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Three Tips for Camping at Glacier Tip One: When you pull up to your site, park your car on pavement or gravel, rather than plants. The same goes for your tent: pitch it only on a designated tent pad, or durable surface if your site does not have a pad. Staying on durable surfaces helps keep the campsite green for everyone. Tip Two: This is a big one! You MUST keep all food stored away from where wildlife can get it. Bears, deer, squirrels, and even mice frequently pass through campsites, so don’t leave anything out for them. Keep all food, toiletries, and anything smelly – including coolers and grills -- locked in a bear box or in a closed vehicle when you walk away from your site... even for a minute. A clean campsite keeps everyone safe, including wildlife. Tip Three: Let’s talk campfires! First, check the latest local fire regulations. Use the fire ring, keep your fire small, and never leave it unattended. And please put trash and food scraps in the garbage - not in your fire. When you’re done, drown it, stir it, and repeat until it’s totally out and cool to the touch.
Descriptive Transcript
0:00 – Timelapse shot of a landscape in the park with forested hills and rocky peaks. Text on screen reads “Glacier Camping Tips.”
0:05 – Shot of the sign for Apgar campground, then a red car pulls up to a campsite and a ranger waves from the inside. Shot of the campsite number, then the car parking on a paved surface.
0:13 – the ranger gestures to a gravel tent pad, and she and another ranger set up the tent together.
0:30 – shot of a black bear eating berries with text on screen reading “tip two: protect the wildlife”
0:35 – The two rangers pack up a pile of snacks and kitchen gear, then store it all safely in a bear box with coolers and a stove. The two rangers close the bear box and high five.
0:55 – timelapse shot of a sunset in Glacier. Text on screen reads “tip three: protect the forest”
1:00 – The rangers tend a small fire and enjoy themselves around the campfire.
1:10 – a ranger pours water onto the fire to douse it, then checks that it’s cool.
1:20 – timelapse of two people sitting at the end of a dock on a lake. Text on screen reads go.nps.gov/glaciercamping
Here's three tips for camping in Glacier National Park!
1. Park your car and your tent on durable surfaces, not on plants.
2. Keep all food stored away from wildlife. Anything smelly goes in your car or in a bear box.
3. Keep fires in the fire ring and drown them thoroughly when you're done.
Camping in Glacier National Park is a great way to experience the park beyond its hiking trails. Here are some frequently asked questions, general information, and ways to keep yourself, other visitors, wildlife, and the park as a whole safe during your time in Glacier.
Campground Information
Most campgrounds are available by reservation only and must be booked on Recreation.gov. To find out if these campgrounds still have availability, you will need to visit Recreation.gov.
A few, smaller campgrounds are strictly first-come, first-served and do not require reservations.
Reservation campgrounds include Avalanche, Apgar, Fish Creek, Many Glacier, St. Mary, Sprague Creek, and Two Medicine. Check Recreation.gov for availability.
Camping fees vary between $15 and $30 dollars per night during the summer season. Refunds are not available.
Other campgrounds within the park are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes Bowman Lake, Cut Bank, Kintla Lake, Logging Creek, Quartz Creek, and Rising Sun. Instructions for securing a first-come, first-served campsite are available at the entrances of the respective campground and on our First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds page.
Starting in 2025, Scan & Pay will be required through the Recreation.gov app to aqcuire a site in Cut Bank campground.
Want to receive live updates when these campgrounds fill? Sign up for Glacier National Park Notifications and be the first to know. Text GNPCGS to 333111 to sign up.
A limited number of sites at Apgar, Fish Creek, Sprague Creek, Avalanche, Rising Sun, St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine Campgrounds are set aside for those arriving by bicycle or on foot. Sites are shared, with a total capacity of up to 8 people per physical site.
Registration for hiker/biker sites is required via Scan & Pay. Scan & Pay is available through the free, Recreation.gov mobile app and allows payment of up to 8 people. This requires downloading the Recreation.gov app prior to your arrival. You will then need to sign into your Recreation.gov account. If you do not have an account, select the Sign-Up option. Look for the QR code located at the campground information board and read the posted instructions.
