Camping Near Glacier National Park: Best Overflow Options
From resort pools to free dispersed sites, 14 overflow tent camping options near Glacier at every price point within 30 minutes of each entrance.
Glacier's 13 in-park campgrounds fill early—often by 8 AM in July and August. When Fish Creek, Apgar, and Many Glacier show full on Recreation.gov, dozens of private, USFS, and tribal tent camping options within 30 minutes of each entrance offer overflow sites at every price point.
- 14 major overflow campgrounds
- $15–$225 nightly price range
- 30 min max drive from entrances
- 16 days max free dispersed stay
West Glacier KOA Resort — West · 3 miles from entrance
Best full-service optionGlacier's largest overflow campground with resort amenities — pools, hot tubs, and 350+ sites.
- Two heated pools, hot tubs, saunas, playground, dog park, laundry, Wi-Fi
- Lazy Bear Cafe on-site for breakfast
- Full-hookup sites for RVs up to 75 feet; tent sites and deluxe cabins available
- Summer weekends sell out months in advance — reserve at koa.com by January
A $25 nightly resort fee covers pool and amenity access. Peak pricing ($225/night) applies to premium RV sites; basic tent sites run $85/night. This is the most popular overflow choice for families seeking comfort.
Glacier Campground — West · 1 mile from entrance
Best proximity + peaceThe closest private campground to West Entrance — family-owned 42 years with a quiet riverside setting.
- Operated since 1984 along the Middle Fork Flathead River
- Mix of tent-only, water/electric hookup, and cabin options
- Showers, flush toilets, camp store, firewood sales
- More laid-back than KOA resort atmosphere but still within a mile of the park gate
This is an excellent middle-ground: close enough to beat gate lines but far enough removed to feel like a real campground. The forested riverside location provides shade and natural appeal that KOA's manicured resort environment lacks.
West Glacier RV Park — West · 0.5 miles from entrance
Best for proximity obsessivesThe absolute closest option to the West Entrance gate — 40 full-hookup sites at premium pricing.
- Half-mile from West Entrance gate — unbeatable proximity for morning traffic
- Full-hookup RV pads with paved surfaces
- Mountain views, compact facility with 40 sites
- Operated by Glacier Park Collection; open May 8 through September 27, 2026
If being first in the gate line each morning matters to your strategy, the premium pricing ($75–$110) is justified by proximity alone. RVs up to 45 feet; full-hookup infrastructure ensures you're never scrambling for water or sewer.
Mountain Meadow RV Park — West · Hungry Horse, 7 miles west
Best value for RVsAffordable full-hookup RV camping in the Hungry Horse corridor with town amenities nearby.
- 60 full-hookup sites at roughly half the price of West Glacier options
- On-site laundry and general store
- Town of Hungry Horse has gas, restaurants, grocery — good for longer stays
- Just 7 miles west on Highway 2; easy access but noticeably more affordable
Glacier View Campground — West · 10 miles west
Best for budget tent campingQuiet forest setting on the Middle Fork with 20 primitive sites — budget camping for tent-first travelers.
- Vault toilets and fire rings; no water hookups
- Quiet forest setting on the Middle Fork Flathead River
- First-come, first-served — arrive early for availability
- Budget alternative to private campgrounds with full amenities
Chewing Black Bones Campground — East · St. Mary, 6 miles from entrance
Best east-side optionBlackfeet Nation lakefront campground with 120+ sites on Lower St. Mary Lake — the top east-side overflow.
- 120+ sites including pull-through RV spots with electric hookups and primitive tent sites
- Direct lake access for fishing and kayaking
- Operated by Siyeh Corporation; hosts annual cultural demonstration and Veterans Powwow July 4th
- Showers, restrooms; best tent camping near the eastern entrance
This Blackfeet Nation campground is the largest and most developed east-side option. The lakefront setting and cultural programming make it more than just a parking spot—it's an authentic gateway experience.
St. Mary / East Glacier KOA Holiday — East · 1 mile from entrance
Best east-side resortResort-style camping at the eastern terminus of Going-to-the-Sun Road with 200+ sites from budget tents to deluxe cabins.
- One mile from the St. Mary entrance and eastern terminus of Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Full-hookup RV sites, playground, camp store, organized activities
- Basic tent spots ($50/night) to deluxe multi-bedroom cabins ($300/night)
- Reserve via koa.com or call 1-844-977-8844
East-side counterpart to West Glacier KOA. The wide price range and amenities make this a flexible choice whether you're in a tent or pulling a rig. On-site activities and store make extended stays feasible.
Johnson's of St. Mary — East · 0.5 miles from entrance
Best quiet alternativeFamily-run campground half a mile from the St. Mary entrance with on-site cafe and quieter vibe than the KOA.
- Family-owned operation with personal touch
- 75 sites with water/electric hookups, tent-only spots, and basic cabins
- Johnson's Cafe on-site serves breakfast and lunch — genuine local favorite
- Showers, laundry, camp store available; more affordable than KOA
The on-site cafe is a genuine draw—locals eat here, not just tourists. The family operation creates a different atmosphere than corporate KOA properties.
