Glacier National Park is probably Montana’s biggest attraction, but its magic isn’t a mystery. With over 700 miles of trails, countless vibrant blue lakes, and awe-inspiring glaciers, it’s no wonder nearly 3 million people visit each year, including us. Also known as the “Crown of the Continent,” we love Glacier’s breathtaking scenery and vast, peaceful spaces. We find it the ideal place to unwind, escape the daily grind, and forge unforgettable memories, especially since we love camping. If you’re like us, you may wonder where to stay in Glacier National Park, MT. If so, today is your lucky day! Below is your ultimate guide for planning your dream Glacier trip. We’ll delve into the park’s best campgrounds along with some important tips! Keep reading to discover how you can experience the magic of the park firsthand!
Table of contents
- Finding your basecamp
- Apgar Campground
- Fish Creek Campground
- Many Glacier Campground
- Rising Sun Campground
- Avalanche Campground
- Kintla Lake Campground
- Sprague Creek Campground
- Tips for Choosing Where to Stay in Glacier National Park, MT
- Can you camp with an RV in Glacier National Park?
- Is it hard to get a campsite in Glacier National Park?
- How do I avoid crowds at Glacier National Park?
Finding your basecamp
While there are so many spots inside the park worthy of being called home, camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the park to the fullest. Based on our past experiences, it allows us to fully immerse ourselves in this natural wonderland. It requires some planning and knowledge, especially in the post-pandemic world.
Glacier National Park offers a network of 13 campgrounds with over 1,000 campsites, making it an amazing spot for RV camping. However, one of the first things we learned is that only primitive camping is allowed in the park. Yep, this means you won’t find full hookups for your RVs. In addition, securing a campsite can be pretty tricky, as some can be reserved and some can’t!
Reservation campgrounds
The park has seven reservation campgrounds, and they require booking online through Recreation.gov. Snagging a spot here is crucial, especially during peak season. We once tried securing a spot in July, which was pretty nerve-wracking. These seven campgrounds include:
- Apgar Campground
- Avalanche Campground
- Fish Creek Campground
- Many Glacier Campground
- St. Mary Campground
- Sprague Creek Campground
- Two Medicine Campground
First-come, first-served campgrounds
Some campgrounds operate on a first-arrival basis. While they offer a more spontaneous experience, be prepared for competition, especially on weekends and during peak season. These six campgrounds are:
- Rising Sun Campground
- Bowman Lake Campground
- Kintla Lake Campground
- Logging Creek Campground
- Quartz Creek Campground
- Cut Bank Campground
So, the biggest question is where to stay at Glacier National Park, Montana. Below are our favorite campgrounds. Check them out!
Apgar Campground
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Facts about the campground
Apgar reigns supreme as the biggest campground within Glacier National Park. Nestled amongst the trees, its 194 campsites offer shade and a bit of privacy for both tent and RV campers. If you’re bringing an RV, 25 of the sites can accommodate rigs up to 40 ft in length. The campground sits on the park’s western edge, boasting close proximity to Lake McDonald and resting at an elevation of nearly 3,500 ft. Apgar operates year-round, but in the late fall, winter, and early spring, it becomes primitive camping with no showers or other amenities.
Our experience
We really loved our experience at Apgar Campground. It’s so great that many consider it the best campground on the west side of Glacier National Park. The location is unbeatable. Just seven minutes from the West Entrance, we were right on the shores of the stunning Lake McDonald, arguably the park’s crown jewel.
But the beauty doesn’t stop there. When we camped there, we could walk to Apgar Village, where we had everything we needed: a visitor center for park information, a gift shop, a restaurant for a casual meal, and a camp store for any last-minute supplies.
Speaking of supplies, don’t forget your bear spray. We highly recommend the SABRE Frontiersman Bear Spray. The thing we love most about this spray is the powerful formula. It’s reassuring to know it’s packed with capsaicinoids to be as effective as possible. Plus, the fact it empties in just five seconds is crucial in a tense situation. Those seconds count when you need to create distance between yourself and a charging animal. The 35 ft range is another big selling point. During testing, it allowed us to deploy the spray from a safe distance while still deterring the threat.
