NPS New in 2023!Glacier National Park is transitioning to the Recreation.gov online reservation system. Wilderness camping reservations will be available on Recreation.gov beginning on March 15. A one-day lottery for large group permits will be available on Pay.gov on March 1. Please visit the Wilderness Permit Advance Reservations page for details and procedures for obtaining advance reservations this year.
Table of ContentsCamping Fees
Getting a Permit
Trip Planning
Regulations
Safety
Special Trip Considerations
Transportation and Services
Watching the Backcountry Camping Video is mandatory prior to getting a permit.
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This video will guide you through planning a trip to Glacier's backcountry and provide needed safety and resource protection information. It is required viewing to obtain a backcountry permit.
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This video will aid in planning a successful winter overnight experience in the park. Park visitors not planning on this level of extreme winter recreation will appreciate the challenges highlighted in this short vignette into Glacier's winter.
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Tips for getting the best backcountry permits. Camping FeesFrom May 1 through October 31, there is a $10 permit fee and additional $7/night per person camping fee payable upon permit issuance at a wilderness permit office. Winter wilderness camping permits (November 1–April 30) are free. Getting a PermitWalk-in PermitsWilderness permits may be available the day before or day of a desired trip start date. Approximately 30% of all sites in a campground are set aside for walk-in campers. However, that does not mean those sites will be available at all times. Backpackers on longer trips (4 or more nights) may take walk-in sites well in advance. Arrive early the day before your intended trip start date for the best campsite availability. There is a $10 permit fee and additional $7/night per person camping fees, payable at the time of permit issuance. Permits will not be issued after 4:30 pm at any location. The Canada/USA border reopening this year allows us to resume wilderness permit issuance at the Waterton Lakes National Park Visitor Centre. Hours and dates of operation are below.Permitting Locations Last Permit is issued ½ hour prior to station closing Trip PlanningWith its towering mountains, pristine alpine lakes, abundant wildlife, and over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a backpacking paradise. Due to individual differences in fitness, backpacking experience, and personal preference, we don’t offer specific trip recommendations. What we can tell you is that in the broadest sense, Glacier's wilderness comes in two flavors—east and west roughly split along the Continental Divide. Each trail on a respective side offers a similar "feel." West side trails start at around 3,200 feet in elevation, are more heavily forested, and offer the greatest solitude. East of the divide, trails start at around 5,000 feet and the terrain is more sparsely vegetated, creating more open vistas and attracting more crowds. Mapping and Campsite InformationUse this Wilderness Campground Map and camping information to help plan your trip. GPS data points are also available. Trail ConditionsTrail conditions change frequently, but our Trail Status Reports page offers some seasonal generalizations as well as specific trail condition updates throughout the summer season, that will help you know what to expect in the backcountry. Trail status reports offer specific details about a given trail on a given date, however, Glacier's wilderness is vast and some trail status reports may not be updated for several weeks, or even months for lesser used trails. For this reason, trail status reports only offer a snapshot of trail conditions and should be used in conjunction with other tools such as weather reports, prior backpacking experience in Glacier, and assessment of your own backpacking skill level. Trail ClosuresHazardous or emergency conditions may make it necessary to close a trail segment. These closures may effect your planned itinerary. Wilderness rangers will make an effort to contact you on the trail to let you know your options and assist with route changes. It may take a while for everyone to be contacted. Do not enter any closed trail, even if it was part of your planned itinerary. See the current closures and postings list. Suggested Gear ListThe following items should be carried on every trip into Glacier’s wilderness:
