Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT)

Glacier NP

Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT) in Glacier NP — photo 4

Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT)

Glacier NP

About this campsite

Overview

Big Creek Campground lies in the expansive Flathead National Forest in northwestern Montana, 2 miles south of the Northwest entrance to Glacier National Park. Visitors can enjoy access to the Flathead River as well as the countless other recreational opportunities provided by the surrounding forests.

Big Creek Campground has 22 campsites, 12 of which are reservable and 10 are walk-up, first come, first serve sites.

The stay limit is 16 consecutive nights.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy the ample fishing and floating opportunities provided by the river. Trout are a popular catch amid the calm flow of the water. Boating is also an excellent pastime, as the river is perfect for floating, rafting and canoeing.

Across from the campground is the Glacier Institute's Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, which provides learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Programs offered include seminars and guided hikes, which point out the diverse natural and cultural resources of the Glacier National Park and the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.

Facilities

The campground offers several accessible individual campsites for tent and RV camping. Each has convenient access to the river and is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills.

A group camping area is nestled in the middle of the campground and can accommodate up to 200 guests. Campfire circles and group picnic areas are also available.

Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. The water is in 2 locations and are hand pumps. They are not for filling your RV so please come with your water full.

Natural Features

In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, west of the continental divide and just south of the Canadian border, lies the 2.4 million acre Flathead National Forest.

Home to lynx, grizzly bear, and bull trout and with numerous lakes, streams, and rivers to enjoy, the forest is a premiere destination for visitors.

The campground sits along the North Fork of the Flathead River, which begins in Canada and joins a couple other forks before depositing into Flathead Lake. It is a forested area of mature pine and fir trees that provide a sparse understory at an elevation of 3,300 feet.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (406) 752-7924.

Nearby Attractions

Big Creek Campground is just 2 miles from the Camas Creek entrance to the Glacier National Park. Columbia Falls, along the North Fork of the Flathead River, is located 19 miles south of the campground.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations made within the 4 Day Reservation Window will be "considered" for a refund, by the concessionaire, of Camping fees only and will automatically forfeit the first nights fee. Day of Arrival cancellations must be turned in by calling Cheryl at 406-752-PWAI (7924) or 406-404-4164 to get the information to the campground Host. All Considerations will be made after your original reservation dates have passed.

*No shows have no chance of a refund.

Location

Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT)•MT

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

WED☁️

17° / 9°

💧 25%

TODAY☁️

16° / 7°

💧 6%

FRI☁️

22° / 10°

💧 2%

SAT☁️

20° / 6°

—

SUN☁️

21° / 6°

—

Common questions about Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT)

Can you book Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT) online?

We hold no online booking link for Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT), so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT)?

Big Creek Campground (Flathead National Forest, MT) sits in MT. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

11.3 km away

Logging Creek

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FISH CREEK CAMPGROUND

Overview Fish Creek Campground is the second largest campground in Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park, in northwestern Montana, is comprised of pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles (1,125 km) of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. It also provides countless scenic vistas for those wishing to relax and take in its natural beauty. The campground is located on the western side of the park at an elevation of nearly 3,500 feet (1,066 m). This area of the park generally receives the most rainfall. Daytime temperatures can exceed 90°F (32°C), although it is frequently 10° to 15° F cooler at higher elevations. Weather in the mountains can be varied, including snow in summer; visitors should come prepared for anything. All sites require a reservation. Most sites have a 6-month booking window with a good handful having a 4-day booking window. Recreation This facility is conveniently located in the western part of the park, nearby many day hikes, including Rocky Point Trail, which wanders through a burn area from a 2003 wildfire. Explorers of all ages can attend nightly ranger programs at an amphitheater within the facility. Facilities The campground is large with 178 campsites. The sites are relatively spread apart and provide privacy for both RV and tent campers. Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities have flush toilets and sinks with running water. Natural Features Fish Creek is heavily forested with plenty of shade. Some sites have views of Lake McDonald. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages almost 10,000 years ago. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 270 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as harlequin ducks, dippers and golden eagles. Nearby Attractions One must-see attraction is Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier's sister park across the Canadian-U.S. border. As the other half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Waterton Lakes offers great hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the townsite of Waterton. Waterton Lakes National Park

14.5 km away

Quartz Creek

Campground: Quartz Creek.

