Camping cabins near Browning, Montana provide convenient access to Glacier National Park's east side. Situated on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains at approximately 4,300 feet elevation, this area experiences rapid weather changes throughout the summer season. Temperatures often range from 40°F at night to 80°F during peak daylight hours in July and August, requiring visitors to pack layers regardless of accommodation type.
What to do
Hiking from St. Mary entrance: Just 2.2 miles from Heart of Glacier RV Park & Cabins, you can access the east entrance to Glacier National Park. "The entrance to East Glacier National Park is just 2.2 miles from the campground plus the drive around is sooooo awesome," notes one camper.
Visit Many Glacier area: Located 8 miles from St. Mary, this section offers premium wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor at Heart of Glacier suggests: "Make the trip to Many Glaciers! Be aware, there's a few miles of dirt road that's bumpy and some large ruts. You'll be paid off when you reach Swift Current Lake. I felt transported to Switzerland!"
Explore nearby lakes: Duck Lake provides fishing access with rustic accommodations. "19 Rustic campsites—some drive-thru—& a couple cabins. 4 sites have elec hook-ups, none have water or waste; but all have lakeside access," reports a camper at Duck Lake Campground.
What campers like
Location convenience: Cabin rentals near Browning position visitors for easy park access. A guest at Johnson's Campground & RV Park noted: "Johnson's Campground is conveniently located near the east entrance of Glacier National Park... I love staying here because I can get up early and get into the park, up to Logan's Pass, before the crowds begin to filter in."
Mountain views: Several cabin properties offer impressive vistas. "Heart of Glacier RV park had an awesome view of Gun-site ridge. Its just awesome to wake up in the mornings, walkout side and see Gun-site Ridge," shares one visitor.
Local dining options: Restaurants near cabin accommodations provide quality meals after a day of exploring. A Johnson's Campground guest mentioned: "Restaurant next door is handy and very good," while another visitor recommends: "If you like steak, Cattlemen in Babb (the only rest.) makes the best steak and lamb per hubby. Avoid the Salmon, though."
What you should know
Varying shower facilities: Cabins near Browning offer different shower arrangements. At Johnson's, "Showers are token operated (you get 1 token per night/per person that allows a six minute shower)," while Glacier Campground has "only 4 showers for each sex for a pretty large campground. Still, the showers were included in the price, so that's nice."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies considerably. Heart of Glacier RV Park offers "free wifi" but at other locations, service may be limited. One visitor noted: "Zero ATT coverage. Verizon is just ok. Only internet is at office, you have to be sitting just outside the office to get 1 bar of WiFi reception."
Seasonal operating dates: Most cabin providers operate from May through September. Glacier Campground runs "May 15 to September 30" while Moose Creek RV Resort's season extends from "May 15 - Sep 30," making advance planning essential during peak summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some properties offer recreational facilities. "They have a pool a hot tub and a park. They have a store with ice and wood for sale," shares a visitor at St Mary/East Glacier KOA.
Space considerations: Cabin and campsite spacing varies significantly. A visitor at Glacier Campground reports: "Our site is one of the better ones. We have a separate fire pit area, with kind of a split level effect," which provides additional room for families.
Wildlife awareness: Animal sightings are common near accommodations. "We did have a skunk visit us in the night," mentions a KOA visitor, while another campground reports bear activity: "But bring your bear spray, there were several bears reported by other campers the days we were there."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check specifications carefully when booking. At Moose Creek RV Resort, "Be sure and ask if your site will be paved, some are, ours wasn't. If it is raining, pine straw sticks to shoes and gets everywhere in unpaved sites."
Campsite privacy: Some properties offer better separation between sites. A reviewer notes: "The lots are well maintained and even though spacing is close, it doesn't feel that way due to the row of trees and shrubs separating the spaces."
Power considerations: Electrical hookups vary between properties. At Heart of Glacier RV Park, "There are new power poles in the big rig section for 50 amp. However, there is no breaker on the pole. We used a 30 amp reducer and on the 3rd night, our power relay switch fried."
