Camping - Glacier National Park
Visit the Glacier National Park COVID-19 page for updates on park facilities and services Reserve online at reservation.pc.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). Camping is permitted in designated areas only with a valid national park camping permit and a national park entry pass.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts
Frontcountry camping
Glacier National Park's two campgrounds are all located near the summit of Rogers Pass.
| Illecillewaet | Loop Brook | |
|---|---|---|
| Location from the summit of Rogers Pass |
3 km west | 5 km west |
| Campground open | Closed | Late June to late September |
| Check if campgrounds are open on the Trail Conditions Report | ||
| Reservations accepted | Closed | June 26 to September 30 |
| Fees * | $21.97 | $21.97 |
| Number of sites | 60 | 20 |
| Flush toilets | Yes | Yes |
| Food lockers | Yes | Yes |
| Potable water | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen shelters | Yes | Yes |
| Campfires allowed ** | Yes | Yes |
| Showers | No | No |
| Electricity available | No | No |
| Barrier-free access (wheelchair-accessible sites and washrooms) |
Yes | No |
| Staffed welcome station | Yes | No |
| Sani dump (sewage disposal) |
No | No |
* National park pass required. Available for purchase at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
** Firewood is available for use within the campground with purchase of a fire permit. Please don’t take more than an armload per night. Use only firewood that is provided at the campground. Moving firewood to or from national parks can spread invasive species.
Check in, registration & check out
Illecillewaet Campground is entirely first come first served. Please select and occupy a campsite that fits your equipment and check in at the welcome station near the centre of the campground within 30 minutes of arrival. For after-hour arrivals, self-registration by credit card and exact cash is available at the welcome station.
Loop Brook Campground is by reservation only. If you have a reservation, please proceed to your site. If you do not have a reservation, inquire with the attendant on duty for possible vacancy. After hours, if the campground is not full, available sites will be marked as ‘available for one night only’. Payment can be made the following morning with the attendant or at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
The maximum length of stay is 14 nights. The check out time for all Glacier National Park campgrounds is 12 pm.
Quiet hours
Quiet hours are in effect daily to ensure that visitors get a good night's sleep.
- Quiet hours are from 11 pm - 7 am
- Campfires, visitors, consumption of alcohol, cannabis and cannabis products are not permitted during this time
- Only site occupants are allowed in the campground after 11 pm
Please remember, even quiet conversations can carry through a forested area. Excessive noise is not permitted at any time of the day. Please report disturbances to park wardens or staff.
Generator use
Maximum equipment allowed per site
Up to 7 people travelling in the same vehicle may stay overnight in one campsite.
The maximum units at each campsite is three (a unit is one RV or one vehicle with camping trailer, plus up to two tents. They must all fit on the gravel pads). In addition, dining tents are permitted at all campsites where they can fit on the gravel pad. Tents and vehicles are not permitted off of the pads. This regulation is strictly enforced.
A small number of campsites in the park accommodate Class A motorhomes (over 10 m or 33 ft).
Bears
Bears are naturally wary of people, but can become a serious hazard if they become used to human food sources. Keep a clean campsite and ensure that anything associated with food, cooking, personal hygiene or pets is stored in your vehicle or in the campground food lockers when you’re not using it. Do not store any of these items in your tent. This is for your safety and it’s also a requirement in any national park. For tips and information on keeping your campsite safe in bear country, check out The “Bare” Campsite Program.
Camping with dogs
Bringing your furry family member? Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times. Do not leave pets unattended, pick up after your pets and ensure that all pet food is stored in your vehicle.
Alcohol and cannabis
Consuming alcohol, cannabis and cannabis products is only allowed at registered campsites. Daily quiet hours concerning consumption are also in place.
Cannabis is legalized and strictly regulated in Canada. It is your responsibility to understand federal, provincial and municipal regulations for cannabis and alcohol consumption while visiting Glacier National Park.
Camping outside of Glacier National Park
Snowforest Campground in Mount Revelstoke National Park is 70 km west of Rogers Pass. Several commercial campgrounds are found in the communities of Revelstoke and Golden. In addition, two BC Parks campgrounds, Martha Creek and Blanket Creek, are located within 20 minutes of Revelstoke.
Backcountry camping
There are two designated backcountry campgrounds in the park:
- Hermit Meadows (8 sites, reservable)
- Mount Sir Donald (4 sites, non-reservable)
Each campground is equipped with:
- Tent pads
- Outhouses
- Bear-proof food storage lockers or poles
Campfires are not permitted. Gas stove use only.
Backcountry campers require a backcountry camping permit and a national park pass. Both are available at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre and at the Parks Canada office in Revelstoke. Hermit Meadows camp sites may be reserved online at reservation.pc.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). All other sites are first come first served. Visit our fees page for current rates.
See also:
Random camping
Random camping is permitted in designated areas only. A backcountry permit is required for random camping and can only be obtained in person at Parks Canada visitor centres in Revelstoke or Rogers Pass. For information call 250-837-7500. Special rules and conditions apply.
Winter camping
Two types of winter camping are allowed in Glacier National Park: Winter Overnight Parking and Winter Backcountry Camping.
Winter overnight parking
Winter overnight parking for up to 15 vehicles, by permit only, is available on a first come, first served basis at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre. 3 night limit. Camping vehicles must be self-contained - no power, water or sewer service is available. Tenting is not permitted at the Discovery Centre because of the danger associated with snow removal operations.
Overnight parking at the Illecillewaet Valley Trailhead is only available for visitors staying at huts operated by the Alpine Club of Canada.
Permits for winter overnight parking at the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre and the Illecillewaet Valley Trailhead are available from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre only.
Due to highway snow removal and safety considerations, winter overnight parking is prohibited at any other locations along the Trans-Canada Highway in the park.
Please note that there are no hotel rooms in Glacier National Park.
Winter Backcountry Camping
Winter backcountry camping is allowed only in Winter Unrestricted Areas, and beyond five kilometres from the trailhead. Backcountry camping requires both a backcountry camping permit and a national park pass, as well as a winter overnight parking permit. Permits and passes can be obtained from the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre.
Backcountry camping is not allowed in Winter Restricted Areas or Winter Prohibited Areas