Campground

Apgar Group Sites

Near West Glacier, 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.

Apgar Campground is situated on the southern tip of Lake McDonald in beautiful Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana. Pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains and spectacular lakes are found throughout the park. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for hikers seeking wilderness and solitude. It also provides countless scenic vistas for those wishing to relax and take in the natural beauty of the park.

All sites require a reservation. Most sites have a 6-month booking window with a good handful having a 4-day booking window.

Facilities

Apgar is the largest campground in Glacier National Park. It offers 5 reservable group sites that accommodate 9-24 people each. Apgar Village is just minutes away, offering a visitor center, gift shops, a general store and casual restaurant. Amenities within the campground include flush toilets and drinking water. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided, and a campground host is on-site. Ranger programs are held nightly at the amphitheater. Lake McDonald is just a short stroll from the campground.

Natural Features

Apgar is located in a dense forest on the western side of the park at an elevation of nearly 3,500 feet (1067 m). This area of the park generally receives the most rainfall. Daytime temperatures can exceed 90 degrees, although it is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler at higher elevations. Weather in the mountains can be varied, including snow in summer. Visitors should come prepared for anything.

The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages almost 10,000 years ago. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 270 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as Harlequin ducks, Dippers and Golden eagles.

Recreation

Lake McDonald provides great opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing and fishing in its cold mountain waters. A variety of fish are found in the lake, including cutthroat, rainbow, bull and lake trout, whitefish and Kokanee salmon.

The campground is conveniently close to many trailheads for day hikes, including Apgar Lookout Trail, a 3.3-mile (5.3 km) trail leading up to a fire lookout with breathtaking views of Lake McDonald.

The Apgar Bike Path, a paved 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail popular for walking and biking, leads to the nearby Apgar Visitor Center and Village. Horseback ride reservations, boat rentals, shuttle service and Red Bus Tour reservations are available here.

One of the most amazing highlights of Glacier National Park is a drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which travels past the campground. This engineering marvel spans 50 miles (80 km) through the park's wild interior, winding around mountainsides and treating visitors to some of the best sights in northwest Montana.

Recreation Sites

Group Standard Nonelectric
Management
Overnight

Activities

Swimming Site
Day Use Area
Wildlife Viewing
Visitor Center
Hiking
Fishing
Interpretive Programs
Camping
Boating
Biking

Amenities

Flush Toilets
Ranger Station
Picnic Table
Tent Pad
Fire Pit
Food Storage Locker
Food Locker

Nearby Attractions

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

Getting Here

Latitude

48° 31' 30.0000" N

Longitude

113° 59' 1.0000" W

Apgar group sites are located 1 mile (.3 km) northeast of the west entrance near West Glacier, Montana. Access is from U.S. Highway 2, approximately 32 miles (10km) northeast of Kalispell, Montana.

Need to Know

Check-in. The reservation holder must check in with host upon arrival.

Food storage regulations strictly enforced. Grizzly and black bears frequent the area and 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. Vehicle and vehicle combinations longer than 21 ft. (6.4 m) or wider than 8 ft. (2.4 m) including mirrors are prohibited between the Sun Point parking area and Avalanche Campground on Going-t0-the-Sun Road.

Entrance Fees. The park entrance fee is separate from the camping fee and must be paid upon arrival (or in advance). Entrance fees are $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per hiker or bicyclist and are valid for 7 days. The park also accepts valid Interagency passes.

Maximum Stay. Campground length of stay is limited to 14 days.

Fire Rings Only. Camp sites contain fire rings but do not have fire grates for grilling/ food preparation.

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.