Wilderness Camping Advance Reservations
Due to Recreation.gov system requirements, Glacier’s wilderness camping permits will allow groups of 1-4 campers per permit. In order to accommodate groups larger than four, backpackers need to be aware of the following permitting requirements:
- Groups of 5-8 campers will require two separate permits and two separate group leaders.
- Groups of 9-12 campers will require three separate permits and three separate group leaders.
As an alternative for groups larger than four, the park will run two hybrid lotteries using both the Pay.gov and Recreation.gov websites. Applications will be accepted on the Pay.gov website and selected via a random lottery for the following:
- 30 groups of 5-8 campers
- 5 groups of 9-12 campers
- Successful applicant itineraries will be awarded a permit which will be created in the Recreation.gov system by Glacier National Park staff.
Advance Reservations on Recreation.gov
- All advance reservations are self-serve on Recreation.gov.
- On March 15, 2023 at 8:00 am MST, all wilderness campgrounds will be released for advance reservations on Recreation.gov.
- The most efficient way to book your wilderness backpacking trip is online via Recreation.gov. Don’t have access to a computer? You can also call the Recreation.gov Call Center at 877-444-6777.
- 70% of campsites park-wide will be available for advance reservations.
- 30% of campsites park-wide will be available for walk-up permits.
- A Recreation.gov account is necessary to make reservations. Please visit the Recreation.gov website to create an account or to login to an already existing account.
- Groups of 5-8 campers will require two separate permits and two separate group leaders, or may apply via the Pay.gov lottery on March 1 (See below).
- Groups of 9-12 campers will require three separate permits and three separate group leaders, or may apply via the Pay.gov lottery on March 1 (See below).
- We strongly encourage backpackers to use the Recreation.gov advance reservation system to take advantage of higher campsite quotas.
- Glacier National Park is a dynamic resource where natural events and conditions are unpredictable. There is a possibility that trail and campground closures, campground environmental conditions, natural events (such as fires, aggressive animals, etc.), or other NPS management actions may render a particular itinerary impossible. In the event that this occurs, every effort will be made to provide you with an alternate itinerary, however THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR ROUTE WILL BE PASSABLE OR ITINERARY AVAILABLE WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
- $7/Person/Night camping fees are refundable upon cancellation up to seven days prior to a trip start date. $10 permit fees are non-refundable.
Mid-Size Group (5-8 campers) Lottery on Pay.gov
- Due to technical issues, if you previously saved a mid-size application with the intent of submitting it on March 1, you will need to complete a new application and submit it. There is no need to submit an application within the first seconds of the application opening. All applications submitted on March 1 will have equal chance of being chosen in the lottery process. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
- 100% Online application via Pay.gov. Fax, phone, or in-person applications not accepted.
- Thirty (30) mid-size group (5-8 campers) advance reservation applications will be processed using a modified lottery system. All applications submitted on opening day (March 1) between 12:00 am MST and 11:59 pm MST will be randomly sequenced. Only the first thirty (30) mid-size group permit applicants from the randomly sequenced list will be awarded reservations.
- On Pay.gov, search for Glacier National Park applications and select Glacier NP Mid-Size Group Backcountry Advance Reservation Application.
- All applicants must create a Recreation.gov account in order for wilderness permit staff to finalize permit processing. To create a Recreation.gov account, please visit the Recreation.gov homepage. When you create your account, be sure to use the same email and the same phone number you entered on your Pay.gov application. We cannot finalize permit processing without the ability to connect your Pay.gov/Recreation.gov accounts to Glacier National Park’s internal permit system.
- Successful applicants will receive an email notification from Glacier National Park staff prior to March 15 regarding their trip itinerary and instructions for final payment. Payment must be completed within five days of receiving notification or the reservation will be cancelled.
- The application can be pre-loaded on the Pay.gov website with up to four possible itineraries, but cannot be submitted until March 1.
- Limit of 16 miles per day on advance reservation applications.
Large Group (9-12 campers) Lottery on Pay.gov
- 100% Online application via Pay.gov. Fax, phone, or in-person applications not accepted.
- Five (5) large group (9-12 campers) advance reservation applications will be processed using a modified lottery system. All applications submitted on opening day (March 1) between 12:00 am MST and 11:59 pm MST will be randomly sequenced. Only the first five (5) large group permit applicants from the randomly sequenced list will be awarded reservations.
- On Pay.gov, search for Glacier National Park applications and select Glacier NP Large Group Backcountry Advance Reservation Application.
