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McGinnis Creek

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Thick conifer forest lines the McGinnis Creek road corridor in Flathead National Forest, where a handful of dispersed sites sit free of charge along a well-maintained gravel road. The campground itself has only one or two designated spots, but the surrounding pullouts along North Fork Road give campers a reasonable fallback when those fill. No toilets, no water, no hookups. Pack in everything and pack it out.

Road access is more forgiving than many dispersed sites in the region. Reviewers in low-clearance, two-wheel-drive vehicles have reached the main sites without difficulty in summer, and the first few miles of McGinnis Creek Road stay open year-round. Beyond the first few miles, gates close until around July 1st. Larger rigs, including at least one 32-foot travel trailer, have found workable spots near the gate area. Cell coverage is thin but not absent, with one or two bars reported on Verizon and T-Mobile.

The creek runs close to some sites, and the surrounding forest holds active wildlife. Campers consistently mention bear awareness as a real consideration, not a formality. The area also sits within roughly 25 minutes of West Glacier, making it a functional base for day trips into Glacier National Park via the Apgar village entrance. Nearby dispersed alternatives include McGinnis Creek FR Dispersed — Flathead NF and Camp off North Fork Road if the main spots are taken.

Arrive with bear-safe food storage, a full water supply, and bug spray, especially if camping close to the creek.

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Map & DirectionsMcGinnis Creek is located in Montana near West Glacier

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

48.51455866 N
114.14770875 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 9/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 9/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 9/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 9/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - McGinnis Creek

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

63%
25%
0%
0%
12%

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed May. 29, 2024

McGinnis

Great area

Site2nd spot 2 miles in facing Glacier peaks
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Maui F., May 29, 2024
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Maui F., May 29, 2024
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Maui F., May 29, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2023

Women aren't safe here!

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.

SiteJust about 1.5 miles up the road off of north fork
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2023

Good camping close to Glacier N.P.

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.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by dusty , July 2, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

Great Site at the TOP- Watch Rig SIZE (see video review)

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

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2022

Beautiful Area; Limited Spots

Only two spots available at this campsite. However I would definitely say it’s worth trying. We tried twice. When both spots were full we just kept driving along the main dirt road. You can camp along that road at any pullout. We found a good, spacious area off the road and still with a fire pit. The second try there was a spot available at the McGinnis campsite (the smaller of the two). There are the most amazing views from this location! Pictures 1 & 2 are from the first location. I don’t have pictures from the actual site— we got in at dark. Picture 3 is from an overlook you can see very near the campsite. We have a pretty low clearance vehicle and had no problems. Would definitely recommend. It’s close enough to Glacier that it’s not hard to get to, but far enough away that it’s not as busy.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Jess , August 1, 2022
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Jess , August 1, 2022
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Jess , August 1, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2020

Great

Thick, secluded, amazing. Camped 5+ miles off north fork road and it was incredible. Bring bug spray and be aware of animals especially where we camped. The river was 15’away and guided me and the wife to sleep. Can’t wait to come back and explore these mountains even more. It also helps that most of the tourists do not know about this area

Reviewed May. 19, 2018

Dispersed Camping near West Glacier

This is dispersed camping with no amenities, but it makes up for that with the views. Pack in, pack out, LNT, and be bear aware! We pulled up in the middle of the night and had no idea the views we would wake up to. We were able to get there in a low clearance, two wheel drive in the summer, so regular cars should be fine. Be aware that there are only 1-2 spots here, however, there are plenty of pullouts along N Fork Rd. We parked at the secondary spot since the primary spot was taken at 10pm :) The site is near the western entrance of Glacier going into Apgar village.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Anna B., May 19, 2018
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Anna B., May 19, 2018
  • Review photo of McGinnis Creek by Anna B., May 19, 2018
  • (5) View All
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is McGinnis Creek dispersed camping located in Montana?

McGinnis Creek dispersed camping is located in the Flathead National Forest near Glacier National Park and Columbia Falls, Montana. The camping area can be accessed via McGinnis Creek Road, which connects to North Fork Road. It's positioned in a scenic area with mountain views and river access, making it a popular option for visitors to Glacier National Park looking for free camping alternatives. The location offers seclusion while still being reasonably accessible from major attractions in the region.

What amenities or facilities are available at McGinnis Creek camping areas?

McGinnis Creek offers primitive dispersed camping with minimal amenities. There are no developed facilities such as potable water, trash service, or restrooms. Some established spots have fire rings, but these are limited. The natural amenities are the main attraction - proximity to a river (about 15 feet from some sites), mountain views, and secluded forest surroundings. Campers should be prepared to be self-sufficient with all necessities including water and waste disposal.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at McGinnis Creek?

McGinnis Creek follows standard Flathead National Forest dispersed camping regulations, including a 16-day stay limit. Campers must practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash. Bear awareness is essential in this area. Seasonal access restrictions apply, with gates closed beyond the first few miles of McGinnis Creek Road until July 1st. Camping is permitted at designated pullouts along the main dirt road. Fire restrictions may apply during dry seasons, so check current conditions before your visit. The area has limited designated sites - only two official spots at the main location, though additional camping is available at pullouts along the road.

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