Rising Sun Campground is located just west of St. Mary and halfway along St. Mary Lake. Campers at Rising Sun will enjoy beautiful sunrises in the morning with Red Eagle Mountain as a backdrop, and the campground serves as a convenient base camp to many day hikes located east of Logan Pass. Some sites are open, allowing for cool breezes throughout the day, while others are located among trees, accommodating those seeking some shade and privacy.

Rising Sun Campground — Glacier National Park

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.

Loud but has trees. 

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. 

Awesome place in West Glacier!!!

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.

Good experience

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!) 

Lots of options

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.

Great site on east side of Glacier

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

Great Fall Spot

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. 

RisingSun Sites

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.

Bear country 

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. 

Great Tenting Spot

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!

Arrive early!

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

Sue is the best!

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

Can’t beat waking up to these views 

The most beautiful &amp; 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 &amp; gift shop!!

Incredibly beautiful right near the lake.

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.

Just about as close to nature as you can get

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.