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The campground amenities were great, too. There were showers, flush toilets, and even sinks with running water, which is a big plus for car camping. We enjoyed having a picnic table and fire ring at our campsite. Additionally, Apgar had fresh water spigots scattered around, so refilling our water bottles was a breeze.
Other conveniences included food storage lockers to keep our food safe, a dump station for RVs, and even an amphitheater for ranger talks or evening programs (depending on the season).
Fish Creek Campground
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Facts about the campground
Still, on the west side of Glacier National Park, Fish Creek Campground is a popular choice for visitors, offering a balance between size and amenities. As the park’s second-largest campground, it caters to a variety of campers with a mix of shaded, private sites suitable for tents and RVs. While some sites can handle larger campers up to 35 ft, a limited number is designated specifically for hikers and cyclists. If you’re planning on bringing a larger RV or arriving car-free, be sure to check availability in advance to secure the right spot for your needs. Regarding the operating season, this campground is open from late May to early September.
Our experience
It was a perfect spot for us to explore the west side. Located right on the northwest shore of Lake McDonald, it offered stunning scenery and easy access to everything we wanted to do. Even though it’s the park’s second-largest campground, the sites were spaced out really well among the trees, giving us a feeling of privacy and solitude.
One of the highlights was definitely being so close to Lake McDonald. A short walk and we were on the shoreline, ready for kayaking or just soaking up the view. Speaking of which, you should consider bringing the Oru Inlet Kayak! At only 20 lbs, it was easy to carry, toss, or store in our car under our bed. We could also transport it easily since once we folded it up. While it’s not meant for racing, it’s perfect for relaxed paddling on calm water. We even braved a choppy day, and while rough waters aren’t ideal, it handled it okay with some care. If you also plan to kayak, make sure to read our guide for kayaking at Glacier National Park!
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Some of the park’s best hikes, like Avalanche Lake and Rocky Point, started right near the campground. We never felt like we were out of options for adventure!
The campground was well-equipped, with all the essentials – picnic tables, fire rings, showers, and flush toilets. There was even a food locker to keep our goodies safe and a dump station for easy cleanup. We also enjoyed attending ranger talks at the amphitheater.
Many Glacier Campground
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Facts about the campground
Located on the east side of Glacier National Park at an elevation of 4,500 ft, Many Glacier Campground offers 109 campsites for campers of all types. If you’re bringing an RV, be sure to choose one of the 13 sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 35 ft. The campground itself is nestled amongst the trees and is roughly 12 miles west of Babb, the closest town, and 22 miles from St. Mary, the eastern entrance to the park.
Our experience
We absolutely loved our stay at Many Glacier Campground! The location itself was unbeatable. We were surrounded by stunning mountains, some with glaciers even visible from our campsite. It felt truly immersive in the beauty of Glacier National Park. Also, some of the park’s most popular trails, like Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake, started right from the campground. No fighting for parking at the trailheads for us! We also saw plenty of wildlife sightings during our stay, from deer and moose to more surprising critters like marmots.
You may want to check out the Canon EOS R10 to capture all the special moments and sightings. One of our favorite cameras, it’s wonderfully compact and lightweight. Despite its size, this camera is a powerhouse. We were able to capture stunning wildlife shots and crank up the ISO without grainy messes. Also, the autofocus on this camera is like a cheetah on the hunt! For more options, here are the 13 best cameras for sale in Walmart!
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The campground was well-maintained. The bathrooms were clean and had flush toilets, which was always a plus for us. It’s worth mentioning that some sites might have limited shade, so if that’s a big concern for your group, be sure to mention it when making a reservation.