RegulationsCampsitesWilderness camping is available in 65 designated campgrounds throughout the park, with the exception of the Nyack / Coal Creek camping zone where both designated campgrounds and at large camping are available. PermitsA wilderness use permit is required for all overnight camping, and must be in your possession while in the backcountry. They are valid only for the dates, locations, and party size specified. Trip ItinerariesItineraries must be contiguous. You cannot exit one trailhead and drive to another trailhead to access campgrounds on the same trip. Note: Hiking short road sections on foot—Many Glacier and Two Medicine developed areas, crossing Going to the Sun Road at Jackson Glacier Overlook—to connect longer itineraries is permitted. Group SizeThe maximum party size allowed is 12. Each wilderness campground has 2-7 campsites. Each campsite is limited to four (4) people. Leave No TraceMany of Glacier’s wilderness camping regulations are based on Leave No Trace (LNT) outdoor ethics. LNT tells us that by concentrating impacts, including eating, sleeping, and human waste disposal, we prevent degradation of a broader area. Concentrating impacts essentially creates small pockets of impact and leaves nearly pristine conditions over larger areas. For more information visit LNT.org. AccessibilityWheelchairs and trained service dogs are appropriate accommodations in wilderness. Due to potential hazardous interactions with bears, service dogs are discouraged. SafetyDrowningUse extreme caution near water. Swift, cold glacial streams and rivers, moss-covered rocks, and slippery logs are dangerous. Avoid wading in or fording swift streams. Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls. HypothermiaBe prepared for sudden weather changes. Use rain gear before you become wet. If your clothes do become wet replace them with dry ones. Layer with synthetic or wool clothing as a base layer. Minimize wind exposure. Eat high-energy foods often. Snow and IceSnowfields and glaciers can present serious hazards. Snow bridges may conceal deep crevasses on glaciers or hidden cavities under snowfields. These bridges may collapse under the weight of an unsuspecting hiker. Use extreme caution when crossing steep snowfields on trails and in the backcountry. Water FiltrationThe protozoan Giardia lamblia may be present in lakes and streams. When ingested, their reproductive cysts may cause an intestinal disorder that appears weeks after your trip. The easiest method of effective water treatment is to boil water for one minute (up to five minutes at higher elevations) or use a filtration system capable of killing or removing particles as small as 1 micron. Solo TravelSolo travel in wilderness is not recommended. The best insurance for a safe and enjoyable trip rests with your ability to exercise good judgment, avoid unnecessary risks, and assume responsibility for your own safety while visiting Glacier’s wilderness. BearsApproaching, viewing, or engaging in any activity within 100 yards of bears or wolves, or within 25 yards of any other wildlife is prohibited. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to improve your view. Keep the animal’s line of travel or escape route clear and move away if wildlife approaches you. Visit our Bear Safety page to find detailed information about hiking in bear country. Other WildlifeDeer, mountain goats, marmots, and other rodents are attracted to urine and sweat. They will chew holes in clothes, boots, and camping gear if left unattended. Special Trip ConsiderationsNyack / Coal Creek Camping ZoneThis area offers greater opportunities for solitude along with greater challenges in the form of at-large or undesignated camping. An Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) approved food storage device is required for all at-large camping. In addition to at-large camping, designated campgrounds are also available in the Nyack/Coal Creek area. Undesignated camping is only available on a walk-up basis the day before or day of a trip start date.
River CampingInterested in doing an overnight river trip? Find all the information you need on our River Camping Permits page. Advance reservations are not allowed for river camping. Border CrossingThere are special considerations to take into account before you plan a trip across the International Boundary at Goat Haunt. Please read the information on our Visiting Goat Haunt page for details. Crossing the border without following U.S. and Canadian customs procedures can result in a $5,000.00 fine. Continental Divide TrailA 110-mile segment of The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) runs through Glacier. The designated CDT route and an early/late season alternate route are marked in blue on the map. Recreation on Blackfeet ReservationA Conservation/Recreation Use Permit is required for all recreational activities on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. A separate permit is required for fishing on the reservation. For further information call (406) 338-7207. Winter CampingVisit our Winter Wilderness Camping page for details on this special, but challenging, time of the year to be in Glacier's backcountry. Transportation and ServicesShuttlesGlacier Shuttle System Additional ServicesGlacier Guides offers guided half day, full day, overnight hikes and chalet hikes. Porter services to deliver your gear to backcountry campsites are available. Equipment rental in West Glacier is available. See the Guided Hiking page for contact information to schedule a trip |
Last updated: May 8, 2023