Glacier NP tips?

**KyDan** · 03-01-2018, 09:33 AM

The first major stop in our upcoming Pacific NW trip is likely Glacier NP.

Any thoughts as to routes, campgrounds, how to see, what to see in the park greatly appreciated!
We'd likely be traveling west coming from
Bismark ND and carrying on towards Seattle then heading south.

If you've stayed or visited Glacier area we appreciate your insight!

youroo · 03-01-2018, 09:47 AM

Take the NPS FREE Rides and The "RED Bus Pay Tours"! Good luck finding a Campsite your rig will fit in,in regards to Campgrounds Inside the NP!

Youroo!!

DougW · 03-01-2018, 09:48 AM

When we went we stayed in West Glacier, but if I go again I will stay east of the park if possible. Staying east means when you go over Going To The Sun Road the drop off will be off the left side of the road and the sun will be at your back as you go up and over in the morning, and the drop off will be on your right and sun will be at your back as you return in the afternoon.

We were using the motorcycle and wanted to ride at our own pace and and stop or not at the overlooks when we felt like it. If in a car or Pickup the Red Bus Tours might be a good way to go. They are open top and the driver will narrate the ride. You wouldn't have to drive, just enjoy the scenery.

I don't know what are good campgrounds out that way but I am sure there will bo others along who will know.

cpttimerstraint · 03-01-2018, 10:26 AM

I definitely suggest the free shuttle system. We used it last year and loved it. It was nice to not have to hassle with driving on the going to the sun road. There are length and width restrictions on that road to. We didn't make it up to it, but Many Glacier on the east side comes highly recommended. All the shuttle bus drivers were saying it was their favorite part of the park. The east side is a lot quieter, but the West side is prettier.

757Dave · 03-01-2018, 10:31 AM

We visited Glacier this past August and had a great time! We were visiting family in Nebraska and some had been to Glacier the previous year and convinced us to to visit. We went up to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota first. And if you have the time it is a nice stop. Then we went north to Route US 2 and then west to Glacier NP. Much less traffic, the road is mostly four lane.

We didn't have reservations, but were able to get a camping site in Columbia Falls, MT. Glacier Peaks Campground.

Visit the NPS Visitor Center and gather the information you are interested in seeing and doing.

We drove up the going to the sun road up to Logan's Pass and didn't have any trouble. Traffic, yes. But no problems.

Be sure to visit the lodges and take a boat tour of MacDonald Lake from the lodge.

Have a great time. It is a great park to visit with a lot to do.

Happy travels...

**ependydad** · 03-01-2018, 10:32 AM

No advice, but given your posts- I'm getting jealous!

acadianbob · 03-01-2018, 10:37 AM

Target Many Glacier Campground. Far and away the best campground there. First come first serve. Be there about 8:30 am.

757Dave · 03-01-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

No advice, but given your posts- I'm getting jealous!

Ependydad, you need to go and see it. You will not be disappointed!

labcamper · 03-28-2018, 04:01 PM

Well, I would get maps from https://www.hike734.com/shop/. He also has map info for Road to the Sun. We are heading there in August. Need to make resos six months in advance for NP sites. RV and KOA sites outside the park. We are travelling on route 2 from Michigan to the park.

Mountndream · 03-28-2018, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Target Many Glacier Campground. Far and away the best campground there. First come first serve. Be there about 8:30 am.

not sure what size your rig is,but of the 41 reservable spots in Many Glacier, 6 are listed at 30 ft.

the other sites there are first come first serve and are roughly the same proportion. People wanting sites are lined up well before 8:30. in many cases, there is a line at 5 am. Obviously it will be more difficult to get a large spot

DW and I have been to Glacier 3 times in the past 7 years. Its one of the most beautiful places on earth. Recommend hiking Iceberg lake if you can.

if you do get into many glacier, instead of having a campfire every night, walk to Fischercap lake in the evening. You will see Moose, deer, and sometimes bears. Big Horn sheep hang out on the cliffs above the lake so make sure you bring your binoculars.

Mountndream · 03-28-2018, 04:25 PM

when are you expecting to be there? Glacier received record breaking snowfall this year and many high country hikes won't open until late June or July. Going to the sun road may open mid june as they just started snow removal

kfergiez · 03-28-2018, 04:52 PM

Just remember, Going to the Sun Road is closed to travel trailers.

breul · 03-28-2018, 05:35 PM

We visited last July. Stayed at the KOA on the East side and KOA on the West side. Both campgrounds were great. West side KOA the nicest campground I have ever stayed at. Left the TT at the campground and toured the park with our pickup. The last day we decided to use the parks shuttle system because we could not find places to park our vehicle along the road due to too many cars, etc. It took hours to get from the West Visitor Center up to Logan Pass parking lot. We could only spend about 1 hour at Logan Pass because we had to take the shuttle back before dark. I swore I would never take that shuttle again. Wasted day. Park is very busy during the month of July. Be prepared for large crowds. The place is beautiful.

ManlyMan · 03-28-2018, 05:38 PM

If you enjoy hiking don't carry an open pouch of beef jerky in your daypack.

labcamper · 04-01-2018, 04:07 PM

Forgot. Look at the web cams. lake M just defrosted.

glen1971 · 04-25-2018, 10:33 PM

Here are some photos of the snow clearing so far..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glacie...57695294131344

It is definitely worth the trip!! Lots to see in the park. I don't know how last summer's forest fires may have effected it. I know in Waterton National Park (Canadian side) it was hit pretty hard by a forest fire late last summer..

Gsykora · 05-25-2018, 11:06 PM

We're at Glacier right now (Memorial Day weekend). We're staying at the KOA in West Glacier and as somebody else has already said, this is an absolutely beautiful campground. The weather has been perfect the last couple days - mid to high 60's to low 70's. We drove to Many Glaciers and Trickle Falls yesterday. The lake at Many Glaciers was still covered with ice. We did the Going to the Sun road today, starting in West Glacier. The road is was only open up to Trail of the Cedars - about 10 miles of road along Lake MacDonald. They're still clearing snow along the rest of it. The rivers and streams are flowing at a crazy rate and you can find water falls coming off mountainsides all over the place.
We came in from the east on Hwy 2 and it is fine - no issues for our 40ft 5'er. Heading out tomorrow for our 10 day stay in Yellowstone.

Enjoy your trip....

The last pic is of Many Glacier lake

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