Fish Creek
A wooded western-Glacier camping base with shaded tent and RV sites and some privacy.
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Check current campground operating dates and reserve your site through Recreation.gov before arrival.
Campground
Fish Creek is a wooded western-Glacier camping base with shade and some privacy for tent and RV campers. After setting up, consider Rocky Point Trail or a ranger program if one is operating; check current trail status and the program schedule first.
Fish Creek is the second largest campground in the park and is one of the campgrounds in the park that takes reservations. Sites within the campground are surrounded by trees and provide shade and some privacy to both tent and RV campers. Some sites, though not directly on the shore of Lake McDonald, offer filtered views of the lake.
Quick facts
- Reservation System
- All sites require reservations through Recreation.gov.
- Reservation Window
- Varies
- Reservation Tips
- Book early via Recreation.gov; check the site map for layout and spacing
- Season Dates
- Check the current annual operating dates on the official NPS or Recreation.gov page before choosing dates.
CHOOSE YOUR OVERNIGHT BASE
Should you camp here?
Why camp here?
- Camp Here If Skip If
- Camp here if you want a wooded frontcountry base near western-Glacier hikes, with shade and some privacy for tent or RV camping. Skip it if you are seeking remote backcountry solitude rather than a developed campground; follow required bear-safety practices and food-storage rules.
- Vibe Check
- Forest campground with shade and privacy; not a remote backcountry setting; moderate crowds but organized
What kind of site will you get?
- Site Type Breakdown
- RV up to 35 ft: 18 sites; RV up to 27 ft: 62 sites; remaining sites: tent and hiker/biker (some tent-only with 14 ft vehicle limit)
- Site Privacy
- Moderate privacy; trees provide some separation
How does it fit your Glacier trip?
- Distance From Entrance
- About 3.8 miles by road from West Glacier entrance; 2.5 miles from Apgar Village
- Trailheads Nearby
- Lake McDonald area trails
Reservations & season
- Reservation System
- All sites require reservations through Recreation.gov.
- Reservation Window
- Varies
- Reservation Tips
- Book early via Recreation.gov; check the site map for layout and spacing
- Season Dates
- Check the current annual operating dates on the official NPS or Recreation.gov page before choosing dates.
- Fills Up Speed
- Varies
- Per Night Cost
- Varies
- Extra Vehicle Fees
- Varies
- Day Use Fees
- Varies
- Passes Accepted
- Varies
Sites & RV fit
- Sites Total
- 178
- Site Types
- tent, RV
- RV Max Length
- Up to 35 ft on 18 sites; up to 27 ft on 62 sites; some sites now tent-only with a 14 ft vehicle limit
- Group Sites Available
- Yes
- Group Site Capacity
- No group sites
- Hookups
- Dry camping only (no hookups)
- Site Features
- Tree-shaded sites; some privacy; filtered Lake McDonald views from select sites
- Ground Type
- Dirt and gravel
Facilities
- Bathroom Types
- Flush toilets and sinks with running cold water
- Showers Available
- Fee-based showers for registered campers in Loop A; approximately four stalls
- Potable Water
- Potable water is accessible in the campground; check current service notices before arrival.
- Dump Station
- On-site dump station
- Trash Service
- Bear-proof dumpsters and recycling bins
- Camp Store
- No
- Firewood Availability
- Don't move firewood.
- Cell Service
- Varies; download offline maps first.
- Nearby Facilities
- Lake McDonald vicinity; basic park services in the area
Access
- Road Type
- Paved camp roads
- Road Conditions
- Winding and narrow park roads; internal park roads may be challenging
- Clearance Needed
- Unknown - not confirmed in research
- Gate Hours
- Gate hours not published; nightly lock times not specified
- Nearest Gas Services
- Apgar Village (camp store, ice, etc.)
- Accessibility
- ADA sites listed above
- ADA Accessible Sites
- ADA sites: A8, A10, A12, A34, B65, B68, D158, D160
Rules & safety
- Bear Country
- Yes
- Food Storage Requirements
- When not in immediate use, keep food, beverages, coolers, cooking utensils, pet food and other attractants in a closed, hard-sided vehicle or a bear-proof storage locker.
- Fire Restrictions
- Fires permitted in designated fire rings; seasonal fire bans possible
- Pets Allowed
- Yes
- Pet Restrictions
- Leash restricted to 6 feet; check trail rules
- Generator Hours
- 8–10 am, 12–2 pm, 5–7 pm; Loop C generator use prohibited
- Quiet Hours
- 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Max Stay Limit
- 14 days
What it is like
- Onsite Activities
- Nearby Lake McDonald access and forest trails; shade-friendly campground
- Fishing Details
- Fishing is an available activity
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bear and elk sightings are common; store food securely and follow park guidelines.
