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Kintla Lake Campground
Kintla Lake Campground is the most remote front country campground in all of Glacier National Park, sitting right on the shores of Kintla Lake in the far northwest corner of the park near the Canadian border.
The drive alone makes this place special. You will be on dirt roads for most of the trip, and plan on at least an hour to an hour and a half from the north entrance of the park depending on wildlife along the way and any oncoming traffic.
The road is narrow, so be ready to pull over and give other vehicles room to pass. Before you leave Polebridge, use the restroom and grab a huckleberry bear claw from the Polebridge Mercantile because there are no stops between there and the campground. Trust us on both of those.
The campground itself sits at around 4,000 feet elevation, surrounded by towering conifers that keep the sites nicely shaded with good privacy between them.
Kintla Lake stretches over five miles long and nearly a mile wide with dramatic mountain peaks rising up on all sides of it, and the views from camp are absolutely stunning.
A hand pump provides potable water on site and pit toilets are available, so while it is primitive, you are not completely without basics. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.
No motorized watercraft are allowed on the lake, which keeps things peaceful and makes it a great spot for canoeing and kayaking. The campground is first come, first served and it rarely fills up outside of July and August, but if you are heading there during peak season get there early in the morning to secure a site.
Mosquitoes can be heavy here, so pack bug spray and consider a screen shelter if you plan to spend time outside the tent. This is active bear and wildlife country, so keep your bear spray on you and store all food properly at all times.
Kintla Lake Campground Map
Campground Fees
Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees
Campground Reservations
Are campground Reservations Available? No
First Come, First Served? Yes, all sites are first come first serve
General Park Information
Season: Summer - Kintla's summer season is typically late May to early September. Weather Dependant for Fall Season, but typically early September to the end of October.
Number of Sites: 13
Location in the park: Uppermost northwest section of Glacier NP
Campsite Cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees
Payments accepted: cash and check
Reservations: No, first come first serve
Latitude/Longitude
48.9807° N
114.1539° W
Elevation: 4,035 feet
Accessible Sites: Yes, campsite #13
Pets Allowed: Yes, but they must be on leashes less than 6 feet long
Campground Amenities
Flush Toilets: Vault toilets - seasonal
Showers: No
Laundry: No
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
Fire pit in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Food Storage Locker/ Bear Box in site/area? Yes, Seasonal
Potable Water? Yes, Seasonal
RV Camping at Kintla Lake Campground
Hookups Available: no
RV Length: Vehicles over 21' in length and/or vehicle-trailer combinations are prohibited at Kintla Lake due to the nature of the long, narrow, and windy dirt road, and very tight parking areas at each campsite.
Dump Station: Yes, seasonal
Generators:
Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Noise must be kept to a low level that does not disturb other campers.Generator use in campgrounds is permitted only during the following times: 8 am-10 am, noon-2 pm, or 5 pm-7 pm.
Generator use is prohibited AT ALL TIMES in the following campground areas:
- Fish Creek, C Loop
- Many Glacier, sites 48-59, 71, and 88-102
- Rising Sun, sites 49-84
- Sprague Creek, all sites
- St. Mary, A Loop
- Two Medicine, sites 1-36
- Cutbank Campground, all sites
Unreasonable idling of motor vehicles is also prohibited.
Don't forget to pack these camping essentials
How to get to Kintla Lake Campground
From Polebridge travel 14.3mi north on a dirt road. You will want to give yourself a minimum of 90 minutes if not longer depending on the weather and wildlife you see along the way.
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.
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.
Things to Do Near Kintla Lake Campground
🥾 Day hike along the Kintla Lake Trail toward Upper Kintla Lake
🛶 Kayaking and canoeing on Kintla Lake
🎣 Fishing for trout on Kintla Lake
🐻 Wildlife watching for bears, deer, and mountain goats
🌲 Explore the remote North Fork wilderness area
🌌 Stargazing on clear nights far from any light pollution
🚗 Stop at the Polebridge Mercantile for baked goods and supplies
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.
Alternative Lodging Options if Kintla Lake Campground is Fully Booked
Glacier campgrounds & Lodges oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near the Avalanche Campground as a backup option.
⭐️ 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.
⭐️ 4.8 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!
⭐️ 4.4 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 this link or the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Glacier.
https://stay22.com/embed/61f85ec08a32d00015bf2070Glacier Bay National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Glacier Bay National Park does not charge an entrance fee!
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.
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.
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.
- National Park Service Website
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.
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