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Survival in the Wild: An Essential Guide to Camping in Glacier National Park. Discover the ultimate camping destinations and RV sanctuaries, park codes and protocols, park rules and regulations, and other important information to make the most out of your trip.
Glacier National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and biosphere reserve, boasts 700 miles of trails and stunning lakes and mountains, making it a popular destination for travelers. Whether you’re seeking out the park’s vibrant wildflowers or embarking on a scenic drive down Going-to-the-Sun Road, there is something to captivate every type of visitor. And for those looking to fully experience this beautiful environment, camping in Glacier National Park is an excellent option.
Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana
Whether you prefer to rough it in the wilderness or have all the comforts of home in your RV, this guide has everything you need to know about camping in Glacier National Park. From secluded campsites to family-friendly locations, we’ve got you covered.
If you want to fully experience Glacier National Park, camping is the way to go. With 13 front country campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique qualities, there is something for everyone. You can tent-camp or bring your RV or other vehicle – the park has options for all types of camping. For a more secluded and adventurous experience, consider wilderness camping.
Some campsites can be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov, and it is highly recommended that you do so due to unreliable cell service in the park. There are also a limited number of first-come, first-served campgrounds available. Reservations can typically be made up to 6 months in advance, but reservations for the peak season in 2024 will not open until January due to programmatic changes.
For those looking to explore Glacier National Park, there are numerous camping options available. With over 1,000 sites spread out across 13 different campgrounds, visitors can choose between first-come, first-served spots or reserve a spot in advance through the National Park Service’s online booking portal, Recreation.gov. Below are some of the top recommendations for places to stay within the park.
Front Country Camping
Apgar Campground: Located on the southern edge of Lake McDonald and just a short 5-minute drive from the West Glacier entrance, Apgar is the largest campground in Glacier National Park. It is also the most easily accessible, with plenty of amenities nearby including Glacier Outfitters for bike and kayak rentals, Eddie’s Cafe for casual dining, and a camp store to prepare for upcoming adventures. Showers and restrooms are available within the Apgar Campground. Since spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s best to arrive early to secure a spot. As this is the largest campground in the park, it tends to fill up quickly in the afternoon, so we recommend arriving before noon.
Apgar Campground has a total of 194 spots, with 25 specifically designed for RVs. The campground is conveniently close to Apgar Village, where you can find stores, a restaurant, and book tours. At sunset, take a brief stroll to Lake McDonald for stunning views and attend ranger-led programs in the evenings. Reservations are accepted at Apgar Campground, which also offers amenities such as showers, flush toilets, and running water sinks.
Many Glacier Campground: Located on the east side of the park, Many Glacier is one of the most breathtaking spots to visit. You can catch a glimpse of glaciers from the road and enjoy some of the best grizzly watching opportunities within the park boundaries. However, due to its popularity, campgrounds fill up quickly in the morning. It’s recommended to reserve a spot ahead of time as only half of the campsites are available for walk-ins. A small camp store is located across from the campground for any last-minute needs. And don’t forget to set your alarm early to witness the stunning alpenglow sunrise on Mount Grinnell – a truly unforgettable experience.
Among the 109 campsites at Many Glacier Campground, there are 13 spots that can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. This is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in the park due to its amenities (such as flushing toilets and running water in the sink) and its convenient location near popular hikes like Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent Pass. Reservations are accepted for this campground.
Located within a short walking distance from the campsites is Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, where campers can find a gift shop and camp store to purchase any last-minute supplies they may need.
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park.
Two Medicine Campground: Nestled in the southeastern corner of Glacier Park, the locals affectionately refer to Two Medicine as “Two Med”. It is a popular spot for those seeking to escape the crowds of West Glacier and Many Glacier. Two Med usually reaches its capacity late in the day, but if you’re lucky, you can still find a spot. The camp store next to the boat house offers a chance to learn some local history and take a boat tour of the lake. This stunning location is sacred to the Blackfeet Nation, which borders Two Med, making it a must-see destination.
Daybreak over Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park.
St. Mary Campground: St. Mary is a well-known campground, and it’s one of the biggest in Glacier National Park with 148 available sites. If you have a larger RV or trailer, there are three sites that can accommodate up to 40 feet and 22 sites for up to 35 feet. This campground is open all year round and provides amenities like showers, toilets, and sinks with running water. It’s conveniently located near shops and restaurants just outside of the park entrance.
Out of the limited number of Glacier campgrounds, St. Mary is one that allows for advance reservations. From May 27 to August 14, reservations are necessary. Outside of those dates, campsites are available on a first come, first served basis.
Kintla Lake Campground: For those seeking peace and quiet, Kintla Lake Campground is the most secluded option in the park. It also holds the title of being the northernmost campground on the U.S. side, sitting just a few miles from Canada as the crow flies. This campground offers a serene setting among the trees and stunning views of the mountains, but be prepared for a rough ride to get there. There are 13 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis and a hand pump for potable water, but no bathrooms on site.
Kayakers on Kintla Lake, Glacier National Park.
Bowman Lake Campground: Another option for a secluded camping experience is Bowman Lake Campground, located in the North Fork of the park. Similar to Kintla Lake, getting to this campground requires driving on a rough and dusty dirt road. But once you arrive, there are 46 campsites available for setting up a tent in the midst of Glacier’s wilderness. The lake offers various activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Rising Sun Campground:The Rising Sun Campground boasts stunning vistas of the sun rising over 8,763-foot Red Eagle Mountain. It’s conveniently situated near Logan Pass, the most visited and frequently crowded point accessible by car at high elevation. With a total of 84 sites, 10 of which can accommodate vehicles up to 25 feet long, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, approximately six miles from St. Mary Campground.
