St. Mary Campground

Overview

St. Mary Campground is the largest campground on the east side of Glacier National Park, and is conveniently located approximately a half-mile from the St. Mary Visitor Center. The visitor center offers interpretive programs, shuttle service and Red Bus tours leaving from the center. The campground sits near the entrance of the popular scenic byway, the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Beginning August 17th through September 11th, St. Mary Campground will transition to a day-of reservation window, reservations for these dates may not be made in advance but must be made on the day of anticipated camping.

Generators are allowed only in Loops B & C. Generators are prohibited in Loop A.

For information on nearby campgrounds, including on US Forest Service land or the Blackfeet Nation, take a look at Glacier National Park's website.

Recreation

St. Mary Campground is located on the east side of the park, which boasts some of the best trails available for day hiking. Trailheads start at a higher elevation than those on the west side, so less ascent is required to reach scenic vistas.

Facilities

Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities provide flush toilets and sinks with running water.

A couple of miles down the road and outside the park, visitors will find all the comforts of home, including restaurants, gift shops, camp stores, gas and groceries.

Natural Features

Though shade is sparse, the aspen trees that grace St. Mary Campground flutter in spring and summer breezes and provide colorful splashes of yellow late in the season. Views of Singleshot, East Flattop and Red Eagle Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to the landscape.

St. Mary Lake which, although too cold and occasionally too rough to swim in, provides refreshing scenery on warm days.

Nearby Attractions

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

Immediately east of Glacier National Park lies the picturesque Blackfeet Indian Reservation, spanning 1.5 million acres. Visit the Museum of the Plains Indian, in Browning, Montana, for a fascinating introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the largest Indian tribe in Montana.

For information on nearby campgrounds, including on US Forest Service land or the Blackfeet Nation, take a look at Glacier National Park's website.

St. Mary primitive status: $20. Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted. Sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

St. Mary summer status: $30. Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted. Sites can be reserved mid-May through mid-August. Individual campsites may be reserved up to 6 months in advance. The two group sites can be reserved up to a year in advance.

St. Mary winter status: free. Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted. No potable water sources or dump station facilities are provided during the primitive camping season. Comfort stations are closed; use vault toilets located in the campground.