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Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

First-come, first-served sites at Rising Sun fill fast. During peak summer months, the most popular spots are claimed by 9:30 a.m., and campers who arrive after that often find the campground full. Arriving the night before to scout which neighbors are checking out the next morning is a strategy several visitors recommend. Rising Sun sits just off Going-to-the-Sun Road within Glacier National Park, with a mix of forested and open sites and access to the lake area across the main road.

Wildlife activity here is consistent and worth taking seriously. Black bears are a regular presence, particularly in the southwestern section of the campground, and rangers actively enforce food storage rules. Bear lockers are on-site. One campground evacuation due to an aggressive bear has been reported during summer months, so bringing bear spray is advisable, especially in August. "Saw a black bear at the end of the road," notes April C., who also observed the same bear emerge during a ranger-led nature talk near the campsite. Deer and fox have been spotted as well.

Across the main road, campers have access to a picnic area, a nature trail along the water, a raised walking platform, and swimming. A camp store, small restaurant, and motel sit just outside the camping area. Pay showers at the store run about $3.25 for seven minutes. Flush toilets and potable water are available on-site. The campground has cell service. For campers interested in tent camping near Glacier National Park, site quality varies, and rangers enforce a no-tent rule near the rock wall due to rockfall hazard.

Sites are close together, and noise from neighboring campers is a recurring theme in reviews. The campground does not allow pets. Those wanting more solitude might consider nearby backcountry options such as Otokomi Lake Wilderness Campsite or Red Eagle Lake Foot Wilderness Campsite, both within Glacier. Doug K. notes the location is "just off Going-to-the-Sun Road, but generally quiet," and points out easy access to Wild Goose Island Overlook for early-morning photography less than a mile away.

The campground runs from early June through mid-September. Forest fire smoke can affect air quality later in summer. Plan to arrive no later than 6 a.m. during peak season if you want a reasonable shot at a site, and confirm vehicle length restrictions before arriving, as nothing over 25 feet is recommended.

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Map & DirectionsRising Sun Campground is located in Montana near Siyeh Bend

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

On the east side of the park, approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) from St. Mary entrance and halfway along St. Mary Lake, adjacent to Rising Sun Motor Inn.

Coordinates

48.694532 N
113.522684 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
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    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
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    No Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 7/30/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Drive Time


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Reviews26 Camper Reviews - Rising Sun Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

69%
19%
8%
4%
0%

4.5

out of 5

26 Reviews

Many visitors reported excellent location access to Going-to-the-Sun Road with clean facilities and quiet atmosphere. Limited shower facilities and early arrival requirements for first-come sites were common concerns during peak season.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2026

used to be favorite national park

Still One of the most beautiful parks , but because of the lack of communication and knowledge by rangers , made it to struggle to stay, we traveled to Risingsun Campground gorgeous Campground went there because we were told they had for us come first serve when we got there. They said they stopped it in July but didn’t tell anyone we had to find Wii fi to make reservations next day traveled to other side of park to apgar to large visitors center waited in line to talk to rangers about camping had no information finally one said fish creek had first come first serve drove there not true the whole park is reservations only and you have to wait until five o’clock for them to release sites that means you wasted a day and maybe no site

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2026

Nice Campground if you can snag a spot

The campsite and facilities were well maintained for the price. The campground fills up fast. The sites closest to the rock wall are not open to tents due to falling rocks and rangers enforce the rule, we saw a group have to take down camp and move, so be aware if you plan on tent camping. Campground will be busy but Glacier is always busy.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2025

Beautiful campsite

We were here for the summer solstice! Didn’t get dark until 1030ish, very beautiful long days.

Bathrooms were clean. No cell service. Nice short walking path to St Mary’s lake.

Potable fill up and rv dump. Not a bad price for staying inside glacier, these are first come first serve.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2023

Perfect for a Glacier Park stay

First come first serve, has everything you need. Campground host present, bathrooms, water spickets, camp store, showers, and restaurant with wifi. Lots of wildlife, especially bears are constantly present, so prepare accordingly. Strict rules about food storage and fire.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Emily T., September 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Emily T., September 22, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2022

Just about as close to nature as you can get

First come first serve sites. We filled the last spot. Ranger came by to let everyone know there was a nature talk across the main road. We walked over with a group of people. Saw a black bear at the end of the road. During the nature talk, the same bear popped out of the trees to eat some berries. The ranger warned of the black bear activity in the campground and remained people of proper food storage. 

Across the main road is an area for picnicking, hiking, and swimming. There is a nice nature trail along the water and a raised walking platform amongst the trees. The site was flat and clean. 

The restrooms were clean. The view was beautiful with trails. The back overgrown area is where the workers and volunteers camp. Showers are within walking distance at the general store. In the same parking lot as the tiny hotel and restaurant.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by April C., October 13, 2022
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by April C., October 13, 2022
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by April C., October 13, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 8, 2021

Incredibly beautiful right near the lake.

