Lake McDonald Backcountry SUP Camping

West Glacier, Montana

4.0/5

based on 1 reviews

Save

View all 5 photos

All 5 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Description

Added by Noah Couser

Enjoy scenic stand up paddle boarding and backcountry camping in Glacier National Park.

Paddle across gorgeous Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park to a secluded rocky beach for the day, or stay the night at the backcountry camp site just 20 steps from the water. Leave the car just one mile down from Sprague Creek Campground at the pull-off, and SUP, kayak, or canoe across the lake to the tiny peninsula on the Northwest shoreline.

Reservations for the backcountry campsite can be made at the permit office in Apgar Village, or check availability online: nps.gov

The backcountry site has a fire ring, tent sites, and a pit toilet. This is a perfect place to sleep out under the stars if weather permits. Don't forget to hang all food products at the provided hanging pole to keep out of reach of critters both small and large.

Head out early in the day to avoid choppy water, the earlier the better.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Stand Up Paddle

Camping

Fishing

Backpacking

Bathrooms

Beach

Lake

Picnic Area

Scenic

Reviews

Explorer

Noah Couser

Explorer

Lake McDonald Backcountry SUP Camping

10/07/15

Paddling across the lake will make you feel like a sucker for all the times you made this trip hiking 6 flat dusty miles to the backcountry campsite. Paddle your gear to the camp spot and enjoy the scenery and the only burn in your shoulders from the sunshine on your back and not the pack straps of your overloaded pack!

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Backpack to Lincoln Lake

It's a 1600 ft slow increase in elevation. You can walk around the loose rocks going around the lake for an additional 2 miles of hiking. There is a back-country campground at the base of the glacier-fed lake and an amazing waterfall at the opposite end of the of the campground. To camp overnight in Glacier National Park, you're required to have a backcountry permit. Get the latest informatio...

Camp at Sprague Creek Campground on Lake McDonald

Ten miles long and nearly 500 feet deep, Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacial National Park. Sprague Creek is a small 25-site campground on the northeast shore of the lake, about 9 miles from the west entrance of the park. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis and fill up early. Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities provide flush toilets and si...

Hike to the Mt. Brown Lookout

The trail is accessible (though sometimes covered in snow) year-round because the trailhead lies in the lower elevation area of the park. It begins at the Sperry Trailhead, located directly across the street from the lake McDonald Lodge. Follow the Sperry Trail for 1.6 miles until you reach the Mt. Brown Junction and go left up the mountain.Located on top of Mt. Brown is an abandoned fire looko...

Sperry Glacier Basin, Glacier NP

Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to Comeau Pass. The trail climbs steadily, and quickly weeds out the faint of heart, but it is well worth the sore legs. Follow the trail signs to Comeau Pass, and then continue East into the basin itself to find breathtaking views of the entire Sperry Glacier clinging to the North Face of Gunsigh...

Snyder Lakes, Glacier NP

Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead, adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb along the trail until you see the branch off to your left for Snyder Lakes. Continue climbing through wooded trees with glimpses of the surrounding mountains until reaching the lower lake. There is not much for a trail to the upper lake, but it's a relatively painless bushwhack. Catch a few fish, take a cold dive, or...

Hike to Comeau Pass

Your hike will being at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to the Lake McDonald Lodge. As you get moving on the hike, you'll pass the Sperry Chalet. If 17.5 miles seems a little long for a day hike, you can look into staying over at the Sperry Chalet (reservations required). This will mean that you'll be cutting the climb up to the pass to a 1500' elevation gain from the Chalet. You'll be finishing ...

Lake McDonald Backcountry SUP Camping

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Backpack to Lincoln Lake

Camp at Sprague Creek Campground on Lake McDonald

Hike to the Mt. Brown Lookout

Sperry Glacier Basin, Glacier NP

Snyder Lakes, Glacier NP

Hike to Comeau Pass

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps