Campground

Lake Five Resort

CampgroundOPERATIONAL★ 4.3
Rustic log-cabin campground office near Lake Five in Glacier National Park, surrounded by trees.

Lake Five Resort sits near West Glacier, Montana, offering rustic cabins plus a private lakefront beach and water activities. It functions as a practical alternative to in-park camping with lake access and a mix of RV, tent, and cabin sites. Check-in runs from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM during the May 15–October 15 season.

Relaxed retreat offering traditional cabins plus a private lakefront beach & water activities.

Quick facts

Reservation System
Private (Direct booking via website or phone)
Reservation Window
Not specified; book in advance
Reservation Tips
Book in advance; peak season tends to sell out; plan check-in 3:00–7:30 PM
Season Dates
May 15 - October 15

Reservations & season

Reservation System
Private (Direct booking via website or phone)
Reservation Window
Not specified; book in advance
Reservation Tips
Book in advance; peak season tends to sell out; plan check-in 3:00–7:30 PM
Season Dates
May 15 - October 15
Fills Up Speed
High during peak season; typically sold out in July
Per Night Cost
Varies
Extra Vehicle Fees
Adults $10/day; children 17 and under $7.50/day
Day Use Fees
Day use fees apply

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
Approximately 55
Site Types
RV sites with water/electric or full water/electric with sewer, tent sites, cabins
Site Type Breakdown
11 cabins; 12 lakefront sites; 41 campsites with water/electric; 14 full-service sites with sewer
RV Max Length
No explicit limit; ensure RV length fits reserved site
Group Sites Available
1
Group Site Capacity
Capacity arranged with office
Hookups
Water and electric at many sites (20/30/50 amp); some sites full service with sewer
Site Features
Fire rings, picnic tables; lake access with private beach; boat launch; group pavilion
Ground Type
Dirt and grassy
Site Privacy
Lakefront sites can be close together in peak season; some sites offer more privacy with trees behind them

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Flush toilets in the upper restrooms
Showers Available
Token-operated showers in upper restrooms; tokens sold during office hours
Potable Water
Potable water spigots available
Dump Station
On-site dump station; free for departure or during stay; dump-on-arrival incurs a fee
Trash Service
Bear-aware practices implied; dumpsters not detailed
Camp Store
Basic supplies and ice available
Firewood Availability
Firewood for sale at camp office; gathering discouraged in national forest areas
Cell Service
Spotty; Wi‑Fi limited to the office
Nearby Facilities
Whitefish ~35 minutes; on-site camp store with ice

Access

Road Type
Paved Lake Five Road; Belton Stage Road partially gravel
Road Conditions
Generally good; towing not recommended on Belton Stage Road from Highway 2 due to driveway angle
Vehicle Restrictions
Some sites accommodate >40 ft; no overall length limit stated
Clearance Needed
Sedan friendly
Gate Hours
Check-in 3:00 PM–7:30 PM; gate hours not specified
Distance From Entrance
10-15 minutes to the West Entrance of Glacier National Park
Nearest Gas Services
Whitefish, ~35 minutes away
Elevation
3225 ft

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Bear safety; store food securely; specifics not detailed
Fire Restrictions
Seasonal fire bans may apply
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leashed at all times; $10/pet/day; service animals exempt; aggressive/disruptive pets may be removed
Quiet Hours
10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Alcohol Permitted
0

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, fishing, sunbathing; watercraft rentals available
Trailheads Nearby
No on-site trailheads; nearest trails accessed from surrounding area
Fishing Details
Fishing opportunities on Lake Five; license rules not detailed
Wildlife Viewing
Bear activity reported; bear awareness advised
Stargazing Quality
Generally good in mountainous terrain away from city lights
Shade Coverage
Sites have ample shade
Scenic Views
Lake Five lakefront views
Noise Level
Train noise expected due to nearby Burlington Northern Railway
Best Time To Visit
June and September are less crowded; July is peak
Vibe Check
Functional basecamp near Glacier with lakefront access and cabins; not a remote wilderness setting; expect some crowds in peak season
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: You want lakefront or forested sites near Glacier NP with 20/30/50 amp power and some sewer sites; you can handle occasional train noise. ❌ SKIP IF: You need zero noise and complete seclusion.
Tips Advice
  • Book early, especially July
  • Check-in window 3:00–7:30 PM
  • Tokens for showers during office hours
  • Bear safety: store food securely and keep a clean camp

More details

Camp Types
  • rv
  • tent
  • cabin
Park Area
West Glacier, Montana
RV Allowed
1
Family Friendly Notes
Family-friendly lakefront access with a private beach and water activities; supervise kids near water
Amphitheater
Covered group pavilion with stage area
Boat Launch
Boat launch on Lake Five
Nearby Attractions
West Glacier region; Glacier National Park West Entrance 10–15 minutes; Whitefish ~35 minutes
Terrain Type
Lodgepole forest setting with lakefront sites
Setup Strategy
Drive in via Lake Five Road (paved); internal roads are generally accessible; plan for site length to match your RV; sedan-friendly access; expect 10–15 minutes to Glacier West Entrance; group pavilion available for events
Bath Laundry Recon
Showers are token-operated in the upper restrooms; tokens available during office hours; laundry details not specified
Review Summary
4.3 stars from 214 reviews. Lake Five Resort offers lake access and cabin options; it is slightly more expensive than in-park campgrounds but provides direct lake experiences.

Location

Cozy rustic log cabin interior at Lake Five Resort in Glacier National Park, sunlit wood walls and patterned bedding.Lake Five at sunset in Glacier National Park, boats at the shore and a glassy, reflective lake.Double rainbow over Lake Five at Glacier National Park with a lakeside cabin and tall pines along the shore.Rustic log cabin bedroom in Glacier National Park with two double beds and pine furnishings.

Frequently asked questions

Are there lakefront sites?

Yes. 12 lakefront sites connect to Lake Five.

Can a 35-foot RV fit?

There is no published official length limit; ensure your length fits the reserved site.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Wi‑Fi is limited to the office; cellular data may be spotty.

Are pets allowed?

Yes; $10 per pet per day; leashed; service animals exempt; keep food secured.

What are check-in times?

Check-in for RVs and campsites is 3:00 PM–7:30 PM.

Logging Creek

Seven tent sites; dusty Inside North Fork access, no hookups, forest solitude.

Quartz Creek

Primitive tent sites on Inside North Fork Road; rough dirt drive, high demand.

Whitefish Bike Retreat

8 primitive wooded sites, ride-in cyclist option; bathhouse with hot showers and water spigots.

Bowman Lake

Bowman Lake FCFS campground: 48 tent sites, dirt road access, bear country.

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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.