Do you need a vehicle reservation to drive Camas Road in 2026?

No. Vehicle reservations have been suspended for the 2026 season at Glacier National Park. Camas Road and the North Fork area have never required vehicle reservations — access is first-come, first-served. You do need a valid park pass ($35/vehicle, 7 days).

Is Camas Road open year-round?

No. Camas Road typically opens in mid-June (snow and road conditions dependent) and closes in mid-October. The closure protects the road from winter damage and limits disturbance in areas designated as critical ungulate winter range for moose, deer, and elk.

Can you drive Camas Road in an RV or motorhome?

Yes. Camas Road is fully paved with no length or width restrictions for its entire 11.7 miles — unlike Going-to-the-Sun Road, which restricts vehicles over 21 feet between Avalanche Creek and Sun Point. If you continue onto the Inner North Fork Road beyond Camas Road, that section is rough unpaved dirt and not suitable for large RVs.

What is the best time of day to see wildlife on Camas Road?

Early morning from 5 to 7 AM offers the best wildlife activity. Bears, moose, elk, and deer are most active during cooler hours. A second window from 6 to 8 PM is also productive. Midday (10 AM to 4 PM) is the least productive period as animals retreat to shaded forest.

How long does it take to drive Camas Road?

The 11.7-mile road takes about 20 to 25 minutes at a steady pace. Budget 1.5 to 2 hours if you plan to stop at pullouts for wildlife viewing, photography, or short walks. A full day trip combining Camas Road with the North Fork Road drive to Polebridge covers roughly 50 miles and takes 4 to 5 hours including stops.

How Does Camas Road Compare to Going-to-the-Sun Road?

Going-to-the-Sun Road is rightly famous: 50 miles of alpine drama, Logan Pass at 6,647 feet, and dozens of dramatic overlooks. But it is also one of the most congested roads in the entire National Park System during July and August. Vehicle reservations have been suspended for 2026, which means morning traffic at the West Glacier entrance can still stack up significantly before 10 AM. Camas Road offers a fundamentally different experience: FeatureCamas RoadGoing-to-the-Sun Road Length11.7 miles~

What Wildlife Can You See on Camas Road?

The Camas Road corridor is one of the best wildlife-watching drives in Glacier. The forested meadow mix and Camas Creek riparian zone create ideal habitat for several species, and the low traffic volume means animals are less disturbed than on the park's busier corridors. Moose are frequently spotted in the meadows and creek areas along Camas Road, especially in early morning. CAMP USA Inc Minima 2 Sl Tent $379.95 View Moose are the headline sighting. They favor the marshy meadow sections along

What Trails Start from Camas Road?

Three maintained trailheads are accessible directly from Camas Road, ranging from an easy interpretive walk to a full-day point-to-point hike into the North Fork backcountry. Camas Creek Trail is the primary backcountry option. The 7.2-mile point-to-point trail gains 628 feet of elevation and follows Camas Creek through forested sections that open into marshy meadows, then traverses Rogers Meadow with sweeping views of Heavens Peak and Mt. Vaught. The trail is rated intermediate difficulty. The

When Is Camas Road Open?

Camas Road typically opens in mid-June and closes in mid-October, with exact dates depending on snowmelt and road conditions each year. Per NPS.gov, the park does not open roads early even when weather permits — official schedules follow safety protocols for snowmelt and road stability. In 2026, Hungry Horse News confirmed that Glacier will not open Camas Road ahead of schedule regardless of early conditions. MonthRoad StatusWildlife ActivityCrowd Level May to Early JuneClosedRoad closedN/A Mid-

Camas Road Glacier National Park: Complete Drive Guide 2026

Q: What Is Camas Road?

Camas Road — officially named the Camas Creek Cutoff Road — is an 11.7-mile, fully paved two-lane road on the west side of Glacier National Park. It begins at a junction with Going-to-the-Sun Road near the Apgar Visitor Center, runs northwest through forested terrain along Camas Creek, and ends at the North Fork Road junction at the park's western boundary with Flathead National Forest. The road was constructed between 1960 and 1967 as part of the National Park Service's Mission 66 modernization

Camas Road is Glacier National Park’s quietest scenic drive — an 11.7-mile paved corridor on the park’s west side that delivers wildlife sightings, forested mountain views, and genuine solitude, all without the crowds that jam Going-to-the-Sun Road every summer morning. The road runs from the Apgar Visitor Center north to the North Fork Road junction, passing moose meadows, Camas Creek, and the Apgar Range backcountry — and in peak season you may drive the entire length without seeing more than a handful of other vehicles.

Clear blue Lake McDonald reflects pine-covered mountains at the west entrance of Glacier National Park, near Camas Road — Lake McDonald sits at the southern end of Camas Road, near the Apgar Visitor Center trailhead.

This guide covers everything you need to drive Camas Road in 2026: the exact route, wildlife hotspots, trailheads, seasonal opening dates, and tips for maximizing your chances of seeing moose and bears.

Key Takeaways

Camas Road is 11.7 miles of paved road connecting Apgar to North Fork Road — far less crowded than Going-to-the-Sun Road.
No vehicle reservation is required for Camas Road in 2026. A standard park pass ($35/vehicle) covers entry.
The road typically opens mid-June and closes mid-October due to snow.
Moose, black bears, elk, and deer are regularly spotted — best viewing is 5 to 7 AM and 6 to 8 PM.
Three trailheads branch off the road: Camas Creek Trail (7.2 mi), Huckleberry Lookout, and the Forest and Fire Nature Trail.
The road is RV-friendly. Note that North Fork Road beyond Camas Road is unpaved and rough.
No gas stations exist along Camas Road — fill up before entering the park.

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What Is Camas Road?

Camas Road — officially named the Camas Creek Cutoff Road — is an 11.7-mile, fully paved two-lane road on the west side of Glacier National Park. It begins at a junction with Going-to-the-Sun Road near the Apgar Visitor Center, runs northwest through forested terrain along Camas Creek, and ends at the North Fork Road junction at the park’s western boundary with Flathead National Forest.

The road was constructed between 1960 and 1967 as part of the National Park Service’s Mission 66 modernization program, at a cost of $2.5 million. Per NPS.gov, Camas Road was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in June 2015 for its statewide significance as a well-preserved example of mid-20th-century roadway engineering. Park administrators originally built it partly to relieve congestion on Going-to-the-Sun Road and to increase visitation to the remote North Fork region.

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