Campground

St. Mary Campground

Near Browning, Montana

Apgar, Fish Creek, and St. Mary Campground reservations WILL NOT provide access to any vehicle reservation areas (including the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, and North Fork). To obtain a vehicle reservation, visit Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations on Recreation.gov.

The St. Mary Campground is reservation only during the peak season. For information on camping outside the reservation timeframe visit the Glacier NPS website .

St. Mary Campground is the largest campground on the east side of Glacier National Park, and is conveniently located approximately a half-mile from the St. Mary Visitor Center. The visitor center offers interpretive programs, shuttle service and Red Bus tours leaving from the center. The campground sits near the entrance of the popular scenic byway, the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Generators are allowed only in Loops B & C. Generators are prohibited in Loop A.

Facilities

Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities provide flush toilets and sinks with running water.

A couple of miles down the road and outside the park, visitors will find all the comforts of home, including restaurants, gift shops, camp stores, gas and groceries.

Natural Features

Though shade is sparse, the aspen trees that grace St. Mary Campground flutter in spring and summer breezes and provide colorful splashes of yellow late in the season. Views of Singleshot, East Flattop and Red Eagle Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the landscape.

St. Mary Lake which, although too cold and occasionally too rough to swim in, provides refreshing scenery on warm days.

Recreation

St. Mary Campground is located on the east side of the park, which boasts some of the best trails available for day hiking. Trailheads start at a higher elevation than those on the west side, so less ascent is required to reach scenic vistas.

Recreation Sites

Standard Nonelectric
Management
Tent Only Nonelectric
Group Standard Nonelectric
Overnight

Activities

Day Use Area
Hiking
Fishing
Interpretive Programs
Camping

Amenities

Amphitheater
Dump Station
Flush Toilets
Fire Pit
Tent Pad
Accessible Occupant Message
Accessibility
Tent Pads

Nearby Attractions

One must-see attraction is the sister park across the U.S.-Canadian border, Waterton Lakes National Park. As the other half of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Waterton Lakes offers fantastic hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the Townsite of Waterton.

Immediately east of Glacier National Park lies the picturesque Blackfeet Indian Reservation, spanning 1.5 million acres. Visit the Museum of the Plains Indian, in Browning, Montana, for a fascinating introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the largest Indian tribe in Montana. Additional campgrounds may be available at Blackfeet Campgrounds.

Getting Here

Latitude

48° 45' 2.9999" N

Longitude

113° 26' 48.9998" W

Located a half-mile west of the St. Mary entrance near St. Mary, Montana. Access is from U.S. Highway 89 approximately 33 miles (51 km) northwest of Browning, Montana or over Logan Pass when open. Vehicle restrictions are in effect.

Need to Know

First-come, First-served Campsites. All campsites will be available first-come, first-serve after the reservation period closes. Visit the park's Reservation Campgrounds page for more details.

Generators: generators are allowed only in Loops B & C. Generators are prohibited in Loop A.

After Hours Arrival. Campers arriving after hours with valid reservation may proceed to their campsite. Camp reservation tags will be on designated site posts.

Wildlife and Food Storage. Grizzly and black bears frequent the area; food storage regulations strictly enforced; when not in immediate use, all food, beverages, coolers, cooking utensils, pet food, or other attractants must be kept in a closed, hard-sided vehicle or secured in bear proof storage lockers near campground restrooms

Vehicle length limits. Vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet (6.4 m) or wider than 8 feet (2.4 m) including mirrors are prohibited between the Rising Sun picnic area and Avalanche Campground on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Entrance Fees. The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, $30 for a morotcycle or $20 for a hiker or bicyclist. The fee is valid for seven days and may be paid upon arrival or purchased in advance. The park also honors interagency annual and lifetime passes such as the senior or access.

Pass Discounts on Camping. Campers making a reservation using an Interagency Senior Pass or Interagency Access Pass for a 50% camping discount will be required to present the pass upon arrival at the campground. The owner of the pass must be camping in the site to be entitled to the discount. Annual entrance passes and Glacier Annual Entrance passes are not eligible for a discount on camping fees. These passes are for entrance fees only.

Maximum Stay. The maximum length of stay in the campground is 14 days.

Maximum Number of Tents. Campsites allow a maximum of 2 tents per site.

Camping Rules and Regulations. It is the camper's responsibility to be aware of all Glacier National Park Campground Rules and Regulations

Hammocks. Hammocks must be hung over non vegetated areas using one inch straps or wider. Vegetation may not be trampled to access hammocks.

Renting an RV or trailer? Per 36 CFR 5.3, commercial business may not take place inside Glacier National Park. This includes RVs and trailers being delivered within Glacier's boundaries. Renters of these must drive them in themselves.

Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

Directional Site Parking: All campground loops are one way traffic. Vehicles occupying sites must be facing the one way direction.