Established Camping
Sprague Creek Campground — Glacier National Park
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from September 16, 2024 through May 25, 2025.
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from September 16, 2024 through May 25, 2025.
Sprague Creek Campground, near West Glacier, Montana, is a cozy spot that offers a unique camping experience right next to the stunning Lake McDonald. This place is perfect for those who enjoy a more intimate setting, with smaller sites that provide a sense of privacy among the trees.
The campground features basic amenities like drinking water and flush toilets, but don’t expect any electric hookups or showers. Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, especially since it’s a non-generator area, allowing for a more natural experience. As one visitor put it, “The lake access, tree canopy, and small non-generator campground was just our style.”
You’ll find plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun right at your doorstep. The campground is a great jumping-off point for exploring Glacier National Park, with easy access to hiking trails and breathtaking views. Many campers enjoy launching their canoes or kayaks on Lake McDonald, especially at sunset when the scenery is simply magical.
While some campers mentioned that the proximity to Going-to-the-Sun Road can bring a bit of noise, the trade-off is being close to one of the park's most iconic routes. If you’re looking for a charming spot to set up camp and soak in the beauty of Glacier, Sprague Creek is definitely worth considering.
Description
National Park Service
Glacier National Park
Overview
Sprague Creek is a small campground located on the northeast shore of Lake McDonald, just off Going-to-the-Sun Road. The maximum size limit allowed for all vehicles as well as combinations of vehicles and towed units in Sprague Creek Campground is 21 feet in length (including bumpers) and/or 8 feet in width (including mirrors). The campground is located within trees, providing shade during warm summers. Some sites near the shore have unobstructed views of Lake McDonald.
Recreation
Amenities such as a camp store, resturant, gift shop, tour buses, boat tours, and horse rides can be found at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, about a mile away from the campground. Evening programs with a ranger are also located at Lake McDonald Lodge. Use Glacier's free shuttle service at this campground to access other shuttle stops on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Natural Features
Sprague Creek is heavily forested with partial shade. Some sites have views of Lake McDonald. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages almost 10,000 years ago. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 270 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as harlequin ducks, dippers and golden eagles.
Nearby Attractions
One must-see attraction is Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier's sister park across the Canadian-U.S. border. As the other half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park offers great hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the townsite of Waterton.
Location
Sprague Creek Campground — Glacier National Park is located in Montana
Directions
Sprague Creek Campground has multiple entry points on the east and west side of the park. West Side West Entrance From Columbia Falls, take Highway 2 east to the town of West Glacier (approximately 33 miles/53 km from Kalispell). West Entrance From Browning, take Highway 2 west to the town of West Glacier. East Side St. Mary Entrance From Columbia Falls, take Highway 2 east to the town of Browning (approx. 83 miles/134 km). At the traffic circle, exit onto Hwy 89 north and continue for another 30 miles (48 km). Follow the signage to the St. Mary Visitor Center / Going-to-the-Sun Road. St. Mary Entrance From Browning, take Highway 89 north to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Coordinates
48.60615 N
113.88471 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TFair
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires