Travel Answers

Montana

My husband and I are flying in from South Carolina to Spokane renting a car and driving to GNP arriving Friday Sept 6. and will fly out of Spokane home the following Saturday. Right now we have reservations at Glacier Campground in a camper cabin (west Glacier) for the entire stay. My question, should we plan to stay maybe 1 night in East Glacier or is the drive back and forth reasonable? We plan to see as much as possible and try to hike at least some almost every day. Most will probably be shorter hikes and we may try part of Highline Trail but not the whole thing. So I guess I am just not sure about driving back and forth multiple times in a week is doable?? Thanks for any suggestions.

We hope to take the sunset cruise at Gates of the Mountains in early August. Since we don't know the roads out there, would it be risky to drive from the Gates of the Mountains dock area to Wolf Creek after dark? Would it be better to plan to stay in Helena, or is there some campground or accommodation closer to the Gates of the Mountains area?
Thanks!

We want to take the Highline Trail to site GRN(Granite Park) then the next morning take Swiftcurrent Pass to Many Glacier.

1) Am I reading the map right that the Swiftcurrent Pass trailhead is right at Many Glacier?
2) Can we leave our car at Logan Pass or Many Glacier and shuttle to one or the other?
3) Is it better to start at Logan Pass or Many Glacier? (It looks like they are the same distance to GRN)

We are going mid-August and plan to spend two nights in Glacier NP. We want to do this backcountry camping one night and spend one night in Many Glacier campground, but I've heard some horror stories about finding a site there (We work at Disney and the last thing we want to deal with is crazy pushy tourists). Should I just avoid camping there? Also what is a good runner up? (We are tent/hammock camping)

I need to travel from GNP to great falls airport. Don't
Have a car. Is there any reasonable way to get here?
Travel will be in July.

Hi, Does anyone know if Great Falls is worth staying in and, if so, what is the best part. Also, are there any other small towns around there that might be nicer. Travelling in late May. Thanks.

Got a choice between a night in Helena or Great Falls or White Sulphur Springs. Anyone with any recommendations. Many thanks.

Q: Hi! We need advice! That's a mighty big state! Perfect Boyfriend and I are headed your way second week of June. I ride horses; he rides road bikes. We both hike and love music and history, hot springs and lakes. I really really want to see your legendary wide open spaces. We do not like crowds (but June is our sole option). We will have a week. Any guidance appreciated~

when does the ice in lakes that are not in or near yellow stone start to melt.

Hi, I'm going to Glacier in Sept long weekend and was looking for people to team up for hiking Highline trail and/or Grinnel glacier trail. Please reply to this post. Thanks

There has been a rock slide here and the road is closed from Avalanche Creek to Logan Pass, and it is anticipated to be open by Thursday evening, weather and road conditions permitting. This is where you can get an update: nps.gov/glac/parknews/media1...

As mentioned in my previous thread, me and my husband will be driving to Helena from Edmonton, Alberta. I imagine we'll want to drop our bags off at our hotel and head for dinner, but I don't think we'll feel like wandering around looking for something. We're staying at the Days Inn on Prospect Ave. We'll obviously have our car but still probably won't want to drive too far. We'd like something casual, and under20 per person. Suggestions? I've been looking around on Yelp, etc., but I also like to get recommendations this way. THanks.

Hi, I'm taking a solo trip to Glacier in August but would not like to hike solo. If anyone will be around then and would like to team up for some day-length adventures, please let me know!

traveling to Glacier Nat'l Sept. 1 to Sept. 8. Staying in whitefish & plan to ride through one day. Plan to spend the night on the East side. Suggestions?

We're a family of four (2 kids, ages 8 and 10). We'll be visiting GNP around the 4th of July and trying to decide where to spend 3 nights. we're driving up from Yellowstone. Stay in Kalispell? stay in the park? which area? it seems so big. If it helps, after our stay, we'll be driving back towards California (going west). There seems to be a lot of options. I'd like to keep the per night price under200, but will splurge if really worth it. Thanks!

If I arrive at Wolf Point, MT by amtrak train, can I rent a car in Wolf Point?

We'll be passing through Helena and staying for only one night. We'll be arriving from Edmonton, Alberta after a long day of driving so will likely only want dinner and a comfortable bed for that night. We'll have a couple of hours to explore in the morning before continuing on. What's the best part of town to stay in? Thanks.

I am planning a trip to Glacier for June 2012; am mostly interested in photographing the awesome scenery. Traveling with a colleague; we are seniors--loved hiking and camping in our younger years, but want a "softer" trail these days. Looking for a "laid back" place to stay, especially like self catering cabins or cottage--prefer not too isolated; will have a car but also want to take public/tourist transportation, so I can concentrate on the view and my photos; will consider some of the lodges that offer breakfasts. any suggestions welcome. Thx.

Hi Can we book a tour to Yellow stone NP from Helena in early June

Looking to take my Mother to Glacier National Park. It will be our first time there. We know nothing of the Park, what there is to see, or do, or how long our visit would require. This would be a road trip. We're not hikers, but some simple walks okay. Would apprecate a suggested itinerary with what to see & do each day, and where would we need to stay each day? Thank you.

