Quartz Creek
The Quick Take
Quartz Creek is Glacier's smallest campground, and that's exactly the point. With only a handful of sites tucked into the North Fork backcountry, this is about as close to backcountry camping as you can get without shouldering a pack. The trade-offs are real: no potable water, no flush toilets, and an access road that will rattle your fillings loose. But in exchange, you get a level of solitude that the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor campgrounds simply cannot offer. While hundreds of campers jockey for spots at Apgar or Fish Creek, Quartz Creek sits quietly in the North Fork drainage, largely forgotten by the masses. At fifteen dollars a night with no reservation system, it rewards the spontaneous and the self-sufficient. Choose this campground if you want to hear creek water instead of generators, and you're comfortable hauling in everything you need — including your own drinking water.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
7 sites, first-come first-served.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
No accessible campsites Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Pro Tips
The Inside North Fork Road is not for the faint of heart or low-clearance sedans. Give yourself at least an hour from Polebridge for the roughly six-mile drive, and top off your gas before leaving civilization — there are no services between Polebridge and the campground.
Quartz Lake trailhead is right in the neighborhood, giving you access to one of Glacier's quieter backcountry lake chains. The hike to Lower Quartz Lake is a manageable day trip and sees a fraction of the traffic that Avalanche Lake or Grinnell get.
Bring at least two gallons of water per person per day — there is no potable water source at the campground. A quality water filter for the creek is a smart backup but should not be your primary plan. Bear spray and proper food storage in the provided lockers are non-negotiable in this part of the park.
Photos
NPS / James Greig
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
Quartz Creek Campground is located on the west side of the park in the North Fork area. Access is via the North Fork Road, a rough, dusty, dirt road with many blind curves and few pullouts. It is approximately 5.7 miles south of Polebridge.
Get directions