- All applicants must create a Recreation.gov account in order for wilderness permit staff to finalize permit processing. To create a Recreation.gov account, please visit the Recreation.gov homepage. When you create your account, be sure to use the same email and the same phone number you entered on your Pay.gov application. We are unable to finalize permit processing without the ability to connect your Pay.gov/Recreation.gov accounts to Glacier National Park’s internal permit system.
- Successful applicants will receive an email notification from Glacier National Park staff prior to March 15 regarding their trip itinerary and instructions for final payment. Payment must be completed within five days of receiving notification or the reservation will be cancelled.
- The application can be pre-loaded on the Pay.gov website with up to four possible itineraries, but cannot be submitted until March 1.
- Limit of 16 miles per day on advance reservation applications.
Recreation.gov Wilderness Camping Reservation Procedures
A Recreation.gov account is necessary to make reservations. Please visit the Recreation.gov website to create an account or to login to an already existing account.
- A tutorial on applying for a Glacier National Park wilderness camping advance reservation, please see the video that North Cascades National Park has created. North Cascades NP tutorial video. Although this is not identical to Glacier’s system, the general process is the same. We will create our own Glacier specific tutorial video in the coming months.
- In the search bar, type in Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits and click on the blue “Check availability” bar.
- Select a starting area (Goat Haunt, Lake McDonald, etc.). Each starting area has a group of campgrounds associated with it. To see what starting area your first campground is associated with, go to the Wilderness Campground Map, Trailhead, and Area Information page, find the campground and note the area it is listed within. Areas are color coded on the map for your convenience.
- Select your desired dates, enter the number of people in your group, and build your trip itinerary. After building your trip itinerary, select the “Book Now” button. Your trip is not secured until the “Book Now” button is selected. Remember, others will be competing for these same campsites and dates, so users are asked to be ready with multiple itineraries and back-up dates in the event your campsites are already booked.
- If you receive an error once the “Book Now” button is selected, this indicates that the inventory is no longer available, which means that one or more of your desired wilderness campsites are already reserved. At this point, you will have to adjust your campsite selections and/or desired camping dates and try again.
- Once “Book Now” has been selected, and you do not receive any error messages, the itinerary is held, and you have 15 minutes to complete the remaining “Order Details”.
- After completing the order details, select “Proceed to Payment” to pay for the reservation.
- After entering payment details, select “Confirm” and the system will generate an order number and display your itinerary below it.
- Your reservation confirmation is NOT your permit. You must pick up the permit either the day before or day of your itinerary start date at any wilderness permit issuing station in Glacier National Park. Permits not picked up by 4:30pm on their start date will be cancelled.
- If you experience errors while booking your wilderness trip, refresh your screen in Recreation.gov and try again.
- The Recreation.gov website includes important links to detailed information about Glacier National Park’s wilderness backcountry camping, including camping regulations, trail descriptions, and maps.
- To make sure you are ready to book your wilderness backpacking camping trip, take time to review the wilderness campsite map to determine what campsites you would like to book. Make sure to read through all of the available information about wilderness regulations and trail descriptions prior to booking your trip.
Pay.gov Wilderness Camping Large and Mid-size Lottery Reservation Procedures
- Create an account on the Pay.gov website.
- Applications can be pre-loaded on the Pay.gov website with up to four possible itineraries, but cannot be submitted until March 1.
- All applications submitted on opening day (March 1) between 12:00 am MST and 11:59 pm MST will be randomly sequenced.
- For Groups of 5-8 campers, use the Glacier NP Mid-Size Group Backcountry Advance Reservation Application.
- For Groups of 9-12 campers, use the Glacier NP Large Group Backcountry Advance Reservation Application.
- Applicants must also create a Recreation.gov account in order for wilderness permit staff to finalize permit processing. To create a Recreation.gov account, please visit the Recreation.gov homepage. When you create your account, be sure to use the same email and the same phone number you entered on your Pay.gov application. We cannot finalize permit processing without the ability to connect your Pay.gov/Recreation.gov accounts to Glacier National Park’s internal permit system.
- Successful applicants will receive an email notification from Glacier National Park staff regarding their trip itinerary and instructions for payment. Payment must be completed within five days of receiving notification or the reservation will be cancelled.
Cancellation and Refund Policies
- Full refund of $7/person/night camping fees if reservation is cancelled on Rec.gov more than seven (7) days prior to trip start date. The $10 administrative fee is non-refundable.
