The Glacier National Park Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to tour
Glacier National Park and/or Canada's adjacent Waterton Lakes National Park. The adjacent national parks are typically visited at the same time and offer a variety of experiences. Both parks offer outstanding opportunities to view wildlife.
Using the Interactive Map
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Detailed Glacier National Park Map in separate window.
Campgrounds in and around Glacier National Park
The park is served by 8 modern campgrounds (having running water and flush toilets) and five primitive campgrounds (pit toilets and possibly no drinking water). Only two campgrounds have reservable sites (summer only); the others are first-come first-served. Camprgrounds are not as hectic as in Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks. The popular ones generally do not fill up until very late in the day or not at all. However expect campgrounds filling earlier and more often on weekends and holidays, and plan accordingly. There are no RV hookups or showers in park campgrounds. However showers can usually be purchased in nearby camp stores.
Reservations can be made through National Recreation Reservation Service for St. Mary and Fish Creek campgrounds. RVs and trailers are not suitable for the primitive campgrounds due to the rough access roads and/or campground layouts. There are also limited large sites in the modern campgrounds. Therefore RV owners may want to make a reservation during peak periods.
Campgrounds are generally open late May to September. To view the exact open and close dates, and the current camping fees, see the
National Park Service Campground Chart. This useful chart also shows the campground fill-status. Alternatively, use the individual campground links below which include photos in and around the campgrounds.
Generators may be used only during the following hours: 7am-9am, 12n-2pm, 5pm-7pm. Extensive idling of vehicles is prohibited. Also, food storage regulations are in effect to avoid attracting bears or other wildlife. All food, food-related equipment, and pet items must be stored in a hard-sided vehicles when not in immediate use. There are food lockers for those without cars.
There are alternatives to camping inside the park. There are several National Forest and commercial campgrounds nearby. Also, there are three campgrounds in Waterton Lakes National Park. See below for more information.
Glacier National Park, East Side
St. Mary. Late May to late September. Centrally located near eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun Road, 1/2 mile from visitor center. Largest campground on east side with 148 sites (25 sites can accomodate up to 35' RVs). Water and flush toilets. Scenic views. In aspen grove, limited shade. Access to free park shuttle bus. Services at St. Mary town, two miles away. Reservations available.
Rising Sun. Late May to mid-September. Located adjacent to St. Mary Lake off of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Large campground on east side with 83 sites (10 sites can accomodate up to 25' vehicles). Water and flush toilets. Scenic views. Some wooded sites offer privacy. Open sites get lake breezes. Access to free park shuttle bus. Camp store (with showers) and restaurant nearby. Also, convenient to St. Mary boat tour. Evening programs.
Many Glacier. Late May to late September. Popular campground in a spectacular scenic area. Large campground on east side with 110 sites (13 sites can accomodate up to 35' RVs). Water and flush toilets. Take spur road west from US-89, north of St. Mary. Mostly wooded sites. Showers at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Activities and programs at nearby Many Glacier Hotel. Area has great day hiking and excellent chances to see wildlife. Access to fee-based concessionaire shuttle bus.
Two Medicine. Late May to late September. Off the beaten path campground in a beautiful scenic area with lake and mountain views. Large campground on east side with 110 sites (13 sites can accomodate up to 35' RVs). Take spur road west from MT-49, north of East Glacier. Water and flush toilets. Mostly wooded sites offering privacy. Camp store and gift shop nearby. Ranger programs. Boat tours. Area has good day hiking and excellent chances to see wildlife. Access to fee-based concessionaire shuttle bus.
Cut Bank. Late May to mid-September. Primitive, off the beaten path campground with mountain views. Small campground on east side with 14 sites (not suitable for RVs). Take dirt road west from US-89, south of St. Mary. No drinking water, pit toilets. Mostly wooded sites offering privacy. Area has good day hiking.
Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald Area
Avalanche. Early June to early September. Popular campground in a beautiful and lush scenic area with lake and mountain views. Large campground on west side of divide with 87 sites (50 sites can accomodate up to 26' RVs). On Going-to-the-Sun Road, east of Lake McDonald. Water and flush toilets. Heavily wooded sites offering privacy and cool summer days. Ranger programs. Boat tours. Area has good day hiking and excellent chances to see wildlife. Trailheads nearby for popular Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake trail. Access to free park shuttle bus.
Sprague Creek. Mid- May to mid-September. Small but popular campground on northeast shore of Lake Mc Donald. Has 25 sites (no towed RVs). Adjacent to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Water and flush toilets. Mostly wooded sites with some unobstructed views of the lake. Camp store, ranger programs, tours, and other services at Lake McDonald Lodge, one mile away. Access to free park shuttle bus.
