Quartz Creek

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

When to come

July to October

Campground

CampgroundOPERATIONAL★ 5

Seven primitive tent sites along a rough dirt road, with no hookups or cell service. The campground is FCFS; arrive early and bring your own drinking water.

Quartz Creek Campground is the smallest campground in Glacier National Park and remains in primitive status all season. It is located on the west side of the park in the North Fork area and is accessed by the Inside North Fork Road, a rough, dusty, dirt road with many blind curves and few pullouts. Trailers are not permitted. Tent campers will enjoy a wilderness experience at the campground.

Quick facts

Reservation System
First-come, first-served (no reservations accepted)
Reservation Tips
Arrive before dawn to snag a site; no reservations
Season Dates
June - October
Fills Up Speed
High demand; spots fill quickly.

CHOOSE YOUR OVERNIGHT BASE

Should you camp here?

Why camp here?

Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: You want a remote, tent-only experience in Glacier with bear country rules and no hookups. ❌ SKIP IF: You need RV access, modern bathrooms, or predictable water.
Vibe Check
Forested wilderness campground; solitude comes with rough road access and no hookups. Expect quiet nights next to a creek with limited privacy between sites.

What kind of site will you get?

Site Type Breakdown
7 tent sites (primitive)
Site Privacy
Secluded; wilderness feel; limited remoteness

How does it fit your Glacier trip?

Distance From Entrance
Polebridge: ~5.7 miles
Trailheads Nearby
Trail to Lower Quartz Lake

Reservations & season

Reservation System
First-come, first-served (no reservations accepted)
Reservation Tips
Arrive before dawn to snag a site; no reservations
Season Dates
June - October
Fills Up Speed
High demand; spots fill quickly.
Per Night Cost
$10/night
Extra Vehicle Fees
Varies
Day Use Fees
Varies
Passes Accepted
Glacier National Park entry fees apply; America the Beautiful pass covers entrance

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
7
Site Types
Primitive tent sites
RV Max Length
Prohibited: trailers and vehicles over 21 feet
Hookups
None — no electricity, water, or sewer
Site Features
Fire ring; picnic table
Ground Type
Natural ground; no defined tent pads

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Vault toilets
Showers Available
None on-site; nearby motor inns or private campgrounds may have fee showers
Potable Water
No potable water spigots; bring your own drinking water
Dump Station
Not available on-site; nearest dump stations are outside the park
Trash Service
Bear-proof dumpsters are available
Camp Store
No
Firewood Availability
Gather dead wood along Inside North Fork Road (Dutch Creek to Kintla Lake) and Bowman Lake Road; wood also sold at camp stores
Cell Service
Unreliable and inconsistent
Nearby Facilities
Polebridge has limited amenities; West Glacier offers gas and services ~33 miles away

Access

Road Type
Dirt road
Road Conditions
Rough, dusty, with many blind curves and few pullouts
Clearance Needed
Not recommended for RVs or large vehicles
Gate Hours
Gate hours not published
Nearest Gas Services
West Glacier gas stations ~33 miles away
Elevation
3,515 feet
Accessibility
No ADA accessibility
ADA Accessible Sites
No ADA sites

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Use bear boxes or personal bear-resistant containers; store all food, garbage, and scented items day and night
Fire Restrictions
Fires must be kept in fire rings and attended; seasonal fire bans are common
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leash ≤ 6 feet; not on trails, along lake shores outside developed areas, in the backcountry, or in any building
Generator Hours
8–10 am, 12 noon–2 pm, 5–7 pm
Quiet Hours
10:00 pm to 6:00 am
Max Stay Limit
14 days per visit, per National Park Service campground limits.

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Hiking from camp, fishing, swimming, stargazing; trail to Lower Quartz Lake
Fishing Details
Fishing from the creek; access via the Lower Quartz Lake trail
Wildlife Viewing
Bear country; expect wildlife; secure food and garbage
Stargazing Quality
Open sky potential; limited by tree cover
Shade Coverage
Dense forest provides shade
Scenic Views
Creek, forest, and mountain views
Noise Level
Quiet; sounds of creek and wind
Best Time To Visit
July to October
Tips Advice
  • Arrive early—seven sites fill fast
  • Bring drinking water; no on-site supply
  • Store food in bear boxes day and night
  • Drive Inside North Fork Road with caution
  • Pack out what you bring; leave no trace

More details

Camp Types
  • tent
  • cabin
Reservation Info
Sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Family Friendly Notes
Primitive and remote; not well-suited for toddlers. More suitable for older kids who enjoy wilderness exploration, with close supervision near creeks.
Senior Access Discounts
Discounts may apply to park entrance fees; campground fees are fixed
Nearby Attractions
Polebridge area (limited amenities); West Glacier ~33 miles for gas
Terrain Type
Forested with creeks
Temperature Ranges
Best in July–August; open June–October; nights cooler
Bug Season
Mosquitoes can be prevalent
Setup Strategy
Setup is tent-only; no big rigs. Access via Inside North Fork Road; parking is tight and may require back-in angles on a narrow dirt lane. Expect to park near your site and shuttle gear a short distance; leveling may be necessary on natural ground.
Bath Laundry Recon
Vault toilets are the only facilities; no bathhouse or laundry on-site
Ideal Camper Profile
Primarily tent campers seeking a primitive, FCFS experience. Can handle dry camping with up to two vehicles per site, a rough dirt road to reach, no cell service, and generators allowed only during 8–10 am, 12–2 pm, and 5–7 pm.
Review Summary
Quartz Creek earns 5 stars from 5 reviews for its quiet, forested setting and wilderness vibe. It remains a tiny, primitive campground with a rough dirt approach and no hookups, where crowds are sparse but spots fill fast.

Location

Tent at Quartz Creek Campground in Glacier National Park during twilight among dense pines and the soft glow of campfires.Quartz Creek Campground sign in Glacier National Park warns visitors about bears and wildlife safety.Yellow and gray tent at Quartz Creek Campground in Glacier National Park, tucked among towering pines.

Frequently asked questions

Are there bears at Quartz Creek?

Yes—it's bear country. Store all food and scented items in bear boxes or containers day and night.

Is there potable water here?

No. Bring all drinking water with you.

Do I need a reservation?

No. Quartz Creek is first-come, first-served.

Can larger RVs access Quartz Creek?

No. Trailers and vehicles over 21 feet are prohibited.

What amenities are nearby?

Polebridge is nearby with limited services; West Glacier has gas stations about 33 miles away.

What time are quiet hours?

10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Are showers available?

No on-site showers; fee showers may be available nearby.

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.