Winter Camping at St. Mary Campground – Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, located in northwest Montana, is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. St. Mary Campground, on the eastern side of the park, sits where the vast Montana plains meet towering mountains. The views in this area are hard to beat.

Winter in Glacier National Park

Visiting in winter is very different from visiting in summer. Be aware that most of the park is inaccessible during the winter months. Virtually all of Going-to-the-Sun Road, the main road running through the park, is closed. From the east, the road is closed 1.5 miles west of the St. Mary Visitor Center. From the west entrance, Going-to-the-Sun Road remains open up to the Lake McDonald Lodge.

Other entrances, such as North Fork, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine, also have closed roads, requiring snowshoeing or skiing to access these areas.

Winter Camping

In the summer, securing a campsite in the park can be a challenge. In winter, however, it’s much easier. Two campgrounds remain open year-round: Apgar and St. Mary. During winter, these campgrounds operate in “winter status,” meaning there are no services or running water. However, pit toilets are available, and there is no additional fee to camp. Note that you will still need to pay the entrance fee to access the park. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis during the winter months.

St. Mary Campground

In winter, a limited number of campsites are open, and the roads to these sites are plowed. However, your campsite, including the fire ring and picnic table, won’t be dug out, so it’s a good idea to bring a shovel to clear snow from your site.

St. Mary Campground is fairly exposed, with little tree cover. The benefit of this lack of tree cover is the breathtaking mountain views directly from camp. The downside is the often strong winds, which can make winter conditions bitterly cold. While camping at St. Mary, I encountered a wind advisory with gusts up to 70 mph. This isn’t uncommon for the Rocky Mountain Front and the east side of Glacier National Park. Be sure to prepare for these conditions.

Despite the wind and cold, I had an amazing time camping at St. Mary Campground. I was the only person there—perhaps because I was the only one crazy enough to camp in those conditions! However, this solitude allowed me to experience something few others do: having Glacier National Park entirely to myself. It was incredible.

What to Do Around St. Mary in Winter

The most obvious options are snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A popular area for these activities is the road beyond the winter road closure. As mentioned earlier, most park services are shut down in winter, and the alpine sections of the park are largely inaccessible. One nearby trail worth exploring is the Beaver Pond Trail.

St. Mary Lake is another highlight. The lake is stunning in winter, and as ice forms, you may have the opportunity to go ice skating or ice fishing. Be sure to bring your own skates or fishing gear, and always check ice conditions before venturing out.

Final Thoughts

If you want to experience Glacier National Park without the crowds, consider visiting in winter. The park remains open in a limited capacity year-round, and camping at St. Mary Campground during the winter offers a unique and rewarding experience that I highly recommend.