Camping Near Glacier National Park
Montana | Established 1910
About Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park protects over one million acres of rugged mountain wilderness in northwestern Montana, where the Northern Rockies meet the Great Plains along the Continental Divide. The park features more than 700 miles of hiking trails, over 130 named lakes, and the engineering marvel of Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 52-mile scenic highway that crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet).
The park operates six to eight frontcountry campgrounds depending on the season, with more than 700 sites across the west and east sides. No campground has electric, water, or sewer hookups. Apgar (196 sites) on the west side accommodates RVs up to 40 feet, while Many Glacier (110 sites) on the east side sits beneath some of the park's most dramatic peaks. Campground reservations through Recreation.gov open six months in advance and sell out quickly for July and August dates.
Glacier is premier grizzly bear habitat, with an estimated 300 grizzlies and 600 black bears roaming the park. Bear spray is strongly recommended for all visitors and is considered essential for hikers. The park shares its northern border with Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park, and together they form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Camping Tips for Glacier
- Reserve campgrounds through Recreation.gov exactly six months in advance. July and August sites at Apgar, Many Glacier, and Fish Creek sell out within hours. Set a reminder and be ready to book the moment your window opens.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road restricts vehicles over 21 feet long, 10 feet high, or 8 feet wide (including mirrors). Plan your campground choice around this restriction if you have a large RV. Apgar and Fish Creek on the west side are accessible without the road.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Glacier has one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. Store all food and scented items in provided bear-proof storage lockers at camp.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens fully by mid-June to early July depending on snowfall and closes by mid-October. Plan your trip after the full opening if you want to drive the complete route and access Logan Pass.
- No campground in Glacier has hookups of any kind. Dump stations are available at Apgar, Fish Creek, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, and St. Mary. Fill freshwater tanks in West Glacier, Columbia Falls, or St. Mary before entering the park.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Glacier National Park
42.Bitterroot Lions Campground
The Bitterroot Lions Youth Camp on the North end of Bitterroot Lake is a hidden gem. It has been a reasonable priced facility for youth functions, weddings, and family reunions...
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43.Many Glacier Campground
The Many Glacier Campground is located on the east side of Glacier National Park, at an elevation of approximately 4,500 feet. The campground is located about 22 miles from the...
Show more44.Schafer Airfield Campground
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, improving, and creating airstrips for recreational access. Founded by a group of...
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45.Bowman Lake Campground
In the nation’s top 20 for most visited national forest, the Tahoe National Forest provides outdoor activities year-round. During spring, summer and fall, the forest offers...
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46.Fifty Mountain Campground
Fifty Mountain Campground is not mentioned in the provided website content. However, the website appears to be related to Glacier National Park, which is a U.S. National Park...
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47.Johnson's Campground and RV Park
Johnson's of St. Mary is a seasonally run business that operates from mid-May to late September, the same season as Glacier National Park. They offer a full-service RV park with...
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48.Foot Elizabeth Lake Campground
This site is not about Foot Elizabeth Lake Campground, but rather Glacier National Park. There is no description of Foot Elizabeth Lake Campground on this website.
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49.Lake Ellen Wilson Campground
Lake Ellen Wilson Campground is not mentioned in the provided website content. However, based on the content of Glacier National Park's website, it appears to be a campground...
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50.Poia Lake Campground
Poia Lake Campground is not mentioned in the provided website content. However, the content is about Glacier National Park, which is a U.S. National Park Service website. It...
Show moreShowing 41–50 of 162 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Glacier National Park?
Glacier has seven major campgrounds: Apgar (196 sites, $30/night), Fish Creek (178 sites, $23/night), Many Glacier (110 sites, $23/night), St. Mary (148 sites, $23/night), Avalanche (87 sites, $30/night), Sprague Creek (22 sites, $30/night), and Rising Sun (83 sites, $23/night, first-come). Most require reservations through Recreation.gov.
Apgar is the largest and most accessible campground, located two miles from the West Glacier entrance with sites for RVs up to 40 feet. Fish Creek sits on Lake McDonald's western shore. Many Glacier offers the most dramatic mountain scenery on the east side. Sprague Creek is small and intimate on Lake McDonald but limits RVs to 21 feet with no towed units. Cut Bank is a remote first-come option with about 50 primitive sites at $20 per night.
Do I need a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Vehicle reservations are no longer required for Going-to-the-Sun Road. The timed entry reservation system used in previous years has been discontinued. Standard park entrance fees apply. Expect temporary vehicle closures managed by rangers during peak midday hours in July and August.
