Situated in the northwestern part of Montana, Glacier National Park sits on the border of Canada and the United States. Also known as the “Crown of the Continent,” this national park is home to over 700 miles (1,126.5 kilometers) of trails. It is a hiker’s paradise that also has over 130 named lakes and more than 1,000 different species of flora and fauna. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is more than just trees and lakes. Book a bus tour and cruise through the park on a vintage red bus. Snap some photos of the landscapes of Wild Goose Island. Go horseback riding at Lake McDonald Valley. Take a scenic drive on Going-to-the-Sun Road and venture across the Continental Divide. Are you looking for a place where you can camp out during your trip? Check out the top campgrounds near Glacier National Park, Montana.
Tip from Content Creator
Glacier National Park is one of my favorite parks in the US. Whether you're looking to spend a day on the lake or a day on the mountain, you can't go wrong with a trip to this national park - no wonder it's an ideal camping spot for nature lovers. Aside from camping, The Crown of the Continent is perfect for kayaking or boating on Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park. Before you book your camping trip, do note that many of the mountain passes close from fall to spring, so make sure to check ahead of time what's open if you're planning to visit outside of the warmer months. If you plan to visit in the summer, here are a few things I’d recommend:
- Get there early, or make your reservations in advance, especially for water activities. I ended up using a kiddie kayak because this was all they had left by the time I got there.
- Check the trails ahead of time. A lot of hikes I wanted to do were closed due to bear activity or unsafe conditions on the trail, so make sure the route you have planned is actually open to the public.
- Plan to spend between three to five days exploring Glacier. I only had time for two days, and I wish I had dedicated more time to this park as there’s really just so much amazing scenery to explore!
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
Tent-only campgrounds
1. Bowman Lake Campground
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Situated on the shores of Bowman Lake, this campsite provides campers privacy and shade beneath the trees. Families or groups of friends will have access to the campground’s potable water spigots and vault toilet’s during their stay. On top of these, they can experience a handful of activities, such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, all within walking distance of the campsite. The property is available from May 28 to September 12, but it is also open for primitive camping in the fall.
Bowman Lake Campground
Website: Bowman Lake Campground
Address: West Glacier, MT 59936, United States (map)
2. Kintla Lake Campground
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Known as one of the most remote front country campgrounds, Kintla Lake Campground is small and secluded. Surrounded by mountains and Kintla Lake, it is ideal for large groups and is equipped with a hand pump for potable water and a pit toilet. It is available for campers from the end of May to the beginning of September. However, it is also open for primitive camping throughout the rest of the year, depending on weather and road conditions. With Kintla Lake right next to the site, campers can enjoy a handful of water-based activities, such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Kintla Lake Campground
Website: Kintla Lake Campground
Address: Polebridge, MT 59928, United States (map)
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
3. Quartz Creek Campground
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Quartz Creek Campground is one of the smallest campgrounds near Glacier National Park and can be found around 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) away from Lower Quartz Lake. If campers feel like hiking to Quartz Lake, they’ll be able to swim and fish, as well as take in amazing views. Mostly shaded by trees, the property is open from July to September and is ideal for families, groups of friends, and couples who enjoy a quiet place to lodge after a long day of outdoor activities. While the site provides picnic tables and pit toilets, campers are responsible for bringing their own necessities.
Quartz Creek Campground
Website: Quartz Creek Campground
Address: West Glacier, MT 59936, United States (map)
4. Cut Bank Campground
Located east of Glacier National Park, Cut Bank Campground is open all season, and it follows the first-come-first-serve rule for its campsites. Ideal for day hikers who are looking for some peace and quiet, the place rewards hikers with stunning views of Glacier National Park. It comes with pit toilets and garbage cans. However, campers are required to bring their own food, camping equipment, and drinking water. They can also choose to filter freshwater from Cut Bank Creek for their supplies of drinking water.
