Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Essex, MT

West Glacier KOA Resort's designated pet areas accommodate dogs and cats with electric, water, and sewer hookups across 227 campsites. Pets are allowed at all the established campgrounds near Essex, including Two Medicine Campground, Glacier Campground, and Apgar Campground in Glacier National Park. Sites vary from basic tent camping to full-hookup RV spots with 30-amp service. Most campgrounds maintain standard pet policies requiring dogs to be leashed at all times and waste properly disposed of. Glacier Campground includes cabins that accept pets, with picnic tables and fire rings available at most sites. Trains create just a low rumble with no whistles at Devil Creek Campground, keeping pets calm during overnight stays. Middle Fork Flathead River offers free dispersed camping with pets allowed but no designated pet amenities.

Devil Creek Campground provides 13 sites with bear boxes and new tables, making it ideal for camping with pets in bear country. Sites near Hungry Horse Reservoir offer lake access trails where dogs can cool off during summer months. Murray Bay Campground features waterside sites with paths directly to the bay, though the 20-mile rough dirt road access requires careful driving with pets. The campground is extremely secluded from the crowds at Glacier, providing a quieter experience for noise-sensitive dogs. Lakeview Campground's small sites include trails to water access, with site 2 and site 5 offering the best lake approach for pets. Most campgrounds provide fire pits and picnic tables, while sites near the water had paths right down to the bay for dogs to swim. No cellular service is available at most remote campgrounds, so emergency veterinary information should be obtained before arrival.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Essex, Montana (133)

    1. Two Medicine Campground — Glacier National Park

    37 Reviews
    Browning, MT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $90 / night

    "From the different campsites to the sun setting over the lake, to the people I met. I've never seen so many camp cats on leashes. I think I counted 7 cats out with their owners enjoying nature."

    "I bring my waders and float tube and love to fish in the lake. The campground is at the base of a mountain where bear sightings are not uncommon!"

    2. West Glacier KOA Resort

    48 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5341

    "9/13/19 West Glacier, Montana 

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Most beautiful location of the KOAs I've stayed at. Nestled against the mountains and less than 3 miles to Glacier National Park. "

    "The bathhouse near us was a dated design style but very clean and well stocked. Lots of families with kids onsite, I can see why with all the great amenities."

    3. Apgar Campground — Glacier National Park

    59 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $45 - $90 / night

    "Apgar is walking distance from the Apgar Visitor Center and park shuttles, as well as Apgar Village, camp store, equipment rentals, etc."

    "I could see 6 or 7 other camp fires burning while sitting next to mine.

    We stayed three nights and every night heard someone a site or two over as he was talking too loud (and too much)."

    4. Glacier Campground

    51 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5689

    $45 - $120 / night

    "We decided to take a chance on it though, and stayed just outside the west entrance of the park, at the privately owned Glacier Campground."

    "Nice campground off of Hwy 2 a few miles south of West Glacier and the entrance to Glacier NP. Spaces vary from tent sites up to a few that can accomodate 25-30’ trailers."

    5. Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    62 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $30 / night

    "Each sites are very spacious and you cannot hear the campers next to yours, even if the campground is full. The trees offered great aesthetic and shade to cool down on a very hot day."

    "Situated along the southwest side of Glacier National Park's Fish Creek Campground, I snagged two nights at site D173 - right on the lake! "

    6. Devil Creek Campground

    6 Reviews
    Essex, MT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-7924

    $22 / night

    "The facility are excellent to Montana cleanliness standards. The hosts are always more than helpful. We have always loved traveling in Montana!!!!!!!!!!!"

    "It’s close access to Glacier NP. We chose a site without trees for the open sky. The dark night skies here were excellent for star gazing."

    7. Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed

    47 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    25 miles
    Website

    "It’s so close to the National Park entrance and a beautiful place to stay. The road is a bit bumpy getting down here but there’s plenty of room for tent camping and RVs. Be careful though!"

    "Perfect spot for camping outside the west entrance, about 25 minutes away. That road is a little rough coming in but it’s short and manageable, even saw a little Mazda make it in."

    8. Summit Campground

    9 Reviews
    Essex, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 466-5341

    $10 - $20 / night

    "I even had a moose walk about 30 yards passed my tent which was pretty cool. There are hiking trails nearby if you don’t want to drive to Glacier for hiking."

    "There is a nice monument here if you just want to stop off while driving by and hit a vault toilet. The sites are quite and secluded for their close proximity to the highway."

    9. Emery Bay Campground

    13 Reviews
    Martin City, MT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-7924

    $22 - $300 / night

    "Surrounded by large conifers with a large fiberglass topped picnic table that is easy to clean and fire pit. The vault toilets are within a short walking distance."

    "So close to five stars - I'm just picky about having more space between sites and having sites not right next to the campground road.  Call me spoiled, though.  Can't go wrong here."

    10. Lid Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Martin City, MT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 752-7924

    $18 / night

    "The lake, Salish Mountains and Montana’s big sky are all front and center here. Lid Creek is 15 miles off U.S. 2 on a very winding but paved road."

    "We ended up at Lid Creek after the first few campgrounds along the lake were full.

    Sites are on the small side, and most are not very flat."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Essex, MT

1268 Reviews of 133 Essex Campgrounds


  • Brian C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    North American RV Park & Yurt Village

    Peaceful & clean

    We loved this campground!