The most beautiful & colorful water rocks I've ever seen. Camp spots are kind of close but you don't really see your neighbors too much. Wonderful Ranger Talk in the amphitheatre. We had to leave early due to fires (summer of 2018). Cannot wait to return. Great restaurant & gift shop!!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Lise F., April 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Lise F., April 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Lise F., April 8, 2021
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2020

Can’t beat waking up to these views

Be ready to come early and wait in line to grab a campsite. After 9-10am, except most sites to be full.

We got lucky and had a hard sided sprinter van. Rest of campground was evacuated with an overly aggressive black bear. BRING BEAR SPRAY, especially in August.

This was my second trip to Glacier. Later in the summer you do run the risk of forest fire smog, but I can’t recommend this campground high enough

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Josh D., July 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Josh D., July 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Josh D., July 8, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 22, 2020

Loud but has trees.

We were roasting in the throws of Hades down at St. Mary's campground so decided to get up early and get a FCFS spot at Rising Sun, as none are reserveable (pre-covid). This campground is has trees and shade.  I arrived at 6:50am, and the car line to get on a list to put your name on a camp list with a ranger was 17 deep. They took 10 each time and assigned a spot. I waited about 90 minutes in said car line. Ranger gave a great 'bear aware' and camp cleanliness talk to the group before releasing to find assigned site. This campground is way too close for me, neighbors at every turn. Two sites over held 40 people having a GREAT time, and I would have a great time if I knew them, but since I didn't and they were drinking and smoking and laughing until 1am, I can't say they were fun. Then at 2am, four college kids next to us returned, whisper yelling not to vomit, but of course did. And I then laid awake the rest of the night worrying the vomit would attract the resident bear near our tent and my small children. Learning my lesson again, I'll avoid campgrounds and stick to the back country. Bathroom was clean, no shower. About 7 phones charging in the loo. Buy your firewood where you burn it, don't transport wood anywhere.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Sarah N., May 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Sarah N., May 22, 2020
  • On top of Logan Pass, just up from Rising Sun.
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  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2019

Sue is the best!

Location is super close to hiking, lakes, and horse back riding. Sue was our site manager and was absolutely amazing!!

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Anne T., July 4, 2019
Reviewed May. 31, 2019

Arrive early!

The most popular campsites fill up by 9:30 pm during the busy season here, so be prepared. The campground is first come first serve only, and they recommend nothing over 25ft. If you’re visiting during the busy season, drive to your desired campsite the night before to see which people are leaving the next day (you can just look on their tags). Write down the # and get there early on the next day. There is a restaurant/motel and camp store just outside the camping area. 

I stayed on the far southwestern part of the campground and saw bears every night we were there. The bears weren’t too concerned with humans and mainly looking for trash. The campground is very strict about putting food away and they have bear lockers, so do everyone a favor and store your food/trash correctly. There are 2 shower stalls behind the camp store and it is $3.25 for 7-minute shower. The campground also has potable water and flush toilets.

Excellent hiking and great views!

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Alicia V., May 31, 2019
Reviewed Feb. 28, 2019

Location!

The advantages here are many! Just off going to the sun road, but generally quiet. Fire pits, trees and nature around, yet very close by is a store, pay showers and a restaurant. Or just tent and do your own thing at your site. If you are a photographer, this is the place for easy access to wild goose overlook sunrise photography as less than a mile away. Also, very easy access to St. Mary 6 miles and then many glacier and other 18 miles (which is nearly impossible to get a camping spot at)

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2018

great spot

this is a perfect national park campground! flushing toilets, great tasting water, place to dump your dish water, trash, recycling, a general store that has any and everything you need! love it. best national park to boot.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018

Nice camp site

plan ahead. if you can reserve a site before hand. If not plan on staying outside the park and get to the site entrance before 6AM during peak seasons. you have to wait in line during busy tourist months. The campsite has lots of spots though and is first come first serve. Bathrooms weren’t the cleanest but did have running water. No showers but you can purchase a token and take a shower at the store near camp site. Saw a deer and a fox. This is bear country and you have to store items in car or food locker.

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2018

Great location, awesome

You are pretty close to your neighbors, but if you are looking to explore the northern and southern parts of Glacier national park, this is a good spot to camp.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2018

Shady and relaxing

The campground had plenty of shady and open (sunny spots)! Also a beautiful view of the mountains or a cliff, depending on the site. The sites are relatively close to one another for the majority of the sites, but it seemed like this was normal when we drove through the other campgrounds in Glacier. The reason I would not give it more stars is because their shower 'system' is ridiculous, you pay to use the shower, however there is only shower for each men and women and it is shared with the entire campground. I spent 2 hours waiting most nights for a shower. They need to construct more showers.

Site33
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 19, 2018

Great Tenting Spot

Centrally located on east side of park on the Going To The Sun Road. Nice sites, never filled up while we were there in mid June. We had a family of marmots behind us and even saw a young Black Bear walk about 150’ behind us as well. About ~30 min to Many Glacier 10 min to St.Mary.

