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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Jul 14, 2020 · Updated: Feb 8, 2026 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Apgar Campground - Glacier National Park {Video}

    Photo of a blue tent in a campsite with text "Apgar Campground Glacier National Park by ParkRangerJohn.com"
    R Pod Camper at Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park

    Apgar Campground

    TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
    🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
    📍Tours
    🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

    Apgar Campground is located in West Glacier National Park just down the road from the Apgar Visitor Center. Located near Apgar Village and just off the Going to the Sun Road makes this campground the perfect location for exploring all that Glacier has to offer.

    Apgar Campground is flat and is surrounded by trees and brush. Most of the sites are pretty shaded helping with warm summer weather. There are a lot of pull-through sites making it easy to access campsites with an RV.

    The campground is well laid out in clearly defined loops that make it easy to move around the campground and find your site. 

    Apgar Campground is also a great campground with numerous activities nearby. There is easy access to Lake McDonald. There are bike paths and walking paths from the campground to Apgar Village. There is an amphitheater right in the campground with great ranger programs frequently held.

    This is the lergest campsite in Glacier with 194 sites. 

    I have personally stayed in Apgar Campground several times and really like staying here. Apgar is a great hub to get out and explore everything Glacier has to offer. It is close to the parks East Entrance, Apgar Village, Lake McDonald, and the Going to the Sun Road.

    Be Bear Aware when camping in Glacier

    Make sure to keep a clean camp and always put food away in your vehicle or the food storage boxes provided. Glacier is bear country and they have both black bears and grizzly bears. PArk Rangers stricly enforce the law when it comes to Improperly Stored Food Items as it poses a risk to both everyone in the campground and the animals too.

    The following items may not be left outsidem in tents, or in tent trailers at anytime, Day or Nght, unless they are in immediate use:

    • Food
    • Trash
    • Grills
    • Cooking or eating utensils
    • Beverage containers
    • stoves
    • Pet Food
    • Coolers or Ice Chest
    • Any Item with Food Odors

    Apgar Campground Map

    Apgar Campground Map, Glacier National Park

    Campground Fees

    Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees

    Campground Reservations

    • Reservations can be made from early May through Late September.
    • Reservations can be made on a 6 month rolling basis.
    • Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov
    • First Come, First Served? Yes, outside the reservation season.
    Amphitheater at Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Amphitheater at Apgar Campground

    General Park Information

    Season: 

    Apgar Campground is open year-round and has two seasons:

    • Primative Fall & Winter Season (October through Mid-April) offers primative camping.
    • Summer Season (Mid April through September)

    Number of Sites:  194

    Location in the park: Near the Apgar Visitor Center, West entrance of Glacier National Park 

    Latitude/Longitude: 48.5277° N, 113.9932° W

    Elevation: 3,500 feet

    Accessible Sites: yes

    Bear Warning Sign at Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park

    Campground Amenities

    Flush Toilets: Yes

    Payphone: No

    Is wifi Available? No

    Is cellular Phone Service Available? No

    Is camp host available on site? Yes

    Is firewood available for purchase? Firewood is available for purchase at most camp stores.

    It is unlawful to gather or cut firewood 

    Amenities at each campsite:

    Fire rings in the site? Yes

    Picnic Table in the site? Yes

    Bear Box in site/area? Yes, Communal bear boxes are located in each loop. 

    Potable Water? Yes

    Fee showers are available at the Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns and private campgrounds adjacent to the park. 

    Campsite 3 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 3 Apgar Campground

    RV Camping at Apgar Campground

    RV Length: 25 sites can accommodate up to a 40 foot RV or truck and trailer combination.

    Dump Station: Yes at the entrance to loop A 

    Generators: Generator use in campgrounds is permitted only during the hours: 8:00 - 10:00 am; 12 noon - 2:00 pm; and 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

    Hookups: No

    Campsite 7 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 7 Apgar Campground

    Don't forget to pack these camping essentials

    • Camping Chairs
    • First Aid Kit
    • Collapsible Dish Tub
    • Camping Dishes
    • Camping Tarp
    • Lantern
    • Camping Games
    • Water Container

    How to get to Campground

    The Apgar Campground is located near the west entrance to Glacier National Park. Once you enter the park you will drive towards Apgar Village and there are clear signs pointing towards the campground. 

    Approximate driving distance via Going-to-the-Sun Road: 
    West entrance: 2.3mi 
    St. Mary entrance: 47.4mi

    Campsite 10 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 10 Apgar Campground

    Campground Regulations

    A maximum of two tents per site is permitted.

    Sites may not be left unattended for over 24 hours.

    Campground speed limits are 10 miles per hour.

