Rising Sun Campground

84 sitesReservable & first-comeIn Glacier National Park
A small, wooden kiosk with a brown "Register Here" sign stands in front of a large mountain.
Rising Sun Campground is located just west of St. Mary and halfway along St. Mary Lake. · NPS Photo
Campsites
84
How to get a site
Reservable & first-come
Max RV length
21 ft
Max trailer length
21 ft
Fee
$30 / night
Coordinates
48.6945, -113.5227
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48.6945, -113.5227 · Park boundary: National Park Service

Rising Sun Campground is located just west of St. Mary and halfway along St. Mary Lake. Campers at Rising Sun will enjoy beautiful sunrises in the morning with Red Eagle Mountain as a backdrop, and the campground serves as a convenient base camp to many day hikes located east of Logan Pass. Some sites are open, allowing for cool breezes throughout the day, while others are located among trees, accommodating those seeking some shade and privacy.

Every day
All Day

Rising Sun is typically open early June to early September.

  • Winter Closure · Sep 5, 2026 – May 28, 2027 · Closed

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

83 reservable1 first-come, first-served
Rising Sun summer fee$30

Rising Sun Campground is reservation only. Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

Rising Sun Campground requires a reservation to book a site. Reservations have a 0-day booking window, meaning they need to be reserved the day of your desired stay. Reservations can only be made on Recreation.gov. Cell service is limited within the park boundary. It is recommended to make a Rising Sun Campground reservation before coming to the park or at St. Mary and Apgar Visitor Centers, where public wifi is available.

Amphitheater
Yes - seasonal
Camp store
Yes - seasonal
Drinking water
Yes - seasonal
Dump station
Yes - seasonal
Food storage lockers
Yes - seasonal
Host on site
Yes - seasonal
Showers
Coin-Operated - Seasonal
Toilets
Flush Toilets - seasonal
Trash & recycling
Yes - seasonal
Cell reception
No
Firewood for sale
No
Ice for sale
No
Internet
No
Laundry
No

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

RVs
Allowed · up to 21 ft
Trailers
Allowed · up to 21 ft
Access roads
Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Classification
Developed Campground
Wheelchair access

1 campsite (#7)

ADA facilities

Restroom facilities are accessible.

Fires & stoves

Picnic tables and fire rings provided.

Also worth knowing

Adjacent to the campground is a camp store, a casual restaurant, and token operated showers. Boat tours on St. Mary Lake are located near Rising Sun, and Otokomi Lake Trailhead is located next to the campground. Attend an evening ranger program.

Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04

On the east side of the park, approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) from St. Mary entrance and halfway along St. Mary Lake, adjacent to Rising Sun Motor Inn.

Glacier's weather is highly variable and can be extreme. Warm days and cool nights are the norm in summer. Even when it's in the 80s and 90s in the daytime it can cool down into the 40s at night. Hikers setting out on a warm summer day, should still bring along rain gear and lots of extra clothing. Dressing in layers is key to a comfortable visit all year long.

The Rising Sun Campground is tucked in a Douglas fir forest directly below a large rocky cliff. Just beyond the campground the landscape opens up in a sprawling prairie that slopes down to St. Mary Lake.

A picnic table sits on level ground with trees and mountains in the background.
NPS Photo
wooden benches on gravel clearing with campsites and bathroom building in background among trees
NPS/Gabriel Morrow
AddressWest Glacier, MT 59936
Visitor centers in Glacier · 3

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