Avalanche
Glacier
Montana
Date filmed:2025-07-30
Number of sites:87
GPS:48.678185, -113.818769
Max vehicle length:30 Feet
Check in:2:00 pm
Check out:12:00pm
Quiet hours:10:00 pm - 6:00 am

Amenities and Activities

Amenities
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Picnic Table
RVs
Tents
Flushing Toilets
Trash Collection
Shade
Water Spigot
Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Scenic Driving
Picnicking
Boating
Scenic Overlooks
Amphitheater
Wildlife Viewing
Photography

Things to Do

Into the Montana Woods

Red Meadow Creek Offroad Adventure

Featured: Avalanche, Apgar, Big Creek, Fish Creek, Saint Mary, Sprague Creek, Two Medicine

Join us on a peaceful backroad adventure through the stunning forests of northwest Montana. This route, known as Red Meadow Creek on OnX Offroad, winds through the Flathead National Forest, past Upper Whitefish Lake, and near Whitefish Mountain. The dirt road climbs steadily into dense evergreens, with glimpses of alpine lakes and rugged ridgelines that make every mile worth the drive. Along the way, we explore quiet turnouts, hidden picnic spots, and pristine views of Montana’s wilderness that few travelers ever see. The drive ends with a choice — continue on the Red Meadow Creek route or detour north toward the Canadian border. Either way, this scenic stretch offers a perfect blend of solitude, adventure, and classic Big Sky beauty. Whether you’re planning your own overlanding route or just love the serenity of forest roads, this episode captures the magic of Montana’s backcountry.

Canada Border Roads & Huckleberry Dreams

A Sweet Finish in Big Sky Country

Featured: Avalanche, Apgar, Big Creek, Fish Creek, Saint Mary, Sprague Creek, Two Medicine

Welcome back to our 2025 Campvue Northern Tour on the Cactus Atlas. In this episode, we continue our journey through the forests of Montana, following scenic dirt roads north toward the Canadian border. Along the way, we stop to admire crystal-clear creeks, mountain views stretching toward Glacier National Park, and the quiet beauty of the Flathead National Forest. After reaching the border area, we make a stop at the legendary Polebridge Mercantile for one of their world-famous huckleberry bear claws — the perfect treat to end a long day of exploration. We return to Big Creek Campground, where the evening calm and riverside views wrap up our time in this unforgettable part of Montana. Be sure to catch up on previous episodes of our Northern Tour if you missed them — there’s plenty more scenery, history, and adventure to enjoy.

Between the Mountains and the Mission

Filming in Glacier Country

Featured: Avalanche, Apgar, Big Creek, Fish Creek, Saint Mary, Sprague Creek, Two Medicine

Welcome back to our 2025 Campvue Northern Tour. In this episode, we leave Big Creek Campground in the Flathead National Forest and make our way around to the east entrance of Glacier National Park. Unlike our usual days of pure exploration, today offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at what fuels much of our travels — filming campground drive-thrus for our CampVue YouTube channel and web app. It’s a quieter day, focused on the work that goes into documenting the campgrounds we share with our viewers and building the resource at the heart of our road trips. As the day winds down, we settle into Apgar Campground, near Glacier’s west entrance, ready to explore the park and travel the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road in the next episode. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating the content behind our adventures, this one’s for you.

Driving Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road

Overlooks, Lake McDonald & Camp Views

Featured: Avalanche, Apgar, Fish Creek, Saint Mary, Sprague Creek, Two Medicine

We travel the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park, stopping at overlooks to take in its soaring peaks and waterfalls. A day of awe and reflection ends with calm skies over Lake McDonald. Welcome back to our 2025 Campvue Northern Tour on the Cactus Atlas. In this episode, we experience one of the most breathtaking drives in America — Glacier National Park’s legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. Heading east from our campsite, we wind through towering mountain passes, stop at scenic overlooks, and take in the grandeur of Glacier’s rugged landscape. With every turn, the scale of the park leaves us in quiet awe — jagged peaks, waterfalls, and alpine vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. After a full day immersed in the beauty of Glacier, we return to camp for a peaceful evening. The episode closes with quiet moments at Lake McDonald near Sprague Creek Campground — a fitting end to a day defined by reflection, gratitude, and the unmatched majesty of nature. If you love the calm, the mountains, and the open road, this episode is one to get lost in.

