McGinnis Creek

I love the beauty of this area, it's so dark at night and there are pockets of phone service (Verizon) and there's so many animals and wild flowers.

There is a lot trafficking that happens here around the park though. Camping near West Glacier this is more prevalent because it's near the reservation. This area off North Fork Road is not far from the park and many people camp here also.

I had an experience today early morning where two men in a truck tried to break into my car to get to me. I keep the windows blacked out with covers aside from the back small windows that are dark tint. I call in my Subaru Outback.

They pulled up to look in the back windows and thought it was a woman in the car. Back the car up to block me and they got out of the car and came around to the cracked passenger window facing the forest to try to get to me.

They didn't realize I saw them the whole time around the top of the blackout curtain. I grabbed my keys and turned my alarm on. They thankfully sped off. I jumped in the front and sped away and called the police.

Many areas don't have cell service here, this spot did. Most are very vulnerable out here. It's 25min back to town and mostly without service.

Colombia Falls said they sent the police but no one ever came. They never called me. Didn't see one officer on the highway driving into town. The car with the men passed me and I told them the car info and still I don't think anything happened at all.

Don't sleep out here unless you have a gun and you feel very secure and self contained in your car. It's not safe. I had a similar experience in two other areas and I won't stay in the area anymore unless it's a private campground that is monitored or is a hotel room.

Be very very safe. If I had been sleeping, I don't know what would have happened.

Great camping for van life. Plenty of pull offs on the side of the road. First few miles of McGinnis Creek rd are open all year. After that, the gates are closed until July 1st. There are about 5 spots for bigger trailers. We managed to find a spot on a side road before the gates, that fit our 32' travel trailer. Verizon and tmobile service but only 1 to 2 bars. This spot is only about 25 minutes from West Glacier. The road is a really good gravel road.

In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Glacier National Park and Columbia Falls, Montana. All locations are located in the Flathead National Forest and there is a 16 day stay limit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0llxG33OdoQ 

Free Camping Near Glacier National Park- North Fork Road, Canyon Creek and McGinnis Creek Dispersed 

GPS Point for North Fork Road Dispersed Camping

48.499334,-114.131517 

Natural Spring for drinking water etc. 48.447581,-114.165680 

Conoco Station($5 Dump and Water) 48.371583,-114.203917 

Bonus Content GPS Info Canyon Creek Dispersed 48.463612,-114.167320 

McGinnis Creek Dispersed(start of road with North Fork Road Instersection) 48.52.3474,-114.128642 

McGinnis Creek Large Boondocking Area from Video 48.531014,-114.157493