Apgar Campground
The Quick Take
Apgar is the flagship campground in Glacier, and it earns that title through sheer convenience rather than backcountry charm. Tucked into a shaded forest just inside the west entrance, it puts you within a short walk of Lake McDonald's western shore — where the sunsets alone justify the trip. The campground is big enough that it never feels intimate, but the tree cover between sites offers more privacy than you might expect from a place this popular. You get potable water, a camp store nearby, and ranger programs at the amphitheater, but no showers, no hookups, and no flush toilets — so set your expectations accordingly. RVs up to 40 feet can squeeze in, though the experience skews toward tent campers who want a base camp for exploring Going-to-the-Sun Road. Choose Apgar if you want the easiest possible launchpad into Glacier without sacrificing the feeling of sleeping in an actual forest.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 194 sites are reservable.
Book at Glacier LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 40 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
2 campsites (C152, C122) Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Pro Tips
Reservations are mandatory and competitive — book the moment your window opens, typically six months out. Weekday arrivals in September are your best bet for snagging a site without a fight, and the fall color along Lake McDonald is arguably better than peak summer anyway.
Walk or bike to the Apgar Village area for boat rentals, a general store, and lake access rather than driving. The trail along the lakeshore toward Fish Creek is flat, easy, and gives you a taste of Glacier without battling the Going-to-the-Sun Road crowds.
There are no showers at Apgar and cell service is essentially nonexistent, so download your maps offline before arriving and bring a solar shower bag if you plan to stay more than a couple nights. The dump station is a lifesaver for RVers, but it can back up during peak weekends — hit it early morning.
Photos
NPS/Gabriel Morrow
NPS/David Restivo
NPS/Jacob W. FrankGetting There
Directions
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 48.525, -113.98361 48°31'30"N, 113°59'1"W Located 1 mile northeast of the west entrance near West Glacier, Montana. Access is from U.S. Highway 2, approximately 32 miles northeast of Kalispell, Montana.
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