A camper wearing a bright hat warms their hands while squatting near a campfire in a forest clearing.
Closed

Closed for the season. The campground typically opens in late May or early June depending on road and weather conditions. All sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Summer rate is $25/night; primitive status rate is $15/night when water and dump facilities are unavailable.

About

Bowman Lake Campground occupies a peaceful setting in Glacier National Park's remote North Fork region, roughly 32.5 miles from the west entrance and 30 miles from the Canadian border. The journey requires navigating narrow, bumpy dirt roads through the tiny community of Polebridge before reaching the campground about 6.3 miles beyond. This demanding access keeps crowds lighter than more accessible park campgrounds. The 48 tent-only sites are tucked within a forested area near Bowman Lake's shoreline, providing natural shade and a degree of privacy between neighbors. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets, potable water, a dump station, food storage lockers, and trash collection are available during the summer operating season. During primitive status periods, water and dump facilities are not operational. RVs, trailers, and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet are prohibited due to the challenging road conditions and limited turning space. Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles per site, with a maximum of two tents. Dead and downed wood along Bowman Lake Road may be collected for campfires.

Directions

From the West Entrance of Glacier National Park, head north on the Camas Road to Outside North Fork Road. Continue north through the community of Polebridge, then turn east into the park on Bowman Lake Road. The campground is approximately 6.3 miles from Polebridge. Total distance from the west entrance is about 32.5 miles on slow, dusty dirt roads.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $15 - $25

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites

Contact

Email glac_questions@nps.gov
Phone +1 (406) 888-7800

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Photos

A camper wearing a bright hat warms their hands while squatting near a campfire in a forest clearing.
View of Bowman Lake from shoreline near campground

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