Gas Stations, Groceries, and Supplies Near Glacier National Park (2026)
There are no gas stations inside Glacier National Park, and full-service grocery stores do not exist once you pass through the entrance gates. Fill your tank and stock your cooler before you arrive. The gateway towns of West Glacier, Columbia Falls, St. Mary, and Whitefish have everything you need, but once you are on Going-to-the-Sun Road, the nearest pump is miles behind you.
This guide covers every gas station, grocery option, EV charger, and camp supply source within practical range of Glacier National Park, organized by which entrance you are using so you can plan your supply run before the trip.
- No gas is sold anywhere inside Glacier National Park. Fill up in gateway towns before entering, per NPS.gov.
- West Glacier has 3 gas stations right at the west entrance. Columbia Falls (15 miles west) has the widest selection including a 24-hour Super 1 grocery.
- On the east side, a 24-hour Sinclair station sits next to the St. Mary Grocery Store at the park east entrance.
- Three free EV chargers are inside the park: Apgar Visitor Center (2024), St. Mary Visitor Center (2023), and Lake McDonald Lodge (2016), all with a 2-hour limit when busy.
- Camp stores at Apgar, Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, and Two Medicine sell snacks, ice, and limited supplies inside the park.
- Bear spray is cheapest at Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls, also available at the Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier.
- ATMs are at Apgar Village, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Many Glacier Hotel. Bring cash as a backup during peak season when machines run out.
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Is There a Gas Station Inside Glacier National Park?
No. NPS.gov is explicit: “Gas is not available inside the park. You will find service stations in towns just outside the park. It is wise to gas up before you come.”
This applies to the entire park from west to east. Going-to-the-Sun Road is 50 miles long with no fuel stops. A low tank at the west entrance means a 50-mile alpine drive before you can refuel at St. Mary, or backtracking out to West Glacier.
Gas Stations Near Glacier National Park West Entrance
Three gas stations sit within one mile of the West Entrance in West Glacier. For a wider selection and lower prices, Columbia Falls, 15 miles west on US-2, has multiple stations with several open 24 hours.
| Location | Distance from West Entrance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West Glacier (3 stations) | 0 to 1 mile | Closest option; gateway-town pricing typical |
| Cenex Zip Trip, 10049 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls | ~15 miles | Convenient on US-2 corridor |
| Conoco Mikes, 1645 9th St W, Columbia Falls | ~16 miles | Full-service station in Columbia Falls |
| Junction Gas and Groceries, 7322 Hwy 2 E | ~14 miles | Gas plus convenience store combo |
| Kalispell (multiple stations) | ~33 miles | Best prices; Costco gas available here |
Polebridge (North Fork): The Polebridge Mercantile carries gas for the remote North Fork area, but it is seasonal (roughly May through October) with limited hours. Do not rely on Polebridge as a primary fuel stop when heading to Bowman or Kintla Lakes.
Gas Stations Near Glacier National Park East Entrance
The east side of Glacier is more remote. St. Mary, at the park east entrance, has a 24-hour Sinclair station adjacent to the St. Mary Grocery Store. This is the critical fuel stop before heading into the park from the east.
| Location | Distance from East Entrance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sinclair, St. Mary | At east entrance | 24-hour; most convenient east-side fuel option |
| Browning (several stations) | ~12 miles east | Tribal land; multiple full-service options available |
| East Glacier Park Village | ~30 miles south | Seasonal; serves Two Medicine area visitors |
Visitors approaching Many Glacier from the east should fuel at St. Mary before turning north on Many Glacier Road. There is no gas at Many Glacier. The road is a dead end and the nearest fuel is back at St. Mary, roughly 12 miles away.
Where to Buy Groceries Near Glacier National Park
No full-service grocery stores operate inside Glacier. Stock up at a full supermarket before arriving. Here is the breakdown by region.
West Side: Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Kalispell
Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls (2100 9th St W) is the single best grocery stop for most Glacier visitors. It is 15 miles from the west entrance, open 24 hours, and specifically gears up for park visitors: styrofoam coolers, bear spray at some of the lowest prices in the region, camping food, and fresh produce all in one stop, per community reporting on TripAdvisor.
For bulk supplies at the lowest prices, a Walmart (US-93 north of central Kalispell) and Costco (north end of Kalispell) are about 33 miles from the west entrance. Worth the drive if provisioning for a week-long trip.
| Store | Location | Miles from West Entrance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super 1 Foods | Columbia Falls | ~15 | Full groceries, bear spray, coolers, open 24 hours |
| West Glacier Mercantile | West Glacier | ~1 | Convenience items, deli, beer and wine |
| Super One | Whitefish | ~25 | Organic and specialty items, larger selection |
| Walmart | Kalispell | ~33 | Budget bulk supplies, general merchandise |
| Costco | Kalispell | ~33 | Bulk camping food, best overall prices |
East Side: St. Mary and East Glacier
The St. Mary Grocery Store is the primary east-side option. It carries beer and wine, fresh meat and produce, ice, and firewood per Glacier Park Collection. For a broader selection, Browning (12 miles east on US-89) has additional stores and services.
