Imagine having a bonfire in the woods with your friends or family; seeing high mountains and valleys sculpted by glaciers; and experiencing everything nature has to offer. If you are anywhere near Montana, you can check out the Glacier National Park (GNP) campgrounds.
You have a total of 13 campgrounds and around 1000 campsites to choose from. Do you want to go solo or enjoy with a group? Do you want to go East or West? You have the power of choice. The most popular spots in this area are Apgar, Avalanche, St. Mary’s, and Many Glacier.
What should you do in Glacier National Park Campgrounds?
There are a number of activities that you can do in these RV campgrounds, depending on your preference. Camping, backpacking and hiking, boating and canoeing, and skiing are popular choices. Other campgrounds in Glacier National Park require advanced reservation as they are always packed with visitors. So keep that in mind if you’re planning to visit.
If you are into backpacking and hiking, this park is a good choice for you. It has around 700 miles of hiking trails that pass through mountain peaks and icy lakes. The park also provides a free shuttle bus for those who do not intend to walk around for long.
The Glacier National Park does not just offer activities for the summer. They also have activities in the winter, which makes it an especially attractive destination for those who love playing in the snow. You can ski and snowshoe in some areas of this park. If you are a first-timer, a guide for these activities is provided in this site.
Beautiful Lakes Available here
There are also many lakes inside the park including Lake Mcdonald and St. Mary Lake. You can bring a kayak or canoe and explore their beauty. You can also go fishing! Just make sure to secure a certification before boating. This is to ensure that the visitors will not destroy any aquatic habitat in the park. Also remember that the water is cold even during the summer. For more rules and regulations regarding boating, you can check this out.
If you are taking an RV, make sure it is at most 21 feet in length. That way, you can go through the scenic route of Going to the Sun road.
Of course, you can’t go to a campground without camping. You can choose whether you want to stay in the east side or west side of the camping sites. Keep reading to make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Get to know the different campgrounds based on their size and their availability for recreational vehicles. Make sure to check these out first before going there to avoid all the hassle.
Camping in the West
Situated in the west side is a lush forest near a body of water. There are a huge and accessible areas for RVs. Due to a large number of guests, reservations are needed for some campgrounds. This side is also near Lake Mcdonald.
Apgar Campground
This campground is one of the best, especially if you are staying in an RV. Make sure to come early as it only has space for 25 RVs that are at most 40-feet in length. It’s the park’s largest campground, with around 194 campsites. It’s the ideal location if you plan to have a big group.
Fish Creek Campground
It has 178 campsites and is the second largest in the park. This area is tucked between large trees and is also very close to Lake Mcdonald. If you don’t secure a place in Apgar Compound, you can stay here instead.
Avalanche Campground
Don’t be scared by the name. It’s totally safe to stay at Avalance Campground. There are around 50 campsites and each one can accommodate RVs that are at most 26-feet long. It is one of the most popular campsites in the Glacier National Park. The large forest canopies provide shade to most of the resting areas.
Bowman Lake Campground
If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet area, target Bowman Lake, which has 48 campsites. It is not recommended that you bring an RV because it has a very rough road. Its proximity to the Bowman Lake opens up various opportunities for kayaking, boating, and canoeing. If you’re the adventurous type, this is definitely the campground for you.
Sprague Creek Campground
If simplicity and privacy is what you’re looking for, go to Sprague Creek. Don’t bring an RV. The campground sits in a heavily forested area, providing shady resting places. This consists of 25 campsites.
Logging Creek Campground
If Sprague Creek wasn’t private enough for you, then you can try Logging Creek. It’s a good fit for those who seek solitude. It houses only 7 campsites and is visited by very few people – most of whom are anglers.
Kintla Lake Campground
In the foot of Kintla Lake, this campground rests. This area can only accommodate 13 campsites and RVs are not recommended. You can set up camp by pitching a tent.
Quartz Creek
Just like Logging Creek, Quartz Creek only has seven campsites, which allows for extreme solitude. RVs are also not recommended in this area as it is relatively small, and the paths are rocky.
Serenity in the East
Maybe the campgrounds in the West weren’t what you had in mind. There’s an easy enough remedy: look to where the sun rises.
GNP’s East side has an arid climate and provides several hiking trails. It is also frequented by a few people so if you wish for a peaceful stay, consider it granted. The only downside to its seclusion is the difficulty in finding lodging and accessing public transportation.
That being said, there are still many campgrounds you can explore.
Many Glacier Campground
This campground is one of the most visited. It houses 110 campsites and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet in length. You need to secure a reservation at least three days in advance.
St. Mary Campground
Reservations for St. Mary Campground need to be secured even earlier – six months earlier to be exact. It has 148 campsites which can be entered by RVs up to 35 feet.
Rising Sun Campground
The sun goes up in the East. Of course there would be a campground named Rising Sun. It has a total of 83 campsites and if you are planning to bring RVs of at most 25-feet in length, you can set up camp here. Note that if you choose this area, get ready to have shorter days. The sun actually sets early and creates a long twilight.
Two Medicine Campground
A relatively small campground, Two Medicine has 13 sites. However, it can still accommodate 32-feet. If you choose this campground, you’ll have a front row seat to the bears hunting for food. It won’t actually be near the bears. You’ll just have a clear view of the Rising Wolf Mountain.
Cut Bank Campground
This has only 14 campsites and are divided by large logs which gives campers privacy. It is also set beneath the dark shade of the fir trees. Unfortunately, it does not accommodate RVs and towed units.
Are you ready to go?
You have a better idea of the campgrounds available at GNP, which means you are better equipped to make a decision.
Knowing the range of activities offered by each campground, where do you want to chill out? Where would you be most relaxed, cooling off from the stress of life?
Just choose one and you’re ready to go! You’ll surely be refreshed after. For more RV and Campervan guides, check out our homepage.
