Elizabeth Lake Head Campground

Hello, Montana adventurers and nature lovers! When we talk about the crown jewel of our state's wilderness, Glacier National Park immediately comes to mind. Within its vast, breathtaking expanse lies a truly remarkable destination for those seeking a profound connection with the wild: Elizabeth Lake Head Campground. This isn't your average drive-up campsite; it's a coveted backcountry experience, offering unparalleled beauty and a sense of true solitude that only Montana's rugged landscapes can provide.

Elizabeth Lake Head Campground is a testament to the untamed splendor of Glacier National Park. Accessible only by foot via scenic hiking trails, this campground is a reward for those willing to venture deeper into the wilderness. Reviewers consistently rave about the "beautiful hike out in the backcountry" and the "breathtaking views of the clear blue waters and the mountains all around you," with one even declaring it "one of the prettiest lakes I have been to in my life." If you're a Montanan yearning for an unforgettable overnight adventure amidst some of the most stunning alpine scenery on Earth, then Elizabeth Lake Head Campground should be at the top of your list. This article will guide you through what makes this backcountry campground so special, covering its remote location, the essential services it provides, its breathtaking features, and why it’s perfectly suited for locals seeking an authentic Glacier experience.

Elizabeth Lake Head Campground is nestled deep within the backcountry of **Glacier National Park, Montana**. Its address is listed as **Helen Lake Trail, Browning, MT 59417, USA**, which indicates its proximity to the eastern side of the park and suggests that access begins from a trailhead in that vicinity. Browning, Montana, serves as a nearby gateway community.

As a backcountry campground, Elizabeth Lake Head is not accessible by vehicle. Reaching it requires a significant hike, typically involving multi-mile treks through varying terrain. Common access points for Elizabeth Lake are from the Many Glacier area (via trails like the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn trailhead leading to Ptarmigan Tunnel or Iceberg Lake Trail) or from the Chief Mountain Customs Trailhead (via the Belly River Trail). For example, the Belly River Trail to Elizabeth Lake is approximately 9.3 miles with relatively little elevation gain. Other routes, such as those involving Ptarmigan Tunnel, can be much longer and more strenuous, with significant elevation changes (e.g., hiking up and through the Ptarmigan Tunnel involves a substantial elevation gain and loss).

Given its location within Glacier National Park's wilderness, accessibility depends on park trail conditions, which are seasonal and can be impacted by snow, ice, and fallen trees. Visitors must be prepared for true wilderness hiking. Parking is available at the trailheads leading into the backcountry, but space can be limited, especially during peak season. A wilderness permit is required for all overnight stays in Glacier's backcountry, and these must be obtained in advance or on a first-come, first-served basis at ranger stations. Cell service is unreliable throughout much of Glacier National Park, so planning and navigation should be done before entering the park. This remote nature is precisely what makes it an authentic backcountry experience, requiring careful preparation but offering unparalleled rewards.

As a wilderness (backcountry) campground within Glacier National Park, Elizabeth Lake Head Campground offers only the most essential and primitive services, requiring campers to be fully self-sufficient and prepared for a true wilderness experience.

• Designated Tent Sites: The campground provides designated tent areas within the wilderness campsite. These are typically clearings or flattened areas where tents can be pitched, designed to concentrate impact and protect the surrounding environment.
• Food Eating and Storage Areas: Critically, Elizabeth Lake Head, like all Glacier backcountry campsites, has a dedicated food eating and storage area. This includes provided bear poles or bear boxes where all food, beverages, coolers, cooking/eating utensils, toiletries, pet food, and other attractants must be hung or secured to prevent attracting grizzly and black bears, which frequent the area. Food storage regulations are strictly enforced for visitor safety and bear protection.
• Outhouse/Toilet: A single outhouse (pit toilet) is typically provided at backcountry campsites for human waste disposal. Campers should be prepared for basic, unserviced facilities.
• No Potable Water: There is no treated or potable water source at backcountry campgrounds. Campers must carry all their water or bring reliable water filters/purifiers to treat water from natural sources like Elizabeth Lake or the creeks that feed into it.
• No Garbage Service: As with all backcountry camping, a strict "pack it in, pack it out" policy is enforced. Campers are responsible for carrying out all their trash and leaving no trace of their visit.
• No Firewood Provided: Campfires may be prohibited or restricted, depending on current fire danger. Even if permitted, no firewood is provided. Campers must rely on their own cooking methods (e.g., backpacking stoves) or collect small, downed deadwood in limited quantities where regulations allow.
• Wilderness Permit Requirement: While not a physical "service," the permit system ensures controlled access, minimizing human impact and maintaining the wilderness character of the area. A wilderness use permit is required for all overnight stays and must be in possession.

