Apgar Campground Review: Glacier NP's Largest and Most Accessible

Apgar Campground is the campground most first-time Glacier visitors end up choosing, and there is a straightforward reason: it has showers. That single amenity — coin-operated shower stalls in a bathhouse on Loop A — separates Apgar from every other campground inside Glacier National Park. Fish Creek does not have showers. Many Glacier does not have showers. St. Mary does not have showers. Apgar does, and after a full day of hiking in the Northern Rockies, that distinction matters more than almost anything else on the amenity list.

But showers are just the headline. Apgar is also the largest campground in the park (194 sites across two main loops plus group sites), it has the longest operating season of any Glacier campground (May 1 through September 29 in 2026), and it sits within walking distance of Apgar Village and the shores of Lake McDonald — the park’s largest lake and the setting for some of the most photographed sunsets in Montana.

Here is the honest assessment: Apgar is the most practical campground inside Glacier for RVers who want a reasonable balance of comfort and wilderness. It is not the most atmospheric — Fish Creek wins on deep-forest solitude, and Many Glacier wins on hiking access. But Apgar gives you showers, a dump station, flush toilets, potable water, a short walk to Lake McDonald, and proximity to the Going-to-the-Sun Road — all for $30 per night with no hookups. For the RVer who wants to be inside Glacier without suffering for it, Apgar is the answer.

The trade-offs are the same ones that apply to every campground inside the park: no hookups of any kind, strict vehicle size limits on Going-to-the-Sun Road, essentially no cell service, and reservation competition that borders on absurd for peak-season dates. This review covers all of it so you can decide whether Apgar deserves your booking or whether a private RV park near West Glacier makes more sense for your rig and your priorities.

Getting There#

Apgar Campground is located near the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park, at approximately 3,200 feet elevation. The campground sits just off the main park road, between the West Entrance and Apgar Village, in the flatlands at the southern tip of Lake McDonald.

From the west, take US-2 to the West Glacier entrance. The nearest major town is Kalispell, 32 miles to the southwest on US-2. Kalispell has everything an RVer needs — Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, multiple grocery chains, RV service and repair shops, and a hospital. Columbia Falls is 15 miles west and has grocery stores, hardware stores, and basic services. Whitefish is 25 miles northwest and offers excellent restaurants, craft breweries, and a charming downtown worth a half-day visit.

Once through the West Entrance gate, follow the main park road toward Apgar Village. The campground entrance is signed on the right, before you reach the village. The road from the entrance station to the campground is flat, paved, and stress-free for any legal-size rig.

The critical vehicle restriction for Glacier: Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) prohibits vehicles and vehicle-trailer combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet between Avalanche Campground and Sun Point. This restriction covers the most scenic section of the road, including Logan Pass. You can drive your rig to Apgar without touching the restricted section of GTSR, but if you want to drive across Logan Pass, you will need to park the RV and take your tow vehicle. Budget a full day for the GTSR drive — it is 50 miles of the most stunning mountain road in America, and stopping at every pullout is not optional, it is mandatory.

The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, 30 miles from the park entrance, with year-round service from multiple carriers. If you are driving cross-country, the approach on US-2 from either direction is scenic and manageable for large rigs — no mountain passes or tight turns on the final approach.

Supply tip: Stock your fridge and fill your tanks in Kalispell or Columbia Falls. Apgar Village has a small camp store with basic supplies at park-level prices, but the selection is limited. The nearest real grocery store and fuel station outside the park are in West Glacier and Columbia Falls.

The Campground#

Apgar Campground spreads across 194 campsites in a mixed conifer forest of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and spruce near the southwest shore of Lake McDonald. The forest is mature enough to provide genuine shade across most sites — not as dense as the old-growth cedar canopy at Fish Creek, but significantly more shaded than the open desert campgrounds at Zion or Capitol Reef. The understory is lush with ferns and wildflowers in early summer, and the forest floor carries that distinctive Northern Rockies scent of pine resin and damp earth.

The campground is organized into two main loops — A and B — plus group camping sites. The loops are spread across gently rolling terrain with paved internal roads and natural-surface site pads.

