Fish Creek Campground Review: Is It Worth It for RVs?

Fish Creek is worth it for an RV up to 35 feet when staying inside Glacier matters more than hookups. The current NPS listing sets the summer rate at $30, requires an advance Recreation.gov reservation and says the largest 18 parking spaces reach 35 feet, with another 62 reaching 27 feet. There are no hookups; Loop C is generator-free.

The campground is about 2.5 miles from Apgar Village on Glacier’s west side. NPS lists seasonal flush toilets and two accessible unisex shower stalls in Loop A, but no at-site water, electric or sewer. Cell service is unreliable across the park, so download reservation details and maps before arrival.

Choose Fish Creek for an in-park, forested base and Lake McDonald access. Skip it if you need full hookups, a guaranteed signal or a site longer than the exact Recreation.gov record allows.

For hookup alternatives, use our Glacier National Park RV camping guide or compare the source-backed Montana price index.

Getting There#

Fish Creek Campground is located on Camas Road, approximately 4 miles northwest of the West Glacier entrance and the Apgar Village area. The physical address is within Glacier National Park, so your GPS may struggle — this is a common complaint, and the NPS explicitly warns against relying on GPS navigation inside the park. Instead, follow the signs from the West Glacier entrance.

From the west, take US-2 to the West Glacier entrance. The nearest major town is Kalispell, 32 miles to the southwest, which has full services including Costco, Home Depot, RV service centers, and every grocery chain you would need. Whitefish is 25 miles away and makes for a charming supply stop with better restaurants.

Once you enter the park through the West Entrance, follow the road toward Apgar Village. Before reaching the village, you will see the signed turnoff for Camas Road. Fish Creek Campground is a short drive up this road. The route from the entrance to the campground is flat, paved, and manageable for any legal-size rig.

The critical measurement: Going-to-the-Sun Road prohibits vehicles and vehicle-trailer combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet between Avalanche Campground and Sun Point. This restriction applies to the most scenic stretch of the road. You can still drive your rig to Fish Creek without touching GTSR, but if you planned to drive your 30-foot trailer across Logan Pass, it is not happening. Park the rig, take the tow vehicle, and budget a full day for that drive.

Fuel and supplies: Fill your tanks and stock your fridge in Kalispell or Columbia Falls before entering the park. There is a small camp store at Apgar Village with basic supplies, but selection is limited and prices are park-level. The nearest real grocery store and gas station are in West Glacier and Columbia Falls.

The Campground#

Fish Creek has 178 campsites in a forested setting, with some filtered Lake McDonald views. NPS lists four tent-only sites and advises checking the exact Recreation.gov record because parking-space length varies substantially.

The campground sits at roughly 3,500 feet elevation on a gentle slope above the northwest shore of Lake McDonald. A handful of sites along the outer edges of the loops offer filtered views through the trees toward the lake, but this is fundamentally a forest campground, not a lakefront one. Lake McDonald is accessible via a short walk or drive to Apgar Village (about 2 miles) or Rocky Point Trail, which leaves directly from the campground.

Loop A#

Loop A includes the campground’s two accessible unisex shower stalls. Site type, parking length and driveway geometry vary, so compare the individual Recreation.gov records and photos.

Loop B#

Generators are permitted in Loops A and B during the designated hours. That makes either loop more practical than Loop C if generator charging is part of your no-hookup plan. Compare exact site dimensions and photos before choosing between them.

Loop C — The Quiet Loop#

Loop C is generator-free. Choose it when avoiding generator noise matters more than generator charging, and verify that your batteries can support the stay length and onboard loads you intend to use.

Sites to Request#

When booking on Recreation.gov, you can select a specific site. Use these guidelines:

• Loop C sites when a generator-free loop matches your power plan
• Loop A or B sites when generator use during designated hours matters
• Sites whose listed parking length, equipment rules and photos fit your complete setup
• Sites near the facilities shown on the official campground map when walking distance matters

Sites to Avoid#

• Any site whose listed parking length or equipment type does not fit your complete setup
• Loop C when generator charging is essential to your stay
• Sites far from the facilities you need, based on the official map

Hookups and Amenities#

Hookups#

There are none. Fish Creek is a nonelectric, no-hookup campground. There is no water hookup at individual sites, no sewer connection, and no electrical pedestal. This is standard for campgrounds inside Glacier National Park — none of the park’s campgrounds offer hookups of any kind.

What you do get:

• Dump station: NPS lists a seasonal on-site dump station.
• Potable water: Seasonal potable water is available at shared locations, not at individual sites.
• Flush toilets: NPS lists seasonal flush toilets.