Elizabeth Lake Head Campground is renowned for its exceptional features and highlights, primarily driven by its breathtaking location within Glacier National Park's pristine backcountry.

• Stunning Lakeside Scenery: The campground is located at the head (upper end) of Elizabeth Lake, which is consistently described as "one of the prettiest lakes I have been to in my life." The lake boasts "clear blue waters" and is surrounded by a magnificent panorama of "mountains all around you." This breathtaking natural beauty is the foremost highlight.
• Immersive Backcountry Experience: This is a true wilderness campground, offering an escape from developed areas and providing an authentic backcountry adventure. This appeals to experienced hikers and campers seeking solitude and a deep connection with nature.
• Breathtaking Hiking Trails: Access to the campground involves a "beautiful hike out in the backcountry." The trails leading to Elizabeth Lake, such as parts of the Ptarmigan Trail or Belly River Trail, offer incredible scenery, passing through forests, meadows, and along the lake's shore, providing continuous "breathtaking views."
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Being deep in the wilderness of Glacier National Park, the area around Elizabeth Lake Head Campground is prime habitat for diverse wildlife, including various bird species, deer, and potentially larger mammals like moose, elk, and bears. Bear awareness and safety protocols are paramount due to the frequent presence of grizzlies and black bears.
• Photography Paradise: The combination of crystal-clear lake waters, towering peaks, and diverse forest provides endless opportunities for stunning landscape photography, particularly during sunrise and sunset over the lake.
• Gateway to Further Exploration: Elizabeth Lake is often a stop or base camp for longer backpacking trips or day hikes to other iconic areas, such as Ptarmigan Tunnel or Helen Lake, allowing adventurers to explore more of Glacier's remote beauty.
• Serene and Quiet Environment: Due to its remote, hike-in-only nature, the campground offers profound peace and quiet, far from vehicle noise and large crowds. The only sounds are likely to be those of nature, enhancing the tranquility of the experience.

As Elizabeth Lake Head Campground is a backcountry campsite within Glacier National Park, there isn't a direct phone number for the campground itself. All contact and permit information must go through Glacier National Park.

Address: Helen Lake Trail, Browning, MT 59417, USA (This address is a general geographic marker for the area near the eastern entrance of Glacier National Park, not a specific physical address for the backcountry site itself).

For all official inquiries regarding Elizabeth Lake Head Campground, including wilderness permits, trail conditions, bear safety, and park regulations, you should contact **Glacier National Park** directly.

General Park Information Phone: (406) 888-7800 (Glacier National Park's main line)

For specific information on Wilderness Permits and backcountry camping, it is highly recommended to:

• Visit the official **Glacier National Park website (NPS.gov/Glacier)** and navigate to their "Wilderness Camping" or "Permits & Reservations" sections. This is the authoritative source for all regulations, permit application procedures (which are often required well in advance via Recreation.gov), and current backcountry conditions.
• Contact the specific Ranger Stations within the park, particularly those on the east side like Many Glacier Ranger Station, for localized information and last-minute permit availability. Phone numbers for individual ranger stations might be available on the NPS website.

Remember that cell service is very limited or non-existent in much of Glacier's backcountry, so all planning and permit acquisition must be completed before heading into the wilderness.

For us, the locals of Montana, Elizabeth Lake Head Campground represents the pinnacle of a quintessential Glacier National Park experience. Its suitability for Montanans lies in its offering of a truly authentic, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful backcountry adventure, which is precisely what many of us seek in our own backyard. This isn't a place for casual tourists but for those prepared to earn the stunning views through effort and self-reliance.

The fact that it requires a "beautiful hike out in the backcountry" ensures that the crowds are thinner, preserving the "very quiet" and serene atmosphere that is so crucial for a genuine wilderness immersion. The reward for this effort is immense: "breathtaking views of the clear blue waters and the mountains all around you," leading to what some consider "one of the prettiest lakes" they've ever seen. This unparalleled natural beauty, coupled with the opportunity for solitude, aligns perfectly with the Montana spirit of exploration and appreciation for pristine wild lands.

Furthermore, for locals, the knowledge and preparedness required for backcountry camping – understanding bear safety, packing appropriate gear, and being self-sufficient – are often part of our outdoor ethos. Elizabeth Lake Head Campground is a true test and triumph of that spirit. It offers a chance to disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with the raw, untamed essence of Montana's landscape, creating indelible memories and reinforcing our profound appreciation for Glacier National Park as a national, and indeed, local treasure.

Elizabeth Lake Head Campground

Helen Lake Trail, Browning, MT 59417, USA