Loop A#

Loop A is the loop you want if showers matter to you. The campground’s shower facility is located on Loop A, making it the most convenient loop for families and campers who prioritize that amenity. Loop A also tends to have sites that are slightly more accessible and closer to the campground entrance, which simplifies arrival and departure for larger rigs.

The sites in Loop A are a mix of standard nonelectric sites suitable for tents, smaller RVs, and trailers. Site sizes vary — some accommodate rigs in the 25 to 35-foot range, while others are tent-oriented and unsuitable for anything larger than a van. The recreation.gov listing specifies maximum vehicle length per site, and these limits are enforced.

The shower facility itself is functional but basic. Reviews consistently describe the water as warm and the stalls as clean, but also note long wait times during peak hours (early morning and early evening in July and August). There is no soap provided — bring your own. Despite the waits, the mere existence of showers inside a Glacier campground is noteworthy. Fish Creek, the park’s other major west-side campground, has no showers at all.

Best sites in Loop A: Outer-perimeter sites provide the most tree screening from neighbors. Sites closest to the shower facility save the longest walks, which matters at 6 AM in 45-degree Montana air. Sites near the amphitheater are convenient for evening ranger programs.

Loop B#

Loop B extends deeper into the forest and generally offers a slightly more secluded atmosphere than Loop A. The loop is farther from the shower facility and campground entrance, which translates to quieter surroundings and fewer passers-by — but also a longer walk to the showers and to the path leading to Apgar Village.

Loop B contains the majority of sites that can accommodate larger RVs (up to 40 feet) — approximately 25 sites across the campground have this capacity. If you are driving anything over 25 feet, Loop B is likely where your suitable sites are located. The internal roads in Loop B handle larger rigs, though maneuvering into individual sites still requires the careful, slow-speed approach that all national park campgrounds demand.

Best sites in Loop B: The farthest sites from the Loop A junction tend to be the quietest and most private. Some sites on the outer edges of the loop offer filtered views through the trees — not lake views, but pleasant forest openings that let light in. If you do not mind the walk to the showers, Loop B delivers a more wilderness-adjacent experience.

Group Sites#

Apgar has designated group camping sites for parties up to 24 people. These are booked separately through Recreation.gov and require a minimum group size. For RV groups, the standard individual sites in Loops A and B are more appropriate unless your party specifically qualifies for and wants group camping.

Sites to Request#

When booking on Recreation.gov, you can select specific sites. Guidelines for Apgar:

• Sites listed for 35-40 foot maximum if your rig exceeds 25 feet — these are limited in number and book fast
• Loop A sites if showers and convenience are your priority
• Loop B perimeter sites if quiet and privacy matter more
• Sites near the amphitheater for easy access to nightly ranger programs (these run throughout the summer season and are excellent)
• Sites with the shortest walk to the Lake McDonald path if sunset watching is high on your list

Sites to Avoid#

• Sites with maximum vehicle lengths shorter than your rig. This sounds obvious, but national park campsite driveways are unforgiving. If the listing says 28 feet, a 29-foot trailer will not fit — trees do not move.
• Sites adjacent to the campground road in Loop A pick up the most traffic noise, particularly on turnover days (Friday and Saturday)
• Interior-loop sites where driveways face each other across a narrow distance can feel like a parking lot when both sites have large rigs

Hookups and Amenities#

Hookups#

There are none. Apgar is a standard nonelectric campground — no electric pedestals, no water connections at sites, no sewer hookups. This is consistent with every campground inside Glacier National Park. None of the park’s campgrounds offer hookups of any kind. If you need hookups, the West Glacier KOA (3 miles from the West Entrance, $133-$167/night, full hookups) is the closest option.

What Apgar does provide:

• Dump station: On-site and accessible to all campground guests. The dump station allows multi-night stays without needing to break camp to empty tanks.
• Potable water: Water spigots located throughout both loops for filling jugs, cooking, and drinking. You can fill your freshwater tank here, though the fill rate is slow — plan to do this during off-peak hours rather than on busy checkout mornings.
• Flush toilets: Restroom buildings with flush toilets and running water in both loops. These are well-maintained by NPS standards.
• Showers: Coin-operated shower stalls on Loop A. Warm water, clean facilities, bring your own soap. Expect wait times during peak hours in July and August.

