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St. Mary Campground
St. Mary Campground is the largest campground on the east side of Glacier National Park, sitting about half a mile from the St. Mary entrance at an elevation of roughly 4,500 feet.
This is a great home base if you want easy access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Many Glacier area without having to drive across the park every day.
The vegetation here is low to medium bushes and ground cover with scattered aspen trees that offer some color in the fall but not a lot of shade during the summer months.
Be prepared, because some sites are fully exposed to the sun with no cover at all, so bring a canopy if that matters to you.
The sites are mostly pull-through, which makes parking an RV or camper van much easier than at other campgrounds in the park. Each site comes with a picnic table and a fire pit.
One thing to keep in mind when booking is whether your pull-through is a single site or split into two. Some of them are divided right down the middle, which puts you very close to your neighbor.
Check the site photos before you book so you know exactly what you are getting. Just outside the park entrance a few minutes away you will find gas, groceries, and restaurants, which is a real convenience compared to some of the more remote campgrounds in Glacier.
The campground has views of Singleshot Mountain, East Flattop Mountain, and Red Eagle Mountain framing the landscape, and St. Mary Lake just down the road and the scenery more than makes up for the lack of shade.
St. Mary Campground Map
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 August.
- Reservations can be made on a 6 month rolling basis.
- Reservations can be made at Recreation.Gov
- Reservations can also be made by calling 1-877-444-6777
First Come, First Served? Sites are first-come, first-served before and after the reservation season dates. Sites not reserved ahead of time are available on a first come first serve basis.
General Park Information
Season: Mid April through mid September.
Number of Sites: 148
Location in the park: East side of Glacier National Park
Located a half-mile west of the St. Mary entrance near St. Mary, Montana.
Latitude/Longitude:
48° 45' 2.9999" N
113° 26' 48.9998" W
Elevation: 4488 feet
Accessible Sites: #146
Campground Amenities
Flush Toilets: Yes
Showers: Showers are located in Loop C for registered campers only.
Laundry:
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 ring in the site? Yes
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Food Storage Lockers/Bear Boxs available? Yes,
Potable Water? Yes
Fee showers are available at the Rising Sun and Swiftcurrent Motor Inns and private campgrounds adjacent to the park.
RV Camping at St. Mary Campground
Hookups: No
RV Length: 3 sites can accommodate up to 40 feet, 22 sites can accommodate up to 35 feet
Dump Station: Yes
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.
- Loop A is generator free
How to get to St. Mary Campground
Approximate driving distance via Going-to-the-Sun Road:
St. Mary entrance: 0.9mi
West entrance: 48.8mi
Don't forget to pack these camping essentials
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: Yes, Pets must be on a leash less than 6 feet long.
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 St. Mary Campground
🥾 Hike to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls
🏔️ Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road
🦌 Wildlife watching for bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and bears
🎣 Fishing on St. Mary Lake
🚌 Free shuttle from the visitor center to park trailheads
🛶 Kayaking and boating on St. Mary Lake
🌄 Scenic stops along the Rising Sun area
🎤 Ranger-led programs at the St. Mary Visitor Center
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 St Mary Campground is Fully Booked
Glacier Lodging oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near Glacier Park Lodge as a backup option.
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Many Glacier Hotel - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Many Glacier Hotel is one of the classic National Park Lodges! It's Swiss Chalet design with sweeping views of Swiftcurrent Lake and the mountains in the background simply cant be beat! It's pricey but it's a lodge you will never forget.
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Glacier Park Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
This is another classic national park lodge. It's lobby, "a three-story Big Tree Lodge" with 60 forty foot long massive Douglas Fir Tree Pillars with a centrally located stone fireplace is absolutely spectacular. Don't forget to bring your clubs and go golfing, enjoy complimentary WiFi, on-site dining at the Great Northern Dining Room, and enjoy Glacier!
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Swiftcurrent Motor Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Located right across Swiftcurrent Lake from the Many Glacier Hotel and close to several iconic Glacier hiking trails. They have both motel style rooms and cabins and Nell's Restaurant on site with good food!
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Rising Sun Motor Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The Rising Sun Motor Inn has both motel style rooms and cabins with beautiful mountain views. It is also the perfect location for those wanting to explore the Going-to-the-Sun Road! We thouroughly enjoyed our stay here and the Two Dog Flats restaurant had really good food too!
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 ot 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.
Photos of St. Mary 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.
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