Rising Sun Campground
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Facts about the campground
Are you planning to stay on the east side? Rising Sun Campground is the place to be. You can enjoy breathtaking sunrises over the majestic 8,763-foot Red Eagle Mountain there. The campground is also conveniently located near Logan Pass, the highest point accessible by car in the area. Rising Sun offers a variety of campsites to suit your needs, with 84 sites in total. If you’re traveling with a larger RV or trailer, you’ll be happy to know that 10 of the sites can accommodate vehicles up to 25 ft in length. Normally, the campground is open from June through late September.
Our experience
Staying in Rising Sun Campground was one of our best decisions. It’s perfectly situated about 10 minutes down the road from Saint Mary Entrance, right along Saint Mary Lake. Exactly as the name suggests, the sunrises here were breathtaking. Every morning, we woke up to stunning views of Red Eagle Mountain, painting the sky with vibrant colors. Another perk? The campground was close to many trailheads around Logan Pass, so we could explore the area easily.
When we were there, the weather was insanely hot. Luckily, we brought our Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat. One of the best hiking hats out there, this hat is extremely breathable and packable. Not to mention, it features a UPF 50+ fabric. We loved how the clamshell brim shielded our faces properly without blocking our views. Best of all, some of us could still wear our shades because of the sunglasses holes!
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We liked that the sites had some variety. You could choose an open one to catch the cool breeze at night or snag a more shaded spot for some privacy. No matter which you pick, all the sites come with a picnic table, fire pit, and a fire grill. Also worth mentioning are the restrooms. While we were there, the restrooms were clean and had flush toilets! Plus, they had fresh drinking water spigots throughout the campground to keep us hydrated. We did have to pay extra for hot showers at the camp store next door, but it was a small price for a refreshing rinse-off after hiking.
Avalanche Campground
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Facts about the campground
Where to RV camp in Glacier National Park? Take a look at Avalanche Campground. Nestled amongst towering cedars and hemlocks in Glacier National Park, it offers 87 spacious campsites and plenty of room to pitch your tent or park your RV. 50 of the sites can handle RVs up to 26 ft. Each site can comfortably accommodate up to eight people, along with two tents and cars. However, remember that Avalanche Campground has a limited operating season, typically from mid-July to mid-September.
Our experience
Staying in this campground allowed us to be close enough to everything we wanted to see. For the west side, it was only 30 minutes from the Apgar Visitor Center and just 10 minutes from the beautiful northern shores of Lake McDonald. Even if you’re planning to venture further east, Avalanche Campground is a good choice. It’s only 16 miles from Logan Pass Visitor Center and 33 miles from St. Mary’s Visitor Center. Plus, a super convenient shuttle stop right at the campground takes you straight to Going-to-the-Sun Road, saving you the hassle of parking.
Our campsite had a picnic table and a fire ring. Aside from that, there was also a dump station for RVs and water spigots to fill up our water bottles. One of our favorites is the BRITA Filtered Water Bottle. It holds a whopping 36 oz, which means fewer refill trips. But the real magic happens with the filter. That activated carbon cuts out that nasty chlorine taste and odor. After a long hike, let us tell you the last thing you want is water that tastes like a swimming pool!
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“With its perfect location, beautiful views, and considerate amenities, Avalanche Campground definitely is one of the best.”
WOW Travel
Of course, there were food storage lockers, too, so our food was safe from bears. Also, the restrooms with showers were a big plus for keeping ourselves clean and refreshed.
Kintla Lake Campground
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Facts about the campground
Nestled roughly 40 miles from the park’s west entrance, Kintla Lake Campground holds the title of the park’s most remote frontcountry campground. Reaching the campground requires navigating a rough dirt road, so trailers are best left behind. There are 13 campsites in total, and campfires are permitted but only in designated fire grates. Also, Kintla Lake Campground usually operates from late May to sometime in September.
Our experience
As the park’s most remote campground, Kintla Lake Campground offers a unique experience. Our expectations were high, and this place didn’t disappoint. Set deep in the park, the remoteness comes with a perk we craved—silence. Gone were the sounds of generators and chattering crowds. Instead, we were serenaded by nature’s symphony of birdsong and rustling leaves. It was pure tranquility!
