Apgar Campground sits at the southwestern tip of Lake McDonald, inside Glacier National Park, roughly one mile from the West Glacier entrance. With 194 sites spread across forested loops, it is the largest campground in the Lake McDonald area — and one of the most popular in all of Glacier. It books out weeks or months in advance for July and August, often within minutes of reservations opening on recreation.gov.
The location is exceptional. Several loops back directly onto the lake shore, the Apgar Visitor Center is a short walk away, and the free NPS shuttle stops at the campground entrance — meaning you can reach Going-to-the-Sun Road's major trailheads without moving your vehicle once you've parked.
Most sites are reservable via recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance. A small number of first-come, first-served sites open daily at 8 am — arrive early in shoulder season or you will not get one.
Book on recreation.govSite Types
Amenities
Showers: There are no shower facilities at Apgar. The closest paid showers are available in West Glacier (approximately 2 miles from the campground entrance). Plan accordingly, especially for longer stays.
Location & Getting There
Apgar Campground is located inside Glacier National Park, approximately 1 mile east of the West Glacier entrance on Going-to-the-Sun Road. If driving from the west, follow US-2 to West Glacier, enter the park, and turn right toward Apgar Village — the campground entrance is signed on the left within a mile.
Once parked, you rarely need to move your vehicle. The free NPS shuttle stops at Apgar and connects north along Going-to-the-Sun Road to Avalanche Creek, the Loop, Logan Pass and St. Mary — giving you access to the park's best trailheads without driving or worrying about trailhead parking. Vehicle permits are required on GTSR from 7 am – 3 pm during peak season, but shuttle riders are exempt.
What's Within Walking Distance
Booking Tips for 2026
- Book as early as possible. Reservations for July and August typically sell out within hours of the 6-month booking window opening on recreation.gov.
- Check for cancellations. Sites are released back regularly as plans change. Check recreation.gov at 7 am MT and 9 pm MT when the system processes daily cancellations.
- Shoulder season is more flexible. Late May, early June, September and early October have far more availability and the campground is noticeably less crowded.
- Minimum stay may apply. During peak summer weekends, recreation.gov may require a 2-night minimum booking.
- First-come sites open at 8 am. A small number of non-reservable sites open each morning. Arrive by 7:30 am to line up during July–August.
Bear country rules apply: All food, scented products and cooking equipment must be stored in the bear box at your site when not in use — day and night. NPS rangers enforce this actively. Violations result in fines and site forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum RV length at Apgar Campground?
The maximum RV length at Apgar Campground is 21 feet for the vast majority of sites. This matches the vehicle restriction on Going-to-the-Sun Road east of Avalanche Creek — so if you have a larger RV, you would be restricted to the western portion of the park anyway. A small number of sites can accommodate slightly longer vehicles; check the specific site details on recreation.gov when booking.
Is there cell service or Wi-Fi at Apgar Campground?
Cell service is limited throughout Glacier National Park. At Apgar, some carriers get a partial signal, but you should not rely on it for navigation, emergencies or streaming. There is no campground Wi-Fi. The Apgar Visitor Center and some businesses in Apgar Village have limited connectivity. Download offline maps before arriving.
Can I have a campfire at Apgar?
Campfires are permitted in the fire grates at individual sites when a park-wide fire ban is not in effect. Bans are common in August and early September during dry spells — check current fire restrictions at the park entrance or the NPS Glacier website before gathering wood. Only ground-level dead and down wood may be collected inside the park; you can also purchase firewood at the camp store in Apgar Village.
Is Apgar Campground the same as Lake McDonald Campground?
There's no campground officially named "Lake McDonald Campground." Apgar is one of three NPS campgrounds along Lake McDonald — alongside Fish Creek and Sprague Creek — and it's the largest and most central of the three, which is why searches for "Lake McDonald campground" usually lead here. See the full comparison of all three campgrounds if you're deciding between them.
Are dogs allowed at Apgar Campground?
Yes — pets are allowed in the campground and on paved roads throughout Glacier National Park, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Pets are not permitted on unpaved trails, in the backcountry, or on NPS shuttle buses. The lake shoreline near Apgar is accessible with a dog on-leash. Never leave pets unattended at a campsite — bear and mountain lion activity is real in this area.