Best Tent Camping near Glacier National Park
Tent campsites surrounding Glacier National Park in Montana range from established forest service sites to wilderness backcountry locations requiring permits. Bowman Lake Campground offers tent camping with drive-in, boat-in, and hike-in access options, providing drinking water, picnic tables, and established toilet facilities. The Ryan Road Dispersed Camping area, located minutes from West Glacier entrance, provides free primitive tent camping with fire rings and no reservation requirements.
Most backcountry tent sites within Glacier National Park require wilderness permits and advance reservations. Sites typically feature basic amenities such as pit toilets and designated food preparation areas with bear poles for proper food storage. Established campgrounds have fire rings where fires are permitted, while backcountry wilderness sites generally prohibit open flames. Campers should practice bear safety protocols, including proper food storage. Access to backcountry locations often requires substantial hiking, with elevations gains up to 3,600 feet to reach areas like Sperry Wilderness Campsite. Surface conditions vary from compacted dirt to forest floor with minimal site preparation.
Tent campers at Reynolds Creek Wilderness Campsite appreciate the proximity to waterfalls and mountain views. Gunsight Lake Wilderness Campsite provides a serene lakeside experience with opportunities for wildlife viewing. The Ryan Road dispersed area offers a convenient base for park exploration without the competition for in-park reservations. Most tent-only areas provide a sense of seclusion not found at developed RV campgrounds. Backpackers frequently use these sites as staging areas for multi-day wilderness excursions deeper into the park. As one visitor noted, "Coming from the trailhead with a 6.5 mile 3,600 elevation gain with no views seems challenging, but the animals and hiking out of here are great!"
