Glacier Park Questions

[KLAIT]

We were thinking of possibly taking a trip to Glacier...but I am so unfamiliar with this area that I have not a clue what there would be to do and where the best area to stay would be. We would be there in Mid June..as soon as the kids got out of school.

Please let me know your thoughts. DH is tired of my kind of vacations and would like to do something like this...

Thanks!

 

[Suzann]

I'm planning a trip as well! I would love to know any insider tips from people that have been before!

 

[decaff38]

First, you will love it!! I just returned from Missoula on Tues. Miss it already!! Travel wise the best route is to take the interstate(80 miles and hour) to Missoula and then drive up from there. You'll see allot of mountains, lakes, streams and wildlife. Going back you could go on Hwy 2( 2 lane but rural) . It takes 16 hours(1000miles) straight through to get from Bemidji, MN to Missoula,MT and Glacier is about 3 hours north. You will love the drive and the scenery ( once you get past Billings) . If you stay in Missoula, stay at the Staybridge Suites on Reserve Street. It is a top notch hotel with a reasonable price ( full breakfast, basketball court, pool table, theater room, etc..) Check Trip Advisor. I lived around there for 10 years and everything is cool. There are allot of little shops and scenic routes. Specifics I don't remember but go on the websites for Missoula, MT, Glacier and Whitefish, MT. Your kids will love this trip. It is long and a bit boring for the first part but the end is fabulous!!

 

[decaff38]

Forgot to say that Amtrak goes right through Glacier. If you are flying, fly into Spokane (much cheaper) and rent a car to do your touring!

 

[BethID]

I am from the Spokane area. It is about 4-5 hours from here depending on which way you go. One thing to find out- is Going to the Sun road open yet? That is the road in Glacier that connects the east and west sides of the park. I read that the snow is so bad, the pass will not be open until July 1st.

We went last year for 3 days. We ended up staying at the KOA on the west side of the park in one of their cabins. Had a swimming pool for the kids. Had showers for Mom It was maybe 3 miles to the entrance. I don't think any of the campgrounds within the parks had showers.

We spent one day going up Over the Sun road. Stopped at the top and did a hike to Hidden Lake overlook. Saw lots of mountain goat and dulles sheep. Then we went and looked around the east side. We want to stay at Two Medicine on the east side next time. We also hiked up to Avalanche Lake on the west side.

There are certainly lots of beautiful scenery. The Park Service is now offering shuttle buses, so you can actually site see and I would recommend taking those. Glacier is one of the most beautiful national parks. Hope you have a great time.

 

[figment52]

From 1975 to 1980 we did what I called the "National Park tour" - Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Northern California and Montana. Of all of them Glacier was my Favorite!!!

It was the least visited of them all and therefore the best preserved. I am not a camping kind of person so we stayed in the lodges/hotels that were built by the railroad and they are beautiful. Of all the parks that is the one I would like to visit again because I lost custody of our photos from those trips.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

We go to Montana every year and manage to head up to Glacier every few years. We just went last year, I love that park. The Going To The Sun Road goes through the park. If you stop at the Logan Pass Visitors Center, take the hike up Logan Pass. In June you will probably encounter snow. Wear hiking boots. We walked along with a group of Mountain Goats to get to the overlook. We also saw Bighorn Sheep along the way. It is not a strenuous hike, probably moderately difficult. Easy for anyone who is healthy and can walk around WDW all day.. Pull over and take a quick brisk(very) dip in St. Mary Lake..feels really nice and COLD...

Have a great time!