Closed
— Closed for the 2025/2026 winter camping season. Typically opens in late May for the summer season with all sites available by reservation only through Recreation.gov. Seven-night maximum stay during summer season.
About
Glacier Basin Campground sits at 8,500 feet elevation along Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, approximately 5 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. The campground offers 150 campsites spread across multiple loops (A, B, C, D, and Group), with a mix of tent-only sites and standard sites that accommodate RVs up to 35 feet. Each campsite includes a picnic table, metal fire ring with grate, and tent pad, with paved roads and parking spurs throughout.
The campground is forested with Douglas fir, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, and occasional Engelmann spruce, though the C, D, and Group loops have experienced significant tree removal due to pine beetle damage, resulting in more open conditions with panoramic mountain views and excellent stargazing. Despite the tree loss, these areas provide full access to campground amenities including flush toilets, potable water, and food storage lockers.
A major advantage of Glacier Basin is its location across from the Park & Ride, where the free park shuttle system provides access to numerous trailheads and destinations along the Bear Lake Road Corridor. Wildlife viewing is excellent, with frequent sightings of elk, mule deer, and occasional black bear, coyote, bighorn sheep, and moose. The campground operates on a reservation-only basis through Recreation.gov, with some sites available six months in advance and others released two weeks prior. Group sites accommodate 9-40 people. All reservations include a timed entry permit for Bear Lake Road, allowing entry beginning at 1 p.m. on the first day of your reservation.
Directions
From Estes Park, drive west on U.S. Highway 36 to the Beaver Meadows Entrance. The turn for Bear Lake Road is approximately 0.2 miles from the entrance on the left. Drive up Bear Lake Road for 5.2 miles. The campground entrance is on the left, across from the Park & Ride parking area.
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