Glacier National Park — 7-Day RV Trip From Kalispell
Typical rate: $2,500-$3,300 all-in for two people, 7 days
Glacier National Park is the most dramatic national park in the contiguous US — alpine lakes, glaciers (the few that remain), dramatic peaks, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. The 7-day RV trip from Kalispell covers the major valleys and accommodates the famous 21-foot vehicle length restriction on GTSR.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 7 days
- Launch: Kalispell, MT (FCA airport)
- Distance: ~400 miles
- Recommended class: Class C under 35 ft for campgrounds; rent a small SUV or use NPS shuttle for Going-to-the-Sun Road
- All-in budget: $2,500-$3,300 for two people
- Best months: July-mid September (GTSR fully open; campgrounds available)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Kalispell pickup → Apgar
- Morning: Pick up RV at Kalispell rental
- Drive: Kalispell to Apgar Campground — 32 miles, 50 min via US-2
- Afternoon: Lake McDonald Lodge area; Avalanche Lake (12 mi from Apgar)
- Evening: Lake McDonald sunset (the iconic Glacier photo)
- Camp: Apgar Campground ($25/night)
Day 2: West Glacier full day + GTSR transit
- Morning: Take NPS shuttle from Apgar east toward Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Road (or drive your rig only as far as Avalanche Creek)
- Important: Vehicles over 21 ft long, 8 ft wide, or 10 ft tall cannot drive the Avalanche Creek to Sun Point section of GTSR
- Afternoon: Hidden Lake Overlook hike from Logan Pass (2.7 miles round-trip)
- Evening: Return to Apgar
- Camp: Apgar
Day 3: Apgar → St. Mary
- Drive: Drive around the park via US-2 South and US-89 North (NOT through GTSR if your RV is over 21 ft) — 100 miles, 2h 30min
- Afternoon: Set up at St. Mary Campground or Rising Sun Campground
- Evening: St. Mary Lake area; Wild Goose Island overlook
- Camp: St. Mary Campground ($25/night)
Day 4: St. Mary area + Sunrift Gorge
- Morning: St. Mary Falls + Virginia Falls (3 miles round-trip)
- Afternoon: Drive to Sun Point and Wild Goose Island overlook
- Evening: Logan Pass sunset (if accessible via shuttle from Rising Sun)
- Camp: Same as Day 3
Day 5: St. Mary → Many Glacier
- Drive: St. Mary to Many Glacier Campground — 35 miles, 1h via US-89 South and MT-3
- Afternoon: Iceberg Lake Trail OR Grinnell Lake (with shuttle boat)
- Evening: Many Glacier Lodge area; Swiftcurrent Lake
- Camp: Many Glacier Campground ($25/night)
Day 6: Many Glacier full day
- Morning: Grinnell Glacier hike (10 miles round-trip — strenuous but spectacular)
- Afternoon: Many Glacier Lodge; Swiftcurrent Lake boat tour
- Evening: Bear safety walking back to camp
- Camp: Many Glacier
Day 7: Many Glacier → Kalispell return
- Drive: Many Glacier to Kalispell — 100 miles, 2h 30min via US-89 and US-2
- Late morning: Empty tanks, refuel, return rental
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 7 days, Class C 26-30 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $215/night × 7 nights | $1,505 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $400-$550 |
| Fuel (400 miles @ 7 mpg @ $3.85/gal) | $220 |
| NPS America the Beautiful pass | $80 |
| Vehicle reservation for park entry | $2 |
| Campground fees (NPS $25/night × 6 nights) | $150 |
| Many Glacier boat tour | $30/person × 2 = $60 |
| Food, propane, dining (2 people) | $400-$600 |
| Total all-in for 7 days | $2,817-$3,167 |
Reservation timing
Critical: Glacier campgrounds and vehicle entry reservations both required for peak season.
- Apgar Campground: opens 6 months ahead at 7 AM Mountain via Recreation.gov
- St. Mary, Rising Sun, Many Glacier: opens 6 months ahead at 7 AM Mountain
- Vehicle reservation: required to enter West Glacier and Many Glacier during peak season (May-September; specific dates vary annually). Released months in advance and 24 hours in advance.
- Many Glacier boat tour: book 4-6 weeks ahead
Going-to-the-Sun Road and the 21-Foot Rule
The most important consideration in Glacier: vehicles over 21 ft long, 8 ft wide, or 10 ft tall cannot drive the Avalanche Creek to Sun Point section of GTSR. This is the iconic, dramatic middle section.
Your options:
- Rent a Class B under 21 ft and drive the full GTSR yourself
- Rent a Class C 22-35 ft, drive only as far as Avalanche Creek from the west, then use the NPS free shuttle service to cross GTSR
- Drive around the park on US-2 South and US-89 North if your rig is too large
The shuttle option is well-developed and reliable. Most large-rig renters use it.
What can go wrong (and what to do)
- Vehicle reservation sold out: try at 7 AM Mountain on the same day-7-AM release for last-minute entries
- Avalanche risk: July occasionally has rapid snowmelt that closes parts of GTSR temporarily
- Animal road blocks: bighorn sheep, mountain goats, occasional bears
- Cellular service: very limited at Many Glacier; better at Apgar and St. Mary
- Cold nights: even July nights can drop to 35-40°F. Pack warm layers.
Variations
From Bozeman MT (combined with Yellowstone)
- 14-day version: Bozeman → Yellowstone (5 days) → Drive north to Glacier (4 hours) → Glacier (5 days) → Return Bozeman
- See Yellowstone + Grand Teton trip guide
Shorter 5-day version
- Skip Many Glacier (Day 5-6) — saves a lot of driving
- More relaxed pacing at Apgar and St. Mary
Off-season alternative
- June: GTSR may still be partially closed for snow; shoulder season pricing
- September: GTSR usually fully open through mid-September; fall color at higher elevations
- Winter: Park access very limited; not recommended for RV trips
Class choice math
| RV Class | Glacier Fit |
|---|---|
| Class B under 22 ft | Sweet spot — fits everything, can drive GTSR |
| Class C 22-28 ft | Fits campgrounds; cannot drive full GTSR but shuttle works |
| Class C 30-35 ft | Fits major campgrounds; must drive around park |
| Class A 35+ ft | Limited campground access; skip Glacier or stay at private parks |
For most renters wanting full park access, Class B is ideal. For families needing more space, Class C 26-28 ft with shuttle use works.
Bottom line
The 7-day Glacier National Park trip is the most spectacular RV trip in the Northern Rockies. Budget $3,000-$3,500 for two people. Class B if you want to drive GTSR; Class C with shuttle if you need more space. Book campgrounds and vehicle entry 6 months ahead.
See related guides: Montana state, Glacier NP guide, Class B rental hub.