Fish Creek Campground sits on the northwest shore of Lake McDonald, reached via Camas Road about 2.5 miles from Apgar Village. With 178 sites spread across four loops (A, B, C and D), it's the second-largest campground in the park after Apgar — and heavily wooded, so sites feel more spread out and private than Apgar's busier loops.
What sets Fish Creek apart from the other two Lake McDonald campgrounds is a small but real perk: on-site showers. It's also the only campground here with a dedicated amphitheater for ranger programs and a swimming beach right off the campground loops.
All 178 sites are reservable via recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling booking window. Peak summer dates go fast — set a reminder for when your date range opens.
Book on recreation.govSite Types
Amenities
Showers, with a catch: The showers are in Loop A only, and there's no parking right at the shower building — you walk over from the amphitheater parking area. With just four stalls for 178 sites, expect a short line and a timed 5-minute token shower. Mornings have more hot water than evenings.
Location & Getting There
Fish Creek Campground is reached via Camas Road, about 2.5 miles from Apgar Village on the west side of Glacier National Park. There is no NPS shuttle stop at Fish Creek — the nearest connection to the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle network is at Apgar, so plan to bike, walk or drive the short distance if you want to ride the shuttle to trailheads further up the road. See the shuttle system guide for routes and schedules.
Generators are permitted only during set hours — 8–10 am, 12–2 pm and 5–7 pm — to keep the campground quiet the rest of the day.
What's Nearby
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. Early June and September have far more availability and a noticeably quieter campground.
- Bring cash or coins for the showers. The shower tokens/coin mechanism does not accept cards.
- No group sites here. If you're camping with a party of nine or more, book Apgar's group sites instead.
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 Fish Creek Campground?
It varies by site — some sites at Fish Creek accommodate combined vehicle lengths (tow vehicle plus trailer/RV) up to 35 feet, while others cap out around 24–25 feet. Check the individual site listing on recreation.gov before booking to confirm your rig will fit.
Are there showers at Fish Creek Campground?
Yes — Fish Creek is the only one of the three Lake McDonald campgrounds with on-site showers. They're coin/token-operated, located in Loop A, and reserved for registered campers. There's no parking directly at the shower building; you'll walk over from the amphitheater parking area. With only four shower stalls serving 178 sites, expect a short wait and a 5-minute timed shower — mornings tend to have more hot water than evenings.
Does Fish Creek Campground have group sites?
No. Fish Creek does not offer group camping. Parties of nine or more should book the group sites at Apgar Campground or St. Mary Campground instead.
Can I have a campfire at Fish Creek?
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.
Are dogs allowed at Fish Creek 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. Never leave pets unattended at a campsite — bear activity is real in this area.