Prices for all hiker/biker sites are $8 per person. Motorcyclists must use regular unoccupied campsites. Hiker/biker sites are for non-motorized campers only. If hiker/bicyclist sites are full or campers do not want to share a site, they must use regular, unoccupied campsites, which require a reservation through Recreation.gov.
Camping is permitted only in designated campgrounds.
Utility hook-ups are not provided, and connection to water, sewer, or electrical outlets is prohibited.
Between July 1 and Labor Day, camping in the park is limited to 14 days, either in a single period or combined separate periods.
Between Labor Day and June 30, camping in the park is limited to 30 days, either in a single period or combined separate periods.
Do not feed, bait, or approach wildlife.
Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted.
Group sites for 9–24 campers are available at Apgar, Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine. Check with a park ranger or campground host prior to using.
Sites may not be left unattended for over 24 hours.
Check out time is noon. If staying another night, you must re-register by 11:30 am.
Secure your valuables in a locked vehicle out of sight.
Campground speed limits are 10 mph.
Bicyclists are responsible for complying with all traffic regulations and are permitted only on roadways.
Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Noise must be kept to a low level that does not disturb other campers.Generator use in campgrounds is permitted only during the following times: 8 am–10 am, noon–2 pm, or 5 pm–7 pm.
Generator use is prohibited AT ALL TIMES in the following campground areas:
Fish Creek, C Loop
Many Glacier, sites 48–59, 71, and 88–102
Rising Sun, sites 49–84
Sprague Creek, all sites
St. Mary, A Loop
Two Medicine, sites 1–36
Cutbank Campground, all sites
Unreasonable idling of motor vehicles is also prohibited.
Using campground faucets to wash dishes or clothing, to clean fish, to prepare food, or to bathe is prohibited. All wastewater, including water from showers and dishwashing, must be contained and disposed of in utility sinks or at RV dump stations. Do not leave wastewater unattended. Recreational vehicles must use drain hoses at dump stations.
Fee showers are available at the Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns and private campgrounds adjacent to the park. Showers are available for registered campers only at Fish Creek, Apgar, and St. Mary Campgrounds.
Ranger-led and Native America Speaks evening programs are offered throughout the summer and cover a variety of topics. Generally, programs start at 7:30 pm or later and last around 45 minutes. More information can be found on our Ranger-led Activities page. The following campgrounds have program amphitheaters:
Apgar
Fish Creek
Rising Sun
St. Mary (Loop C)
Two Medicine (Loop B, site 40)
Many Glacier
Additionally, programs are held at St. Mary Visitor Center Auditorium (nearest campgrounds: St. Mary and Rising Sun).
When campgrounds are open in primitive status, there are special considerations regarding water and sanitation. No potable water sources or dump station facilities are provided. Lake water or melted snow obtained for drinking or food preparation should be boiled (at least one minute) or treated using an approved filtration system.
Comfort stations are closed; campers should use the campground’s vault toilets. Washing dishes or discarding wastewater near campsites or water sources is prohibited. Filter food scraps (pack out as garbage) from dish water and scatter water on the ground at least 100 feet (30.5 meters) away from campsites, lakes, and streams.
Interested in hiking to a remote campsite? Learn more about Wilderness Camping in Glacier.
Apgar—The largest 25 sites have a maximum parking space of 40’.
Avalanche—The largest 50 spaces have a maximum parking space of 26’.
Bowman Lake—Vehicle combinations longer than 21’ are not allowed.
Cut Bank—Vehicle combinations longer than 21’ are not allowed.
Fish Creek—The largest 18 sites have a parking space of 35’. 62 additional sites can accommodate up to 27’.
Kintla Lake—Vehicle combinations longer than 21’ are not allowed.
Logging Creek—Vehicle combinations longer than 21’ are not allowed.
Many Glacier—Largest 13 sites have a maximum parking space of 35’.
Quartz Creek—Vehicle combinations longer than 21’ are not allowed.
