Own an RV? Beware Glacier National Park!

Own an RV? Beware Glacier National Park!

If you’re traveling the U.S. in an RV and planning to hit Glacier National Park, stop and read this first. Glacier is one of the most spectacular national parks in the country—but it’s also one of the least RV-friendly. And that’s not just a figure of speech.

Before you roll up to the gates with dreams of alpine lakes and epic drives, here’s what you need to know.

The Big Problem: Size Limits on Going-to-the-Sun Road

Going-to-the-Sun Road is Glacier’s most famous scenic route. It cuts straight across the park, offering jaw-dropping views and access to popular trailheads like Highline, Hidden Lake, and Avalanche Lake.

But RVs and travel trailers? Not allowed.

Vehicles over 21 feet long, 8 feet wide, or 10 feet high are banned from this road between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. That means if your rig is even slightly oversized—including mirrors—you’ll be turned around or denied access entirely.

If you’re towing, you’ll need to unhitch. If you’re driving a Class A motorhome, forget it. Even many Class Cs won’t make the cut.

So what happens? You’ll miss the most scenic drive in the park—and possibly a lot of key stops—unless you make alternative arrangements.

Quick Tip: Measure your RV before you go. Don’t guess. Width is counted mirror-to-mirror.

Campgrounds: Limited RV Options, Fast Booking

Glacier has 13 campgrounds, but most aren’t built with modern RVs in mind. Only a handful offer sites that can accommodate anything over 25 feet, and even fewer provide hookups (as in, almost none).

Sites that can fit larger rigs are mostly at:

  • Apgar Campground (West Glacier side)

  • St. Mary Campground (East side)

  • Fish Creek Campground (somewhat limited)

  • Many Glacier (tight turns, book early)

And they book fast. We’re talking minutes after reservations open on Recreation.gov. First-come, first-served is a gamble unless you arrive early in the morning and are comfortable dry camping with no hookups for days.

If you’re used to pull-throughs, 50-amp service, and dump stations at every stop, Glacier might be a rude awakening.

Alternative: Look outside the park. West Glacier and East Glacier have private RV parks with full hookups and shuttle access into the park.

Parking Woes Inside the Park

Even if you park your RV at your site or outside the park, getting around Glacier can be a pain. The most popular trailheads and day-use areas have tiny parking lots that fill by 7:00–8:00 AM in peak summer.

That means you’ll either need to:

  • Get up at dawn every day

  • Use Glacier’s free shuttle system (slow, often crowded)

  • Rent a small vehicle or e-bike

  • Book a guided tour

Spoiler: That shuttle won’t let you bring in your RV either.

Weather Can Be Brutal on RVs

Even in peak summer, Glacier can turn on you. Temps swing wildly between 90°F afternoons and 40°F nights. There’s frequent wind, sudden rain, and even snowstorms as late as June or as early as September.

Dry camping in those conditions, especially in a poorly insulated RV, isn’t fun. Some campgrounds are fully exposed, with no shade or wind protection.

And don’t forget: No cell service in most of the park. If you rely on an app for generator settings, weather alerts, or even camp recipes, it could be a rough few days.

What to Do Instead

If you’re set on visiting Glacier with your RV, you’ve got two solid options:

1. Park the RV and Downsize

Book a private RV site outside the park with full hookups and drive your tow vehicle or rent a car. You’ll have more flexibility, less stress, and you won’t be white-knuckling every turn on narrow mountain roads.

2. Take the Red Bus Tour

These historic open-top buses do all the driving for you. They run along Going-to-the-Sun Road and stop at scenic viewpoints. It’s pricey but worth it if you’re committed to staying in the RV.

Book early—they sell out fast.


Final Take

Glacier National Park is absolutely worth seeing, but it’s one of the most complicated national parks to visit with an RV. Between size restrictions, tight campsites, and long stretches of road with no services or turnarounds, it can quickly go from dream trip to logistical nightmare.

If you plan ahead, downsize your expectations (or your vehicle), and stay flexible, you can make it work. But if you just bought a big new rig and thought you’d coast across the Rockies in luxury? Beware. Glacier doesn’t bend for anyone.

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