Fish Creek Campground: The second-largest campground in the park, Fish Creek is a convenient choice for those looking to explore and experience Glacier. With stunning views of Lake McDonald and access to knowledgeable park rangers who lead nightly programs on the area’s natural and cultural history, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the park. Comfortable amenities such as showers, flush toilets, and running water are available at this campsite. Out of the 178 sites, 18 can accommodate larger campers up to 35 feet. Reservations are accepted at Fish Creek, which sets it apart from other campgrounds in the area.
Fish Creek in Glacier National Park.
Campground Reservations: Glacier National Park has made a small change to the way campsites are reserved this year. ALL SITES from now until July 7th, 2024 can be booked ahead of time on recreation.gov starting at 8 am MST on January 7th. After that date, the park will revert back to its usual system of allowing reservations up to 6 months in advance. To ensure you get the campsite you want, we suggest being logged into your computer and ready to reserve as soon as the booking opens.
Here is a listing of the various campground opening dates:
- Apgar Campground – Opens May 24th (open year-round, but the sites become available starting in the spring season)
- Fish Creek Campground – Opens May 26th
- Many Glacier Campground – Opens June 9th
- St. Mary Campground – Opens May 14th (open year-round, but the sites become available starting in the spring season)
- Two Medicine – Opens June 5th
- Sprague Creek – Opens May 26th
- Avalanche Campground – Opens July 17th
* All opening dates are according to NPS website and subject to change *
Wilderness Camping
If you are interested in hiking to a remote campsite in Glacier National Park, you will need to obtain a wilderness camping permit. There are 65 designated campgrounds throughout the park, each with a different number of sites, elevation, and amenities. Here is a useful map and a list of the campgrounds. Some of the most popular wilderness campgrounds are:
- Granite Park: This campground is located near the Highline Trail and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. It has 8 sites and an elevation of 6,560 feet. There is no water source at this campground, so you will need to bring your own or filter from nearby streams.
- Cosley Lake: This campground is situated on the shore of a beautiful lake, where you can fish, swim, or enjoy the scenery. It has 7 sites and an elevation of 4,600 feet. There is a pit toilet and a food preparation area at this campground. The water source is the lake, which needs to be filtered or treated before drinking.
- Fifty Mountain: This campground is one of the highest in the park, at 7,600 feet. It has 7 sites and offers spectacular views of the peaks and glaciers. There is a pit toilet and a food preparation area at this campground. The water source is a spring, which needs to be filtered or treated before drinking.
- Cracker Lake: This campground is located on the shore of Cracker Lake (See nearby photo), a milky turquoise lake formed by glacial silt. The campground has 4 sites, a pit toilet, and a food preparation area. There is no water source at the campground, so campers need to bring their own or filter from the lake. The campground is surrounded by towering mountains and glaciers, and offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. The campground is accessible by a 6.4-mile hike from the Cracker Lake Trailhead near Siyeh Bend.
View at Cracker lake backcountry campground in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park will implement two early access lotteries for Wilderness Camping advance reservations in 2024 using the Recreation.gov Wilderness Camping Permits online platform. To participate in either lottery, applicants must create a Recreation.gov account.
- Large group lottery (9-12 campers) – Application submission date March 1, 2024
- Standard group lottery (1-8 campers) – Application submission date March 15, 2024
- May 1, 2024, at 8:00 MT and continuing until September 30, 2024, all wilderness campgrounds not reserved during the early access lottery period will become available to the general public on Recreation.gov Wilderness Camping Permits.
A Few More Useful Services:
- Guided trips are available through Glacier Guides. For information and reservations visit: GlacierGuides.com
- Swan Mountain Outfitters offers drop-camp service using stock to pack your gear into certain sites. A backcountry permit is required. For information and reservations visit: SwanMountainOutfitters.com/glacier
Transportation Options:
- Free shuttle service is available along the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass. There are no commercial shuttle or taxi services available in the North Fork Area (Polebridge, Bowman/Kintla Lakes).
- Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates a fee-based trailhead shuttle from Many Glacier to the St. Mary Visitor Center. For information visit: GlacierNationalParkLodges.com
- Pursuit Inc. may operate a fee-based shuttle, to locations outside the park,on the east side in the summer. For more information visit: https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around/
The Ten Essentials: How to Equip Yourself for the Backcountry. The 10 Essentials are a collection of first aid and emergency items needed in the event of minor injuries, sudden weather changes, or unexpected delays. Even on day hikes, it’s good to carry them since they could be essential for survival.
Glacier National Park Camping Reservations
Out of the 13 campgrounds located in Glacier National Park, five of them allow for reservations: Fish Creek, St. Mary, Apgar, Many Glacier, and Sprague Creek. Reservations can be made up to six months prior for Fish Creek, Many Glacier, and St. Mary, and up to a year in advance for group sites at Apgar. At Sprague Creek, reservations are mandatory and certain sites must be booked within four days of arrival.
For a summer camping trip at Glacier National Park, expect to pay between $10 and $25 per night for fees. If you plan on going during the busiest season, make sure to secure reservations ahead of time through the website to ensure you have a spot at one of these sites.
In Glacier National Park, there are specific regulations in place to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors who choose to camp. Unless you have a backcountry camping permit, tents can only be pitched at designated campgrounds. During peak season (July 1 to Labor Day), camping is limited to a maximum of 14 days. To prevent attracting bears, guests must follow food storage guidelines, and quiet hours are enforced between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. For a comprehensive list of rules and restrictions, please refer to the NPS website.
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