Logan Pass parking has a three-hour limit starting July 1. A ticketed shuttle pilot program may operate for visitors planning longer alpine hikes. Arrive at Logan Pass before 8 AM or after 4 PM to find parking. The free park shuttle system does not currently operate along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicles over 21 feet long, 10 feet high, or 8 feet wide including mirrors are prohibited on the road.
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open and close?
Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens fully between mid-June and early July, depending on winter snowfall. Plowing begins in early April and crews must clear more than 40 avalanche paths. The road usually closes to vehicles by mid-October when snow returns.
The lower portions of the road from West Glacier to Avalanche Creek and from St. Mary to Rising Sun are accessible earlier in spring and later in fall. Opening dates vary each year based on snow conditions. Check the park website or call 406-888-7800 for current road status before your trip. Cyclists can ride the road before it opens to vehicles during the spring plowing season.
Are there grizzly bears at Glacier campgrounds?
Glacier is home to approximately 300 grizzly bears and 600 black bears. Bears can and do visit campgrounds. All food, garbage, coolers, and scented items must be stored in the bear-proof food storage lockers provided at every campsite whenever not in active use.
Bear spray is strongly recommended and considered essential for hiking anywhere in the park. Hike in groups of three or more, make noise on trails, and avoid hiking at dawn, dusk, or night when bears are most active. Maintain 100 yards from any bear you encounter. Bear spray can be purchased at park visitor centers and in gateway towns. If you plan to cross into Waterton Lakes in Canada, check Canadian regulations for bear spray transport.
Can I bring my dog to Glacier National Park?
Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are allowed in all campgrounds, parking areas, on roads, and on the bike path between Apgar and West Glacier when snow-free. Dogs are prohibited on all hiking trails, lakeshores, backcountry areas, and inside all park buildings.
The pet restrictions in Glacier are strict with no exceptions for any trails. The paved bike path between Apgar and West Glacier is the only walkable path open to dogs. For trail hiking with your dog, adjacent Flathead National Forest offers extensive trail systems that allow leashed pets. Boarding and doggy daycare services are available in Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
What are the best hikes in Glacier National Park?
Top hikes include Highline Trail from Logan Pass (11.8 miles one way, panoramic Continental Divide views), Hidden Lake Overlook (2.7 miles round trip, mountain goats common), Grinnell Glacier Trail (10.6 miles round trip, turquoise glacial lake), Avalanche Lake (5.9 miles round trip, family-friendly), and Iceberg Lake (9.7 miles round trip from Many Glacier).
The Highline Trail is the park's signature hike, traversing the Garden Wall with wildflower meadows and mountain goat sightings. Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass is the most popular short hike and often the first trail to open in early summer. Grinnell Glacier trail offers views of one of the park's remaining glaciers. Avalanche Lake is the best hike for families with a gentle grade through old-growth cedar forest. Always carry bear spray on any hike.
What is the maximum RV size allowed at Glacier campgrounds?
Apgar accommodates RVs up to 40 feet on 25 designated sites. Fish Creek and Many Glacier allow RVs up to 35 feet. Avalanche limits RVs to 26 feet. Sprague Creek caps at 21 feet with no towed units and no generators allowed.
Going-to-the-Sun Road prohibits vehicles over 21 feet long, which means RVs at Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Rising Sun on the east side must access via Highway 2 or Highway 89, not through the park interior. No campground in Glacier has any hookups. Dump stations are available at Apgar, Fish Creek, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, and St. Mary. Private RV parks with full hookups are available in West Glacier, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish.
Is Logan Pass worth visiting?
Logan Pass at 6,646 feet is the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road and a premier accessible alpine area in North America. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and marmots are frequently seen. The Hidden Lake Overlook trail starts here, and the Highline Trail begins directly across the parking lot.
Logan Pass parking fills by mid-morning from July through September. A three-hour parking limit takes effect July 1. Arrive before 8 AM or after 4 PM for the best chance at parking. The visitor center at the pass has restrooms, a bookstore, and ranger-led programs. Weather can change rapidly at this elevation, with afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. Bring layers and rain gear even on clear mornings.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $35/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- July – mid-September
- Nearest Town
- West Glacier, MT, Columbia Falls, MT, Whitefish, MT, St. Mary, MT
- Elevation
- 3,150 – 10,466 ft
- Park Size
- 1,013,572 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~3.1 million