North Fork: Polebridge Mercantile
The Polebridge Mercantile sells basic groceries, famous baked goods, and camping staples for the remote North Fork area of Glacier. It runs on solar power with limited stock, and is open seasonally approximately May through October. Use it for top-ups and treats, not a primary resupply.
What Supplies Can You Buy Inside Glacier National Park?
Five locations inside the park sell limited supplies through camp stores, per NPS.gov. Expect snacks, ice, firewood, and basic sundries, not a grocery store substitute.
| Location | Camp Store Services | ATM |
|---|---|---|
| Apgar Village | Camp store, gift shops, restaurant, paddleboard rentals | Yes |
| Lake McDonald Lodge | Camp store, gift shops, restaurant, EV charger | Yes |
| Many Glacier | Camp store, restaurant | Yes |
| Rising Sun | Camp store, gift shop, restaurant | No |
| Two Medicine | Camp store only | No |
EV Charging at and Near Glacier National Park
Glacier now has three Level 2 EV chargers inside the park, a significant expansion over recent years. All are available to the public, though the Apgar and St. Mary chargers require a valid park entrance pass.
| Location | Installed | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apgar Visitor Center parking lot | September 2024 | Free | 2-hour limit when others waiting; park pass required |
| St. Mary Visitor Center | July 2023 | Free | 2-hour limit when others waiting; park pass required |
| Lake McDonald Lodge | 2016 (Xanterra) | Varies | Concession-operated; public and guest access |
Per the NPS, the Apgar charger was funded by the Glacier National Park Conservancy. During peak summer season, plan for early morning or off-peak sessions to avoid competition for charger spots.
EV Charging Stations Near Glacier Outside the Park
- Tesla Supercharger at 1380 Wisconsin Ave, Whitefish, approximately 25 miles from the west entrance
- ChargePoint at 2955 Highway 93 South, Kalispell, approximately 33 miles from the west entrance
- Additional stations listed in the Glacier Country charging station directory
For non-Tesla EVs, the ChargePoint in Kalispell is the most reliable fast-charge option near Glacier. Use PlugShare for real-time charger availability before making the drive.
ATMs, Bear Spray, and Other Essentials Near Glacier National Park
ATMs
ATMs are available at Apgar Village, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Many Glacier Hotel. Machines frequently run out of cash during July and August peak season. Withdraw cash in Columbia Falls, Whitefish, or Kalispell before arriving if possible.
Bear Spray
Bear spray is strongly recommended for all hiking in Glacier per NPS.gov. The cheapest source in the area is Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls. The Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier also carries it, as does Sportsman in Whitefish. Buy before entering since prices at in-park camp stores are higher where available.
Camping Gear and Outdoor Supplies
The Glacier Outdoor Center in West Glacier specializes in hiking and rafting gear with brands including Marmot, Patagonia, and Chaco. For full outfitter-level gear, REI and specialty retailers are in Missoula, approximately 150 miles south of the park.
Ice and Firewood
Ice and firewood are sold at all five in-park camp stores and at most gateway gas stations. NPS recommends buying firewood locally to prevent the spread of invasive insects. Do not transport firewood from home.
Glacier Entrance Fees in 2026
Per the NPS, 2026 entrance fees are $35 per private vehicle valid for 7 days (winter rate $25 from November 1 through April 30), $30 per motorcycle (winter $20), $20 per person on foot or bicycle (winter $15), $70 for an annual park pass, and $80 for the America the Beautiful annual pass covering all federal lands. See the full breakdown at Glacier National Park Entrance Fees and Passes 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a gas station inside Glacier National Park?
Where is the closest grocery store to Glacier National Park west entrance?
Can you charge an electric vehicle inside Glacier National Park?
Where can I buy bear spray near Glacier National Park?
Is there an ATM inside Glacier National Park?
How We Researched This Guide
- NPS.gov Glacier National Park Goods and Services page (primary source for in-park services)
- NPS.gov Glacier Basic Information and Entrance Fees pages
- NPS.gov EV charger installation announcements for Apgar 2024 and St. Mary 2023
- Glacier Park Collection St. Mary Village and West Glacier Village shopping pages
- Glacier Country Montana charging station directory at glaciermt.com
- PlugShare EV charger location data
- Polebridge Mercantile official site at polebridgemerc.com
Seasonal hours for camp stores, gas stations, and the Polebridge Mercantile change annually. Verify current-season dates on NPS.gov before relying on in-park or gateway services. EV charger availability is real-time. Use PlugShare for live status.
Planning your full Glacier trip? See our complete cost breakdown for gas, food, lodging, and entrance fees, or check our top tips to avoid common…