The Shower Advantage#

It is worth emphasizing how unusual showers are inside Glacier National Park. Here is the shower situation across all major Glacier campgrounds:

• Apgar: Has showers (Loop A)
• Fish Creek: No showers
• Many Glacier: No showers (coin-op showers at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, a short walk away)
• St. Mary: No showers
• Two Medicine: No showers

If showers are a non-negotiable part of your camping experience — and after four days of hiking in grizzly country, they become non-negotiable for most people — Apgar is the only campground inside the park where you have them on-site. This is the primary practical reason to choose Apgar over Fish Creek, which otherwise offers a more atmospheric forest setting and the unique no-generator Loop C.

What Apgar Does Not Have#

• No laundry facilities. The nearest laundry is at the West Glacier KOA or in Columbia Falls.
• No camp store on-site. The Apgar Village camp store is a short walk or drive and carries basics — ice, firewood, snacks, some groceries, and souvenirs. For a full resupply, head to Columbia Falls or Kalispell.
• No cell signal. Recreation.gov flags Apgar with “Major Cell Coverage Issues” based on over 800 reviews. In practice, this means no usable data or voice service on any major carrier for most of your stay. Some campers report intermittent signal near Apgar Village, but do not count on it. If you need connectivity, drive toward West Glacier or Columbia Falls. Remote work from Apgar is not feasible.
• No electric hookups, water hookups, or sewer hookups. Worth repeating — you need to be fully self-contained.

What Each Site Includes#

• A picnic table (standard NPS)
• A campfire ring with grate
• A tent pad area
• Bear country food storage requirements — this is grizzly and black bear habitat. All food, coolers, cooking equipment, garbage, and scented items must be stored in your hard-sided vehicle or in the campground’s bear-resistant containers when not in active use. Rangers enforce food storage with fines. This is not advisory — it is mandatory and checked. See our Montana bear country RV tips for detailed guidance.

What’s Nearby#

Lake McDonald#

Lake McDonald is the park’s largest lake — 10 miles long, 472 feet deep, and framed by the peaks of the Livingston Range. From Apgar Campground, the lake shore at Apgar Village is roughly a 15-minute walk (or a 3-minute drive). This proximity to the lake is one of Apgar’s defining advantages.

The lakeshore at Apgar is the place for sunsets at Glacier. The lake faces west, and on clear evenings, the setting sun paints the surrounding peaks in alpenglow while the water reflects it back. The famous colored rocks of Lake McDonald — smooth, rounded stones in shades of red, green, and blue — are best seen along the rocky beach near Apgar Village and at the McDonald Creek inlet.

Activities at Lake McDonald:

• Kayak and paddleboard rentals at Apgar Village (seasonal)
• Boat rentals and guided boat tours on the lake
• Swimming — the water is cold (rarely above 60 degrees Fahrenheit even in August), but on a hot July afternoon, a quick dip is a Montana tradition
• Fishing — lake trout (mackinaw) and lake whitefish are the primary species. Montana fishing license required.

Inside the Park#

• Going-to-the-Sun Road: The 50-mile engineering marvel crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet). The road typically opens fully by late June or early July, weather depending. Remember: vehicles over 21 feet cannot drive the restricted section between Avalanche and Sun Point. Park the RV at Apgar, take your tow vehicle, and budget a full day. Stop at every pullout — Weeping Wall, Bird Woman Falls, the Big Bend, and the Logan Pass visitor center are all essential.
• Trail of the Cedars: A 0.7-mile boardwalk loop through ancient cedar and hemlock forest near Avalanche Campground, about 10 miles up GTSR from Apgar. Wheelchair accessible and stunning. The adjacent Avalanche Lake Trail (4.5 miles round trip, 730 feet elevation gain) is one of the most popular day hikes in the park — a turquoise glacial lake surrounded by waterfalls.
• Rocky Point Trail: A 2-mile round trip hike to a rocky peninsula on Lake McDonald, accessible from the Fish Creek Campground area. Excellent sunset views. Drive or bike the 2 miles from Apgar to the trailhead.
• Apgar Lookout Trail: A more strenuous option (7.1 miles round trip, 1,800 feet elevation gain) that climbs to a historic fire lookout with panoramic views of Lake McDonald and the surrounding peaks.
• Ranger Programs: Nightly programs at the Apgar amphitheater throughout the summer. Topics range from grizzly bear ecology to glaciology to Native American history. Free, informative, and an excellent evening activity — especially since you do not have cell service for entertainment.

