There seems to be many choices for campgrounds out there. I’ve never been and was wondering if anyone had a favorite place? I’d like to do some hiking, so being located near some nice easy trails (not strenuous hikes; I sprained my ankle last month and still am not going to trust it 100% anytime soon for extreme hikes) would be nice. I’ll be car/tent camping (with a Mini Cooper, so no 4WD only sites). I’d prefer some peace and quiet, so the most popular family campground or party spots would not be my first choice.
I don’t have enough experience there to give much advice. I can tell you that it’s a park not to be missed - definitely lives up to its reputation. Going To The Sun highway is one of the finest scenic drives on this planet.
I seem to recall staying at a campground near the east entrance (possibly Rising Sun). It was a standard National Park campground (i.e. fairly nice) and nearly full in early July.
We did some short hikes along the Highline Trail and also on the Continental Divide trail - extremely scenic (and steep in places, especially the latter one). If you start at a reasonably high elevation, I doubt you could find a dull hike anywhere in the park.
Note that grizzly bears are fairly common there and you need to act accordingly. You can get in trouble with park rangers if you leave food out - I believe it has to be stashed inside a vehicle.
I don’t recall that insects were much of an issue. Forest fires can be, especially late in the summer. YMMV.
I camped at St. Mary’s last summer, July 1 or so, with Tripler and Bratti Atti. It’s astoundingly beautiful there. It was also only about an hour from my parents’ house in Alberta so it was handy for us.
The bugs didn’t bother me one bit, but then I’ve lived in Arctic summers.
We camped at fish creek for 1 week two years ago. It was very nice, clean with large campsites. It’s an easy walk down to the lake, there are also a couple of lake view camp-sites. It’s relatively close to the center of activity on that side of the park, with shops, resturant, etc. You are allowed to gather firewood up the gravel road about a mile, I think. This is rather unusual for National Parks. Sprague also looked really nice. Apgar was the travel trailer type of park. Very congested, I would not stay there in a tent. We didn’t have or need reservations in July.
Glacier is awesome. We went there on a whim because the guide on our white-water trip (tame) in Teton said it was his favorite park. We stayed for 2 weeks total. Stayed one week at various hotelish accomodations, including the Canadian side, because Mrsin’s back went out and it was cold and rainy (at night).
If you can, go up to the Waterton Lakes part of the park (the Canadian part). It’s a totally different experience. The camp ground there is nothing to write home about, but you can find relatively cheap accommodations. The boat trip back to the US side is interesting, and you can take a nice hike. We really enjoyed it.
The Canadian side is also spectacular. I spent a summer there at camp one year, and my aunt and uncle live there year-round (right next to the RCMP). It’s beautiful. The Prince of Wales Hotel is something to see, if you like that sort of thing.
We stayed at Avalanche and liked it-- nice trees and some good shortish hikes. Had a bear roll through, and some deer. Also stayed at Many Glacier which I wasn’t as keen on-- less shade and I didn’t like the hikes as much.
By the way, the weather can shift exceedingly quickly and thoroughly. We went out for a hike when it was very hot and sunny, and coming back we were pounded by very cold hail and beating, abusive winds and suffered greatly. No matter how sunny and nice it is, you might keep a jacket with, anyway.
Not much trouble with bugs, which surprised me greatly.