Glacier is a backpacking paradise. The park consistently ranks as one of the most popular backpacking parks in the NPS. Famous for its towering mountains, pristine alpine lakes, abundant wildlife, and its 700+ miles of trails, this amazing place is growing in popularity each year.

Many resources are available online for backcountry users to plan their trips. The most important is the Backcountry Guide that is available as a PDF file. In addition to the Backcountry Guide we also have Trail Status Reports, the Daily Backcountry Bulletin, a Backcountry Blog, and a Reservation Status Report. All of these are updated several times per day.

Follow the steps below to start planning your next adventure.

Glacier National Park's current Backcountry Camping Guide is now available online as a PDF document. Please read through the entire Guide. Changes may effect your planned route. Incorrectly completed applications will be returned unprocessed, decreasing your chances of obtaining your planned trip.

Backcountry Camping Guide 2008 PDF file - 1.3Mb

• Backcountry Campground Availability
  Wouldn't it be nice to know if the sites you want were available for that day or not? This link will take you to a map of the park. Click on any campground and you will see the status of how reservations went for last season. Days with no green squares indicate more popular times at that campground.
  Sometime after April 15th the calendar will reset and you will be able to view how the current season's reservation progress is going. The page will update several time an hour to provide current information.

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• Trail Status Reports
  As backcountry rangers and trail crews return from patrols and maintenance activities they update our Trail Status Database. That information is posted to the website every morning, supplying the most up-to-date information possible on trails.
  Updated May through November

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• Daily Backcountry Bulletin
  What's available tonight? We have that information online as well. Just follow the link below to the daily Backcountry Bulletin. This page is updated several times an hour to provide continuously updated information.
  Updated April 15 through October 31

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• Backcountry Blog
  Read reports and backcountry news from some of our Backcountry Rangers.
  

David Restivo and Bill Hayden, NPS

Glacier's Backcountry

Summer Backcountry Camping
This 14 minute video is an essential tool to plan a successful overnight experience in the park. Day-hikers and the casual visitor to Glacier will also enjoy this introduction to the wilds of one of the most spectacular and wild areas in the world.

• QuickTime files
  Small version - 160 x 120 pixels - 10.7Mb
  Medium version - 320 x 240 pixels - 16.1Mb

Winter Backcountry Camping Video
This video will aid in planning a successful winter overnight experience in the park. Park visitors not planning on this level of extreme winter recreation will appreciate the challenges highlighted in this short vignette into Glacier's winter.

• QuickTime files
  Small version - 160 x 120 pixels - 7.5Mb
  Medium version - 320 x 240 pixels - 11.7Mb

Bear Safety in Glacier National Park
Park Wildlife Biologist John Waller explains about bear behavior and how to hike and travel safer on the trails in Glacier National Park. Learn why it's not a good idea to walk quietly and how best to react to a surprise encounter with one of the parks largest and most magnificent residents.

• QuickTime files
  Small version - 160 x 120 pixels - 5.4Mb
  Medium version - 320 x 240 pixels - 8.2Mb

Step 4 - Apply for a backcountry permit

The application may be filled out online and printed or printed and filled out by hand. In either case mail or FAX the completed application to:
Backcountry Reservations
Glacier National Park
West Glacier, MT 59936

406-888-5819

Backcountry Camping Permit Application