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Rising Sun Campground
NPSNational Park Service — West Glacier · Montana · Glacier National Park
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Glacier National Park |
| Location | West Glacier · Montana · Glacier National Park |
| Sites | 81 public sites counted from the federal listing — 80 standard nonelectric; 1 hike to |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 81 sites Water hookups at 0 of 81 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 81 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 81 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 21 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 0 sites · 30 ft: 0 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 82 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Phone | (406) 732-7708 (Mid-May through to September only) (406) 888-7800 (October to Mid-May only) |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-06-30.
From the official listing
Overview Rising Sun Campground is located just west of St. Mary and halfway along St. Mary Lake. Campers at Rising Sun will enjoy beautiful sunrises in the morning with Red Eagle Mountain as a backdrop, and the campground serves as a convenient base camp to many day hikes located east of Logan Pass. Some sites are open, allowing for cool breezes throughout the day, while others are located among trees, accommodating those seeking some shade and privacy. Access to St. Mary Lake can be found at the Rising Sun Picnic Area, across the Going-to-the-Sun-Road from the campground.
During peak summer season, nearby Rising Sun day use area offers lodging, a restaurant, camp store/gift shop, picnic area, and boat tours. Shower facilities may be available at the Rising Sun Motor Inn for a fee. Rising Sun Campground is typically open from early June to early September. During its open season, the campground is located within the Moutain Daylight Time zone (MDT).
Recreation Rising Sun Campground is located on the east side of the park, which boasts some of the best trails available for day hiking. Trailheads start at a higher elevation than those on the west side, so less ascent is required to reach scenic vistas. The Otokomi Lake Trailhead is the closest to the campground and begins at the west end of the Rising Sun Camp store parking lot.
Facilities Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities provide flush toilets and sinks with running water. Communal bear proof food storage lockers can be found spread throughout the campground.
Natural Features Nestled against a cliffside, Rising Sun offers primarily shaded sites. Mixed aspen trees flutter in spring and summer breezes and provide colorful splashes of yellow late in the season. St. Mary Lake which, although too cold and occasionally too rough to swim in, provides refreshing scenery on warm days. Campers at Rising Sun will enjoy beautiful sunrises in the morning with Red Eagle Mountain as a backdrop
Nearby Attractions One must-see attraction is the sister park across the U.S.-Canadian border, Waterton Lakes National Park . As the other half of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Waterton Lakes offers fantastic hiking, scenic boat cruises and several scenic drives all centered around the Townsite of Waterton. Immediately east of Glacier National Park lies the picturesque Blackfeet Indian Reservation , spanning 1.5 million acres. Visit the Museum of the Plains Indian, in Browning, Montana, for a fascinating introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the largest Indian tribe in Montana.
For information on nearby campgrounds, including on US Forest Service land or the Blackfeet Nation, take a look at Glacier National Park's website .
Trip Card — Rising Sun Campground
West Glacier · Montana · Glacier National Park
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | West Glacier · Montana · Glacier National Park |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 21 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 81 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10363618 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.