National park · Glacier National Park · Montana

St. Mary Campground

St. Mary Campground is the National Park Service campground at the eastern foot of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana, half a mile from the St. Mary Visitor Center. With 148 sites across three loops it is the largest campground on Glacier's east side, and it suits RVers, vanlifers and hardy tent campers who care more about sunrise on the peaks and quick access to Many Glacier than about a power pedestal. Terrain is east-side open aspen and meadow, so views are big and shelter is thin.

St. Mary Campground at a glance

Hookups None
Max RV length Exact site
Cost $20–$30
Fees $20 is primitive status; summer fee is $30.
Reservations Recreation.gov

Source-backed: NPS reservation details (checked 2026-07-18). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.

Why RVers stay here

St. Mary Campground is the National Park Service campground at the eastern foot of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana, half a mile from the St. Mary Visitor Center. With 148 sites across three loops it is the largest campground on Glacier's east side, and it suits RVers, vanlifers and hardy tent campers who care more about sunrise on the peaks and quick access to Many Glacier than about a power pedestal. Terrain is east-side open aspen and meadow, so views are big and shelter is thin.

There are no hookups of any kind: dry camping at $30 a night in summer, $20 in primitive shoulder seasons and free in winter, with seasonal potable water, flush toilets, hot showers in Loop C and a dump station. Rig fit is site-specific, so we enter exact equipment on Recreation.gov rather than trusting a campground-wide maximum. Reservations for 2026 run April 18 through October 31, opening six months ahead, and July and August go within minutes. The trade-off is wind: the valley funnels gusts off the Divide, so open Loop C sites trade shelter for the postcard view. Note the full closure January 1 through June 30, 2027 for construction.

  • Going-to-the-Sun Road starts at the campground and Many Glacier is about 40 minutes away
  • Sunrise views over the Rocky Mountain Front from the open sites
  • Real amenities for a park campground: flush toilets, seasonal hot showers and an on-site dump station
  • Cheap shoulder seasons at $20 primitive and free winter camping with an entrance pass
  • St. Mary village has groceries, 24-hour fuel and restaurants a short walk away in season
  • !Famously windy; open Loop C sites have no shelter and awnings should be stowed overnight
  • !No hookups, no cell reception or internet per the NPS listing, and generators are banned in Loop A
  • !All campsites close January 1 through June 30, 2027 for construction

What our guides say about St. Mary Campground

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Our verdict

Book St. Mary if your rig matches an available site and you want the east-side sunrise, Sun Road access and Many Glacier within easy reach. Skip it if you need hookups, reliable internet, or a wind-sheltered tent site.

St. Mary Campground: frequently asked questions

Does St. Mary Campground have hookups?

No. St. Mary is dry camping only, with no electric, water or sewer at the site. Potable water, flush toilets, seasonal hot showers in Loop C and a dump station are available.

How much does St. Mary Campground cost per night?

$30 per night in summer, $20 per night during primitive service in spring and fall, and free in winter with a park entrance pass.

What is the max RV length at St. Mary Campground?

There is no single campground-wide maximum. Fit is site-specific, so enter your exact RV or combined tow length on Recreation.gov and check the selected site's equipment limits.

Do you need reservations at St. Mary Campground?

Yes in season. For 2026, reservations run April 18 through October 31 on Recreation.gov and open up to six months ahead. Book July and August the moment your window opens; there are no winter reservations.

Can I drive my RV over Going-to-the-Sun Road from St. Mary?

Not the alpine section. Vehicles over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, so leave the rig at camp and drive the road in a tow vehicle or use the free summer shuttle from the visitor center.

Is St. Mary Campground open year-round?

Camping is possible year-round in normal years, but services are seasonal and winter is primitive. Note that all sites are scheduled to close January 1 through June 30, 2027 for construction.

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