Montana Miles

Scenic Drive from Glacier to Virginia City

Featured: Cabin Creek, Baker's Hole, Avalanche, Apgar, Beaver Creek , Fish Creek, Saint Mary, Sprague Creek, Two Medicine

Rolling south from Glacier through Montana’s valleys and riversides — a peaceful ride filled with winding roads, big skies, and quiet beauty on the way to Virginia City. After several days exploring the beauty of Glacier National Park, we turn south — trading the jagged peaks and alpine forests for the long, open stretches of Montana backroads. This leg of the journey is quieter, more reflective, and captures the kind of peaceful rhythm that only a long drive through the West can offer. Our route winds through valleys lined with golden grass and follows rivers that glint in the sunlight. Every curve of the road reveals another postcard-perfect view — farmland dotted with weathered barns, cottonwoods shimmering in the breeze, and mountains fading into the horizon. There’s a sense of calm in this episode — a simple appreciation for motion, for the sound of tires on dirt, and the small towns that pass by almost unnoticed. Sometimes, road trips aren’t about the destinations or the landmarks — they’re about these moments in between, when you can just sit back, watch the scenery roll past, and breathe. By day’s end, we find ourselves nearing Virginia City, Montana — ready to explore another piece of the state’s fascinating past.

Campground Overview

Avalanche Campground – Glacier National Park, Montana

Avalanche Campground is one of the most popular and scenic places to stay on the west side of Glacier National Park, set among towering cedar and hemlock forest near the base of Avalanche Gorge. With its cool shade, lush vegetation, and direct access to two of Glacier’s most iconic trails, this campground offers an ideal mix of convenience, beauty, and classic Glacier National Park atmosphere.

Location & Setting

The campground is located roughly 15 miles east of West Glacier along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, in one of the park’s most lush and dramatic forest zones. Set at the mouth of Avalanche Creek, the area is defined by dense old-growth trees, moss-covered forest floor, and the sound of rushing glacial water. The location is extremely convenient for accessing the west side of the park, especially the popular Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars areas, both within walking distance from camp.

Campground Overview

Avalanche Campground includes around 85 sites suitable for tents, trailers, and small to mid-sized RVs. Because of tree density, larger rigs may find maneuvering difficult, but most standard sites offer good shade, level pads, and a peaceful forest setting. Loops are arranged within a thick cedar and hemlock grove, giving the campground a cool, quiet, and immersive feel—especially appealing during hot summer days. Avalanche typically fills very quickly during peak season due to its proximity to major attractions.

Amenities

Campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-resistant food lockers. Potable water and modern restroom buildings with flush toilets are available during the main season. There are no electrical hookups or showers, and the nearest dump station is located at the Apgar area closer to the park entrance. As with all Glacier National Park campgrounds, strict food storage rules apply due to the presence of black bears and grizzlies in the area. The nearby camp store and visitor services at Lake McDonald are just a short drive away.

Activities & Nearby Trails

Avalanche Campground is perfectly positioned for accessing two of Glacier’s signature trails. The Trail of the Cedars—a short, family-friendly loop—begins right near the campground and winds through some of the park’s most impressive old-growth forest. From this loop, hikers can continue to Avalanche Lake, a moderate trail that leads to a stunning alpine lake framed by waterfalls cascading down sheer mountain walls. These trails alone make Avalanche one of the most popular day-use areas in the park.

Beyond the immediate trails, campers can continue east along Going-to-the-Sun Road toward Logan Pass for world-class hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic mountain overlooks. Lake McDonald, located to the west, provides opportunities for paddling, photography, and lakeshore relaxation—all easily accessible from the campground.

Summary

Avalanche Campground blends the best of Glacier National Park’s west side: shaded forest camping, rushing glacial streams, iconic trail access, and a quiet sense of immersion in nature. With its unbeatable location along Going-to-the-Sun Road and direct access to Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars, it’s one of the most desirable places to stay in the park. For campers seeking comfort, scenery, and easy trail access, Avalanche is a top-tier Glacier experience.

Nearby Campgrounds