Glacier National Park Travel Forum

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.

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.

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!!

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.

Hi,

First time poster here!

We have booked a stay in the Many Glacier area and will be arriving june 21 and departing june 25.
I realise that the GTTS will probably not be open completely and that a lot of hikes will be impossible because of the snow.

For those who have been to the park during that time of year ==>
What activities CAN you do? Any tips? We'll be there three full days, so we could use some advise! Thank you very much!

I have been wanting to go to Glacier for a few months now after seeing a friend's pictures from there. I have wanted to go to Yellowstone for years. I recently came across a tour that goes by train from Chicago to West Glacier. You spend that evening at Glacier, the whole next day which is scheduled for a red bus tour and a cruise on Lake McDonald, and that evening. Next day you travel to Yellowstone where you stay two days and see things like Old Faithful, etc before traveling to Utah to hop aboard the train back to Chicago. My concern is that I will be disappointed with only one full day (two nights) at Glacier. The trade off is that I will get to see an abbreviated Yellowstone, too, which is appealing. Any thoughts? Will I be able to feel like I have seen Glacier in that short of time? Also, what can we expect from the weather at the end of July? Thanks for any advice.

I am planning a trip to Glacier national park between 13th and 17th September 2011. Will the going to the sun road be open at this time?

Q1:
I heard that Glacier NP would be closed on Sept 20, 2010. I plan to visit that area from Sept 26 - 28. What can I do and see in Glacier NP and its surrounding area? I enjoy nature views, trails, etc.

Q2:
I will come from Yellowstone, and plan to get to the west side of Glacier NP area first. Does highway 2 still open in late Sept so I can cross from west side of Glacier NP to the east side?

Thanks,
Lee

I'll have about 2 days to spend in Glacier Park before driving down to Yellowstone and was looking for some recommendations on the sights/hikes that offer the most awe-inspiring views. From what i've read, it sounds like Grinnel Glacier Trail and Going to the Sun Road might offer the most appeal for such a short visit.

Would most of you who have explored this area agree or is there something else I should consider? Also, based on your recommendations for places to visit, I'd welcome some recommendations on lodging that's most convenient to the areas recommended for exploring. We are open to any kind of lodging that offers incredible views.

THANK YOU!

Is is possible to visit Glacier & do some hiking in Sept. without fear of running into bears, especially grizzlies?

We will be riding motorcycles from Yellowstone to GNP and need to decide which route to take. Would like the most scenic. Considering route 89 north from Mammoth Hot Springs to Great Falls and on into Browning OR route 191 from West Yellowstone north to Bozeman then take 12/287 to Helena then 141 up to route 83 to Kalispell. Does anyone have and suggestions.

Myself and a friend are close to booking flights to the US this summer. To give a bit of background we're from the UK and he'll be doing all the driving (pretty imperative since I can't actually drive) He says he does not mind how we drive- last year he covered 3500 miles in 2 weeks the 2000+ contemplated here therefore are peanuts relatively speaking.

In any case we would be flying into Boise Idaho in early August, with a rough itinerary as follows : Day 1 drive to Yellowstone (preferably past and with a very brief stop at craters of the moon); Days 2 and 3 in and around Yellowstone; Day 4 drive to Glacier; Day 5 in Glacier ; Day 6 drive to Banff; Day 7 in and around Banff; Day 8 drive to Jasper ; Days 9 and 10 in and around Jasper; Days 11 and 12 driving to Vancouver; 3 Days in Vancouver then on the last day drive to Seattle spend the afternoon there and fly back to London the following morning.

Now I'll be the first to admit that as yet I know very very little about any of these destinations other than that they are worth going to - this is a trip that for various reasons is pretty last minute. I know we're trying to pack an awful lot in but given how far we are going and particular how willing my friend is to drive I'm not necessarily unduly worried about that, what I am worried about is spreading ourselves too thinly whether the distances I've allocated a day for are actually feasible and whether we'll be able to find accommodation that's not a complete dump without too much advance booking. I'm quite aware that all we will get out of all these places is a taste but my instinct is that that's better than nothing..... As far as accommodation goes I don’t think either of us mind being as far as an hour's drive out of a place as long as we find somewhere decent and not overpriced.We would also prefer to drive the most scenic routes possible between places) Plus obviously as of now the day allocations are not fixed they can be moved around - the only bright line is that we want to have 3 days in and around Vancouver.

As for why I'm posting on this particular forum I think Glacier is probably the most out of the way place on the itinerary and I got worried by another post which suggested it might already be too late to book accommodation - I'll probably duplicate this in one of the Canada forums and possibly on other forums any and all input would be much appreciated

In any case to summarize is what I've got planned remotely feasible or is it to coin a phrase nuts and undoable?

Hello!

My husband and I have never been to Glacier, and we are planning a trip with our kids (11, 8 and 9 mo's!)during the summer months. Need information on where to stay. We are interested in staying in a cabin that is fairly central to activities/sights and would appreciate any recommendations. We do plan on staying for a week and wouldn't mind staying in more than one cabin during our week-long stay.

Thank you in advance!!!

My husband and I are travelling in this area by train from Oct. 12-15. I understand that even the Amtrak station is closed by then. We thought that if we got off in Browning we would be close enough to maybe rent a car for a couple of days and check out what we could see. Any suggestions for us? Are there even car rentals in Browning? We only have a couple of days but would like to make the most of them as we will probably never get back this way again.

