Glacier National Park camping · Camping in Glacier National Park
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Camping in Glacier National Park
Camping in Glacier National Park
There are thirteen developed campgrounds located within the park. These campgrounds may be accessed by car. Unless noted as "primitive", all contain a disposal station for trash. The sites are generally for a maximum of one vehicle, two tents, and eight people. Payment seems to be mostly on the honor system (keep in mind, however, that the National Parks system doesn't ask much and needs more), though you must register within half an hour of arrival. Plan to keep your food and scented items in your vehicle. Campers without vehicles may find the larger developed campsites more like a suburban cul-de-sac with SUVs in every driveway than a wilderness retreat; if you backpack in you can feel outnumbered by other park visitors who brought their own firewood, fresh ears of corn, wine, cosmetics, and other heavy luxuries. Nightly fees are per campsite. All dates listed are for 2006.
Apgar, southern end of Lake McDonald (From Going-to-the-Sun Road, turn onto Glacier Route 8 (Camas Road). A short distance along this road will bring you to Apgar Village.) . Largest campsite in the park, with 194 sites (25 can accommodate a trailer or RV), flush toilets, sinks with running water, and summer evening programming at the Apgar Amphitheater. Apgar Village has a restaurant, gift shops, and a ranger station. Swimming and boating possible in Lake McDonald, and boat rentals and horseback ride reservations are available nearby. No showers or reservations. Open 5/5-10/16. $15/night.
Avalanche (On Going-to-the-Sun Road.) . Popular campsite providing access to Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Creek trailheads. Flush toilets, running water, evening programs at Avalanche Amphitheater. 85 sites (50 accommodate RV). No showers or reservations. Open 6/9-9/5. $15/night.
Bowman Lake, North Fork Area (From Going-to-the-Sun Road, take Glacier Route 8 to Glacier Route 7 (Inside North Fork Road). Shortly after passing through Polebridge, where there is a ranger station, take a right onto a bumpy dirt road for Bowman Lake.) Primitive campsite right on Bowman Lake, with access to Quartz Lake Loop, Bowman Lake, and Numa Ridge Lookout trailheads. 48 sites, RVs and trailers not advised. Potable water and pit toilets. First come first serve. Open 5/26-9/15. $12/night.
Cut Bank (not to be confused with the town 50 miles to the east), eastern side of park (From Highway 89, take a 5 mile dirt road to the campsite.). Primitive and secluded campsite, with access to Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. 14 sites, RVs and trailers not advised. No potable water (bring your own water or some means of purifying water from Cut Bank Creek). Open 5/26-9/25. $6/night.
Fish Creek, on western shore of Lake McDonald, an area recovering from a large forest fire in 2003 (From Going-to-the-Sun Road, take Camas Road to turn on Glacier Route 7 (Inside North Fork Road). Campground will be on right.). Large campground near but not directly on Lake McDonald offering flush toilets, running water, and nightly evening programs at the Fish Creek Amphitheater. Access to Howe Lake, Howe Ridge, and McDonald Lake trailheads. 178 sites, 18 of which accommodate RVs or trailers. Advance reservations may be made online or by phone (1-(800)365-2267 but are not required. Open 6/1-9/5. $17/night.
Kintla Lake, North Fork area (From Going-to-the-Sun Road, take Glacier Route 8 (Camas Road) north until reaching the righthand turn onto a dirt road that leads to Kintla Lake.) Glacier National Park's smallest campground, with only 13 sites. It is also one of the most remote, and therefore is usually pretty empty. Non-motorized boats allowed on lake, and lake is full of trout. Site is primitive but has a potable water source. No reservations. Open 5/26-9/15. $12/night.
Logging Creek, North Fork area (From Going-to-the-Sun Road, take Glacier Route 8 (Camas Road ) to Glacier Route 7 (Inside North Fork Road). ) ( Very small, primitive, secluded campground with 7 sites and no potable water (bring your own). Access to Logging Lake trailhead. No reservations. Open 7/1-12/1. This site is currently closed. $6/night.
Many Glacier (From Highway 98, take Glacier Route 3 west into park. The large lake on the left is Lake Sherburne.) Large, popular campsite near the Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge, restaurants, token-operated showers, and the Swiftcurrent Pass, Piegan Pass, Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, and Ptarmigan trailheads. Also useful for backpackers through-hiking the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (of which Switftcurrent Pass and Piegan Pass Trails are a part). Flush toilets, sinks, and nightly ranger-led programming. 110 sites, 13 accommodate RVs and trailers. Open 5/26-9/25. $15/night. Very Popular place to spot bears.
Quartz Creek (North of Logging Creek campground on Inside North Fork Road.) This primitive campground is the smallest developed campground in the park, with only 7 sites and accessible only by a long, winding dirt road (RVs and trailers not advised). Quartz Creek trailhead is easily reached from the campsite. No potable water or reservations. Pit toilets. Open 6/30-7/17. $6/night.
Rising Sun, on St Mary Lake (On Going-to-the-Sun Road.) Amenities include showers, flush toilets, a disposal station, camp store, restaurant, and nightly programming. Shuttle stop. 83 sites, 10 of which can accommodate vehicles up to 25'. No reservations. Open 5/26-2/18. $15/night.
Sprague Creek (On Going-to-the-Sun Road.) About a mile south of Lake McDonald Lodge, the Sprague Creek campground is sandwiched between Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun-Road. Only 25 sites, with towed vehicles and RVs prohibited, and one group site reserved until 10 PM for bicyclists or backpackers. The beauty of Lake McDonald is marred by the campground's proximity to the highway - traffic, including motorcycles, is both visible and audible well into the night. The campsite is not convenient to any trailheads so if you want to hike, plan to drive first. Flush toilets, picnic tables, and a communal bear box are provided. Evening programming at Lake McDonald Lodge. No showers or reservations. Open 5/12-9/18. $15/night.
St. Mary (On Going-to-the-Sun Road.) Large campground on St. Mary Lake near the St. Mary Visitor Center. Beautiful views of the lake, flush toilets, running water, shuttle service, and the small town of St Mary about half a mile away, outside the park. 148 sites, 25 of which can accommodate RVs/trailers. Advance reservations can be made online or by calling (800)365-2267. Open 5/26-9/26. $17/night.
Two Medicine 99 sites, 13 of which can accommodate RV/trailer up to 35'. Campstore in only building remaining of historic Two Medicine Chalet. Flush toilets, no reservations. Open 5/26-9/18. $15/night.
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Glacier National Park Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.