    Watch our video review!

    Why?

    Pet friendly! Kid friendly! Adult friendly!

    Great dog park, kids area ok, walking distance to store. Driving (15 min) to Glacier National Park. Restaurants close, wonderful fire pits!

    Staff was kind and helpful

  • Danielle F.
    Jul. 16, 2022

    North American RV Park & Yurt Village

    Great location, convenient, clean and friendly!

    We stayed here for 4 nights. Only 5 minutes away from West Glacier Park entrance. Close by is a zip line attraction with a blow up slide in water for the little ones and bounce house obstacle with a slide. Also an adventure park that has go karts, bumper cars, lazy river etc. Great location with so much to do outside the park. We had a corner spot which I really liked for some privacy. Each site has its own fire pit which was nice. Wi-Fi in my opinion worked great. Has a dog park and a little playground for kids. Laundry room and bath houses were very clean. Also has an arcade and loved how they use honesty policy during closed hours where you can pick up firewood or ice and pay the next morning:) I definitely recommend and will come back for another Montana adventure.

  • Steve R.
    Jun. 14, 2022

    West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort

    Clean, spacious and well kept

    Love that they have 2 dog parks! WiFi is great, campsites are spacious, amenities are easily accessible and you’re a close walk to the village and entrance of the park.

  • j
    Sep. 14, 2019

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Beauty, nestled against the mountains

    9/13/19 West Glacier, Montana 

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Most beautiful location of the KOAs I've stayed at. Nestled against the mountains and less than 3 miles to Glacier National Park. 

    Lots of sites to choose from. Ours was a pull thru with nice vegetation between. Fire pit with benches and picnic table. Some sites are close together with no privacy. Some have gas grills and patio furniture. There are cabins and tent sites as well. Bathhouse was average. The cafe was open for breakfast and dinner.Ice cream shop closed for the season. Amazing pool! Nice play area, dog parks. Really nice camp store, firewood available. KOA Workshop on site. RV wash and dog grooming by appointment.

  • M
    Jul. 16, 2022

    North American RV Park & Yurt Village

    Awesome park, great for big rigs, close to Glacier

    LOVED our stay here. We got a prized corner spot with privacy of trees. So nice to have a grassy site, too. Super close to West Glacier, East Glacier is much more of a drive, but we knew that. Quiet and peaceful. Some highway noise but not terrible. Great dog park that we thoroughly enjoyed. We were sad to leave after five days!

  • Cindy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast

    Cute quite place to relax

    This place was nice. The staff was so friendly. Cafe with giant cinnamon rolls hit the spot. Showers were nice and hot. We were in the middle of tall trees which provided shade later in the day. Nice big dog park. Location is close the west Glacier entrance

  • Amy E.
    May. 24, 2022

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Great location for Glacier NP - family and dog friendly

    Great amenities onsite. The staff was incredibly friendly and kind. The bathhouse near us was a dated design style but very clean and well stocked. Lots of families with kids onsite, I can see why with all the great amenities. During off season kids are allowed to swim in adult pool and hot tubs. Great spacious off leash dog park onsite. A second smaller K9 park onsite was still nicely maintained. It’s snug, so unless you pay for more spacious sites expect to be close to neighbors. Some of the cabin renters were loud with radios blaring but they were on the opposite side of the park so we didn’t report the noise. Plenty of supplies available at store. Some of the sites had lovely views of the mountains. The nature trail at the KOA was very muddy and some sections had such large mud holes that you couldn’t avoid getting your shoes wet. They should put some gravel or something back there. Just be prepared to get your shoes dirty if you walk it. Despite the muddiness, we found it was a lovely nightly loop to walk.

    If you plan to drive going to the sun road: make sure it’s open. And be sure and get a reservation/register your vehicle for Glacier/going-to the-sun road if visiting summer 2022. Go eat at Dan d Lion cafe for a crazy savory meal. You won’t believe it’s vegan and gluten free. Insanely good. Great prices in Hungry Horse for souvenirs. West Glacier was definitely the better stay than East Glacier in our opinion. Much more easy access to stores, restaurants, etc. Whitefish MT had the coolest off leash dog park we’ve ever seen! If you have your 4-legged-bff with you - you simply must take your pup to that park (you’re welcome!) Lake McDonald is a great place to see the mountains and take beautiful pictures. You need bear spray if you go hiking anywhere here. Also, no dogs on trails, of course.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2021

    West Glacier KOA Resort

    Very nice camping to see Glacier

    This place is resort level camping. Two pools, two dog parks, hottubs, two shower houses, and fancy restaurant.

  • R
    Jul. 31, 2022

    LaSalle RV Park

    Nice RV/tent campground

    Arrived late with no reservation and office closed but kind cheery owner, David found a spot for us, bending the rules a bit. Our stay was lovely, couldn’t ask for more, was mostly quiet since 41 is toward back, away from road. The bathrooms/showers were seriously palatial and very tidy/clean, way better than many hotels I’ve stayed at. Also liked the dog park at the front.


Guide to Essex

Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Essex, Montana, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and friendly environments

Pet-friendly campgrounds include great amenities

Tips for camping with dogs near Essex

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Essex, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Essex, MT is Two Medicine Campground — Glacier National Park with a 4.8-star rating from 37 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Essex, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 133 dog-friendly camping locations near Essex, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.