Tent camping near Babb, Montana offers direct access to Glacier National Park's northeastern region. Most backcountry campsites in this area sit at elevations between 4,800 and 7,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature swings even during summer months. The Continental Divide crosses through this region, creating distinctive ecosystems and weather patterns between the east and west sides of the park.
What to do
Lakeside exploration: Follow the trail to Cracker Lake Wilderness Campsite for stunning turquoise waters. "Really Nice Hike Into This Lake, Camping Is Available outside hiking distance. Rural. The lake is amazingly turquoise blue!! With as beautiful as this place is its actually not as visited as one would imagine," notes camper Carla S.
Backcountry wildlife viewing: The Cut Bank Creek drainage near Cut Bank Campground offers excellent wildlife opportunities. "The Cut Bank Creek drainage is also a fantastic place to embark on some great hiking and it provides some of the best of Montana's Rocky Mountain Front scenery and wildlife viewing. Grizzly bears are dense in this drainage and seeing a track on the trail in the morning gives you that feeling of true wildness we all yearn for," reports Seth T.
Multi-day trekking: Use Gunsight Lake as a basecamp for extended hikes. "One of the larger BC campgrounds, it makes for a great basecamp for a 2-night stay before moving on. Decent views to gunsight pass, mount Jackson and the Jackson glacier. Jackson glacier is a side trail the other side of the lake, or an attempt at the 10,000 mountain," suggests Doug K.
What campers like
Remote solitude: The Cut Bank area provides a quieter tent camping experience. "This is a dirt entrance to Glacier National Park. The campground is small (14 sites) and only provide a vault toilet. Here is the Glacier that is a little bit wild, a little bit remote and everything I ever wanted from the Park," writes Lindsay B.
Natural water sources: Many backcountry campsites offer reliable water access. "Fresh running water in the creek to filter water for all your water needs," notes Jeff B. about Cut Bank Campground, adding that he "Stayed the full alloted time (I think 7 days) and it was part of the best experience possible in Glacier."
Community cooking areas: Backcountry tent campsites near Babb feature designated cooking zones. "One of the larger BC campgrounds, it makes for a great basecamp for a 2-night stay before moving on," says a camper about Gunsight Lake Wilderness Campsite, where fellow hikers gather to prepare meals together.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some access roads require high-clearance vehicles. "When I say off the beaten path I should really be saying unpaved path. Make sure you have good shock absorbers on your vehicle, as it is miles and miles of dirt roads to get here," advises Stephanie T. about approaching Bowman Lake Campground.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense at many sites during summer months. "Warning: I experienced more mosquito bites here than at any other spot in Montana. Bring your repellant!" warns Stephanie T. Pack head nets and effective repellent, especially for July camping.
Bear safety requirements: All tent campers must practice proper food storage. "There is a cooking area near the bear pole and a pit toilet. While hiking the mosquitoes left us alone but the second we stopped they were all over us," notes James D. about Reynolds Creek Campground, emphasizing the need for bear poles.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly sites: Some backcountry locations work better for children than others. "We spent a single night here. It was so good. Super quiet. Tons of wildlife (saw multiple deer, various birds, a grizzly on way in)," reports Max K. about Bowman Lake Campground, noting easier access for families.
Wildlife education: Prepare children for animal encounters with clear guidelines. "Deer frequent the campsites, sniffing around the fire pits, searching for food, and they're not scared of people. They'll come right up to your tent. It's crazy," explains Lora C., offering a teachable moment about wildlife boundaries.
Temperature planning: Pack appropriate children's gear for cold nights. "You'll be a high elevation so be ready for cooler nights. I used my 0-degree sleeping bag, and that worked great," advises a camper, highlighting the importance of warm sleeping bags even in summer.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many roads near Babb have limited access for larger vehicles. "The road is pretty narrow, so just be careful of on coming cars coming down from the campground. Just go SLOW," advises Kayla K. about approaching Bowman Lake.
Dispersed options: For more RV flexibility, consider Ryan Road Dispersed Camping near West Glacier. "We have a 42' trailer and thought we would give this spot a shot. There's a slightly rough dirt road to get to the camp spots. There were about 3-4 sites that could fit our RV," shares Kristen, noting its proximity to the West entrance of Glacier National Park.
Early arrival strategy: Secure limited RV-accessible spots by arriving before mid-morning. "There are only about 10 sites so get there early. There is also a huge field that can accommodate many tents (no vehicles, you must park next to it on the road and walk down the short hill)," advises Kimberly L. about Ryan Road dispersed camping.