What Fish Creek Does Not Have#

• Limited campground showers. Fish Creek has hot seasonal showers for registered campers, including two accessible unisex stalls in Loop A. Confirm hours and location with the campground host.
• No laundry facilities. Plan accordingly.
• No camp store on-site. The Apgar Village camp store is a short drive and carries basics — firewood, ice, snacks, some groceries. For anything beyond basics, you are driving to Columbia Falls or Kalispell.
• No dependable cell service. NPS lists no reception or internet connectivity at Fish Creek and describes service across Glacier as unreliable and inconsistent. Download what you need before entering the park.

What Each Site Includes#

Recreation.gov lists the standard site amenities. Verify the exact site record and current fire rules before arrival:

• A picnic table (standard NPS heavy-duty)
• A fire pit with grate for campfires and cooking
• Site-specific equipment space
• A food storage requirement — follow the current NPS rules for food, coolers, garbage, cooking equipment and scented items. More on this in our Glacier NP RV camping guide.

What’s Nearby#

Inside the Park#

Fish Creek’s location on the west side of Glacier gives you direct access to some of the park’s best features without needing to cross Logan Pass:

• Lake McDonald: The largest lake in the park, accessible from Apgar Village (2 miles). Kayak, canoe, or simply sit on the pebbly beach and watch the sunset paint the mountains. The lake’s famous colored rocks are best seen at the McDonald Creek inlet near the campground road.
• Rocky Point Trail: This short, easy hike departs directly from the Fish Creek Campground area and leads to a rocky peninsula on Lake McDonald. It is the best sunrise-and-sunset spot accessible on foot from camp — roughly 2 miles round trip with minimal elevation gain.
• Trail of the Cedars: A 0.7-mile boardwalk loop through ancient cedar and hemlock forest near Avalanche Campground, about 10 miles up Going-to-the-Sun Road from Apgar. Wheelchair accessible and stunning. The adjacent Avalanche Lake Trail (4.5 miles round trip) is one of the most popular day hikes in the park.
• Going-to-the-Sun Road: The crown jewel. The 50-mile road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet) and is widely considered the most scenic highway in America. Remember: if your rig exceeds 21 feet, park it at Fish Creek and drive GTSR in your tow vehicle or personal car. The road typically opens fully by late June or early July, weather depending.
• Apgar Village: Two miles from Fish Creek. Small visitor center, camp store, boat rentals, gift shops, and a restaurant. This is your nearest outpost for anything you forgot.

Outside the Park#

• West Glacier Village: Just outside the West Entrance. Has a gas station, general store, a few restaurants, and river rafting outfitters for Middle Fork Flathead River trips. The West Glacier KOA is here — the closest full-hookup RV park to the West Entrance.
• Columbia Falls: 15 miles west. Grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, and the Big Sky Waterpark for families.
• Kalispell: 32 miles southwest. Full-service city with Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, hospital, and RV repair services. This is where you handle any serious resupply or rig maintenance.
• Whitefish: 25 miles northwest. A resort town with excellent restaurants, craft breweries, and the Whitefish Lake State Park for a change of scenery. Worth a half-day trip.
• Flathead Lake: Montana’s freshwater jewel, about 45 minutes south from the West Glacier area. State parks with camping line the shore, and the cherry orchards on the east shore between Bigfork and Polson are worth a visit in late July. See our Flathead Lake camping guide for details.

The Honest Details#

What Works#

The in-park forest setting is the main reason to book. Fish Creek trades resort amenities for a wooded Glacier base near Apgar and Lake McDonald.

Being inside the park removes the daily entrance drive. That can simplify west-side mornings, although destinations elsewhere in Glacier still require significant travel.

Seasonal shared facilities support multi-night stays. The dump station, potable water and flush toilets are useful in a no-hookup campground; verify opening status near the season edges.

Loop C provides a generator-free option. It is the clear loop choice when avoiding generator operation matters and your battery plan can support the stay.

The official standard-site rate is $30. Private parks use date- and site-specific pricing, so compare live quotes and included hookups in the Montana price index.

What Doesn’t Work#

Shower capacity is limited. Fish Creek does have seasonal hot showers for registered campers, but it is not a private resort bathhouse. Confirm current operation on arrival and keep a backup hygiene plan.

Going-to-the-Sun Road has a restricted segment. Between Avalanche Campground and Rising Sun, NPS prohibits vehicles and combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet. Plan transportation separately if your vehicle exceeds either limit.

Connectivity is not dependable. NPS lists no reception or internet connectivity at Fish Creek and describes service across Glacier as unreliable. Download maps and confirmations before arrival.

