Photo: NPS Photo

Bowman Lake Campground

48 sites · $15–$25 · First come, first served · No RVs

Loading map…

First come, first served$15–$25 / nightClosed now: Winter Closure

No reservations. Sites are first come, first served, so arrive early.

🧭 Directions Apple Maps

48Sites

48First come

$15–$25Per night

NoRVs

Reservations

Sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Fees

Bowman Lake summer status Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted.	$25.00
Bowman Lake primitive status Campsite capacity is limited to eight people and two vehicles, where space is available. A maximum of two tents per site is permitted. When campgrounds are open in primitive status there are special considerations regarding water and sanitation. No potable water sources or dump station facilities are provided during the primitive camping season.	$15.00

Season & hours

Bowman Lake

Bowman Lake Campground's typical summer season is from mid-May to early September. If the weather permits, a primitive camping season can extend into the fall between early September and the end of October.

🕑 Weather Dependent Primitive Fall Season: Sep 6, 2027 – Oct 31, 2027

⛔ Winter Closure: Nov 1, 2026 – May 11, 2027

Amenities

Toilets · Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers · none
Drinking water · seasonal
Trash / recycling · seasonal
Laundry · none
Camp store · none
Firewood for sale · none
Ice for sale · none
Food storage lockers · seasonal
Dump station · seasonal
Amphitheater · none
Camp host · seasonal
Cell reception · none
Internet · none

RVs, trailers & access

RVs	Not allowed
Trailers	Not allowed
RV notes	RVs and truck and trailer combinations are not permitted at Bowman Lake due to the nature of the long, narrow, and windy dirt road to the campground. Turning vehicles around (3-point turns) is difficult.
Roads	Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Type	Limited Development Campground
Campfires	Picnic tables and fire rings provided. Dead wood on the ground may be collected for use as fuel for campfires along Bowman Lake Road.
Wheelchair	2 campsites (#3, 7)
ADA	Pit toilets are located in the campground, but they are not fully accessible.
Also	Potable water is available through water spigots in the campground, and there are pit toilets and a day use picnic area nearby. There are day hiking opportunities near Bowman Lake for hikers eager to experience Glacier's wilderness. Fisherman, canoers, and kayakers will enjoy Bowman Lake. Motorized vessels are allowed on Bowman Lake but are limited to 10 horsepower or less. All boats must be inspected for Aquatic Invasive Species prior to launch (the nearest site is at the Polebridge Ranger Station), and motorized craft are subject to a 30-day quarantine.

Getting there

West Glacier, MT 59936

Bowman Lake campground is located in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park approximately 32.5 miles from the west entrance, and 30 miles from the Canadian border. The drive to Bowman Lake is a very slow, dusty, and bumpy ride on dirt roads, and passes through the tiny community of Polebridge. The campground is roughly 6.3 miles from Polebridge.

Contact

(406) 888-7800 · glac_questions@nps.gov

Other campgrounds in Glacier

Apgar194 sites · $20–$30 · Reservations · RVs to 40 ft Avalanche87 sites · $30 · Reservations · RVs to 26 ft Cut Bank14 sites · $20 · First come, first served · No RVs Fish Creek178 sites · $30 · Reservations · RVs to 35 ft Kintla Lake13 sites · $15–$25 · First come, first served · No RVs Logging Creek7 sites · $15 · First come, first served · No RVs Many Glacier109 sites · $20–$30 · Reservations · RVs to 35 ft Quartz Creek7 sites · $15 · First come, first served · No RVs Rising Sun84 sites · $30 · Reservable + first come · RVs to 21 ft Sprague Creek25 sites · $30 · Reservations · No RVs St. Mary148 sites · $20–$30 · Reservations · RVs to 40 ft Two Medicine100 sites · $20–$30 · Reservations · RVs to 35 ft

About Bowman Lake

Bowman Lake Campground is located in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park approximately 32.5 miles from the west entrance and 30 miles from the Canadian border. The drive to Bowman Lake is a very slow, dusty, and bumpy ride on dirt roads. Trailers are not permitted. The campground is located close to the shore of Bowman Lake and camp sites are within trees for shade and some privacy. Tent campers looking for peace and quiet will enjoy Bowman Lake for its serenity and remote location.

Photos

clouds, conifer forest and mountains reflected in lake — View of Bowman Lake from shoreline near campground · NPS / Bill Hayden

A camper wearing a bright hat warms their hands near a campfire in a forest clearing. — A camper wearing a bright hat warms their hands while squatting near a campfire in a forest clearing. · NPS Photo

Campsites

Site-by-site details (sizes, hookups, shade) for this campground are coming soon.

Conditions at camp

🌤️ Forecast

Wed, Nov 11

Tonight

35°F

Mostly Cloudy

Thu, Nov 12

Day

52°F

Mostly Cloudy

Thu, Nov 12

Night

35°F

Mostly Cloudy

Fri, Nov 13

Day

49°F

Partly Sunny

Fri, Nov 13

Night

33°F

Partly Cloudy

Sat, Nov 14

Day

50°F

Partly Sunny

Sat, Nov 14

Night

32°F

Mostly Cloudy

Sun, Nov 15

Day

47°F

Partly Sunny

Source: National Weather Service (weather.gov)

🔥 Wildfires nearby

No active fire perimeters nearby. ✅

Source: National Interagency Fire Center (WFIGS)

🗓️ Typical weather

Glacier's weather is highly variable and can be extreme. Warm days and cool nights are the norm in summer. Even when it's in the 80s and 90s in the daytime it can cool down into the 40s at night. Hikers setting out on a warm summer day, should still bring along rain gear and lots of extra clothing. Dressing in layers is key to a comfortable visit all year long.

Campground information from the National Park Service. Confirm current status with the park before you go.