As background, we spent 2 weeks in Yellowstone and Tetons in September of 2010. We didn't get enough of Northern Yellowstone so we are planning a trip back (2-3 weeks) in September of 2012. Mary and I like being outdoors and moderate hiking but also like "town" if it has the right vibe and creature comforts. (example would be Park City Utah or Telluride, Colorado.) So we like a sampler of each and prefer the "blue highways" over inter-states. Only like to drive about 2 hours between stops as we like to take day-hikes and picnics along the way. We have part of this trip figured out but need a critique and some advise: Fly into Billings and spend a coupla' days in Red Cloud to get acclimated and gear. Beartooth Highway into Yellowstone and we spend 3 days in Roosevelt Cabins (have reservations already) Out thru Gardnier and basically taking 89 N. Stop for 1-2 days in White Sulphur Springs Need another stop-over from White Sulphur Springs to Babb( actually Many Glacier Lodge) 3 days at Many Glacier Lodge (have rooms lakeside reserved) Back to Going to the Sun road for east-west traverse thru Glacier Park Need a stop as a "base camp" in the center of the Park for 3-4 days. Need suggestions for the right towns and right lodging to access the whitefish, kalispell, etc "side" of Glacier. Finish up in Missoula to fly home. Thanks in advance for advice and suggestions!

I've been told that the Isaak Walton Inn in Glacier National Park offers deep discounts in January - for obvious reasons. I notice that Amtrak is also offering a 25% discount off of the Empire Builder tickets in January - for equally obvious reasons - but at least I wouldn't have to drive there in the winter. Has anyone here actually ever tried doing Glacier NP in winter? If so, what did you do?

We are planning (have not done reservations) to visit GNP (Montana side), on Sept 23-26 weekend. We will finalize dates based on feedback here and airfare. My questions are: a) Is it too late to visit GNP? Would the roads be open? How would the temperatures be? b) We intend to do simple to moderate hikes. Any recommendations? Thanks

Hi- My wife and I will be driving our 30 ft motor home from West Glacier, MT to Banff next week. My GPS wants to suggest routes that I know won't work(such as through Glacier National Park up and over). Can someone please give me "real world" advice as to the best route to drive my RV and the estimated drive time? THANKS!!

Hi, I'm a 24-year old student from The Netherlands and I'm planning to do some travelling in Montana during the summer next year. While I would love to do a vacation at a ranch, I just can't afford them. So, I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the best places to visit/see, places to stay, events, etc. for someone who's on a budget. Many thanks! Lisette

My husband and I are driving to Portland to visit our son, staying with him in Portland for 5 days and spending a weekend in the Astoria area. Then we plan to drive into Canada to the northern part of Glacier and make our way south through the park and then back to KC. We have 7-8 days to do this part. Is this a realistic time line to spend in the park? We are planning to camp while in the park but not sure about the logistics for this. Can we camp in a couple and of different sites and access the park from there? Any suggestions where we should stay and areas we want to make sure we see? I have looked online and ordered information but specific reccomendations would be very appreciated.

My husband and I are traveling to GNP in July. We are VERY excited.... We are planning on camping 4 nights. I know that the rangers and park strictly enforce the guidelines concerning bears in the campground (for which I am very grateful). We want to make sure we are not encouraging any bears to come visit our campsite. Onto the question…. I love camping but primitive camping is very new to me and I need to be able to wash off after a long day of hiking… we don’t want to pay money to the hotels to use one of showers at Many Glacier… and we’re going to buy a camp/solar shower. I saw that if you are going to take a shower at your campsite you have to contain your water…. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how best do this? I am also curious about sleeping conditions… we own an air mattress, but I have seen suggestions to buy a sleeping pad and that an air mattress will not keep you warm enough. We have sleeping bags that are 20+. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!!

We are planning a life long dream trip from KC to Glacier and then on to Yellowstone. We have 2weeks on the road. Where to stay in Glacier? How should we spend our 3 or 4 days in Glacier? Best drive or route from Glacier to Yellowstone?

We were planning to travel from LA up through Utah to Bear Lake ID then across the 86/84 to Boise and eventually up to Glacier National Park, 50% camping. Given the flooding, I think this route would be silly. Any suggestions for an alternate route to Glacier National Park? Maybe coming in from Canada? Is the Park itself likely to be affected by flooding?

Hubby and I are taking a trip to Idaho and stopping at east glacier for three nights en route. First vacation from our farm in years. We would like to take advantage of any must sees, and get a real feel for the park. However, due to our regular daily activities being grinding, we are looking for a relaxed and recharging pace. Sightseeing and not a lot of exhertion!! lol!! We thought about a horseback ride thru the park, but I ride regularly and would want something low key. No need for excitement on horseback as I have had my fill of that. Also need to rent a car when we get off the train in the east side. Already have our lodging booked. Also heard about a pow wow in Montana nearby mid week after the fourth and wondering if it would be worth taking in. Any advice or input is greatly appreciated!!

My husband and are are taking a three week trip from Michigan to Glacier National Park in a 28 ft motorhome beginning June 18, 2011. Yes, we're softies due to our ages of 61 and 66 and an illness that left me with some disabilities. Our tenting and hiking days are behind us. We traveled 6000 miles last year and saw Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks and managed without a tow vehicle. We both feel the tug to return to Montana this summer to visit Glacier National Park and have questions for the forum. 1. We don't like to be tied to reservations. Can we find campgrounds in or near the park to accommodate a 28ft motorhome without prior reservations if we arrive before noon? 2. Can we travel thru the park in a motorhome? We will start at the east entrance. 3. Do we need a tow vehicle or rental car to enjoy the sights? What towns have rental cars? 4. Does the red bus allow time for short, short trails around Logan Pass? 5. We both want to take a raft trip (not just the float). I think if the trip is family friendly and allows 8 year olds I should be able to take a short trip. Am I correct? I would appreciate answers to any of my questions. I have enjoyed reading other's questions and subsequent answers and have made notes already. Any suggestions for sight seeing camera enthusiasts would be helpful.