal, potable water, coin-operated showers, and flush toilets, making this large campground a popular choice for campers.
If you are camping and don't want to hear the sound of a generator, stay at sites 48-59, 71, and 88-102, which are designated "no generators." Reservations are required when this campground is at full capacity from early June to mid-September. This campsite is often open in pristine conditions until the end of October.
Summary:
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Reservations required
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Open year-round; peak season June – September
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109 RV and Tent campsites
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Flush toilets
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Coin-operated showers
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Potable water
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Dump station
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Generators allowed
Nearby Attractions:
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Many Glacier Hotel
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Red Rock Lake
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Red Rock Falls
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Fisher Cap Lake
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Grinnell Glacier Trail
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Ptarmigan Tunnel
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Many Glacier Boat Tour, and more.
READ ALSO: Best Hard Shell Roof Tent - Buyer's Guide for 2023
Glacier Campground FAQs
Q. Do I need camping reservations in Glacier National Park?
A. Many campgrounds you will find in Glacier National Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Apgar Campground and Sprague Creek Campground require reservations. You can reserve campsites in advance at Fish Creek, Many Glacier, Apgar, Sprague Creek, and St. Mary's campgrounds.
Q. Are there showers at Glacier National Park campgrounds?
A. Fish Creek and St. Mary's are the only campgrounds with showers. There are flush toilets at the campsite at the foot of the mountain, and pit toilets at the campsite in the hinterland.
Q. Are there electrical hookups at Glacier National Park campgrounds?
A. Glacier National Park campgrounds do not have electricity.
Q. Can I camp in Glacier National Park in an RV?
A. RVs are not recommended on Bowman Lake, Cut Bank, Kintla Lake, Logging Creek, Quartz Creek, and Sprague Creek. The best locations for large RV campgrounds are Apgar, Many Glacier, St. Mary's, and Two Medicine.
Q. Is there cell phone service at Glacier National Park campgrounds?
A. Fish Creek Campground and St. Mary Campground have some cell phone service, but most of the park does not have cell phone service.
Q. Is Glacier National Park Campground pet-friendly?
A. Pets on a leash are only allowed in hill campgrounds and along roads. Be sure to hang on to your leash, as this park is home to many mountain lions, bears, and other wildlife.
No matter where you decide to set up camp in Glacier National Park, visit the National Park Service website for the latest information on restrictions, closures, reservations, and more.