Bowman Lake Glacier National Park

Bowman Lake is in the northwestern portion of Glacier National Park in Montana. It is not commonly visited by most visitors to Glacier National Park, because it is located in one of the more remote areas of the park. It is more well-known among local residents, though, who use the small, uncrowded campground. The lake is accessed via a 6 miles unpaved road from the small town of Polebridge. At 1,706 acres, Bowman Lake is the third largest lake in the park, after Lake McDonald and Saint Mary Lake.

Mountains tower over pristine Bowman Lake. Approximately one mile wide and eight miles in length, this peaceful lake offers a front country campsite at its head and a backcountry one at its base. The Polebridge Mercantile is the only nearby store, so stock up on your camping supplies there.

A picnic area provides day use visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful lunch, and there are day hiking opportunities near Bowman Lake for hikers eager to experience Glacier’s wilderness. Fisherman, canoers, and kayakers will enjoy the recreational opportunities Bowman Lake offers.

The Bowman Lake Trail departs at the northeast corner of campground, near the northwestern lakeshore. 6.7 miles from Bowman Lake Campground to Brown Pass.

With limited amenities, the North Fork invites a self-reliant visitor. Allow all day to drive to and from Kintla and Bowman Lakes, and pack a lunch. The only services in this area are available outside of the park in the community of Polebridge. Cell phone signals are nonexistent, and visitors should be self-sufficient and prepared to enjoy the area without the need of modern conveniences.

A series of fires over the last 30 years have resulted in a broad mix of forests of varying ages, each one attracting a slightly different complement of species. These fires have created large areas of habitat for rare woodpeckers, attracting birders from far and wide to search out the Northern Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpeckers. Today, as the forests continue to mature, different species such as the rare Lewis’ Woodpecker can be found.

Where it is:

This lake lies just west of the Livingston Range of mountains in Montana and just south of the Canadian border in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

Bowman Lake is located in the North Fork area of Glacier National Park, approximately 32.5 miles north of the West Entrance. The drive to Bowman Lake is along a rough, dusty, dirt road with blind curves and limited pullouts, and passes through the tiny community of Polebridge and sections of the park that burned in 1988.

Driving in the North Fork requires careful attention. A four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, and the ability to change a tire are recommended, as flat tires are a common problem. Vehicles over 21’ in length and/or vehicle- trailer combinations are prohibited at Bowman Lake due to the nature of the long, narrow, and windy dirt road to the campground, and very tight parking areas at each campsite.

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

GPS:

48°49’42.528″ N 114°12’5.382″ W

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Cost:

Entrance Fee by Private Vehicle – 7 day permit

$35.00
(Winter Rate – $25.00, November 1 to April 30)

This is a entrance fee for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van). The permit is non-transferable. Visitors can enter the park at any time, if the entrance station is not staffed, a self-registration area is available for purchasing a 7-day park permit.

Entrance Fee by Individual – 7 day permit

$20.00
(Winter Rate – $15.00, November 1 to April 30)

This is a per person entrance fee for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, or for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. The permit is non-transferable.

Entrance Fee by motorcycle – 7 day permit

$30.00
(Winter Rate – $20.00, November 1 to April 30)
This is a per motorcycle entrance fee. The permit is non-transferable.

National Park passes are accepted.

A shooting star over Bowman lake in Glacier National Park in northern Montana. Shooting star is a common name for the visible path of a meteoroid as it enters the atmosphere, becoming a meteor.

Bowman Lake Glacier National Park Photo Gallery

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More Photographic Destinations in Montana:

Interactive Google Map

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