Recreational vehicle camping near Glacier National Park provides access to the 1-million-acre wilderness with its alpine terrain, carved valleys, and over 700 miles of trails. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, though Columbia Falls RV Park maintains year-round operations. Winter camping options are severely limited due to road closures and snow accumulation that can exceed 100 inches annually at higher elevations.
What to do
Explore bike trails: West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort sits near multiple bike paths leading to West Glacier Village. "Riding bike or walking to West Glacier Village takes minutes. Sites are larger than we were expecting," notes Kate A. The property connects to longer paved trails suitable for family cycling.
Fish at Mountain Meadow: Mountain Meadow RV Park and Cabins maintains a stocked fishing pond on the property. "There is space for walking around and grass for children's games and just sitting in front of the view of the forest," reports Ti Y. The pond area includes seating and catch-and-release fishing without license requirements.
Attend evening campfires: Community gatherings create opportunities to share park experiences. "The light a group campfire at 7 PM every night for great conversations about what folks saw each day," writes Michael G. These organized social events typically run throughout the peak summer season at several campgrounds.
Visit nearby adventure parks: Family entertainment options exist beyond the national park. "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," shares Danielle F. from North American RV Park & Yurt Village.
What campers like
Dog facilities: Pet owners appreciate dedicated areas for dogs. "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," notes Steve R. Many campgrounds allow pets but enforce leash rules outside designated pet areas.
Morning treats: Fresh baked goods start the day for many campers. "The cinnamon buns are very good and made fresh every morning," writes Michael G. Some parks also offer complimentary coffee service. North American RV Park provides "Free coffee was a life safer for early rising to get into the park at 6am," according to Katie C.
Private wooded sites: Tree coverage creates more secluded camping experiences. "Spacious campsites nestled in the trees with full hookups or electric and water only. Firepits and picnic tables gives you the authentic camping feel," explains Julian H. about Mountain Meadow RV Park. The surrounding forest adds natural screening between sites at many properties.
Alternative accommodations: Options beyond traditional RV sites exist. Clyde's Camp "did a wonderful job of keeping the site as natural as possible," says Matthew W. Yurts available at North American RV Park "stayed warm" according to Katie C., who also mentioned they "were very helpful to book us all side by side (2 yurts and a cabin)."
What you should know
Electric hookup variations: Power poles have different configurations across campgrounds. At Beargrass Lodging & RV Resort, "new owners (2020) are working on improving the park (new power poles to include 50 amp)," according to Nancy C. Other sites may have unusual placements, as Chris H. notes: "Be wary of electric hookup, we were all set up and couldn't close out hatches due to large solar top on electric pole."
Local produce availability: Seasonal food options include regional specialties. "They have juneberries on property and let me pick them. They were everywhere. Got a couple of good breakfast smoothies and a lot of local spots with Huckleberry items," shares Kristi D. about Sundance Campground & RV Park.
Limited cell and wifi coverage: Connectivity varies significantly by location. Julia M. reports that at Beargrass Lodging "the wifi was terrible(it would randomly work slow), except on the porch of the office." Some parks offer wifi hotspots near their main buildings but have limited coverage at individual sites.
Fuel price variations: Gasoline costs differ substantially between locations. "Local gas is very expensive..head towards Kalispan a few miles from West Glacier and save over $2 a gallon," advises Chris H. Price differences of up to 30% exist between stations nearest to park entrances versus those in larger towns.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several facilities offer play equipment for children. "The campsite was all we expected and even more. The staff was very friendly and curious all the time. They are very knowledgeable about Glacier National Park for hot spots to go see. The bathrooms are very clean and well maintained," reports Michael G. about West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort.
Swimming options: Heated pools extend swimming seasons at select campgrounds. Matt S. notes "Kids loved swimming in the heated pool" at Beargrass Lodging, where the pool remains comfortable even during cooler shoulder season weather.
Grocery proximity: Food shopping access varies by location. "There is a grocery store that's walkable," explains Julia M. about Beargrass Lodging. Many campgrounds sit within walking distance or short drives of small markets, while others require longer trips for supplies.
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality differs significantly between parks. "Bathrooms and showers were better than expected and the park wasn't full of noisy families," writes Ryan H. about Columbia Falls RV Park. Family-friendly bathrooms typically include larger stalls and shower spaces.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Corner locations often provide more privacy. Melody C. recommends: "We got a prized corner spot with privacy of trees. So nice to have a grassy site, too." She adds that at North American RV Park, sites are "long though so it makes it easier to stagger your camper with your neighbors so you feel like you have a bit more space."
Early reservations essential: Peak season availability remains extremely limited. Most reviewers recommend booking 6-12 months in advance for summer visits, particularly for larger rigs requiring specific site dimensions.
Local restaurant recommendations: Dining options receive frequent mentions in reviews. Nancy C. suggests "check out the Glacier Pizza in Coram" while another reviewer recommends "Gunsight Saloon and picked up fresh steaks from Perfect Cuts Specialty Meats" near Columbia Falls RV Park.
Power requirements: Electrical service ratings must match RV needs. Ray & Terri F. warn "pull-throughs, the hookups are fairly close to the front of the site" at Mountain Meadow RV Park. Electrical needs should be confirmed during reservation process to ensure compatibility with your specific recreational vehicle.
