Glacier National Park (Montana) announced that it will reopen Avalanche Campground in Spring 2023. The campground has been closed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Medicine Campground and Many Glacier Campground will also be reopening for the camping season. The reopening of the campground is welcome news for outdoor enthusiasts and private campground owners in the nearby area.
The park has implemented a new policy that will require advance reservations for these campgrounds through Recreation.gov. This policy aims to better manage the flow of visitors to the park and provide a more seamless camping experience.
The campgrounds will open this year, and reservations will be available for booking in advance.
Two Medicine Campground opens on June 5 and will require an advance reservation. Many Glacier Campground opens June 9 and will also require an advance camping reservation.
According to park officials, Avalanche Campground is set to open on July 17, although it could potentially open earlier if the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens sooner. The opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road largely depends on the weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Fish Creek Campground will open on May 26 and will require advance reservations. Rising Sun Campground will open on June 5, and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Sprague Creek Campground will also open on May 26 and will require advance reservations.
For private campground owners and operators in the nearby area, the reopening of these campgrounds is a positive sign for the outdoor hospitality industry.
The influx of visitors to Glacier National Park is likely to drive demand for camping in the surrounding area, which presents a significant opportunity for private campground owners and operators to attract more visitors and generate additional revenue.
In order to accommodate visitors with different travel styles and preferences, the park has made some campsites available for reservations four days in advance. For example, visitors can reserve campsites at Many Glacier Campground starting from June 6 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time for stays beginning on June 9.
Additionally, several campsites in each of the campgrounds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, providing visitors with more flexibility and spontaneity.
It is worth noting that some campgrounds will transition to primitive camping, which means that they will have limited amenities and services. For instance, Apgar Campground will transition to primitive camping on April 1, and Bowman Lake Campground and Kintla Lake Campground will operate on a first-come, first-served basis when they open in May.
All-in-all, the reopening of Avalanche Campground, Two Medicine Campground, and Many Glacier Campground in Spring 2023 is great news for outdoor enthusiasts and private campground owners in the nearby area.
The new policy of requiring advance reservations through Recreation.gov aims to improve the camping experience for visitors and provide more certainty and predictability for park officials.
Private campground owners and operators should take advantage of the expected increase in visitors to the area by promoting their services and offerings to attract more business.