Cut Bank

Quiet tent campground on a 5-mile dirt road; no hookups, vault toilets, bear country.

When to come

Late May–mid-September; roads open and conditions comfortable

Campground

CampgroundOPERATIONAL★ 4.8

Cut Bank Campground on Glacier NP's east side offers 14 primitive sites along a 5-mile dirt road. There are no hookups and potable water isn't provided; plan for bear safety.

The Cut Bank Campground is located on the east side of Glacier National Park and provides a sense of peace and quiet that may not be found in larger campgrounds within the park. The campground is accessed by a 5-mile dirt road off of highway 89. The campground is geared toward tent campers. RVs are not recommended. Starting in 2025, Scan & Pay will be required through the Recreation.gov app to pay for a campsite. This requires downloading the free Recreation.gov mobile app prior to arrival.

Quick facts

Reservation System
First-come, first-served. NPS requires payment through Scan & Pay in the Recreation.gov app; this is not an advance campsite reservation.
Reservation Window
Not applicable; first-come, first-served
Reservation Tips
Have the Recreation.gov app ready for the required Scan & Pay payment. Follow the posted arrival instructions. NPS warns that first-come campgrounds often fill early in summer, so keep an alternative overnight plan. A saved planner stop does not secure a campsite.
Season Dates
Late May–mid-September

CHOOSE YOUR OVERNIGHT BASE

Should you camp here?

Why camp here?

Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: Tent camper seeking quiet, forested setting with a short dirt-road approach and no hookups; you bring your own water and manage vault toilets. ❌ SKIP IF: You need full RV amenities, paved access, or hookups for multiple vehicles.
Vibe Check
Remote, forested tent campground; no cell service; peace and solitude at the cost of few services

What kind of site will you get?

Site Type Breakdown
Tent: 14 sites
Site Privacy
Sites close together at times; some feel secluded due to remoteness

How does it fit your Glacier trip?

Distance From Entrance
30-40 minutes from East Glacier Park (59434) to Glacier NP Entrance Station
Trailheads Nearby
Triple Divide Pass; Medicine Grizzly Lake; Morning Star Lake

Reservations & season

Reservation System
First-come, first-served. NPS requires payment through Scan & Pay in the Recreation.gov app; this is not an advance campsite reservation.
Reservation Window
Not applicable; first-come, first-served
Reservation Tips
Have the Recreation.gov app ready for the required Scan & Pay payment. Follow the posted arrival instructions. NPS warns that first-come campgrounds often fill early in summer, so keep an alternative overnight plan. A saved planner stop does not secure a campsite.
Season Dates
Late May–mid-September
Fills Up Speed
Generally not crowded; can fill on peak days
Per Night Cost
$20/night
Extra Vehicle Fees
Varies
Day Use Fees
Day-use access uses Glacier National Park entrance fees; no separate day-use camping rate is listed.
Passes Accepted
America the Beautiful pass accepted for entrance; camping fees not discounted

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
14
Site Types
Tent-only
RV Max Length
21 ft max
Hookups
No hookups (electric, water, or sewer)
Site Features
Picnic tables and fire rings at each site
Ground Type
Dirt/natural ground

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Vault toilets (seasonal)
Showers Available
None on-site; off-site showers at Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns
Potable Water
No potable water on-site; bring water or filter from Cut Bank Creek
Dump Station
None on-site; seasonal dump stations in Cut Bank town
Trash Service
Bear-proof dumpsters available seasonally
Camp Store
No
Firewood Availability
Firewood gathering prohibited; bring your own or buy elsewhere
Cell Service
No cell service
Nearby Facilities
Polebridge for limited services; East Glacier Park or St. Mary for gas/groceries

Access

Road Type
Dirt
Road Conditions
5-mile dirt road; may be rough in places but passable for cars/vans
Clearance Needed
Sedan friendly; not recommended for larger RVs
Gate Hours
Gate hours are not published; the site is generally accessible 24 hours when the park is open.
Nearest Gas Services
Polebridge limited; East Glacier Park or St. Mary for gas/groceries
Elevation
5144 feet
Accessibility
No ADA-accessible sites; dirt road and basic facilities
ADA Accessible Sites
No ADA sites