The scenery? Breathtaking! Right on the shores of Kintla Lake, the campground boasts a stunning forested setting with majestic peaks as a constant backdrop. We spent hours being mesmerized by the crystal-clear water reflecting the mountains. Some of us even decided to have a refreshing swim in the cold water!
Speaking of swimming, we recently stumbled upon the Charmo Swimsuit Bottoms. Their tummy control game is on another level, and they match well with any bikini or tankini top. When we first wore them, we loved how they provided the perfect amount of coverage without making us look weird. However, since the water in the park can be super cold, you should go slowly by dipping your toe in the water to see how cold it is. Also, here are the best women’s swim shorts and thermal wetsuits!
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Now, getting to this paradise isn’t for the faint of heart. The road is notoriously bumpy, so be prepared for a slow and potentially jolting ride. Also, while there’s a hand pump for potable water, you should be mindful that there are no flush toilets on site.
Sprague Creek Campground
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Facts about the campground
Sprague Creek Campground is a small campground with only 25 campsites, located right off Going-to-the-Sun Road on the northeastern shores of Lake McDonald. Accessible by a paved road, the campground caters mostly to tent campers as well as small RVs up to 21 ft due to the short and narrow parking pads. While the campground operates seasonally from mid-May to mid-September, it is closed during winter.
Our experience
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect tent camping spot in Glacier National Park, Sprague Creek Campground should rank high on your list. We were glad we decided to camp there, as it gave us everything we were looking for. And what made our camp so special was the tent we used, the Ozark Trail 4-Person Dome Tent! It’s not only water-resistant but also breathable. It certainly performs better than many other models in the same price range. But what we loved the most was the built-in mud mat, which helped us keep our tent clean at all times.
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While small, Sprague Creek is incredibly popular—and we can see why! Not only is it convenient, located right next to a major park road, but several sites boast breathtaking views of Lake McDonald’s turquoise water.
One thing that really struck us was the ambiance. Each campsite was nestled amongst towering cedars and hemlocks, creating a sense of intimacy and a touch of mystery. It felt secluded despite being in a National Park campground. The amenities were all there, too. We were happy to find spigots with fresh, potable water, flush toilets, and food storage lockers to keep our camp critter-proof. There’s even a dump station!
Tips for Choosing Where to Stay in Glacier National Park, MT
- Think about your travel style: Camping in one of the 13 campgrounds throughout the park is a great option for those on a budget. However, if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, one of the park’s lodges may be a better fit.
- Book fast: Glacier National Park is a hot spot for campers, and finding a campsite can be competitive. To snag your ideal location, don’t wait! Reservations for many popular areas open six months in advance—mark your calendar and be ready to book online as soon as the window opens.
- Pick the right season: If you’re visiting in the summer, be prepared for hot days and cool nights. Some of the higher-elevation campgrounds may still be closed due to snow. If you’re visiting in the winter, be prepared for cold temperatures and snowy conditions. Most of the park’s facilities are closed during the winter.
- Decide which part of the park to stay in: Glacier National Park is a large park, and it can take a long time to drive between different areas. The park is divided into two main sections: the west side and the east side. The west side is home to Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun Road, while the east side is home to Many Glacier and Two Medicine Lake.
Can you camp with an RV in Glacier National Park?
Yes, you can camp with an RV in Glacier National Park, but be prepared for primitive camping. However, many of the campgrounds do have dump stations available.
Is it hard to get a campsite in Glacier National Park?
Yes, finding a campsite in Glacier National Park can be challenging, especially during the peak season. Many of the campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis and fill up quickly. To improve your chances of snagging a spot, consider making a reservation at one of the campgrounds that allow them, or be prepared to arrive early.
How do I avoid crowds at Glacier National Park?
To avoid the crowds, you can visit during the shoulder seasons or on weekdays instead of weekends.
