We Stayed at St Mary East Glacier KOA.

Thinking about staying on the East side of Glacier National Park?  Come on a walk through St Mary KOA while we share the answers to 11 questions you should ask before booking your Glacier National Park Trip. Let’s Get Started. To watch the video version of this blog click here or continue reading below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1MOjP3dD5o

Why Camp on the East side of Glacier National Park?

Many people choose the east side because it puts you closer to some of Glacier’s most iconic hikes and scenery, like Logan Pass, St. Mary Lake, and Many Glacier. Driving from the west side past Lake Mcdonald to see these areas can take over two hours, especially in peak season, so being based on the east side saves you a ton of travel time each day. The east side also tends to be less crowded than the busy west entrance, so you’ll often find more open space and quicker access to trails. For people who want to maximize their hiking time, staying at St. Mary KOA makes a lot of sense.

We’ll talk about wifi later and stay until the end for the most important question but 

Is St. Mary KOA a Good Basecamp for Visiting Glacier?

St. Mary KOA is one of the most convenient private campgrounds near the park. It’s located just outside the St. Mary entrance, only a couple of minutes from the Going-to-the-Sun Road. That means you can get an early start before the parking lots at Logan Pass fill up. But, it’s also a little over 20 minutes to the Many Glacier entrance to the park.  The campground itself is more resort-like than rustic, with pools, a hot tub, a convenience store on-site, laundry facilities, and more. If you like the idea of combining national park adventures during the day with a few comforts in the evening, this campground hits a sweet spot and is better than staying in Glacier National Park.  

Let’s get into campsite details now and later we’ll discuss what is available for kids

What will People Find at Their Campsite at St. Mary KOA?

Each site comes with the basics you’d expect from a KOA: a level pad, a picnic table, and a fire ring. RV sites typically have full hookups—water, sewer, and 30-amp and/or 50-amp electrical service.  Some premium sites have patios or more open views of the mountains. But, you’ll notice as we walk like many KOAs the RV sites are generally a parking lot with minimal space.  Still, with full days in the park the campground was quiet during our stay and we didn’t spend a lot of time hanging out at our campsite.  If you’re staying in a cabin, you’ll find beds, electricity, and heat, but you’ll need to bring your own linens unless you rent them from the campground. Many of the tent sites are located in the wooded area near Lower St Mary Lake and have privacy. But some also have water and electricity.   

Let’s discuss wifi now and later discuss the amenities you’ll discover in the campground

Is There Wi-Fi or Cell Service at St. Mary KOA?

One of the big advantages of staying here is that you get access to Wi-Fi,  maybe.  We’ve noticed on recent reviews that their wifi is down at the moment.  When they have service and when we visited the wifi was usually good enough for email, maps, and quick uploads. Cell coverage in St. Mary itself is also stronger than in the park, though it depends on your carrier.  But, recent upgrades in the area  give AT&T, Verizon, and T-mobile decent service in the campground.  For people working remotely or wanting to stay connected while traveling, this makes St. Mary KOA much easier than the national park campgrounds.  

We’ll discuss the campground amenities next but

Are you liking this walk and talk format?  We share all the campgrounds we stay at in this manner so you can see as much as possible.  Subscribe to our YouTube channel today for more videos on Glacier National Park and when you search the next park we’ve been to our videos come up at the top of your search results.  to get the GLACIER GUIDE ANTI REGRET CHEAT SHEET click this link: https://www.campbrood.com/glacier-guide Ok back to the questions and 

How are the Amenities at St. Mary KOA?

After a long day of hiking, you can soak in the hot tub or cool off in the pool or do both. There’s also a lake within walking distance where you can relax or take photos of the surrounding peaks. The laundry room is convenient if you’re on a long road trip and need to catch up on chores, and there’s a camp store stocked with snacks, firewood, and last-minute gear. These extras make it especially appealing for families or anyone who wants a bit more comfort after roughing it on the trail.  You will also find clean bathhouses with hot showers.  For dogs you will find a Kamp K9 near the entrance and waste stations throughout the campground with doggie bags available.  We also saw a stray dog that hangs around the campground so keep your animals on leash even though the dog was not a bother.  

With Glacier National Park next door you may wonder

Do the St Mary KOA Campsites Have Views of Glacier National Park?

