NPS Advance vs. Walk-up PermitsA wilderness use permit is required for all overnight camping in the park. For tips on how to get a wilderness permit, watch our Permit Tips video.
Advance reservation permits are available for a portion of campground sites in the summer through Recreation.gov. Once all advance reservation permits have been secured, all other wilderness permits are issued via walk-up permits. Please visit the Wilderness Camping Advance Reservation page for details on how to secure an advance reservation permit.
Wilderness permits may be available the day before or day of a desired trip start date. Approximately 30% of all sites in a campground are set aside for walk-up campers. However, that does not mean those sites will be available at all times. Backpackers on longer trips (4 or more nights) may take walk-up sites well in advance. Arrive early the day before your intended trip start date for the best campsite availability. There is a $10 permit fee and additional $7/night per person camping fees, payable at the time of permit issuance. Permits will not be issued after 4:30 pm at any location.
FeesMay 1–October 31: $10 permit fee and additional $7/night per person camping fee payable upon permit issuance online at Recreation.gov or at a wilderness permit office.November 1–April 30: Winter wilderness camping permits are free. Permit Office Locations and HoursThere are multiple permit office locations around the park for visitor convenience. You can use any open permit office to attempt to secure a walk-up permit or to pick up a permit for which you have an advance reservation.
May 1–May 24: Open 8:00 am–4:00 pm*
May 25–September 30: Open 7:30 am–5:00 pm* October 1–October 31: Open 8:00 am–4:00 pm* November 1–April 30: Closed. Visit the Winter Wilderness Camping page for details on obtaining a permit during this period. *Last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
May 25–September 27: Open 7:30 am–5:00 pm*
*Last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
June 1–September 27: Open 7:00 am–5:00 pm*
*Wilderness permits will be issued starting at 7:30 am **Last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
May 22–May 24: Open 8:00 am–5:00 pm*
May 25–September 30: Open 7:30 am–5:00 pm* October 1–October 4: Open 8:00 am–4:00 pm* *Last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
May 25–September 7: Open 7:30 am–5:00 pm*
*Last permit of the day is issued one half hour prior to closing.
Open Year Round: 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Waterton Lakes Visitor Centre staff will only issue pre-existing advance reservation permits that do not require itinerary changes for trips starting at the following trailheads: Waterton Townsite (WTE) Goat Haunt (GSE) Belly River (BRE) Walk-up permits are not available at this location. Advance reservation permits will be issued at 10:00am and 2:00pm MDT The nearest locations to make itinerary changes or obtain walk-up permits are at the St. Mary Visitor Center or the Many Glacier Ranger Station in Glacier National Park. Regulations
Wheelchairs and trained service dogs are appropriate accomodations in wilderness. Due to potential hazardous interactions with bears, service dogs are discouraged. If bringing a service dog into the wilderness, you will be asked to go through a safety briefing at the time of permit issuance and to declare that your dog is current in all vaccinations.
Check out our Accessibility page to learn more.
Wilderness camping is available in 65 designated campgrounds throughout the park, with the exception of the Nyack/Coal Creek camping zone where both designated campgrounds and at-large (undesignated) camping are available.
The maximum party size allowed is 12. Each wilderness campground has 2-7 campsites. Each campsite is limited to four (4) people.
Many of Glacier’s wilderness camping regulations are based on Leave No Trace (LNT) outdoor ethics. LNT tells us that by concentrating impacts, including eating, sleeping, and human waste disposal, we prevent degradation of a broader area. Concentrating impacts essentially creates small pockets of impact and leaves nearly pristine conditions over larger areas.
Learn more about the wilderness character of Glacier.
A wilderness use permit is required for all overnight camping, and must be in your possession while in the backcountry. They are valid only for the dates, locations, and party size specified.
Information regarding the use of stock in wilderness can be found on our Private Stock Use page.
All watercraft (including canoes, kayaks, and packrafts) launched within Glacier National Park MUST be inspected for aquatic invasive species (AIS) prior to launching. More information can be found on our Boating page.
Itineraries must be contiguous. You cannot exit one trailhead and drive to another trailhead to access campgrounds on the same trip. Note: Hiking short road sections on foot—Many Glacier and Two Medicine developed areas, crossing Going to the Sun Road at Jackson Glacier Overlook—to connect longer itineraries is permitted.
Maximum length of stay in the backcountry is limited to a total of 14 nights during the period of July and August.
Special Trip Considerations
A 110-mile segment of The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) runs through Glacier. The designated CDT route and an early/late season alternate route are marked in blue on the Wilderness Campground map.
There are special considerations to take into account before you plan a trip across the International Boundary at Goat Haunt. Please read the information on our Visiting Goat Haunt page for details. Crossing the border without following U.S. and Canadian customs procedures can result in a $5,000.00 fine.
The eastern edge of Glacier National Park meets the western edge of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. A Conservation/Recreation Use Permit is required for all recreational activities on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. If any part of your wilderness itinerary involves starting on, ending on, or otherwise using land within the Blackfeet reservation, you must purchase a Conservation/Recreation Use Permit. A separate permit is required for fishing on the reservation.
For further information call (406) 338-7207.
Interested in doing an overnight river trip? Find all the information you need on our River Camping page. Advance reservations are not allowed for river camping.
Visit our Winter Wilderness Camping page for details on this special, but challenging, time of the year to be in Glacier's backcountry.
Additional Resources
Wilderness Camping Advance ReservationsLearn the steps to secure an advance reservation wilderness camping permit, from start to finish. 
Wilderness Trip PlanningGear lists, maps, and more to help you prepare for Glacier's wild landscape. 
Wilderness Camping Safety VideosWatch the required wilderness safety videos before you arrive to speed up your permit issuing process. |
Last updated: June 4, 2026