    The maximum number of people in a campsite: limited to eight people

    The number of cars per campsite: two vehicles

    Checkout time: 12 noon

    Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

    Pets Allowed: Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet

    Maximum Stay: 

    Between July 1 and Labor Day, camping in Glacier National Park is limited to 14 days, either in a single period or combined separate periods.

    Between Labor Day and June 30, camping in Glacier National Park is limited to 30 days, either in a single period or combined separate periods.

    Loop E - Group Sites

    E2 - E5 are walk-in sites for groups with 9 to 24 people

    Campsite 13 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 13 Apgar Campground

    Best Glacier National Park Tours & Activities

    Glacier National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

    ⭐️ Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🔊Check Rates and Availability

    Experience the Crown Jewl of the National Parks with this self-guided tour. Cruise past crystal-clear glacial lakes, hike across breathtaking alpine tundras, and discover the secrets hidden in this sprawling wilderness. Plus learn about the Blackfoot Confederacy, an ill-fated gold rush, and lots more along the route.

    Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River

    ⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🛶 Check Rates and Availability

    Relax and unwind as you float the Flathead River as you take in the scenery and learn about the area as you float by. There are opportunities to spot wildlifeas this relaxing and rejuvenating tour takes place on the boundary of Glacier National Park. This tour requires little effort and is great for familieswith small children.

    Nature Walk in Glacier National Park

    ⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (730+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours |  Check Rates and Availability

    Meet for a brief orientation then head out to Glacier where you'll explore Glacier's natural wonders on a guided adventure. Start with a 1-mile round trip walk through Lake McDonald Valley, admiring its glaciated beauty and resident wildlife. Then venture to the North Fork Valley with scenic stops along the way. Take another 1-mile roundtrip walk along the wild and scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, learning about the environment and its history.

    Village Inn at Apgar in Glacier National Park
    Village Inn at Apgar

    Alternative Lodging Options The Apgar Campground is Fully Booked

    Glacier Lodging & campsites oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near Apgar Campground as a backup option.

    ⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Village Inn at Apgar - Click here for Rates and Availability.

    This is one of my favorite lodges in Glacier and is located in Apgar Village. The lodge has several amenities and some come with a full kitchen. I love the 70's motor Inn retro vibe, but what makes me keep rebooking this lodge is sitting back in an Adirondack chair located on your back porch with epic views of Lake McDonald. It's the chef's kiss!

    ⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Lake McDonald Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

    Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the Classic lodges in the national park service with a lodge feel. It has epic views of Lake McDonald and a great spot to go hiking, driving the Going to the Sun Road, and taking a boat tour of the lake. THey have several amenities, a gift store, lounge, and a restaurant.

    ⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Belton Chalet - Click here for Rates and Availability.

    Step back in time to an era of elegance and culinary prowess at the Historic Belton Chalet. Built in 1910 as the first of the Great Northern Railroad's iconic lodges, the Belton Chalet has served as the origional gateway to Glacier National Park for over a century, offering the same and unforgettable guest experience today, as it did when it first opened its doors. Now renowned for its world-class cuisine featuring locally-sources ingredients and an array of local beer and spirits, the chalet's restaurant and tap house provide a warm, welcoming environmentwhere the way it was is truly the way it still is. +

    If you were unable to get into one of these lodges, make sure to check out my Glacier National Park Lodging Guide for a complete breakdown of lodges in Glacier.

    Click on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Glacier.

    Glacier National Park Entrance Fee

    New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Glacier National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

    Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

    Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

    Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

    Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

    $45.00-$145.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons), $25.oo for vehicle plus $20.00 per person 16+.

    $75.00 for a commercial van with 7-15 seats

    $100 for a commercial mini-bus with 16-25 seats

    $200.00 for a commercial motor coach with 26+ seats

    Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

    $80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

    National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.

    Photos of Apgar Campground

    Campsite 14 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 14 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 15 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 15 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 16 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 16 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 17 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 17 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 18 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 18 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 48 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 48 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 52 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 52 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 105 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 105 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 122 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 122 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 150 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 150 Apgar Campground
    Campsite 152 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Campsite 152 Apgar Campground
    Group site E3 Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
    Group site E3 Apgar Campground

    Additional Glacier Resources

    • Glacier National Park - Complete Guid to plan your trip to the Crown of the Continent!
    • Things To Do in Glacier National Park - including boat tours, hiking, Rad Jammer Rides, and more!
    • Going to the Sun Road - Complete Guide to one of America's most iconic scenic drives!
    • Glacier Lodging Guide - Find out about all the lodging options within the park.
    • Glacier Camping Guide - Find out about all the campgrounds that can be found within the park.
    • Free National Park Days - Find out the five days during the year the National Park Service waives entry fees.
    • Most Visited National Parks - Check out the most visited national park sites in the United States. 

    Check out all of the Montana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

     

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    Filed Under: Camping, US National Parks

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