Fish Creek Review & Camping Guide | Glacier National Park

Fish Creek Campground in Glacier National Park features an RV with bikes and a fire pit under a shaded forest canopy.

Here's the plan: Fish Creek sits in the pines with space for tents and RVs, giving shade and some privacy. You can reserve a site, so you won't fight for a spot. Some sites glance toward Lake McDonald through the trees without being on the shoreline.

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: Varies
Reservation Window: Varies
Reservation Tips: Book early via Recreation.gov; check the site map for layout and spacing
Season Dates: Varies

Reservations & season

Reservation System: Varies
Reservation Window: Varies
Reservation Tips: Book early via Recreation.gov; check the site map for layout and spacing
Season Dates: Varies
Fills Up Speed: Varies
Per Night Cost: Varies
Extra Vehicle Fees: Varies
Day Use Fees: Varies
Passes Accepted: Varies

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total: Varies
Site Types: tent, RV
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 16 ft vehicle limit)
RV Max Length: Up to 35 ft on 18 sites; up to 27 ft on 62 sites; some sites now tent-only with a 16 ft vehicle limit
Group Sites Available: 1
Group Site Capacity: 9 to 24 campers
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
Site Privacy: Moderate privacy; trees provide some separation

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: Bring your own water jug just in case.
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
Vehicle Restrictions: Vehicle/trailer longer than 21 feet prohibited on certain park roads
Clearance Needed: Unknown - not confirmed in research
Gate Hours: Gate hours not published; nightly lock times not specified
Distance From Entrance: 4.5 miles from West Glacier entrance; 2.5 miles from Apgar Village
Nearest Gas Services: Apgar Village (camp store, ice, etc.)
Accessibility: Eight ADA sites listed above
ADA Accessible Sites: Eight ADA sites: A8, A10, A12, A34, B65, B68, D158, D160

Rules & safety

Bear Country: Yes
Food Storage Requirements: Food must be stored in provided lockers
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
Trailheads Nearby: Lake McDonald area trails
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: July–September offer the best weather, but these months bring the highest crowds (July is peak).
Vibe Check: Forest campground with shade and privacy; not a remote backcountry setting; moderate crowds but organized
Camp Here If Skip If: {'should_camp': 'Best for campers who are comfortable with bear country, want shaded wooded sites near Lake McDonald, and can secure reservations in advance. Suitable for families and RV travelers seeking convenient access to Apgar Village and lake activities.', 'skip_camp': 'Not ideal for those seeking extreme solitude or backcountry camping, or for anyone who cannot tolerate bear safety requirements or secure reservations during peak July weekends.'}
Tips Advice: ['Carry bear spray and follow NPS bear safety guidance; use bear lockers and store all attractants properly.', 'Book well in advance for peak season (60–90 days for July weekends) and monitor Recreation.gov for cancellations.', 'Choose campsite types based on preference: wooded tent sites, lake-view walk-ins, or RV-friendly long sites near Lake McDonald.', 'Plan activities mindful of location near Lake McDonald and Apgar Village; use this area for-day trips or easy access.', 'Be prepared for busy loops and some quieter back-in sites; flexibility with dates helps maximize availability.']

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 releasing in four‑day blocks; peak season bookings for 2026 start January 2. 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