- Glacier National Park is a dynamic resource where natural events and conditions are unpredictable. There is a possibility that trail and campground closures, campground environmental conditions, natural events (such as fires, aggressive animals, etc.), or other NPS management actions may render a particular itinerary impossible. In the event that this occurs, every effort will be made to provide you with an alternate itinerary when you pick up your permit, however THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOUR ROUTE WILL BE PASSABLE OR ITINERARY AVAILABLE WHEN YOU ARRIVE. Refunds are not available for campground closures.
We recommend viewing the following before submitting an application:
- Wilderness Camping Page
- Wilderness Campground Map, Trailhead, and Area Information
- Trail Status Reports
Recreation.gov Technical Difficulties
If you are having difficulty accessing the Recreation.gov website or are experiencing any other technical difficulties with Recreation.gov, please call Recreation.gov customer support at:
Reservation line – (Toll-Free) (877) 444-6777
Reservation line (International) (606) 515-6777
Reservation line (Only for use with TDD devices) (877) 833-6777
Open every day from 10 am – 12 am EST.
Closed on:Thanksgiving Day (varies), Christmas Day (12/25), New Year’s Day (01/01)
Pay.gov Technical Difficulties
If you are having difficulty accessing the Pay.gov application or are experiencing any other technical difficulties with the Pay.gov website, please call Pay.gov customer service at: 800-624-1373, Option #2. Wilderness permit staff cannot diagnose technical issues related to the Pay.gov website.
Reservations
Parks of the St. Lawrence is one of the largest tourism destinations in Eastern Ontario. Whether it be a camping getaway, a road trip through Eastern Ontario, exploring the picturesque landscapes, or hiking through our extensive trails!
Create a Profile
All campers must create a profile in order to make a reservation.
Discover our campgrounds, choose your site, and start planning your adventure!
Once you’ve decided which campsite you’d like to visit, complete your reservation!
There are countless activities, hikes, landscapes, and road trips to be explored while camping with us!
Campground Fees
Operational Dates
Park Rules
Refund Policy
LSP, Glengarry, Farran Park and Riverside-Cedar Campground Fees (HST not included)
Ivy Lea Campground Fees (HST not included)
Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary Campground Fees (HST not included)
| Crysler Park Marina Campground Fees (HST not included) | |
|---|---|
| Basic Site (no services) | $40.78 |
| Waterfront Site (no services) | $56.54 |
| Premium Waterfront | $59.41 |
| Water / 30 amps Electricity | $54.17 |
| Camper Cabins (Sunday to Thursday) | $110.67 |
| Camper Cabins (Friday, Saturday and Holiday) | $130.47 |
| Camper Cabins (Weekly – 7 Nights) | $740.33 |
Senior Citizen – 65+ years of age (HST not included)
NOTE: All discounts will be applied during check-in.
Other Camping Related Fees (HST not included)
McLaren (and Hoople): May 19 to October 9, 2023
Woodlands: May 19 to October 9, 2023
Mille Roches (and Lock 21): May 19 to September 11, 2023
Park Rules
This is only a summary of basic rules based upon the regulations and by-laws made under the authority of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (SLPC) Act. For a complete description, please refer to this Act, Regulation 1023 and the SLPC By-Laws. These documents are available for examination at the Park Office or The St. Lawrence Parks Commission Administration Building (13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg, Ontario, K0C 1X0). The penalty for violation of the laws that apply in the Parks of the St. Lawrence parks may be eviction from the park or a fine imposed by the Courts or both.
During the peak camping season, guests who book any night that falls during a minimum stay period must create a reservation that respects the 2-night or 3-night applicable minimum. In addition to the night(s) that fall during the minimum stay period, the reservation can include dates leading up to, including, or following the minimum stay dates in order to meet the minimum night requirement.
There is a TWO-NIGHT minimum stay applicable on stays that include:
- July 7 to 9
- July 14 to 16
- July 21 to 23
- July 28 to 30
- August 11 to 13
- August 18 to 20
- August 25 to 27
A guest who is reserving a Friday or Saturday night during these periods, dates must include at least two nights in their reservation.
There is a THREE-NIGHT minimum stay applicable on stays that include:
- May 19 to 22
- June 23 to 26
- June 30 to July 3
- August 4 to 7
- September 1 to 4
- October 6 to 9
A guest who is making a reservation which includes a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night during these periods, must include at least three nights in their stay.
Exceptions:
- The online system will allow campers to reserve a stay shorter than the minimum required where dates are left open between other camper stays respecting the minimum stay period.
- The 2-night minimum applies to roofed accommodation on all weekends all season, regardless of minimum stay periods for campsites.
- The 2-night minimum applies to every Robin’s Roost Treehouse reservation in Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary all season, regardless of date.