Fish Creek. Early June to early September. Second largest campground in park with 178 sites (18 sites can accomodate up to 35' RVs). Off of Camas Road, on northwest shore of Lake McDonald. Water and flush toilets. Mostly wooded sites offering shade and some privacy. Ranger programs. Services available at Apgar Village, 2.5 miles away. Numerous day hikes in area. Access to free park shuttle bus. Reservatons available.
Apgar. Early May to early October. Largest campground in park with 194 sites (25 sites can accomodate up to 40' RVs). Located adjacent to Apgar Village near west entrance. Water and flush toilets. Mostly wooded sites offering shade and some privacy. Ranger programs. Services available at Apgar Village. Numerous day hikes in area. Access to free park shuttle bus.
Glacier National Park, Northwest (North Fork)
Logging Creek. Early June to mid-September. Small primitive camground closed at this time.
Quartz Creek. Early July to early December. Small, primitive campground offers wilderness like experience. Seven sites, RVs not recommended due to difficult access road. On Inside North Fork Road, a long difficult dirt road. Located near Polebridge. No drinking water, pit toilets.
Bowman Lake. Late May to mid-September. Semi-primitive campground in a beautiful locale adjacent to pristine Bowman Lake. Campground has 48 sites, RVs not recommended due to difficult access road. On Inside North Fork Road, a long difficult dirt road, 32 miles north of W. Glacier. Located north of Polebridge. Drinking water, pit toilets, shady sites. Nice fishing, boating, kayaking, and hiking. Area is buggy. Nice off the beaten path place. Semi-tame deer in campground during last visit.
Kintla Lake. Late May to mid-September. Most remote car camp in the park. Primitive campground in a beautiful locale adjacent to pristine Kintla Lake. Campground has 13, RVs not recommended due to difficult access road. On Inside North Fork Road, a long difficult dirt road, 40 miles north of W. Glacier. Located north of Polebridge. Drinking water, pit toilets, shady sites. Nice fishing, canoing, kayaking, and hiking. Motorcraft prohibited from Kintla Lake. Very remote location, campground rarely fills.
Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada)
Waterton Townsite Campground. Mid-April to mid-October. Largest campground at Waterton Lakes with 238 sites, 95 with full RV hookups. Mostly open sites. Covered cooking shelters. Adjacent to the town of Waterton, within walking distance to restaurants, stores, and all travel services. It is also adjacent to Waterton Lake, convenient to the marina, beach, and numerous recreational activities. Reservations are available and recommended during the summer. Visit Park Canada's Campground Reservation Service or call 877-737-3783.
Crandell. Mid-May to early September. Large campground with 129 sites accomodating tents, cars, and RVs. On Red Rock Parkway in the scenic Blakiston Creek Valley, about 5 miles west of highway-5. Mostly wooded sites. Pretty mountain views. Easy access to many hiking trails. First-come, first-served; fills in early afternoon during summer.
Belly River. Mid-May to mid-September. Small, primitive campground with 24 sites. Grassy sites in mixed aspen forest adjacent to river. On highway-6, a few miles north of customs station. First-come, first-served except for group sites - call (403) 859-2224.
Camping outside the park
Flathead National Forest Campgrounds. Primitive campgrounds, open generally May to September, ranging from 4 to 40 sites. West of national park. Big Creek has 22 sites and accomodates 40' RVs. Roughly 13 miles from Apgar: take Cama Road to Outside North Fork Road, then south. Devil Creek offers 14 sites, up to 40' RVs, on US-2, 45 miles east of W. Glacier. Many more campgrounds along Hungry Horse Reservoir, southwest of the park.
Lewis and Clark National Forest Campgrounds. Primitive campgrounds, open generally summers only, ranging from 3 to 28 sites. Southeast of national park. Summit Campground has 17 sites with drinking water and handicap accessible toilets. Located 12 miles west of E. Glacier at the Continental Divide. Historic site and hiking trails.
Whitefish Lake State Park. Located two miles from town of Whitefish on US-93 (about 20 miles west of W. Glacier). Campground offers 31 sites adjacent to lake. Showers available. Fishing and other water sports.
Glacier Campground, W. Glacier. Private RV park with all hookups and services. Heavily wooded. Camper cabins.
West Glacier KOA, W. Glacier. Private RV park with all hookups and services. Pool and whirlpool. Wooded and open sites. Camper cabins.
Whitefish KOA, Whitefish. Private RV park with all hookups and services. Pool and whirlpool. Mostly shaded sites. Camper cabins.
Columbia Falls. LaSalle RV Park offers 49 sites; Glacier Peaks RV Park offers 76 sites. Both have camper cabins and services. Link shows all local campgrounds.
Glacier Meadow RV Park, East Glacier. Private RV park with all hookups and services located in rural area 16 miles west of East Glacier on US-2.
St. Mary. Several private RV parks with full services and amenities located around St. Mary on east side of Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park Guide Index
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