Travel Guides
Travel Guides
RV Camping Near Montana’s National Parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, and Beyond
Explore Montana’s top national parks—Glacier and Yellowstone—from nearby RV campgrounds offering full hookups, great amenities, and easy access to unforgettable scenery. A perfect guide for RVers planning a western camping adventure.
Overview
Montana is often referred to as “Big Sky Country” for good reason. The landscapes are vast, breathtaking, and wild. From towering peaks to glacier-fed lakes and rugged wilderness, Montana is home to some of the most awe-inspiring national parks in the country—including Glacier National Park and a portion of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park.
However, snagging a campsite inside these iconic parks can be challenging. Reservations often book out months in advance, especially during peak summer months. Fortunately, Montana offers plenty of well-reviewed, privately owned RV parks located just outside the park boundaries. These gateway campgrounds provide modern amenities like full hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and family-friendly features, while still offering quick access to national park adventures.
Let’s explore the best ways to experience Montana’s national parks from convenient, comfortable, and scenic RV campgrounds nearby
1
Glacier National Park: Crown of the Continent
Known for its jagged peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park is a bucket-list destination for outdoor lovers. The park spans over one million acres and is home to more than 700 miles of hiking trails, 130 named lakes, and an array of wildlife including mountain goats, grizzly bears, moose, and bighorn sheep.
Glacier is also one of the few national parks where RVing is extremely limited inside the park, due to size restrictions on roads and campsites. That’s where nearby private RV parks come in. With locations just minutes from the West Glacier entrance, these parks offer an easy and stress-free way to explore the best of Glacier without worrying about navigating narrow roads or limited in-park camping.
Nearby Private Campgrounds:
Mountain Meadow RV Park (Hungry Horse, MT): Located just nine miles from the West Entrance, Mountain Meadow is nestled in a wooded setting with full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and tent camping options. The park is open from May to October and offers a peaceful retreat with well-maintained grounds, hot showers, laundry, and friendly staff. Reviewers consistently praise the proximity to Glacier and the quiet, natural setting.
West Glacier KOA Resort (West Glacier, MT): One of the top-rated KOA Resorts in the country, this stunning campground offers a full array of amenities including RV and tent sites, deluxe cabins, a heated swimming pool, two restaurants, and even an ice cream shop. Open from May through September, the West Glacier KOA is a perfect family-friendly basecamp. Enjoy hot breakfasts at Lazy Bear Café, then unwind after a day in the park with dinner at the Fireside Grill.
Moose Creek RV Resort (West Glacier, MT): Just over a mile from the park entrance, Moose Creek offers large RV sites, cabins, and tent spots in a beautiful wooded setting. Amenities include a camp store, laundry, and a nature trail leading into the forest. With Glacier National Park virtually in your backyard, Moose Creek is a favorite among campers who want rustic charm combined with convenience.
2
Yellowstone National Park
Although Yellowstone National Park is mostly located in Wyoming, its north and west entrances are in Montana—and they serve as excellent launching points for visiting the park. Yellowstone is home to an extraordinary range of geothermal wonders, including Old Faithful, colorful hot springs like Grand Prismatic Spring, and hundreds of geysers. It also boasts America’s largest concentration of megafauna, including elk, bison, bears, and wolves.
Montana’s West Yellowstone entrance is the most popular gateway, especially for RV travelers who want full hookups and easy access to park highlights.
Top Gateway Campgrounds for Yellowstone (Montana Side):
Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA (West Yellowstone, MT): Only five miles from Yellowstone’s west entrance, this KOA is open May through late September and features full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, and cabins. Onsite amenities include a heated indoor pool, hot tubs, mini golf, bike rentals, and evening pancake breakfasts and BBQ dinners. This is an ideal base for families who want both adventure and comfort.
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park (West Yellowstone, MT): Located just outside the park boundary, this highly rated RV park offers spacious, paved sites with full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, laundry facilities, and a playground. It’s within walking distance of West Yellowstone’s shops, restaurants, and the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.
Red Rock RV Park (Island Park, ID): Although located just 22 miles from Yellowstone’s west entrance, this RV park in Island Park, Idaho, is surrounded by meadows, forests, and mountain views. It’s known for peace and quiet, away from the tourist bustle, with large pull-through sites, a dog park, and easy access to hiking and fishing.
Why Stay Outside the Park?
While Yellowstone and Glacier have some incredible in-park camping, there are several benefits to staying at private RV parks nearby:
1) Flexible reservations: These campgrounds often have better availability and less competition than in-park sites.
2) Full hookups: National park campgrounds often lack electric, water, and sewer connections. Private campgrounds usually provide all three.
3) Amenities: Think Wi-Fi, laundry, playgrounds, restaurants, and even spas or ice cream shops.
4) Ease of access: Many of these campgrounds are just a short drive from park entrances, and some offer shuttles or tour connections.
5) Big-rig friendly: If you have a larger RV, you may not fit in many in-park sites. Gateway campgrounds typically accommodate all rig sizes.
Exploring Montana’s National Parks
Montana offers some of the most unforgettable camping experiences in the country—but that doesn’t mean you have to rough it. By choosing a well-located private campground near Glacier or Yellowstone, you can enjoy modern conveniences while still immersing yourself in the wild beauty of the parks.
Whether you're hiking Glacier's alpine trails or marveling at Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders, your gateway campground provides a comfortable retreat at the end of each adventure-filled day. With plenty of RV-friendly campgrounds near Montana’s national parks, you can enjoy the best of both worlds—rugged exploration by day, and relaxing comfort by night.
