Camping is the best way to experience Glacier National Park. Falling asleep to Swiftcurrent Creek and waking up under peaks that turn pink at dawn beats any hotel. But Glacier's campgrounds book up fast, open on a staggered schedule, and have strict rules for a reason: this is some of the densest grizzly habitat in the lower 48. Here is how to camp in Glacier without the stress.
The best campgrounds in Glacier
Glacier has 13 campgrounds, but a handful stand out depending on what you want:
- Many Glacier is the crown jewel, tucked beneath Grinnell Point with trailheads to Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake right there. It is the hardest reservation to land.
- Apgar is the largest campground, near the west entrance and Lake McDonald, with easy access to West Glacier dining and the free shuttle.
- Two Medicine on the quieter southeast side offers dramatic peaks and far fewer crowds.
- St. Mary sits at the east end of Going-to-the-Sun Road and is a great base for sunrise on the lake.
- Rising Sun and Sprague Creek are smaller, scenic options right on the water.
Reservations versus first-come campgrounds
Most popular campgrounds, including Many Glacier, Apgar, Fish Creek, St. Mary, and Two Medicine, take reservations through Recreation.gov. Reservable sites open on a six-month rolling window, so for a peak July trip you should be online the moment the date drops at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. A few campgrounds such as Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, Cut Bank, and Logging Creek remain first-come, first-served, but these fill by mid-morning in summer too.
When campgrounds open and close
Glacier's camping season is short. Lower-elevation campgrounds like Apgar open in spring, often by early to mid-May, while higher and more remote sites such as Many Glacier and the North Fork campgrounds may not open until June once snow clears and water systems are running. Most campgrounds close by mid to late September, though Apgar and St. Mary often keep a primitive winter loop open with no services. Always check current opening dates on the park website before you go, because heavy snow years push everything back.
RV and trailer limits
If you are bringing an RV, size matters in Glacier. Many sites only fit rigs up to 21 feet, and tight, winding access roads make the bigger campgrounds like Apgar and St. Mary your safest bet for longer trailers. There are no hookups anywhere in the park, and the upper portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road has a vehicle length limit of 21 feet and width limit of 8 feet, so plan your route accordingly.
Bear-safe camping rules
This is non-negotiable in Glacier. All food, coolers, toiletries, and scented items must be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or a provided food locker when not in use. Never leave food at your site, even for a minute. Cook and eat away from your tent, and pack out all trash. Carry bear spray and keep it accessible, not buried in your pack. Following these rules protects both you and the bears, who are euthanized when they become food-conditioned.
Tips for first-time Glacier campers
- Book the moment the window opens for Many Glacier and Apgar; they sell out in minutes.
- Have a backup first-come campground in mind in case reservations are gone.
- Bring layers and rain gear. Nights drop into the 30s and 40s even in midsummer.
- Fill water and gas in West Glacier or St. Mary before heading to remote loops.
Camping in the shoulder season is rewarding but tricky, since many campgrounds and most of Going-to-the-Sun Road are still closed in late May. For a realistic plan that pairs an open west-side campground with the trails and waterfalls accessible early in the year, read our Glacier National Park Memorial Day weekend itinerary.
