Glacier National Park Camping
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Overview
A brief introduction to Glacier National Park
A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Glacier National Park is an American national park located in northwestern Montana, on the Canada–United States border, adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada—the two parks are known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The park encompasses more than 1 million acres (4,000 km2) and includes parts of two mountain ranges (sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains), more than 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centerpiece of what has been referred to as the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem," a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 sq mi (41,000 km2).
The region that became Glacier National Park was first inhabited by Native Americans. Upon the arrival of European explorers, it was dominated by the Blackfeet in the east and the Flathead in the western regions. Under pressure, the Blackfeet ceded the mountainous parts of their treaty lands in 1895 to the federal government; it later became part of the park. Soon after the establishment of the park on May 11, 1910, a number of hotels and chalets were constructed by the Great Northern Railway. These historic hotels and chalets are listed as National Historic Landmarks and a total of 350 locations are on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1932 work was completed on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, later designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, which provided motorists easier access to the heart of the park.
Glacier National Park's mountains began forming 170 million years ago when ancient rocks were forced eastward up and over much younger rock strata. Known as the Lewis Overthrust, these sedimentary rocks are considered to have some of the finest examples of early life fossils on Earth. The current shapes of the Lewis and Livingston mountain ranges and positioning and size of the lakes show the telltale evidence of massive glacial action, which carved U-shaped valleys and left behind moraines that impounded water, creating lakes. Of the estimated 150 glaciers over 25 acres in size which existed in the park in the mid-19th century during the late Little Ice Age, only 25 active glaciers remained by 2010. Scientists studying the glaciers in the park have estimated that all the active glaciers may disappear by 2030 if current climate patterns persist.
Glacier National Park still maintains almost all of its modern, original native plant and animal species (since discovery by Europeans). Large mammals such as American black bear, grizzly bear, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, mountain lion and mountain goats, as well as gray wolf, wolverine and Canadian lynx inhabit the park. Hundreds of species of birds, more than a dozen fish species, and a quite a few reptiles and amphibian species have been documented. Species of butterflies, pollinating insects and other invertebrates range in the thousands.
The park has numerous ecosystems, ranging from prairie to tundra. The easternmost forests of western redcedar and hemlock grow in the southwest portion of the park. Forest fires are annually common in the park. There has been a fire every year of the park's existence except for in 1964. In total, 64 fires occurred in 1936 alone, the most on-record. In 2003, six fires burned approximately 136,000 acres (550 km2), more than 13% of the park.
Glacier National Park borders Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada—the two parks are known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and were designated as the world's first International Peace Park in 1932. Both parks were designated by the United Nations as Biosphere Reserves in 1976, and in 1995 as World Heritage Sites. In April 2017, the joint park received a provisional Gold Tier designation as Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park through the International Dark Sky Association, the first transboundary dark sky park.
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- Recreation.gov
- Booking site: https://www.recreation.gov
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Other nearby parks
Open to camping at other nearby parks? Here are a few other parks you'll find in the vicinity.
Reviews
Camper reviews for Glacier National Park
Fish Creek Campground
Fish Creek Campground is in a beautiful setting. Camp sites are shaded and forested. Our site was a very small and on a corner. If you are running on solar just know there is no electrical or water hook up and the shade will block your solar panels.
Kristin Clements reviewed Glacier National Park
on November 7th, 2023
One of my favorite
It has been a month since I visited there but I feel like it has become part of me and stay with me forever. The views are so spectacular and I can't wait to come back next year.
Wanying Tian reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 13th, 2023
The only campsite with cell service
Washroom and sites were very well maintained. We tented in 2 sites, neither had flat ground or trees tall enough to string up a tarp. Water access was in neighbouring campsite- bit awkward. Cell service made it great. We could check weather and plans hikes. Stayed 4 nights.
Christine Penn reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 13th, 2023
Many Glacier campground
Beautiful campground with easy access to trails. Five minute hike right out of the campground to Fisher Lake where moose frequent. Nice restaurant onsite for convenient kid friendly meals and nice bathroom and shower facilities also. Definitely worth the campnab subscription to snag a reservation.
Jennifer C Hobart reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 11th, 2023
St Mary Campground is in a great spot!
Thanks to Campnab, we scored a series of nights at St. Mary campground in Glacier NP. The campground was so conveniently located—we loved being at the end (or start, depending on how you look at it!) of the Going to the Sun road, which was a huge highlight of our trip. The campground is near the St. Mary Visitor Center, which allowed us access to wifi/service to connect with our families who had not heard from us the entire time we were on the west side of the park. On the East side of the park you'll also have more access to gas (there isn't any diesel on the west side!) and food, as well as being right near the KOA. Pro tip: The St. Mary KOA rents cars, so if you are traveling in a vehicle too large for the GTTS Road or you are in a van rental that won't allow you to cross the border into Canada for the day to explore Waterton (definitely do that!) then you are in luck! We broke up our 4-night stay at St. Mary Campground and stayed there for one night so that we could enjoy the perks of a rental car, along with the showers, pool and hot tub the KOA offers!