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APGAR GROUP SITES

Overview Apgar Campground is situated on the southern tip of Lake McDonald in beautiful Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana. Pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains and spectacular lakes are found throughout the park. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for hikers seeking wilderness and solitude. It also provides countless scenic vistas for those wishing to relax and take in the natural beauty of the park. All sites require a reservation. Most sites have a 6-month booking window with a good handful having a 4-day booking window. Recreation Lake McDonald provides great opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing and fishing in its cold mountain waters. A variety of fish are found in the lake, including cutthroat, rainbow, bull and lake trout, whitefish and Kokanee salmon. The campground is conveniently close to many trailheads for day hikes, including Apgar Lookout Trail, a 3.3-mile (5.3 km) trail leading up to a fire lookout with breathtaking views of Lake McDonald. The Apgar Bike Path, a paved 1.5-mile (2.4 km) trail popular for walking and biking, leads to the nearby Apgar Visitor Center and Village. Horseback ride reservations, boat rentals, shuttle service and Red Bus Tour reservations are available here. One of the most amazing highlights of Glacier National Park is a drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which travels past the campground. This engineering marvel spans 50 miles (80 km) through the park's wild interior, winding around mountainsides and treating visitors to some of the best sights in northwest Montana. Facilities Apgar is the largest campground in Glacier National Park. It offers 5 reservable group sites that accommodate 9-24 people each. Apgar Village is just minutes away, offering a visitor center, gift shops, a general store and casual restaurant. Amenities within the campground include flush toilets and drinking water. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided, and a campground host is on-site. Ranger programs are held nightly at the amphitheater. Lake McDonald is just a short stroll from the campground. Natural Features Apgar is located in a dense forest on the western side of the park at an elevation of nearly 3,500 feet (1067 m). This area of the park generally receives the most rainfall. Daytime temperatures can exceed 90 degrees, although it is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler at higher elevations. Weather in the mountains can be varied, including snow in summer. Visitors should come prepared for anything. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages almost 10,000 years ago. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 270 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as Harlequin ducks, Dippers and Golden eagles. Nearby Attractions One must-see attraction is Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier's sister park across the Canadian-U.S. border. As the other half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park offers great hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the townsite of Waterton.

15.6 km away

Apgar Campground

Overview Apgar campground is the largest campground in the park. It is situated in trees and provides tent and RV campers with shade and some privacy. Evening sunsets on Lake McDonald are only a short stroll, and you won't want to miss evening programs with a ranger at the Apgar Amphitheater. Many trails are located within a short drive of the campground. Five Group Sites are reservable in advance. All sites require a reservation. Most sites have a 6-month booking window with a good handful having a 4-day booking window. Hiker/Bicyclist sites A10, C144, and C146 are available through the Recreation.gov Scan and Pay system. In order to use these sites, visitors must download the Recreation.gov Application before arriving. At the Hiker/Bicyclist sites, simply scan the QR code posted onsite to follow prompts and complete payment. Additional instructions are provided onsite in Apgar Campground. Recreation This facility is conveniently located in the western part of the park. Explorers of all ages can attend nightly ranger programs at an amphitheater within the facility. Facilities The campground is large with 194 campsites. The sites are relatively spread apart and provide privacy for both RV and tent campers. Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities have flush toilets and sinks with running water. Natural Features Apgar is heavily forested with partial shade. Some sites have views of Lake McDonald. The park is named for its prominent glacier-carved terrain and remnant glaciers descended from the ice ages almost 10,000 years ago. Its diverse habitats are home to nearly 70 species of mammals including the grizzly bear, wolverine, gray wolf and lynx. Over 270 species of birds visit or reside in the park, including such varied species as harlequin ducks, dippers and golden eagles. Nearby Attractions One must-see attraction is Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier's sister park across the Canadian-U.S. border. As the other half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Waterton Lakes offers great hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the townsite of Waterton. Waterton Lakes National Park