Outside the Park#

• West Glacier Village: Just outside the West Entrance. Gas station, general store, restaurants, and river rafting outfitters for Middle Fork Flathead River trips. Half-day and full-day whitewater trips are available and highly recommended.
• Columbia Falls: 15 miles west. Grocery stores, hardware, pharmacies, Big Sky Waterpark (a family favorite).
• Kalispell: 32 miles southwest. Full-service city — Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, hospital, RV repair. This is your logistics hub for anything serious.
• Whitefish: 25 miles northwest. Resort town with excellent dining, craft breweries, and Whitefish Lake State Park for a change of scenery.
• Flathead Lake: Montana’s freshwater jewel, 45 minutes south of the West Glacier area. State parks with camping line both shores, and the cherry orchards between Bigfork and Polson are a mid-July destination. See our Flathead Lake camping guide for details.

Day trip idea: Combine a Going-to-the-Sun Road drive with a stop at St. Mary on the east side. The St. Mary Visitor Center has exhibits, shuttle connections, and is the starting point for Red Bus tours — the vintage 1930s touring cars that are an iconic Glacier experience.

The Honest Details#

What Works#

The showers make multi-night stays genuinely comfortable. This cannot be overstated. After three or four days of hiking — scrambling up to Avalanche Lake, sweating on the Apgar Lookout Trail, wading in Lake McDonald — a hot shower transforms your evening. Fish Creek campers drive to the KOA for showers. Many Glacier campers walk to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and hope the coin-op machines are not all occupied. At Apgar, you walk to Loop A. It is the single biggest practical advantage of choosing Apgar.

The Lake McDonald access is unmatched. No other Glacier campground puts you this close to the park’s largest lake. The walk from camp to the Apgar Village lakeshore takes 15 minutes on a flat, easy path. Sunset at Lake McDonald — with the Livingston Range glowing orange and the colored rocks underfoot — is a nightly ritual that never gets old. Fish Creek is technically closer to the lake, but Apgar’s proximity to the developed Apgar Village area (with boat rentals, a camp store, and the visitor center) gives it a practical edge.

Being inside the park eliminates the morning commute. This advantage applies equally to Apgar and Fish Creek, but it is worth emphasizing. Glacier’s West Entrance can back up for 30 to 60 minutes on peak summer mornings. When you camp at Apgar, you are already past the gate. You are on the road to Avalanche or the trail to Apgar Lookout while visitors from the KOA are still idling in the entrance queue.

The longest season of any Glacier campground matters. Apgar’s May 1 through September 29 operating window is the longest in the park. Fish Creek does not open until May 22. Many Glacier opens June 12. St. Mary opens April 18 but with limited services. If you want to visit Glacier in early May or late September — when crowds are thin and the shoulder-season atmosphere is extraordinary — Apgar is your best inside-the-park option.

The price is the same as every other Glacier campground: $30/night. All NPS-operated campgrounds inside Glacier charge the same rate. For comparison, the West Glacier KOA charges $133 to $167 per night, and other private parks in the corridor run $80 to $150+. Over a week-long stay, camping at Apgar saves you $700 to $1,000 compared to the KOA.

What Doesn’t Work#

The 21-foot GTSR limit creates the same logistical puzzle as Fish Creek. If your RV or trailer exceeds 21 feet, you cannot drive it on the most iconic stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road. You will need a tow vehicle, the park shuttle system (when running), or a bicycle to access Logan Pass and the east side of the park. This is the single most important planning detail for RVers visiting Glacier.

