Sprague Creek Campground – Glacier National Park, Montana

Sprague Creek Campground is a small, scenic, and highly sought-after campground located on the shores of Lake McDonald inside Glacier National Park. Known for its peaceful atmosphere, lakeside views, and close access to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, this campground delivers one of the most intimate and picturesque camping experiences on the park’s west side. Its quiet loops and proximity to the lake make it especially popular with couples, tent campers, and travelers seeking a calm forest retreat.

Location & Setting

Sprague Creek sits along the northeastern shore of Lake McDonald, approximately 9 miles from West Glacier. Set within a dense cedar and hemlock forest, the campground offers a quiet and shaded environment with direct access to the lake’s shoreline. Many sites are just a short walk from the water, where views stretch across the lake to the mountain peaks of the Continental Divide. Its location along the Going-to-the-Sun Road also provides exceptional convenience for exploring scenic pullouts, day-use areas, and trailheads throughout the west side of the park.

Campground Overview

Sprague Creek Campground is one of Glacier’s smallest developed campgrounds, with around 25 sites designed primarily for tents and small camping setups. Because the road and loops are narrow, trailers and RVs are not permitted here, creating a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. The small size and lakeside setting make this one of the most desirable campgrounds in the park, with sites offering shade, privacy, and easy access to the beach. Its intimate layout makes it feel more like a quiet forest retreat than a traditional national park campground.

Amenities

Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring, and the campground provides modern restrooms with flush toilets and potable water during the main season. There are no showers, hookups, or dump stations on-site, reinforcing its tent-camping focus. The campground does offer convenient walking access to the lake and to nearby sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Lake McDonald Lodge area, which includes dining, a camp store, boat tours, and trailheads, is just a short drive or walk away, giving campers access to additional services without sacrificing the quiet feel of Sprague Creek.

Activities & Nearby Trails

From Sprague Creek, campers can enjoy lakeside strolls, photography, fishing, and easy access to water activities like kayaking and boating from nearby launch areas. Trails around Lake McDonald Lodge—including the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake—are within a short drive. The campground’s location along the Going-to-the-Sun Road makes it an ideal starting point for exploring scenic overlooks, wildlife viewing areas, and hikes leading into Glacier’s interior valleys and waterfalls. Evening sunsets across Lake McDonald are especially beautiful from the nearby shoreline, making this a favorite spot for photographers.

Summary

Sprague Creek Campground is a peaceful, intimate, and beautifully situated campground that offers one of the most relaxing places to stay in Glacier National Park. With its small loops, lakeside access, forest shade, and easy reach of major west-side attractions, it provides a perfect blend of scenery and serenity. For tent campers and travelers seeking a quieter alternative to the larger valley campgrounds, Sprague Creek is a standout choice on Lake McDonald.