Reservations require a release-window plan. Recreation.gov uses six-month rolling inventory plus a four-day release. Check the current release time and shortlist multiple sites that fit.

Site geometry varies. Use the exact listing photos and dimensions, and carry the leveling equipment appropriate for your rig.

Who It’s Best For#

• Self-contained RVers with solar and lithium batteries who can comfortably go days without hookups
• Smaller rigs (Class B vans, truck campers, travel trailers under 25 feet) that fit easily into national park sites
• Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to maximize time in the park and minimize time driving to trailheads
• Families with older kids who are comfortable with limited connectivity and simple campground facilities
• Budget-conscious campers who value the $30 standard-site rate over resort-style amenities

Who Should Look Elsewhere#

• Big-rig owners whose complete setup does not fit an exact listing — compare private parks outside Glacier
• Remote workers who need reliable internet — NPS says service across Glacier is unreliable
• Campers who want a full bathhouse and laundry — Fish Creek’s seasonal shower capacity is limited, so compare private parks outside Glacier
• First-time RVers who are not yet comfortable with boondocking-style camping, leveling on uneven sites, or managing water and battery without hookups

Full Specs and Booking#

Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

• Location: Camas Road, 4 miles NW of West Glacier entrance
• Elevation: Check the current Recreation.gov listing and campground map
• Total sites: 178 (Loops A, B, and C)
• Generator policy: Generators allowed in Loops A and B during designated hours; Loop C is generator-free
• Max RV length: 18 parking spaces accommodate up to 35 feet and another 62 up to 27 feet; the exact site listing controls
• Hookups: None (nonelectric)
• Rate: $30/night (standard nonelectric), $8/person (walk-to sites)
• Season: Typically May 15–September 3; confirm current conditions
• Maximum stay: 14 nights
• Dump station: Yes, on-site
• Flush toilets: Yes
• Showers: Seasonal hot showers for registered campers; NPS lists two accessible unisex stalls in Loop A
• Potable water: Yes (spigots throughout)
• Fire pits: Yes, at each site
• Amphitheater: Yes (ranger programs in summer)
• Accessible sites: Yes
• Cell coverage: NPS lists no reception or internet connectivity; do not depend on service
• Pets: Allowed on leash (6-foot maximum). Pets prohibited on most trails inside Glacier NP.
• Reservations: Recreation.gov, 6-month rolling window + 4-day short-term release
• Park entrance fee: Separate; check the current NPS fee page

Booking strategy: Fish Creek uses a six-month rolling window plus shorter-window inventory four days ahead. Check the current release time on Recreation.gov, save several exact sites that fit your rig and watch for cancellations rather than relying on a single choice.

FAQ#

Can I fit a 30-foot trailer at Fish Creek?#

Possibly. NPS lists 18 parking spaces up to 35 feet, but the exact Recreation.gov site dimensions and driveway geometry control. Match the listed parking length to the complete equipment you plan to place on the site; if no suitable site is available, compare private RV parks near West Glacier.

Is there a dump station at Fish Creek?#

Yes. NPS lists a seasonal on-site dump station for registered campers. Confirm that it is operating for your dates.

How do I get a reservation?#

Fish Creek uses Recreation.gov with a six-month rolling reservation window and additional inventory released four days ahead. Check the live listing for the current release time, create your account in advance and shortlist several sites that fit your equipment.

Is there cell service at Fish Creek?#

Do not count on it. NPS lists no reception or internet connectivity at Fish Creek and says service is unreliable throughout Glacier. Download maps and reservation details in advance.

How does Fish Creek compare to Apgar Campground?#

Both are on Glacier’s west side, cost $30 in summer and have no hookups. Fish Creek has 178 sites, a generator-free Loop C, seasonal hot showers and 18 parking spaces reaching 35 feet. Apgar runs year-round and its largest 25 spaces reach 40 feet. Choose by exact rig fit, season and preferred setting—not the old claim that only Apgar has showers.

Are bears a real concern at Fish Creek?#

Yes. Fish Creek is bear habitat. Follow the current NPS food-storage rules and store food, coolers, garbage, cooking equipment and scented items securely whenever they are not in active use. For trip preparation, see our Montana bear country guide.

Is Fish Creek worth it without hookups?#

Yes, if a $30 in-park site, forest setting and generator-free-loop option matter more than at-site utilities. No, if you need hookups, guaranteed connectivity or a parking space longer than the exact Recreation.gov site allows. Fish Creek has seasonal hot showers, but capacity and hours are more limited than at a private resort.