Rising Sun Campground
FCFS near St. Mary; 84 sites, 21-ft RV limit; bear country.
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You are here · Going-to-the-Sun Road
Mid-June to mid-September; mornings see the best light and highest demand
Campground
First-come, first-served campground on Glacier NP’s east side with about 84 sites for tents, trailers, and small RVs. No hookups; water spigots and a dump station are on site. Arrive early in peak season.
Rising Sun Campground is located just west of St. Mary and halfway along St. Mary Lake. Campers at Rising Sun will enjoy beautiful sunrises in the morning with Red Eagle Mountain as a backdrop, and the campground serves as a convenient base camp to many day hikes located east of Logan Pass. Some sites are open, allowing for cool breezes throughout the day, while others are located among trees, accommodating those seeking some shade and privacy.
Quick facts
- Reservation System
- First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
- Reservation Tips
- FCFS; arrive early (before 6am) to secure a site; no online reservations
- Season Dates
- Mid-June to mid-September; 2024: Jun 19–Sep 13; 2026: Jun 11–Sep 13
- Fills Up Speed
- Very high demand; fills up early; arrive before 6am to secure a spot
CHOOSE YOUR OVERNIGHT BASE
Should you camp here?
Why camp here?
- Camp Here If Skip If
- ✅ BOOK IF: You navigate FCFS, drive a small-to-mid-size rig (21 ft), want quick access to day hikes east of Logan Pass, and can handle bear country. ❌ SKIP IF: You need hookups, guaranteed reservations, or a large RV.
- Vibe Check
- Functional basecamp near St. Mary; bear country; no hookups; early mornings drive the flow
What kind of site will you get?
- Site Type Breakdown
- Largest 10 sites accommodate up to 21 ft; some sources note up to 25 ft; overall RVs limited to 21 ft
- Site Privacy
- Some privacy in tree-lined areas; others more open
How does it fit your Glacier trip?
- Distance From Entrance
- 6.2 miles from St. Mary Entrance
- Trailheads Nearby
- Day hikes east of Logan Pass accessible from camp
Reservations & season
- Reservation System
- First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
- Reservation Tips
- FCFS; arrive early (before 6am) to secure a site; no online reservations
- Season Dates
- Mid-June to mid-September; 2024: Jun 19–Sep 13; 2026: Jun 11–Sep 13
- Fills Up Speed
- Very high demand; fills up early; arrive before 6am to secure a spot
- Per Night Cost
- $20/night
- Extra Vehicle Fees
- Two vehicles per site maximum; no separate extra-vehicle fee is published.
- Day Use Fees
- Not applicable; park entrance fees apply separately
- Passes Accepted
- America the Beautiful National Park Pass accepted (50% discount on camping fees)
Sites & RV fit
- Sites Total
- 84 sites (some sources list 83)
- Site Types
- Tents, trailers, and small RVs
- RV Max Length
- 21 feet
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Site Features
- Fire ring and grate, picnic table, bear box at each site; potable water spigots throughout
Facilities
- Bathroom Types
- Flush toilets
- Showers Available
- Token-operated showers at Rising Sun Motor Inn adjacent to campground
- Potable Water
- Potable water spigots available throughout campground
- Dump Station
- On-site dump station
- Trash Service
- Trash collection provided; bear-proof dumpsters present
- Camp Store
- Yes - seasonal
- Firewood Availability
- Firewood available for purchase at camp store; gathering/cutting prohibited
- Cell Service
- Unreliable and inconsistent cell service
- Nearby Facilities
- General store adjacent; restaurant next to campground
Access
- Road Type
- Paved road along Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Road Conditions
- Internal roads paved; some sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road contain length restrictions; best for cars/small RVs
- Clearance Needed
- Standard clearance; not recommended for large RVs
- Gate Hours
- Gate hours are not published; access follows Glacier National Park seasonal operations during the open months.
- Nearest Gas Services
- General store adjacent; gas services in nearby St. Mary area
- Elevation
- Approximately 4,500 feet
- Accessibility
- ADA: Site #7 accessible
- ADA Accessible Sites
- Site #7 designated accessible
Rules & safety
- Bear Country
- Yes
- Food Storage Requirements
- Strict food storage: store in vehicle or bear-proof locker when not in use; bears frequently seen
- Fire Restrictions
- Fires in fire rings; gathering wood prohibited
- Pets Allowed
- Yes
- Pet Restrictions
- Leash no longer than 6 feet; not allowed on playground, bathhouses, or laundry
- Generator Hours
- No generators in sites 49–84; allowed in other sites 8:00–10:00, 12:00–14:00, 17:00–19:00
- Quiet Hours
- 10:00 pm–6:00 am
- Max Stay Limit
- 14 days (Jul 1–Labor Day); 30 days (Labor Day–Jun 30)
What it is like
- Onsite Activities
- Hiking from camp; day hikes east of Logan Pass
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bears frequently seen
- Stargazing Quality
- Limited tree cover in some areas; potential for good stargazing
- Shade Coverage
- Some sites breezy; others shaded under trees
- Scenic Views
- Red Eagle Mountain backdrop; sunrises over St. Mary Lake
- Noise Level
- Mixed; early-morning arrivals can mitigate parking and crowd sounds
- Best Time To Visit
- Mid-June to mid-September; mornings see the best light and highest demand
- Tips Advice
- Arrive before 6am
- Bear safety: lock food in a vehicle or bear locker
- No hookups
- Bring water
- Pack for bear country
More details
- Camp Types
- tent
- cabin
- Reservation Info
- Sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Family Friendly Notes
- Bear country; kids welcome; quiet hours 10pm–6am; plan for early mornings and bear safety
- Senior Access Discounts
- America the Beautiful pass discount applies
- Amphitheater
- Evening ranger programs at the amphitheater
- Boat Launch
- Boat tours available on St. Mary Lake; no dedicated on-site launch mentioned
- Nearby Attractions
- St. Mary area, St. Mary Lake, Going-to-the-Sun Road access, Logan Pass
- Terrain Type
- Varies from breezy open sites to shaded tree-covered sites
- Wind Exposure
- Some sites breezy due to open areas
- Setup Strategy
- Arrive early; most sites are compact and back-in; 21 ft max; paved internal roads; plan for compact rig
- Bath Laundry Recon
- Showers token-operated at adjacent Rising Sun Motor Inn; no on-site laundry listed
- Ideal Camper Profile
- Best for flexible campers who don’t mind first-come, first-served rules. Suitable for tents, trailers, and small RVs; groups up to eight people and two vehicles per site. Arrive early, especially in peak season, to secure a site.
- Review Summary
- High demand in peak season with praise for sunrise views over St. Mary Lake; expect lines and limited parking; strong emphasis on bear safety and cleanliness.
Continue the drive
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Is Rising Sun Bear country?
Yes. Bears are frequent; store food in a vehicle or bear locker when not in use.
Are there water sources?
Potable water spigots are available throughout the campground.
Is there a dump station?
Yes, on-site dump station.
Can I bring a big RV?
RV length is effectively limited to 21 feet; plan for a compact rig.
Are showers available?
Token-operated showers are at the adjacent Rising Sun Motor Inn.
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 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.
Sprague Creek Campground
Lake McDonald camp: tent or 21 ft rigs, no hookups, reservations required.
Sources
- parkrangerjohn.com
- thedyrt.com
- youtube.com
- reddit.com
- recreation.gov
- campsitephotos.com
- nps.gov
- visitmt.com
- allglacier.com
- hipcamp.com
- weather.gc.ca
- glaciernationalparklodges.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.