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Ryan S., June 19, 2018
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Ryan S., June 19, 2018
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Ryan S., June 19, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2018

Bear country

A family of black bears peacefully passed through this campground when we were there. Clean facilities and close to gorgeous hikes. A short walk to St Mary Lake.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • The clearest water
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  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Lena L., June 14, 2018
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Lena L., June 14, 2018
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 28, 2018

RisingSun Sites

Every time I stay at this campsite there are always bears and deer everywhere so just be bear aware. If you drive through the park on the Sun Road you can reach it a little past Jackson’s glacier overlook. Great , smaller campground with only about 20-30 spots. Easy access of Sun Road and all the hikes in the park.

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Kirsten R., May 28, 2018
Reviewed May. 16, 2018

When Many Glacier is full...

The campground is great! We tried to get a spot at Many Glacier by arriving at 7am and the line of cars was all the way down then road. We failed to get a spot so we headed to Rising Sun. At that time in the morning there were plenty of people packing up and leaving. I wish we would have just came straight there. If you do not already have reservations at Many Glacier I would highly recommend going to Rising Sun.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2017

Great Fall Spot

Awesome location, right on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Campsite are a little close together but very cool backdrop and super close to the lake too. Great Basecamp for s couple days in Glacier, then I'd switch up locations

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Kristina K., September 16, 2017
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Kristina K., September 16, 2017
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Kristina K., September 16, 2017
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2017

Great site on east side of Glacier

Nice campground on the Going to the Sun road. There is a store and restaurant at the campground. Not too far from everything. There are shared bear boxes and flush toilets.

SiteA55
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Katsu T., August 12, 2017
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Katsu T., August 12, 2017
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Lots of options

This campground has a good variety from open to covered sites. Most won't accommodate a large rig setup, but you can't drive around the park with them anyways so as a tent camper you won't have to worry too much as half of them are generator free. You're right by a camp store and have easy access to the shuttle if you want to use that or right off the going to the sun road, which becomes a ghost town late at night so you won't have too much road noise. Great spot to get to some awesome hikes and one of the 2 places in the park that we ended up seeing bears. (Use a bear box for your food and toiletries!)

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Elliott B., October 1, 2016
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Elliott B., October 1, 2016
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Elliott B., October 1, 2016
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2016

No reservations

The part of the campground we ended up in was more open than we would have preferred despite being in the trees, but everyone else was quiet and polite so it was ok. Some of the bigger National Parks out west have free shuttle bus services and Glacier’s runs right to this campground so you can access day hiking without having to drive and park. Pros: incredible views, showers, clean, lakeside, great views, shuttle access, boat tours (worth it!!), ranger talks, choice of open or shady campsites, centrally localized. Cons: very few tent only sites, no reservations, busy (no noise issue though), fills up.

Reviewed Sep. 12, 2016

Good experience

I have stayed here twice. Great variety of camping sites and I have never had an issue with noise, unlike some campgrounds in the past. Good location to get to all areas of the park.

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Ellen D., September 12, 2016
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Ellen D., September 12, 2016
  • Great trees for hammocks!
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Reviewed Aug. 28, 2016

Awesome place in West Glacier!!!

We stayed here two nights of our trip. Fantastic campground, as are all of the campgrounds within the park. There is a small camp store that provides showers for a small fee. Close access to going to the sun road and stunning views all around.

  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Mia F., August 28, 2016
  • Review photo of Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park NO first come first served by Mia F., August 28, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What do visitors say in reviews about Rising Sun Campground?

Visitors consistently praise Rising Sun Campground for its prime location on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and proximity to St. Mary Lake. The campground earns high marks for its variety of sites, from open sunny spots to shaded areas under trees. Wildlife sightings are common, with reports of black bears, deer, and marmots in the area. Campers appreciate the quiet, respectful atmosphere despite sites being relatively close together. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring both the northern and southern parts of Glacier National Park, with convenient access to popular hiking trails and stunning viewpoints.

What amenities are available at Rising Sun Campground in Glacier National Park?

Rising Sun Campground offers flush toilets, potable water, and shared bear boxes for food storage. The campground features a general store where you can purchase supplies and access shower facilities for a small fee. There's also a restaurant on-site. A free shuttle bus stops at the campground, making it easy to explore other areas of Glacier National Park without driving. The campground includes both generator-free sites and areas where generators are permitted, accommodating different camping preferences. Dishwater disposal stations, trash collection, and recycling facilities are also available.

Where can I find photos of Rising Sun Campground before booking?

You can find photos of Rising Sun Campground on the official Glacier National Park website (nps.gov/glac), which includes images of campground facilities and surroundings. The Dyrt camping app and website feature user-submitted photos showing actual campsites, views, and amenities. Recreation.gov also provides official campground photos and site-specific images to help with planning. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook contain tagged photos of the campground. For the most comprehensive visual preview, combining these sources will give you a good idea of what to expect before your visit.

Are reservations required for Rising Sun Campground and how do I book a site?

Rising Sun Campground primarily operates on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak tourist season (summer months), it's advisable to arrive very early in the morning - before 6 AM - to secure a spot, as the campground can fill quickly. Some visitors report waiting in line for site availability. For the best chance at getting a site, consider arriving midweek or early in the day when people are checking out. The campground has approximately 20-30 sites total. To check if reservation policies have changed or for current availability information, contact Glacier National Park directly or visit Recreation.gov.