St. Mary KOA is perched near the entrance to the park, and depending on where your site is located, you can get sweeping views of the mountains and even St. Mary Lake like these pictures. Some of the premium RV sites and tent areas look right out toward the peaks, which makes for spectacular sunrises and sunsets. That said, not every site has a postcard-perfect view, but a short walk through the campground will open you up to the beautiful landscape. 

Before we continue

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ok back to the list and 

If you are looking for those beautiful sunsets you may also ask

Are Campfires Allowed at St. Mary KOA?

Most sites come with a fire ring, and campfires are allowed when fire restrictions aren’t in place. Because Glacier’s east side can be very dry in late summer, fire bans do happen, so it’s always best to check with the office when you arrive. The campground store sells firewood, and many guests enjoy winding down their evenings with a campfire after a day of hiking. If fires aren’t allowed during your stay, the cabins and RVs with hookups give you backup comfort options.  Some people complain about the smoke in the campground which makes sense with the narrow sites but we didn’t have any issues during our visit.  

Every campground is a little different so 

What is the Atmosphere Like at St Mary KOA?

The atmosphere at St. Mary KOA is more like a basecamp resort than a rustic wilderness experience. During the day, you’ll see families heading to the pool, hikers loading up for trails, and RVers relaxing outside with mountain views in the background. But, it’s pretty quiet.  Most everyone is here to hike and visit Glacier National Park.  Evenings often bring campfires, stargazing, and people gathering at the campground store for ice cream, share experiences, or to restock. It’s friendly, and while you won’t get solitude here, you will get a comfortable place to recharge between long days in Glacier National Park.  

Before we continue, what are you looking forward to in Glacier?  Join the conversation and share in the comments. If you want our free anti-regret guide to Glacier National Park click here . 

If you are bringing a family you will want to know

What is There for Kids to do at St. Mary KOA?

Families traveling with kids will find plenty to keep them busy at St. Mary KOA. The pools and hot tub are a big hit, offering a fun way to cool down or splash around after a day exploring the park. But you can also practice your putting on the nearby putting green.  The campground has open areas for play, a playground, horse shoes, bean bags, walking paths, and access to a nearby lake where kids can skip rocks, fish, or just enjoy the scenery. KOAs often organize family-friendly activities during the summer, like ice cream socials or evening programs. While Glacier’s hiking trails are the main attraction, the KOA gives kids a chance to have fun downtime between adventures.

What is There to do in St. Mary Besides Camping?

St. Mary is a small gateway town so don’t expect much, but it has just enough to keep visitors comfortable when they’re not out exploring Glacier National Park. You’ll find a handful of restaurants, including a pizza place, that serve hearty meals after a long day on the trail. On the way to Many Glacier we recommend The Cattle Baron Supper Club if you like beef.  You wouldn’t expect it from the outside but the inside is decorated nice and the meals are great.  There are also a couple of small markets and gas stations where you can stock up on essentials in town. But expect to pay a premium.  One highlight is the St. Mary Visitor Center, located right at the park entrance, which offers ranger programs, exhibits about the Blackfeet Nation, and sweeping views of St. Mary Lake. We also filled up our water bottles here.  Many visitors also enjoy taking a boat tour on St. Mary Lake for a different perspective of the mountains, or spending time fishing, kayaking, or photographing the area’s famous sunrises and sunsets. While the town is small, it serves as a practical and scenic hub for everything you’ll want to do on Glacier’s east side.

Are There Bears in the Campground?

Bears do live in the St. Mary area, and it’s always possible for them to pass through the campground. Both black bears and grizzly bears are common on the east side of Glacier National Park, and since St. Mary KOA sits right on the edge of wild country, campers should always be bear-aware. The campground provides bear-proof trash bins and asks guests to keep food stored properly when not in use. While sightings inside the KOA are rare because of the activity and noise, it’s important to treat the area like bear country: never leave food out, clean your cooking area, and follow campground rules. Many guests enjoy the reassurance of being in a more developed, well-monitored campground while still staying close to Glacier’s rugged wilderness.  But, be comforted that the campground does monitor and takes steps to reduce bear encounters.  

To continue planning your first trip to Glacier National Park read this next!