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Quartz Creek Campground
Quartz Creek Campground is the smallest campground in Glacier National Park, tucked into a forested stretch of the North Fork area on the west side of the park, north of Polebridge, Montana.
With only seven sites nestled among the trees, this is about as quiet and uncrowded as it gets in Glacier. The campground sits along Quartz Creek, and sites 4 and 5 are right on the water, making them the ones to grab if you can.
The forest surrounds the sites and provides good shade, though views are limited by the tree cover. This is a true primitive campground, meaning you are packing in your water, packing out your trash, and keeping things simple.
There is a vault toilet and a central bear box on site, and that is about it for amenities. Getting here is part of the adventure.
The campground is accessed by the Inside North Fork Road, a rough, dusty, dirt road full of blind curves and very few pullouts with a maximum speed of 20 mph. RVs and truck and trailer combinations are not recommended on this road. It is best suited for passenger vehicles, trucks, and camper vans that can handle a bumpy ride.
This is active bear country, so keep your bear spray on you at all times, store all food and scented items in the bear box, and stay aware of your surroundings.
If your goal is to get away from the crowds and feel like you actually have the park to yourself, Quartz Creek is the place to do it.
Quartz Creek 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: June - October
Number of Sites: 7
Location in the park: Northwest corner of Glacier National Park
Campsite Cost: Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees
Payments accepted: Cash and check
Campground Address:
Reservations: No, first come first serve
Latitude/Longitude:
48.7214°N
114.2245°W
Elevation: 3,515
Accessible Sites: No ADA sites
Pets Allowed: yes, pets must be on a leash less than 6 feet long
Campground Amenities
Flush Toilets: No
Showers: No
Laundry: No
Payphone: No
Is WiFi Available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is camp host available on site? Unknown
Is firewood available for purchase? Firewood can be purchased in Polebridge and other local communities.
Potable Water? No Water
Fire pit in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Food Storage Lockers/Bear Box in campsite or area? Yes,
Potable Water? No
The campground has vault toilets.
RV Camping at Campground
Hookups Available: no
RV Length: Vehicles over 21' in length and/or vehicle-trailer combinations are prohibited at Quartz Creek due to the nature of the long, narrow, winding dirt road to the campground, and very tight parking areas at each campsite.
Dump Station: No
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 Campground
Located off of a dirt road 5.7 miles north of Polebridge
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 Quartz Creek Campground:
🥾 Hike to Lower Quartz Lake (6.2 miles one way)
🎣 Fishing along Quartz Creek and Quartz Lake
🐻 Wildlife watching for bears, deer, and local wildlife
🌲 Explore the North Fork area of the park
🛶 Visit nearby Bowman Lake for kayaking and canoeing
🌌 Stargazing on clear nights away from any light pollution
🚗 Day trip to the Polebridge Mercantile for famous baked goods
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.
Check out all of the Glacier National Park Campground options!
Alternative Lodging Options if Quartz Creek 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.
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.
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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