Is there dispersed camping near Glacier National Park? Yes there is, and lots of it! The park is bounded on its west side by Flathead National Forest, and the forest has plenty of dispersed camping and free camping available.
Dispersed Camping Near Glacier National Park
While there is no dispersed camping inside Glacier National Park, there is plenty of it just outside of its western border inside Flathead National Forest. There are numerous forest roads where dispersed camping is allowed. You can find hundreds of previously-used campsites all of which are free. There are also several free campgrounds too choose from too.
Here are our top picks for dispersed camping near Glacier National Park. All of these sites are free and legal to camp in…
West Glacier Park Entrance
Ryan Road Dispersed Area – 3.7 miles to Park Entrance – Ryan Road is also marked as Forest Road 10325 on Forest Service Maps. Dispersed camping is allowed along this road. This road also leads to Ryan Field, a small airstrip used for Forest Service personnel. Ryan Road has several small pullouts and clearings where people can camp. There is also a large dirt lot down the road that can accommodate several large RVs.
West Blankenship River Access – 7.9 miles to Park Entrance – Located along the west bank of Middle Fork Flathead River, you can park your vehicle on the riverbank and camp. Managed by Flathead National Forest, there is only a 3-day camping limit here. Access is very bumpy and rocky.
North Fork Road Dispersed Area – 12.1 miles to Park Entrance – This area lies along N. Fork Rd, also known as State Highway 486. It’s just large flat grassy area slightly elevated up from the highway, just enough to afford some privacy from passers-by. The area is large enough to accommodate several full-sized rigs. You can still get decent Verizon and AT&T service here too.
Goose Head Campground – 16.3 miles to Park Entrance – This is denoted as “F K & L Overlook” on Forest Service maps, but is more commonly called Goose Head Campground because the peninsula resembles a goose’s head in flight. It’s not a developed campground, but a dispersed camping area with primitive boat launches. The entire peninsula is open for camping, but most people camp in the dirt lot where people launch their boats.
Hungry Horse Reservoir Dispersed Lot – 17.0 miles to Park Entrance – Located right off of Hungry Horse Reservoir, this is a large dirt lot intended for dispersed camping and overflow parking. There’s enough room here for several large RVs, along with a pit toilet on site.
Camas Road Park Entrance
Coal Banks Pit – 3.9 miles to Park Entrance – This is a large flat area located along Forest Road 10866, which also serves as a parking lot for Demers Ridge Trail. There’s enough room for 15-20 large RVs.
Big Creek Pit Road – 4.3 miles to Park Entrance – This is a large flat area located at the end of Big Creek Pit Road (Forest Road 10897). There’s enough room for 6-10 large RVs.
Coal Creek Access – 6.6 miles to Park Entrance – This is a free campground managed by Flathead National Forest, located where Coal Creek empties into North Fork Flathead River. There’s about 4-6 sites on the east side of N. Fork Rd and a couple more on the west side.
North Fork Flathead River Campground – 6.7 miles to Park Entrance – This is a small free campground set up by Flathead National Forest right along the banks of the North Fork Flathead River. There are three sites here with campfire rings. It’s also a popular parking area to launch kayaks and canoes. Because of its popularity, there is a short, 3-night limit which may still be perfect for a weekend at Glacier National Park.
Polebridge Park Entrance
Polebridge River Access Site – 0.4 miles to Park Entrance – Located along the banks of North Fork Flathead River, there’s room here for about 4-6 large RVs.
Sonderson Meadow Dispersed Camping Area – 10.1 miles to Park Entrance – This is a grassy & wooded area along the banks of North Fork Flathead River. There’s about a dozen sites here suitable for any sized RV.
Ford River Access – 12.3 miles to Park Entrance – This is a boat ramp site with some grassy areas suitable for RV parking and camping. It’s a smaller area with room for about 4-6 large RVs.
Wurtz Flat – 14.6 miles to Park Entrance – This is a wide, flat area on the banks of North Fork Flathead River. There is some beach camping here.
Two Medicine Park Entrance
Skyland Road – 22.0 miles to Park Entrance – Skyland Road (Forest Road 569) runs about 9.2 miles from Highway 2 to Morrison Creek Trailhead. Along the way there are numerous campsites, mostly as wide shoulders, but some off the road too. Long rigs can get turned around about 7.0 miles in at Challenge Cabin.
Just to let you know, the large area in the front on Ryan Road is no longer accessible. The only camping is small spots on the sides.
Fantastic spot! Maybe 2 miles from the West Glacier entrance. There are 2 spots that easily accommodated our 23’travel trailer. The large level area is currently blocked by a deliberate tree fall and huge rock. Most other sites are great for tents, camper vans and the like.