My wife and I are 2 weeks away from starting our vacation to GNP and Banff. This is our first time in that part of the US, so we are curious about the distances. We may have gotten over excited as we plan to spend time in GNP and Banff but need to get back to Spokane to catch our flight home.

1. We land in Spokane on 6/26/10 and RON at Missoula, then onto the East Side of the park for 5 days. I have been reading the blogs about the park and I am excited about the pix opportunities and hiking.

2. 5 days in GNP and then it is north to Banff and then to Calgary for 7 more days. We leave Calgary on 7/7/10

3. My question is this: Is it possible to drive from Calgary to Spokane in one day? If so, what route is the most scenic and can someone recommend a place to stay along the route? We need to be in Spokane on 7/8/10

In August, we will be roadtripping and stopping by in glacier national park.

We are thinking about staying 2 full days in Glacier National Park, and probably lodge in East Glacier Park

I am not sure how to divide the itinerary into two days. One day definitely going to the sun road, but not sure about the other. Should we go to polebridge? Any other recommendations?

We're not avid hikers so prefer drive to places, or short hikes (under 5 miles RT) if possible. Thanks

We're planning a trip to Glacier National Park for sometime in early fall. Ideally, we wanted to go from October 11th-20th, but apparently some roads are closed and not all of the park is accessible at this time. Can anyone confirm if this is true? We may end up moving it back a month to mid September, but we're overwhelmed with questions on where to stay and what to see.... We'll be flying into Kalispell, but beyond that we have no idea yet. We will be renting a self catering accommodation, so we are interested in hotels, lodges and condo resorts. Obviously, we want to be fairly close to the park and see and do as much as we possibly can in our time there. Since the park is so large and we are unfamiliar with the area, can you guys give me suggestions on where a good "hub" would be for us to stay? We have looked into the flathead lake region as we'd love to have a cabin on the water, but it seems as though this may be a bit far from the park. What do you guys think is the best section of the park to be near (East, West, South?) and what are some good choices for us to look into? As I mentioned, we want a private cabin or house in a beautiful setting, close to the park and with amenities near. Also, any advice/suggestions on what to see and do while we're there will be very much appreciated!

Hi! We are planning a trip to GNP and I'm looking for suggestions of what is the cheapest way to go there from Florida (which airport, airline and driving is the best combo?)Our trip time is for early June.
Thank you for your help!

Hi - I'm going to be flying in from the East Coast probably around 6/15, renting a car, and staying with friends in Joliet for about a week in June. My dates are flexible.

We're definitely going to visit Yellowstone while I'm there, but I would like on my own to tour Glacier, probably before I go to visit them. I will probably devote 2 days to the Glacier area (which I KNOW is not going to be nearly enough!!)

My questions are - which airport should I fly into - I have to remember that I'll be driving to Joliet at the end of the Glacier trip, and will need to return the car when I fly back out to NH. I'm not averse to driving 3-6 hours to do this before my flight, or I suppose I can pay extra to return the car to a different airport. It seems the trip from Glacier to Joliet will be about 9 hours.

Which airports are generally more central for what I want to do; I have been researching flight costs to Helena and Billings so far. At least there seem to be a lot of airports in the area! I'm also open to small plane flights and/or Amtrak to get me around and save some time. I don't have unlimited funds, but do have SOME leeway.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and thank you! I am SOOO looking forward to the trip!

We are planning a trip to Glacier and Yellowstone this summer, and I'm getting different answers on how long the drive is from Glacier (starting at Many Glacier Lodge) to Mammoth Hot Springs. MapQuest says it's about 6.5 hours, but I just talked to someone at Glacier, who said it could take 10 or 12 hours. We are going in August, so shouldn't run into snow, but I realize mountain driving takes longer. Can anyone tell me which is the more realistic figure? We'll add in time for meal and photo-op stops, of course. Thanks! Jean

Hello

Between Yellowstone and Glacier, I plan to stay one day in Browning for the north american indian days. I plan to get there on the opening day. Do you have any aditional information or tips

Thank you

I'll be taking three days (Sept 1 -3)to go from Lake Louise to Yellowstone, driving the G-to the Sun Road. I see two routes: Through Banff and Calgary towards the East entrance, or through Kootenay to Whitefish. I know I have to get to the east, towards Yellowstone, my next stop.

QUESTIONS:

1. Is there a big difference taking Going-to-the-Sun Road E to W, or W to E?

2. Are there places to stay nearby the St. Mary's entrance? After a long day, we wanted to stay a night before entering the park, but I can find no motels listed anywhere in nearby towns. Are there any- preferably inexpensive?

3. If we enter the park on the east side, would we double back, or go around Route 2 to get towards Yellowstone? Is there another route to consider?

THanks for your guideance!

Hi, despite all my research in books/sites I'm having hard time deciding on which to go.

Details:
- will go for 7 days around late Aug. or early Sept.
- just wife and I, in our 30's, intermediate hikers/backpackers.
- would like to do at least one 3 day back country trip, and the others would be full-day dawn to dusk type hikes. preferably in a loop as we wont have a 2nd car to shuttle us.
- into awe-inspiring mountains, rivers/lakes, lush greenery and trees, and prefer narrow winding trails versus big flat ones in a valley.
- wildlife is a plus, but not the main goal.

Thanks for any help! I'm at goldemi on yhoo