Apgar Campground Guide: Glacier National Park Camping
Apgar Campground is the largest campground in Glacier National Park with 194 sites on the west shore of Lake McDonald. Standard sites cost $30/night in peak season (May–September 2026), and reservations open on a 6-month rolling window via Recreation.gov. This guide covers site types, fees, seasonal access, nearby trails, and packing tips based on NPS.gov data and NPD campground records.
What Is Apgar Campground?
Apgar Campground Guide: Glacier National Park Camping — Apgar Campground has 194 campsites on the west side of Glacier National Park next to Lake McDonald, per NPS.gov and park campground records. The site count makes Apgar the park’s largest campground and a major base for lake access.
Per NPS.gov, Apgar sits beside Lake McDonald on the park’s west side. Park data shows Apgar offers both tent and RV sites. The campground’s shoreline access changes the camping tradeoffs. Walk-in sites sit quieter. Lakeside loops fill early in summer.
We researched NPS.gov and NPD campground data to compare site types, fees, and season windows for 2026. Our summary: Apgar suits visitors who want easy access to Lake McDonald, short hikes like Trail of the Cedars, and nearby shuttle stops. If you prioritize solitude, pick a walk-in or shoulder-season date.
Quick Facts — Apgar Campground (194 sites) — west side, Lake McDonald
- Location
- West side of Glacier National Park, on Lake McDonald (per NPS.gov)
- Total sites
- 194 sites (park data)
- Hookups
- None (standard nonelectric sites)
- RV length limit
- Up to 40 ft on ~25 sites (park data)
- Peak-season fees
- $30/night for standard sites (Peak season: May 1 –Sep 29, 2026)
- Walk-to sites
- $8/person/night (walk-to hiker/biker sites)
- Reservation window
- 6-month rolling for most sites; some 4-day window holds
- Entrance fee note
- Standard pass $20–$35; non-U.S. residents 16+ pay additional $100 surcharge (2026 rules)
- Nearest road
- West Glacier / US-2 (per NPS.gov directions)
- Park phone
- (406) 888-7800 (NPS)
- Park crowding index
- 2,855.9 visitors per 1,000 acres (NPD crowd metric)
- Annual visitors
- 2,893,996 annual visitors (NPS IRMA stats)
Apgar Campground
194
$30/night (standard site, peak season: May 1 –Sep 29, 2026)
Open year-round; peak season May 1 –Sep 29, 2026
Hiker/biker walk-to (shared)
Group sites (5 reservable sites for 9–24 people)
2 wheelchair-accessible sites (C122, C152)
Vault toilets (winter/primitive seasons), Seasonal potable water (peak season), Dump station open seasonally, Trash and recycling collection during staffed season, Showers available in nearby Apgar Village seasonally
Apgar Campground has 194 campsites and offers tent and RV options close to Lake McDonald. Park data lists about 25 sites that can handle RVs or trailers up to 40 feet. Two sites are wheelchair accessible. Group sites accept 9–24 people per reservation.
Fees change by season. Per NPS.gov and NPD records, standard sites are $30 per night in peak season and $20 per night in shoulder seasons for 2026. Walk-to hiker/biker sites charge $8 per person per night year-round when available. Winter camping is free through March 31, 2026, but comfort stations and potable water are closed. Per NPS.gov, all park fees are cashless, and non-U.S. residents aged 16+ pay an added $100 surcharge unless they have a qualifying annual pass.
Booking tip: most sites release on a six-month rolling calendar. Peak 2026 dates began releasing January 2, 2026. Per Recreation.gov rules, reserve early for lakeside loops and group sites, and target the 4-day window for last-minute available sites.
Apgar Campground
Single-POI map centered on Apgar Campground with practical nearby points of interest and seasonal drive-time notes.
Locations shown on this map:
- Apgar Campground (194 sites)
— 194 sites, fee listed as 30.00 - Apgar Visitor Center
- Apgar Campground (place)
— The Apgar Campground in Glacier National Park. - Apgar Lookout Trailhead
- Apgar Village
- Beaver Pond Loop Trailhead
— In the summer, Beaver Pond Loop is a nice, relatively flat trail. - Forest and Fire Nature Trail
— Visit the Forest and Fire Nature Trail to learn about the history of fire in the park.
Visitor Services
Trailheads & Short Walks
Nature Trails / Overlooks
Apgar Campground Reservation
All overnight stays during peak season (and most reservable sites year-round)
$30/night for standard sites in peak season; $8/person/night for walk-to sites (2026 fees)
6-month rolling window; peak-season dates released Jan 2, 2026
Peak season May 1 –Sep 29, 2026; primitive and winter statuses outside those dates
Most of Apgar’s 194 sites are reservable; some hiker/biker sites held for walk-up
Reservations are required during peak season. Per Recreation.gov booking patterns, target the six-month opening for lakeside loops. For last-minute trips, check the 4-day window and monitor cancellations. Bring backup dates for group or lakeside loops.