- Stargazing Quality
- Heavily forested; may limit stargazing opportunities
- Shade Coverage
- High shade from mature trees
- Scenic Views
- Filtered views of Lake McDonald from some sites
- Noise Level
- Moderate; forest helps dampen sound
- Best Time To Visit
- Check current campground operating dates and reserve your site through Recreation.gov before arrival.
- Tips Advice
- Reserve before arrival through Recreation.gov. Save your confirmation and official campground information offline because cell service can be unreliable. Check that the site fits your equipment, confirm individual dates on the official reservation page, and follow official directions rather than relying on GPS. Keep food and attractants not in immediate use in a closed hard-sided vehicle or bear-proof locker.
More details
- Camp Types
- tent
- cabin
- Reservation Info
- Campsites become reservable on a rolling basis, 6 months in advance from the date you want to book your stay. Reservations must be made through Recreation.gov and must be made in advance. A certain number of sites will be reservable up to 4 days before the desired date.
- Family Friendly Notes
- Family-friendly with shade and privacy; busy in peak season
- Senior Access Discounts
- Varies
- Amphitheater
- Ranger programs at amphitheater
- Nearby Attractions
- Apgar Village (2.5 miles); Lake McDonald views
- Terrain Type
- Forested, level sites
- Temperature Ranges
- Varies; cool mountain climate; snow possible even in summer
- Snow Season
- Potential snow in summer
- Bug Season
- Summer; mosquitoes common
- Setup Strategy
- Internal campground loops with forested roads; plan for back-in sites; use the park map to pick a fit
- Bath Laundry Recon
- The campground uses flush toilets with running water and has showers available for registered campers in Loop A. Potable water spigots are spread throughout the site, and an on-site RV dump station is provided. Bear-proof dumpsters handle trash. There are no electrical, water, or sewer hookups at any campsite. Fire rings are provided at sites for fires; firewood availability isn’t stated, and gathering wood in the park is generally discouraged. A small camp store may carry basic supplies. Generators may run only during defined windows (8–10 a.m., 12–2 p.m., and 5–7 p.m.), and generators are not allowed in Loop C. Cell service inside the park tends to be limited and varies by carrier.
- Ideal Camper Profile
- Fish Creek Campground suits tent campers and RVs up to 35 feet. The site offers 178 total camping units with no group sites listed. Reservations happen through Recreation.gov on a six‑month rolling basis, with some sites reservable up to four days before the desired date. The campground runs from late May to early September. For RVs, 18 sites accommodate up to 35 feet and 62 sites up to 27 feet (larger rigs can still fit on some sites). Some park roads may constrain vehicle length, but Fish Creek specifically allows up to 35‑foot RVs on designated sites. There are no hookups, so plan accordingly for power and water. Showers are available in Loop A, potable water spigots are scattered around, and there is an on-site dump station. Expect limited cell signal and plan for high demand with quick sellouts after new blocks are released. If you’re hiking or biking and want a basic, budget-conscious base within a four‑mile drive of the park’s West Entrance, this spot is worth considering.
- Review Summary
- 4.5 stars from 288 reviews; strong shade and privacy; some sites offer lake glimpses; popular and well-managed
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Is there potable water on site?
Yes. Recreation.gov lists potable water in Fish Creek Campground, plus flush toilets and sinks with running water. Check current campground service notices before arrival.
Will my RV fit in Fish Creek?
Site lengths vary; check the park map and book a site that matches your rig.
Are dogs allowed?
Pets are allowed with leash rules; follow Glacier NP guidelines.
How do I book?
Reservations are made through the park's official system (check Recreation.gov).
What about water access?
Yes. Recreation.gov lists potable water in Fish Creek Campground, plus flush toilets and sinks with running water. Check current campground service notices before arrival.
More at Glacier National Park
Lincoln Lake Campground
Backcountry hike-in to Lincoln Lake: no water, no facilities, bear canisters required.
Many Glacier Campground
Year-round site with 109 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.
Sprague Creek Campground
Lake McDonald camp: tent or 21 ft rigs, no hookups, reservations required.
Sources
- recreation.gov
- parkrangerjohn.com
- aaa.com
- travelandleisure.com
- visitmt.com
- campscanner.com
- nps.gov
- allglacier.com
- thedyrt.com
- wiscohana.com
- National Park Service
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
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.