North Fork Hostel & Square Peg Ranch
Budget hostel in Polebridge since 1979. Shared bunks, solar power, no WiFi—confirm seasonal dates before booking.
Photos: Google Places contributors. Tap to enlarge. Views are inspiration, not a promise of light, weather or availability.
Why stay here
This is survival lodging in the best sense: a bunk and a roof, nothing fancy.
Your own corner of the park
33 min to the Camas Creek entrance by car. No vehicle reservation is needed anywhere in Glacier in 2026; leave early and the road is yours.
Who it fits
Solo hikers and budget travelers who plan 5 AM park entries and see the hostel as pure logistics, not a destination.
Your morning from here
Kitchen hours run 7-10am, so grab coffee and breakfast there before the building closes for the day at 10am. Checkout is before 10am, so pack the night before. Confirm your driving route and time to the park entrance in advance, since exact drive time from the hostel isn't part of this listing's verified details.
You're on a tight budget, comfortable with shared dorms, and want a basic bed near Glacier's remote North Fork corner.
You need a private bathroom, guaranteed WiFi or cell service, in-room heat, or same-day booking—reservations are requested at least 3 days ahead and carry a 30% non-refundable deposit.
Getting into the park from this bed
33 min to the Camas Creek entrance. Plan the day from that.
Measured from the property's coordinates, not guessed. Drive times use park-road speeds; add time in July and August.
Logan Pass shuttle
By car to the stop- Park at the boarding lot and ride up on the $1 ticketed shuttle, July 1 – Sept 7. Tickets on Recreation.gov, 60-day window at 8 am MDT.
- Worth it for a real Logan Pass hike: the 3-hour parking limit at the pass does not apply to shuttle riders.
NPS shuttle page · verified 2026-09-08
Driving in
Every day- No vehicle reservation is needed anywhere in Glacier in 2026. You still need an entrance pass.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road: about 2 hours end to end; Logan Pass parking is limited to 3 hours through Sept 7. Arrive before 9:30 for a real shot at a space.
- No fuel on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Fill up before the gate.
NPS · verified 2026-09-10 · what the road is doing today →
The other valleys
By car- Many Glacier: Grinnell, Swiftcurrent and the boat-assisted hikes. The lot fills early in July and August.
- Two Medicine: 1 h 18 min (58.6 mi). Quieter, and the better second east-side day.
- Apgar and the west side: 35 min (26.6 mi).
Distances computed from OSM coordinates · park-road drive speeds
Rooms and what to expect
What the record can vouch for
Pets, parking, cancellation terms are not published in the sources we checked. Confirm at booking rather than assume.
Season and booking
2026's published season ran Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Questions people ask
Short answers
Is this hostel worth it if I'm not traveling on a strict budget?
It's built for travelers who'd rather spend on the park than the bed—shared bunks, no WiFi, solar power only. If you want a private bathroom or reliable connectivity, look elsewhere.
How far is it from Glacier National Park?
The hostel sits in Polebridge, a quarter mile from the Polebridge Mercantile near the park's remote North Fork corner. The separate Square Peg Ranch property is about one mile from the Polebridge park entrance.
Should I book now or wait closer to my trip?
Reservations are requested at least 3 days ahead and carry a 30% non-refundable deposit, so confirm your dates once your trip is set rather than waiting until the last minute.
Will I have cell service or WiFi?
No. There's no cell service or WiFi on-site—lighting and device charging run on solar and propane, with a charging station in the front yard.
Is the hostel open during my visit?
The 2026 season ran Memorial Day through Labor Day. Confirm current operating dates directly with the hostel before booking, since seasonal dates aren't guaranteed to repeat.
Can I get a private room instead of a shared dorm?
Yes—there's a Private Room with two full beds (fits 2-4), plus semi-private cabins like the Goat Chalet and Klondike Kate, though these still lack WiFi and most are unheated.
Compare stays nearby
If this one is full, or too much
Schnaus Cabin
7.7 mi · Non-electric USDA cabin near Glacier's North Fork, sleeps 12. No water/power, bring your own.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
23.6 mi · $155 standard to $650 suites. Slope-side, family-friendly vibe.
Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort
24.8 mi · $150/night. Ski-in lodge with free breakfast and shuttle.
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Affiliate disclosure: links marked Expedia are affiliate links; we earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you. Facts on this page carry the date they were checked against NPS or the operator.
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