Cell coverage is functionally nonexistent. Recreation.gov flags Apgar with “Major Cell Coverage Issues,” and that assessment is accurate. Do not plan to work remotely. Do not count on making phone calls. Do not expect to stream anything. If you need to be reachable for emergencies, establish a check-in plan with family using a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, SPOT, or similar). The nearest reliable cell signal is in the West Glacier and Columbia Falls area.

Reservation competition is brutal. Apgar uses Recreation.gov’s 6-month rolling window, with sites opening at 10 AM Eastern exactly six months before the check-in date. July and August weekend sites can book out within the first hour. The 25 sites that accommodate 35-40 foot rigs are especially competitive — there are only 25 of them among 194 total sites. Book the instant your dates open.

The shower wait times in peak season are real. Having showers is the advantage. Waiting 20 to 30 minutes for a shower stall in July is the trade-off. The shower facility on Loop A serves the entire 194-site campground — that is a lot of campers funneled through a limited number of stalls. Early morning (before 7 AM) and midday (when most people are out hiking) are the best times to avoid lines.

The campground is not as atmospheric as Fish Creek. This is subjective but important. Fish Creek’s old-growth cedar and hemlock canopy creates a cathedral-like forest experience that Apgar’s mixed conifer forest does not quite match. Fish Creek’s no-generator Loop C offers a silence that Apgar cannot replicate. If wilderness atmosphere is your highest priority and you can live without showers, Fish Creek is the more immersive choice. Apgar is the more practical choice.

Who It’s Best For#

• First-time Glacier visitors who want a comfortable base inside the park with showers and lake access
• Families with younger children who appreciate the showers, the Apgar Village amenities, and the ranger programs
• RVers in the 25-to-40-foot range who want to camp inside Glacier (Apgar has the most 35-40 foot sites of any park campground)
• Sunset enthusiasts — the Lake McDonald sunsets from Apgar Village are among the best in the park system
• Shoulder-season campers (early May, late September) who want the longest possible operating window
• Campers who shower — this is not a joke; if showers are important to you, Apgar is your only inside-the-park option

Who Should Look Elsewhere#

• Solitude seekers who want deep-forest quiet — Fish Creek with its no-generator Loop C is the better choice
• Hikers focused on the Many Glacier valley — Many Glacier Campground puts you at the trailheads for Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, and Ptarmigan Tunnel without a long drive
• Big-rig owners (40+ feet) who need guaranteed space and hookups — the West Glacier KOA is 3 miles from the entrance with full hookups and sites to 75 feet
• Remote workers who need reliable internet — no campground inside Glacier supports remote work; St. Mary is the only one with usable cell signal
• Campers who need hookups — Apgar has none, and no Glacier campground does

Full Specs and Booking#

Apgar Campground — Glacier National Park

• Location: Near West Glacier entrance, south end of Lake McDonald
• Elevation: ~3,200 feet
• Total sites: 194 (Loops A and B, plus group sites)
• Max RV length: 25 sites accommodate up to 40 feet; most sites limited to 28-35 feet (verify per-site on recreation.gov)
• Hookups: None (standard nonelectric)
• Rate: $30/night (standard), $8/person (walk-to sites)
• Season: May 1 – September 29, 2026 (longest season of all Glacier campgrounds; dates are weather-dependent)
• Maximum stay: 14 nights
• Dump station: Yes, on-site
• Flush toilets: Yes
• Showers: Yes — coin-operated on Loop A (the only Glacier campground with on-site showers)
• Potable water: Yes (spigots throughout)
• Fire rings: Yes, at each site
• Amphitheater: Yes (ranger programs throughout summer)
• Accessible sites: Yes
• Cell coverage: Major coverage issues across all carriers
• Pets: Allowed on leash (6-foot maximum). Pets prohibited on most trails inside Glacier NP.
• Bear country: Grizzly and black bear habitat. Strict food storage requirements enforced with fines.
• Reservations: Recreation.gov, 6-month rolling window + 4-day short-term release
• Park entrance fee: $35 per vehicle (7-day pass) or $80 annual pass, separate from campsite fee