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Seasonal food lockers provided; proper storage mandatory
Fire Restrictions
Fire rings permitted but subject to seasonal restrictions
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leash ≤6 ft; not on trails, in backcountry, or buildings
Generator Hours
Generators permitted but must respect quiet hours (10 PM–6 AM)
Quiet Hours
10 PM–6 AM
Max Stay Limit
7 days

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Hiking from camp; stargazing
Wildlife Viewing
Bear country; be alert and store food properly
Stargazing Quality
Likely good due to remote location; tree cover may affect visibility
Shade Coverage
Good shade from tree cover
Scenic Views
Meadow and mountain views through trees
Noise Level
Generally quiet
Best Time To Visit
Late May–mid-September; roads open and conditions comfortable
Tips Advice
  • Bring ample water; no on-site potable water.
  • Use bear-safe storage; lockers seasonal.
  • Pack a headlamp; the gate and road are rough at dusk.
  • Arrive early on weekends; first-come sites go fast.
  • Expect a 5-mile dirt approach; drive slowly and heed conditions.

More details

Camp Types
  • tent
  • cabin
Reservation Info
This is a first come, first served campground that requires registration through a mobile app. Starting in 2025, Scan & Pay will be required through the Recreation.gov app to pay for a campsite at Cutbank Campground. This requires downloading the free Recreation.gov mobile 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. Select an unoccupied first-come, first-served campsite and place your tent and/or equipment on the site to claim it. You will have to verify when filling out order details that the site you chose was unoccupied upon your arrival.
Family Friendly Notes
Tent-only, quiet campground with vault toilets; bear country awareness required; plan for no on-site showers
Senior Access Discounts
Half-price camping for Interagency Senior and Lifetime Access pass holders
Nearby Attractions
Polebridge, East Glacier Park, St. Mary
Terrain Type
Forest with meadows and mountain views
Snow Season
Potential early snowfall in fall
Bug Season
Black flies in May–June
Setup Strategy
5-mile dirt approach; internal roads are narrow; RVs longer than 21 ft not allowed; tent-centric layout; prepare for limited space and rough parking. This is first-come, first-served, so arrive early to claim a site.
Bath Laundry Recon
No on-site showers; off-site showers at Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns; no explicit on-site laundry information
Ideal Camper Profile
Best for tent campers and small self-contained rigs up to 21 feet. Facilities are primitive—no hookups, no showers, and no on-site potable water; be prepared for bear country and a dirt-road approach.
Review Summary
4.8 stars from 25 reviews; quiet, tent-focused appeal with rustic charm. No on-site water or showers, so plan ahead; space is limited and some sites are close together.

Location

Cut Bank landscape in Glacier National Park with towering peaks, evergreen forest, and a winding river.Cut Bank Campground sits beneath Glacier National Park’s dramatic peaks along a quiet gravel road.Cut Bank campground in Glacier National Park with campers around a blazing fire pit and parked vehicle.Cut Bank Campground overlook along a road with a blue glacier lake and pine-covered mountains in Glacier National Park.

Frequently asked questions

Are there bears at Cut Bank Campground?

Yes. It is bear country; use food storage lockers seasonally and store all attractants properly.

Is there potable water on-site?

No. Bring water or filter from Cut Bank Creek, which is not easily accessed.

Can I reserve a site at Cut Bank?

No. It is first-come, first-served; starting in 2025 payments will be via the Recreation.gov app (Scan & Pay).

Are there showers or a laundromat nearby?

On-site showers are not available. Showers are available at Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns; no on-site laundry details are listed.

What length of RV is allowed?

RVs longer than 21 feet are not allowed due to the narrow dirt road and campground layout.

What facilities exist at the campsite?

Vault toilets, bear-proof dumpsters seasonally, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site.

What is the best time to visit?

Late May through mid-September offers the best access; roads and facilities are open and weather is milder.

Many Glacier Campground

Year-round site with 101 single-family sites; 13 up to 35 ft, bear lockers, and Grinnell Glacier access.

Apgar Campground

Apgar Campground is a large, wooded Glacier campground for tent and RV campers, close to Lake McDonald and Apgar Amphitheater ranger programs.

Kintla Lake

Remote Glacier frontcountry on Kintla Lake. 13 tent sites, rough dirt road; no RVs.

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated December 2025. Report an issue.