Big Creek USFS Campground — North Fork · Camas, 20 miles from entrance
Best for river access22 riverside sites on the North Fork Flathead in forested mountain setting — perfect for kayakers and anglers.
- 22 sites on the North Fork of the Flathead River
- Vault toilets, fire rings, excellent for kayakers and anglers
- Heavily forested setting with strong privacy between sites
- 14-day stay limit; first-come, first-served
Emery Bay USFS Campground — West · Hungry Horse Reservoir, 15 miles south
Best lake recreation on budget25 sites on Hungry Horse Reservoir with boat ramp and swimming beach — water recreation at $15/night.
- 25 sites on the shore of Hungry Horse Reservoir
- Boat ramp and swimming area included
- Outstanding mountain views across the water
- 14-day stay limit; first-come, first-served
Scenic setting with water access at an unbeatable price point. The reservoir is excellent for boating and swimming—a different experience from mountain lakes but equally refreshing.
Tally Lake USFS Campground — West · 30 miles from Glacier
Best developed USFS option39 sites on Montana's deepest natural lake (492 feet) with paved access and excellent fishing.
- 39 sites on Montana's deepest natural lake
- Boat ramp, swimming beach, excellent westslope cutthroat and bull trout fishing
- Most developed USFS campground in the area with paved access roads
- 14-day stay limit; first-come, first-served
Blankenship Bridge (Free Dispersed) — West · 10 miles from entrance
Best free optionThe most popular free dispersed site near Glacier—5–8 established sites with fire rings on the Middle Fork Flathead.
- 5–8 established fire rings along the Middle Fork Flathead River
- River access for fishing and swimming
- Gravel road accessible to most vehicles (Forest Road 1599)
- Arrives early—sites fill by midday in July and August
This is the free dispersed site everyone knows about, which means arrive before 10 AM in peak season if you want a spot. The tradeoff: completely free camping on a scenic river with no amenities. No water, no toilets—true self-sufficiency. Maximum 16-day stay.
North Fork Flathead River (Free Dispersed) — North Fork · 15 miles from Camas entrance
Best for shorter free staysThree established free sites on the North Fork with 3-night stay limit—quieter free alternative to Blankenship.
- 3 established sites with fire rings maintained by the Forest Service
- North Fork Road gravel access; quiet and remote setting
- Shorter 3-night stay limit compared to standard 16-day forest limit
- No established amenities—bring all water, pack out all trash
A quieter free alternative to Blankenship, but with a shorter stay limit. The shorter maximum encourages turnover, meaning better chances of finding an open site if you're flexible on length.
McGinnis Creek Area (Free Dispersed) — West · Forest Road 895, 20 miles from entrance
Best for flexible boondockingMultiple pull-off free boondocking sites on Forest Road 895 near McGinnis Creek drainage—full 16-day dispersed freedom.
- Multiple pull-off sites along Forest Road 895 suitable for tents, vans, and small RVs
- Roughly 20 miles from the West Entrance
- Full 16-day stay maximum (longer than North Fork's 3-night limit)
- No established amenities—bring all water, pack out all trash
McGinnis Creek offers maximum flexibility for self-sufficient travelers. The multiple pull-offs mean better odds of finding a suitable site even in peak season, and the full 16-day window accommodates longer stays than North Fork sites.
Common Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Glacier National Park?
West Glacier KOA Resort (3 miles, 350+ sites, resort amenities), Glacier Campground (1 mile, family-owned, river setting), and Chewing Black Bones (east side, Blackfeet Nation, lakefront, 120+ sites) are the top three. For budget camping, USFS campgrounds like Big Creek and Emery Bay offer $15/night sites.
Can you camp for free near Glacier National Park?
Yes. Dispersed camping is free throughout Flathead National Forest with a 16-day maximum stay. Popular free sites include Blankenship Bridge (Middle Fork Flathead River), North Fork Flathead River (3-night limit), and McGinnis Creek Area (Forest Road 895). You must be fully self-sufficient: bring all water, pack out all trash, bury human waste 6–8 inches deep, 200 feet from water.
How early do campgrounds near Glacier fill up?
Private campgrounds should be reserved months in advance for July–August (West Glacier KOA and St. Mary KOA accept reservations starting in January). USFS first-come campgrounds fill by noon on peak weekdays and mid-morning on weekends. Free dispersed sites like Blankenship Bridge fill by 10 AM in peak summer; arrive Thursday mid-morning for weekend-length stays.
What camping gear is essential for Glacier area camping?
Bear spray (grizzlies active May–October), 20°F sleeping bag (temps drop to 30–40°F at night even in July), rain jacket (30+ inches precipitation annually, afternoon thunderstorms common), water filter (giardia present in surface water), headlamp with red light mode (USFS sites have zero lighting), and portable stove (fire restrictions common July–September). East side is 5–10° cooler than west side.