How Apgar Compares to Other Glacier Campgrounds
| Name | Sites | Hookups | Proximity to trailheads / lake | Crowd level (summer) | Best use-case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apgar Campground | 194 | None | On Lake McDonald; Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake access | High (lakeside loops fill early) | Base for lake recreation, short hikes, and shuttle access |
| Fish Creek Campground | 178 | None | West-side access near Fish Creek trailheads and shops | High | Good for west-side beach access and moderate crowds |
| Many Glacier Campground | 109 | None noted (park data) | Closer to Many Glacier valley trailheads (east side hiking focus) | High to Very High (summer) | Best for early-morning alpine hikes and east-side trail access |
| St. Mary area (campground options) | Varies by site | Limited | East-side access to Going-to-the-Sun Road and St. Mary trailheads | High (summer peak around Logan Pass) | Choose for high-country day hikes and east-side viewpoints |
Data compiled from NPS campground pages and NPD crowding/amenity records for Glacier National Park.
Apgar Seasonal Guide – July is busiest with summer highs near 67°F and July, August, September are best months
Best time: July – September · Avoid: November – April (most facilities closed)
Moderate — noticeable crowds, short waits
High — busy, expect parking and trail congestion
Very High — peak season, reservations essential
Closed — area inaccessible or seasonally closed
Which Trails Start at Apgar?
Apgar area supports short-to-moderate trails including Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake that range from 1.5 to 4.5 miles round trip, per NPS trail pages and park trail statistics. These trails link directly to Lake McDonald shoreline access and shuttle points.
Trail of the Cedars is an easy, mostly boardwalk loop and provides wheelchair access to the lakeshore. NPS.gov lists it as family-friendly and low elevation gain. Avalanche Lake Trail is 4.5 miles round trip with about 500 feet of elevation gain, and NPS recommends starting early to avoid afternoon crowds. The Apgar Lookout Trail is a longer, strenuous option: 6 to 7.2 miles round trip with 1,835 to 2,096 feet elevation gain and a historic 1929 lookout at the top (per NPS trail pages).
Visitor patterns show early mornings are quieter on Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars. Based on NPD trail-usage data, midweek and pre-7AM starts cut crowd encounters by half compared to midday. Editorial tip: pair a Trail of the Cedars morning hike with a nearby walk-in campsite to return to a quieter loop site.
What to Pack for Apgar Camping
Campsite Essentials
- Tent footprint and stakes
- Sleeping bag rated for the season
- Camp stove and fuel
- Bear-proof food container or use park bear lockers when provided
- Headlamp and extra batteries
Day-Hike Gear
- Hiking boots
- Daypack (20–30L)
- Water and hydration system
- Trail map or downloaded GPS route
- Light rain layer
Lake / Shuttle
- Water shoes for Lake McDonald shoreline
- Waterproof dry bag for electronics
- Shuttle ticket printed or on phone (seasonal shuttle begins July 1, 2026 per NPD notes)
- Small cooler if allowed in campground rules
Safety & Bear Country
- Bear spray (mandatory in bear country) 7.9 oz canister recommended
- First aid kit
- Whistle and headlamp
- Knowledge of bear safety protocols (NPS.gov guidance)
Winter basics
- Cold-rated sleeping bag and insulated pad
- Stove rated for cold temps
- Extra warm layers and waterproof outerwear
- Hand warmers and high-calorie food
How We Researched This Guide
- NPS.gov – official park data, fees, and regulations
- Recreation.gov – reservation and permit rules
- NPD campground and visitation datasets – crowding and amenity metrics
- NPS IRMA visitor statistics
- Weather.gov / Open-Meteo – climate normals and 7-day forecasts
- NPSpecies – verified species records
Seasonal road openings and service hours can change with weather. Fees and shuttle rules were current for early 2026. Check live NPS alerts for last-minute changes.
Key Takeaways for Apgar
Apgar Campground has 194 sites on Lake McDonald and serves as the west-side hub for short hikes and lake access, per NPS.gov and NPD data. Peak-season site fees are $30 per night and reservations are required during peak season.
Top five planning points: pick your site type first (lakeside vs walk-in), book on the six-month rolling release, plan hikes early to avoid crowds, carry bear spray for grizzly country, and expect July–August to be the busiest months. For winter stays note that water and comfort stations may be closed and vault toilets used.
Next step: decide dates, check Recreation.gov for site availability, and confirm park alerts before travel.
Apgar campsites fill fast in summer 2026. Book early on Recreation.gov using the six-month rolling calendar and monitor 4-day releases for last-minute openings.
Peak-season sites released starting January 2, 2026; use the 6-month window.
