Gunsight Lake is a backcountry campground situated in Glacier National Park, positioned northeast of the lake at roughly 4,900 feet elevation. The site offers striking views of Gunsight Pass, Mount Jackson, and Jackson Glacier. Access requires a hike of approximately 6.25 miles along the Gunsight Pass Trail, starting from the Jackson Glacier Overlook on Going-to-the-Sun Road — about 12.6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance. Designated tent sites are spread across the area, with a shared food preparation area and backcountry vault toilet. No treated water is provided; water from the lake must be filtered or treated before use. Bear-resistant food storage is required. A wilderness use permit is mandatory for all overnight stays and must be carried throughout your trip. Advance reservations open through Recreation.gov and are highly competitive, especially for July and August dates.
Per person per night backcountry camping fee
Open Jul through Sep
The general on-sale period runs May 1 through September 30, 2026 on Recreation.gov. A wilderness use permit is required for all overnight camping.
The campground contains seven campsites, four of which can be reserved ahead of time.
Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits — advance reservations and walk-up permits for backcountry camping including Gunsight Lake.
Gunsight Lake wilderness campground: opens July 15, 6 sites (5 with stock), 10 special use areas.
CampgroundTour strives to provide accurate campground information but cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Information is subject to change — please confirm details with the agency managing this facility before booking or making travel decisions. See our Terms of Use.
Gunsight Lake is a backcountry campground situated in Glacier National Park, positioned northeast of the lake at roughly 4,900 feet elevation. The site offers striking views of Gunsight Pass, Mount Jackson, and Jackson Glacier. Access requires a hike of approximately 6.25 miles along the Gunsight Pass Trail, starting from the Jackson Glacier Overlook on Going-to-the-Sun Road — about 12.6 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance. Designated tent sites are spread across the area, with a shared food preparation area and backcountry vault toilet. No treated water is provided; water from the lake must be filtered or treated before use. Bear-resistant food storage is required. A wilderness use permit is mandatory for all overnight stays and must be carried throughout your trip. Advance reservations open through Recreation.gov and are highly competitive, especially for July and August dates.
Per person per night backcountry camping fee
Open Jul through Sep
The general on-sale period runs May 1 through September 30, 2026 on Recreation.gov. A wilderness use permit is required for all overnight camping.
The campground contains seven campsites, four of which can be reserved ahead of time.
Glacier National Park Wilderness Permits — advance reservations and walk-up permits for backcountry camping including Gunsight Lake.
Gunsight Lake wilderness campground: opens July 15, 6 sites (5 with stock), 10 special use areas.
CampgroundTour strives to provide accurate campground information but cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Information is subject to change — please confirm details with the agency managing this facility before booking or making travel decisions. See our Terms of Use.