Cut Bank Campground
Website: Cut Bank Campground
Address: East Glacier Park, MT 59434, United States (map)
RV Campground & RV sites
5. Fish Creek Campground
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
As one of the largest campgrounds near Glacier National Park, Fish Creek Campground is also one of the few sites that accepts reservations. It can be found on the west side of the park and is known for having fickle weather due to being elevated almost 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) above sea level, and it is suitable for all types of travelers. It usually operates through a six-month time period and offers campers views of Lake McDonald and a handful of trails for campers to explore. On top of these, it has over 170 campsites for both RV and tent campers, potable water, and restroom facilities with running water.
Fish Creek Campground
Website: Fish Creek Campground
Address: Fish Creek Campground Rd, West Glacier, MT 59936, United States (map)
6. St. Mary Campground
Situated along the east side of Glacier National Park, this campground can be found near the entrance of Going-to-the-Sun-Road. It operates on a six-month rolling basis and accepts reservations for group sites and individual sites. Campers have full access to the campground’s potable water and restroom facilities with running water. While families and friends can enjoy hiking or fishing at the site, they can also head down the road and visit local restaurants, gift shops, camp stores, and grocery stores.
St. Mary Campground
Website: St. Mary Campground
Address: Lp C Rd, Browning, MT 59417, United States (map)
7. Apgar Group Sites
Apgar Group Sites can be found right on the southern tip of Lake McDonald. It offers five reservable group sites ideal for groups, ranging from 9 to 24 individuals. While peak season is from May to September, the campground is actually open all year long. Not only this, but it also has flush toilets, drinkable water, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. During their stay, campers can enjoy ranger programs at the amphitheater, have a fun day at Lake McDonald, or visit Apgar Village, which is only a few minutes away.
Apgar Group Sites
Website: Apgar Group Sites
Address: US Hwy 2, West Glacier, MT 59901, United States (map)
8. Two Medicine Campground
Two Medicine Campground is a first-come, first-serve campground located about 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) away from East Glacier. It is open from June to September and is equipped with on-site facilities, such as restrooms, potable water, and disposal stations. During their stay, campers can head to Two Medicine Lake for a boat tour, visit Two Medicine Chalet and buy some souvenirs, or hike through the handicap-accessible trail to Running Eagle Falls. The property is ideal for small groups of campers and is large enough to provide privacy from other campsites.
Two Medicine Campground
Website: Two Medicine Campground
Address: East Glacier Park, MT 59434, United States (map)
9. Avalanche Campground
A little west of Continental Divide, Avalanche Campground is located amongst cedar and hemlock trees that keep the area cool during summer and is great for people who love hiking. It has 50 sites that are fit for vehicles up to 26 feet (7.9 meters) long. It has a handful of flora and fauna in the area, which is perfect for birdwatchers, and two popular day hikes that offer hikers spectacular sceneries. Keep in mind that while the campground has potable water and restroom facilities with running water, it lacks showering facilities and disposals stations.
Avalanche Campground
Website: Avalanche Campground
Address: West Glacier, MT 59936, United States (map)
10. Many Glacier Campground
At an elevation of about 4,500 feet (1,219.2 meters), this campground is near Swiftcurrnet Creek and Lake. It has shared water spigots with potable water, restroom facilities, and picnic tables. Campers can also head to SwiftCurrent Motor Inn for showers, limited groceries, and souvenirs. On top of these, the site is within reach of Babb, Montana, where campers can find several restaurants, a general store, a gas station, and a post office. It is perfect for campers who want to spend a day filled with outdoor activities and take in good views of the mountains.
Many Glacier Campground
Website: Many Glacier Campground
Address: Continental Divide Trail, Browning, MT 59417, United States (map)
Appreciate the beauty of Glacier National Park
Do you want to get away from the city and explore the great outdoors? Then experience the natural wonders of the mountains and unwind at one of these best campgrounds near Glacier National Park, Montana.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
-
-
-
15 Best Things To Do In Kellogg, IdahoAlyssandra Raiza -
-
-
Create an account to