Booking strategy: Set a calendar alert for exactly six months before your intended arrival. Log into Recreation.gov before 10 AM Eastern on that date with your payment method saved and your preferred sites identified. Filter for sites that match your RV length — the 25 sites that accommodate 35-40 foot rigs sell out fastest. If you miss the initial release, check daily for cancellations and watch for 4-day short-term release windows. Midweek stays are significantly easier to book than weekends. The early-May and late-September shoulder seasons are the least competitive and offer beautiful, uncrowded camping.

FAQ#

Does Apgar have showers?#

Yes — Apgar is the only campground inside Glacier National Park with on-site showers. The coin-operated shower facility is located on Loop A. Water is warm, stalls are clean, but you need to bring your own soap. Expect wait times of 15 to 30 minutes during peak morning and evening hours in July and August. For shorter waits, try midday when most campers are out on trails.

How does Apgar compare to Fish Creek?#

Both are on Glacier’s west side, both cost $30 per night, and both are nonelectric. The key differences: Apgar has showers (Fish Creek does not). Apgar has 194 sites (Fish Creek has 178). Apgar’s season runs longer (May 1 – September 29 vs. Fish Creek’s May 22 – September 3). Apgar is closer to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald. Fish Creek is more heavily forested, generally quieter, and has the no-generator Loop C for guaranteed silence. If showers and lake access are priorities, choose Apgar. If deep-forest atmosphere and quiet matter most, choose Fish Creek.

Can I fit a large RV at Apgar?#

Yes, with limitations. Approximately 25 sites accommodate rigs up to 40 feet. Most remaining sites have maximum lengths of 28 to 35 feet. The recreation.gov listing specifies the maximum vehicle length for each individual site, and these limits are enforced — national park driveways are lined with trees and there is no room for fudging. If your rig exceeds 40 feet, you need to camp outside the park at a private facility. Remember that Going-to-the-Sun Road restricts vehicles over 21 feet on the Logan Pass section regardless of where you camp.

Is there cell service at Apgar?#

Effectively, no. All major carriers struggle inside the park. Some campers report intermittent, weak signal near Apgar Village, but it is not reliable for calls, texts, or data. For usable cell service, drive to the West Glacier or Columbia Falls area. The only Glacier campground with “Good Coverage” is St. Mary on the east side. Plan your stay assuming you will be offline.

Are bears a real concern at Apgar?#

Yes. Apgar is in active grizzly and black bear habitat. Bears are regularly sighted in and around the campground. All food, coolers, garbage, cooking equipment, and scented items must be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or bear-resistant container when not actively in use. Rangers patrol for compliance and issue fines. Carry bear spray on every hike — this is not optional in Glacier. For detailed bear safety advice for RV campers, see our Montana bear country guide.

When is the best time to visit?#

Late June through mid-September is peak season, with the best weather and full access to Going-to-the-Sun Road (typically fully open late June through mid-October, weather dependent). Early July is generally the sweet spot — GTSR is open, wildflowers are peaking, and the days are long. Early May and late September offer uncrowded shoulder-season camping but with limited road access (GTSR may not be fully open) and cooler temperatures. Nighttime lows at Apgar can drop into the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit even in summer, so bring warm layers regardless of when you visit.

Is Apgar worth it compared to the West Glacier KOA?#

It depends on your priorities. Apgar gives you the inside-the-park experience: no entrance-line commute, $30/night rate, showers, Lake McDonald access, ranger programs, and the atmosphere of camping inside Glacier. The trade-off is no hookups, no cell service, and limited site sizes. The West Glacier KOA gives you full hookups (30/50 amp), a pool, hot tubs, big-rig sites to 75 feet, and reliable cell service — for $133 to $167 per night, three miles from the West Entrance. If you need hookups and connectivity, the KOA wins. If you want the national park experience at a fraction of the cost, Apgar wins. For a full comparison of all options, see our Glacier NP RV camping guide and our Montana RV parks guide.