Rising Sun—The largest 10 sites can fit vehicle combinations of 21’ feet. Anything over 21’ is not allowed.
Sprague Creek—Vehicle combinations longer than 21’ are not allowed.
St. Mary—The largest 3 sites can fit vehicles of up to 40’. An additional 22 sites can fit vehicles of up to 35’.
Two Medicine—The largest 10 sites have a maximum parking space of 35’.
Campground Safety
Glacier's campgrounds and developed areas can remain unattractive to bears if each visitor manages food and trash properly. Following park regulations will help keep visitors safe and bears alive.
Keep a clean camp. Always store food properly and never leave scented items unattended.
All scented toiletries such as deodorants and toothpaste, edible items, food containers (empty or not), cookwear (clean or not), and trash (including feminine hygiene products) must be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or designated food storage locker both day and night.
Do not throw any food or garbage into pit toilets or campfires.
Do not store any items with a scent in tents at any time. This includes but is not limited to food, drinks, sunscreen, bug spray, cooking utensils, and deodorants.
Monitor your campsite for signs of bears and for careless campers nearby. Notify park staff of any potential problems.
Do not bait or feed wildlife in the park.
Bears, mountain lions, and other wild animals are around and can be dangerous! Maintain 25 yards (23 meters) distance from all animals and 100 yards (91 meters) from bears and wolves. See the park’s Safety page for more information.
Closely supervise children whenever they’re outdoors, even in developed areas.
Feeding wildlife is prohibited. In pursuit of their usual food sources, animals will be attracted to improperly stored food. Allowing wildlife to obtain human food or trash is harmful to the animal, disrupts natural behaviors, and can create dangerous situations for both wildlife and humans.
Follow the food storage regulations listed above, and always maintain a clean camp. Violation of park regulations will result in the issuance of a citation (fine).
Report all bear and mountain lion sightings or encounters to the nearest ranger, campground host, or visitor center.
Still have questions about camping in Bear Country? Visit out Bear Safety page for additional information.
All areas are closed to pets, this includes Emotional Support Animals. The areas where pets are allowed include developed areas, front-country campsites, picnic areas, and in vessels on lakes where motorized watercraft are permitted.
Pets must be secured on a leash no longer than six feet, under physical restraint, or caged at all times.
Do not leave pets unattended.
Unattended pets can attract a mountain lion or bear and result in the loss of your pet.
Owners must pick up after their pets and dispose of waste in a trash receptacle, and they must not allow pets to make noise that is unreasonable.
Emotional Support Animals are not allowed on any trail within Glacier National Park.
Campfires can be a fun way to pass the time while camping. Here are a few tips to keep fires controlled and the landscapes, wildlife, cultural resources, and visitors of Glacier protected. It is your responsibility to maintain and fully extinguish the campfire.
To prevent human-caused ignitions follow these tips:
Be aware of any fire restrictions in place.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Never add gasoline or other flammable/igniting agents to a fire.
Be aware of sparks.
When done, drown the fire. Continue to pour water on it until the hissing sound stops.
Keep fires to fire rings and designated areas.
Keep to an appropriate size.
Do not move fire rings.
Fireworks are prohibited in national parks, including Glacier.
For additional information about fire safety and fire restrictions see the park's Outdoor Fire Safety page.
Firewood is available for purchase at most camp stores in and around Glacier. To prevent the spread of invasive species, it's required that firewood is labeled and certified as heat treated. Here are some additional suggestions to keep Glacier and the state of Montana safe:
Buy it where you burn it.
Don't move firewood across state lines.
Make sure your firewood is heat-treated or certified pest-free.
As a reminder gathering or cutting firewood in the park is unlawful, except in the following areas:
Along the Inside North Fork Road from Dutch Creek to Kintla Lake.
Along the Bowman Lake Road.
In the immediate vicinity of backcountry campgrounds that allow woodfires.
In the areas listed above, only dead wood on the ground may be collected.
Fires must be kept inside fire grates and attended at all times. Be sure your fire is completely out when leaving for any reason.