Jolie Gendlere reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 8th, 2023
A great way to begin and end our trip
Campnab helped us secure two campsites at Fish Creek in Glacier NP, the sites that bookended our 9-day adventure through the park. We loved that Fish Creek was right near the West entrance to the park, giving us easy access to the beginning of the Going to the Sun road and Polebridge > Bowman Lake. Both sites we got through Campnab were near wooded shortcuts that led us right to the shore of Lake McDonald. How cool to be able to skip rocks, splash around, and enjoy sunsets by hammock all while being right near your campsite!
Jolie Gendlere reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 8th, 2023
Loved this campground
Campnab helped us secure a night at Two Medicine campground, which, despite being broken up into 3 loops, felt intimate and cozy. The way the campground was situated made it so that each site had quick and easy access to bathrooms and potable water without them feeling like they were in high-traffic areas. We loved the short walk from the campground to the lake, where we enjoyed skipping rocks, hanging out in our hammocks and gazing at the prominent (albeit smoky at this time) Sinopah Mountain.
Jolie Gendlere reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 8th, 2023
Not a bad site in the park!
Campnab helped us secure not one, not two, but three different sites at the highly-coveted (and nearly impossible to get) Many Glacier campground in Glacier NP. We loved being able to see different sections of the campground and found each one to have its own unique perks! Staying at sites in the 20s put us right near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, which had bathrooms, showers, a restaurant, and an adjacent gift shop containing just about everything you could ever possibly need while camping and exploring. We also had prime access to trailheads that you can walk to right from your tent. Staying in the 90s put us in a more serene generator-free part of the campground, giving us access to the rushing creek and enjoying sunsets over the Grinnell Peak.
Jolie Gendlere reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 8th, 2023
My favorite campground
Fish Creek is my go to and favorite campground at Glacier. You are close to Polebridge, have great access to McDonald Lake, are at the beginning of Going to the Sun road and have the cute quaint Apgar Village adjacent. There are showers on site. And enough space between campgrounds. Well, you’re not on top of each other.
Christine Villegas reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 6th, 2023
Apgar
Awesome campground and the lake was wonderful!!
debi smith reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 5th, 2023
Glacier is awesome
St Mary’s camp ground is just Ok- I wouldn’t camp there again. Bathrooms were not that clean and the camp was noisy. It was super windy and the campground needs bear boxes at each sight!!
debi smith reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 5th, 2023
Magnificent!
Thanks to Campnab we were able to get campsites at Many Glacier, Two Medicine and Apgar. This meant we were often a short walk, or boat ride away from amazing trails, mountains, lakes, waterfalls and wildlife. Campsite photos from Many Glacier and Two Medicine. Moose at Fishercap Lake.
Shirley L Fair reviewed Glacier National Park
on September 5th, 2023
Success !!
Anywhere in Glacier Park is difficult to reserve due to the world wide popularity and short season due to location to the north and high elevation.
I was able to reserve an awesome spot using g Campnab
Kat Vercruyssen reviewed Glacier National Park
on May 31st, 2023
Amazing Location
Busy and hard to get into campground but worth it. So close to so many hikes including Grinnell Glacier. I love that you can walk right over to the store and shower area. Be careful late in the season as things close without much notice. Lots of bear sightings right from my camp chair.
Kimberly Borst reviewed Glacier National Park
on May 29th, 2023
Awesome service
Easy to use and awesome service. I was able to get an extremely difficult campsite reservation using campnab! I would absolutely use this service again
James Land reviewed Glacier National Park
on May 29th, 2023
Many Glacier Campground - Glacier National Park - Fall '21
Had an excellent stay at Many Glacier at the tail end of the season in September 2021. There was plenty of signage to navigate to/through the site, lots of room at the campground and the site was well-maintained. There were even special Ranger-led talks that were free of charge and open to the community. I went to one where I learned about Bear safety/awareness on trail that was quite informative. Highly recommend this campground.
Eryn Bizar reviewed Glacier National Park
on May 25th, 2023
Going to the sun road
Beautiful place . No words can’t describe it ❤️
Lidia Parker reviewed Glacier National Park
on May 12th, 2023
St. Mary's Campground
The campground is everything you would imagine. Whether it's family or solo travelers, this site is good for all. When you have views of mountains and wildlife you tend to not to sweat the small stuff as showers weren't working in 2022. The campground is super clean and it and the space provided can easily fit a family of four. Other amenities is how close the store and gas station are to the campsite. Very helpful in a state where you need to drive everywhere. St. Mary seems more secluded than the other sites inside Glacier National Park. It provides a rustic and calm scenery. Which is nice when over a million people visit during camping times. Lastly, I was impressed with the park rangers holding meetings throughout the day to educate campers on the land we were on. Very informative and made my stay that much more rewarding.
Katie Conte reviewed Glacier National Park
on January 9th, 2023
Map
View a map of Glacier National Park
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