What are the hours and season for Glacier Basin Campground?

Glacier Basin Campground is open Late May – late September. Check-in: 1:00 PM. Check-out: 12:00 PM.

What are the fire rules at Glacier Basin Campground?

Fire rules at Glacier Basin Campground: Campfires in fire rings only. No portable showers except at Moraine Park Campground. No outside firewood. Fire restrictions possible in late summer.

What is the best time to visit Glacier Basin Campground?

Jul: Wildflowers on Bear Lake corridor. Full trail access. Aug: Best weather. Warm afternoons. Sep: Crowds drop. Elk rut audible from camp. Fall colors begin.

What are the best things to do near Glacier Basin Campground?

Near Glacier Basin Campground: Emerald Lake trail (3.6 mi RT from Bear Lake). Bear Lake loop (0.8 mi). Sprague Lake sunrise. Loch Vale (3.7 mi RT).

Is there wildlife at Glacier Basin Campground?

Wildlife alert for Glacier Basin Campground: Black bears active at Glacier Basin — use provided food storage lockers every night. Elk and mule deer common. Mountain lions present in the park — make noise on trails at dawn and dusk.

What are the common problems at Glacier Basin Campground?

At Glacier Basin Campground: Fills up months in advance for summer weekends. Solution: Book at the 6-month rolling window. Weekday reservations are significantly easier to secure.

What are the insider tips for Glacier Basin Campground?

Insider tips for Glacier Basin Campground: Sites in Loop A tend to be most secluded — request the A loop if you want more privacy The Park & Ride across the road has overflow parking if your group has multiple vehicles Group sites are reservable 1 year in advance — if you have 10+ people, put this on the calendar now

What makes Glacier Basin Campground unique?

Sprague Lake at sunrise (1 mile from camp) — a paved, flat trail circling a glacially-carved lake with full Teton-range-style mountain reflections. ADA accessible. Almost no one is there before 7am.

How do I book a campsite at Glacier Basin Campground?

Glacier Basin Campground is a federal campground — book at Recreation.gov (search "Glacier Basin Campground"). Sites are released 6 months in advance and sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/glacier-basin-campground-rmnp to be notified the moment a site opens up.

Glacier Basin Campground

Rocky Mountain NP’s largest camp — Bear Lake Road access and shuttle included

Bear Lake Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO4.7 (3140)8,500 ft

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Glacier Basin is the largest campground in Rocky Mountain National Park with 150 sites at 8,500 ft, 5 miles up Bear Lake Road. Your reservation automatically includes a Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road permit — a major advantage since day visitors must queue for a shuttle. Group sites 1–13 are tent-only in a dedicated loop. The campground sits at the base of glacier-carved terrain with the Bear Lake trailhead cluster — the most popular day-hike area in the park — a short drive or shuttle away.

Things to do nearby

Bear Lake TrailheadSprague LakeEmerald LakeEmerald Lake trail

Best For

FamiliesGroupsBear Lake hikersRMNP first-timers

Site Types

TentRV (max 35 ft)Group tent sites (max 21 ft)

Amenities

Flush Toilets

Drinking Water

Dump Station

Picnic Tables

Fire Grates

Food Storage Lockers

Amphitheater

Group Loop (tent only)

Check-in

1:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Season

Late May – late September

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

21 ft limit in group loop. No hookups. 7-night summer maximum. No portable showers (solar showers at Moraine Park only).

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard: full refund if cancelled 2+ days before arrival. $10 non-refundable reservation fee.

Why campers love Glacier Basin Campground

Glacier Basin is the best basecamp for the Bear Lake corridor — the most popular hiking area in Rocky Mountain National Park. Your Bear Lake Road permit is included with your camping reservation, meaning you drive directly to the Bear Lake trailheads while day visitors queue for the shuttle. 150 sites at 8,500 feet with a dump station, easy town access, and group sites for larger parties.

What's new in 2026

2026: RMNP requires timed entry during peak season. Your camping reservation includes Timed Entry + Bear Lake Road — no separate permit needed.

What campers say about Glacier Basin Campground

"Woke up, drove to Bear Lake in 5 minutes, hiked to Emerald Lake before the shuttle crowds arrived. Perfect."

— Google Reviews

"The Bear Lake Road permit in the camping reservation is huge — saves at least an hour of shuttle waiting."

— TripAdvisor

"Black bear in camp on night 2. Food lockers work — use them. Nothing happened except a great story."

— The Dyrt

Not the right fit if…

✕You need hookups
✕You're in the group loop with a vehicle over 21 ft
✕You want a quieter, less-visited park experience

Frequently asked questions

How much does Glacier Basin Campground cost per night?+

Glacier Basin Campground costs $35 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None. Dump station on-site.

What season is Glacier Basin Campground open?+

Glacier Basin Campground is open Late May – late September. Check-in is 1:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.

Does Glacier Basin Campground have hookups?+

None. Dump station on-site.

What is the maximum RV length at Glacier Basin Campground?+

Glacier Basin Campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.

How do I make reservations at Glacier Basin Campground?+

Glacier Basin Campground is a federal campground — reservations open 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Sites sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.

What is the cell service like at Glacier Basin Campground?+

Moderate. Verizon 2-3 bars near the campground entrance. Drops to 1 bar at Bear Lake trailhead. Download AllTrails maps offline.

How far is Glacier Basin Campground from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Estes Park — 10 miles.

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