West Side of Montana

randyf74 · 02-27-2017, 01:57 PM

We are planning a trip to Glacier and taking in the West Side of Montana. Having never been to the area I did some research on the forum and found info on the Road to the Sun and some of the NP campgrounds with size restrictions.

Could anyone offer some more tourist attractions and any campgrounds with large sites that accommodate Class A rigs?

Any additional information on Glacier area is appreciated.

randyf74 · 03-01-2017, 09:15 PM

Has anyone stayed at the Poison/Flathead lake KOA? Any feedback?

spock123 · 03-02-2017, 08:24 AM

I went to Glacier last year and I stayed in Columbia Falls MT and we enjoyed it. We actually stayed in the city limits at a campground. Going-into-the Road is super. I think the prettiest place we have ever been. All the waterfalls, a little crowded but what the heck. We were on the road right after the road opened up. It was so pretty, we may go back this year. The campground we were at was a little tight but we saw a lot more campgrounds there. DW does not like to dry camp so we can't help you out there.

randyf74 · 03-02-2017, 10:15 AM

We have a couple younger kids that love the resort amenities. But we also prefer taking a few nights and getting them out in nature. Dry camping is not a issue for us for a couple days. Our big thing is not going across the US to jam pack into a tight campground in "Big Sky Country".

spock123 · 03-02-2017, 02:26 PM

We don't stay much in the campgrounds we camp in, we don't use and campground amenities. We have a Dish and washer/dryer in camper. The scenery in Glacier is enough to take your breath away.

rebellee · 03-02-2017, 02:48 PM

We did a thing several years ago called "Walk In The Tree Tops". It is at Big Mountain outside of Whitefish. You can check it out here: Walk in the Tree Tops in Whitefish Montana

There is also a ski area there that is open for hiking and biking and has, or had at least, a "bob sled" kind of ride. We took the ski lift up and hiked around.

We did not camp so can't respond on that, but, if your rig is too big, or if you're just so inclined, I highly recommend renting a convertible for doing the Going To The Sun Road. Much better views when no roof over your head!

randyf74 · 03-02-2017, 02:53 PM

Rebellee,

Thank you for the areas of interests. We will be sure to check them out.

Agreed, we plan to take our Jeep and will be leaving the top down the whole time!

Thanks,
Randy

Joni Tonkovich · 03-02-2017, 03:25 PM

Last year we stayed at Mountain Meadow RV Park & Cabins - Hungry Horse. They have full hook-ups, but some do not have sewer. They also have Pull-Thrus. We made our reservations too late and got a site without a sewer hook-up, but they will pump twice a week. The sites are in a beautiful wooded area - off the highway, so very quite. There is also a stocked rainbow trout pond. The restrooms are VERY clean. Would recommend highly!! They are only 9 miles from Glacier. We have a motor home and pull a vehicle. There is plenty of room at your site for both. There is a length restriction on the Going to the Sun Highway. I would not want to drive anything but a car or pick-up on this high-way. It is beautiful - you will enjoy it. There are some side trips I can recommend if you are interested. It is a Good Sam Park. We would stay here again.

dyoung97 · 03-02-2017, 03:46 PM

KOA at St Mary east side is nice. Plenty of Class space. It worked great for us. We drove the Sun Highway west and back. That way if an area was crowded we drove past it and stopped on the way back. We went up highway 89 out of Browning which was fair, but found out highway 464 is much better very Class A friendly. KOA in Polson is really nice. It is next to a small airport but not an issue at all. Very little air traffic. Not commercial service.

Lovestogo · 03-02-2017, 04:15 PM

There is a KOA Campground in St. Mary which is on the east of the GTSR. The only campground that accepts reservations is inside the park at Fish Creek which is only about 5 miles from West Glacier. You can drive this as it is a straight road. Maximum length of a vehicle on the Sun Road is 21 feet due to the tight road space in some places. Highway 464 is definitely the way to go if driving a large motor home or pulling a TT and you want to get from West Glacier to East Glacier. Depending upon the time you go there may be mountain goats at Goat Lick , which is right past Essex.

We have been going to Glacier almost every year since 2003 and are going again this year. We've probably only missed 3 years out of the last 14.

Lovestogo · 03-02-2017, 04:16 PM

There is a KOA Campground in St. Mary which is on the east of the GTSR. The only campground that accepts reservations is inside the park at Fish Creek which is only about 5 miles from West Glacier. You can drive this as it is a straight road. Maximum length of a vehicle on the Sun Road is 21 feet due to the tight road space in some places. Highway 464 is definitely the way to go if driving a large motor home or pulling a TT and you want to get from West Glacier to East Glacier. Depending upon the time you go there may be mountain goats at Goat Lick , which is right past Essex.

We have been going to Glacier almost every year since 2003 and are going again this year. We've probably only missed 3 years out of the last 14.

AquaMan · 03-02-2017, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyf74

Rebellee,

Thank you for the areas of interests. We will be sure to check them out.

Agreed, we plan to take our Jeep and will be leaving the top down the whole time!

Thanks,
Randy

I took my Jeep last summer to Yellowstone and it's definitely the best way to go. Pulled the doors, took top off, and cruised.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

beechjet16mf · 03-02-2017, 06:16 PM

I don't know what roads you are going to take on the way out here, but a very good campground on the way is below Fort Peck Dam. It's run by the Kiwanis Club, and it right on the Missouri river. Fort Peck Dam was a CCC project and they have a very good summer theater there. The dam is an earthen dam and the top is 5 miles long, and the spillway is a mile long concrete structure. They also have a good interpretive center with a T-Rex in the lobby. Lots of history.

rbq · 03-02-2017, 06:38 PM

If you are into bicycles take at look at doing the Hiawatha trail. Look it up online. Old train bed that is now a bike trail. 15 miles long. Tunnels, trestle bridges & scenery. Plan on doing that this summer & then heading up to Glacier. Only about 160 miles away from the trail.

rjguscette · 03-02-2017, 09:08 PM

This will be our first year to Glacier National Park. We've made reservations at:

North American RV Park & Yurt Village
10640 Highway 2 E
Coram, Montana
59913 USA
(800) 704-4266

Full hook-up.

RJG

Hutch333id · 03-02-2017, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyf74

Has anyone stayed at the Poison/Flathead lake KOA? Any feedback?

Yes. We quite enjoy the place. I usually book site #20. This is a FHU premium site with a patio and bbq. No Fire pit. Two sewer drops and large enough for 40' 5er and full size PU truck. A couple of trees for shade and plenty of room for opposing slides. Opposite the main office but with great views looking over the lake towards the mountain in the east. #21 is also a great site. It does get busy in the peek time but never rowdy. The times we've been there have been hot but the cool is very refreshing. They spray for mosquitos so they're not a problem. The owners and hosts have always been exceptional. Slight slope from left to right but a layer of the orange blocks cures that.
I could go on but don't wish to hijack the thread. PM me if you want any other info.

Hutch333id · 03-02-2017, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyf74

We have a couple younger kids that love the resort amenities. But we also prefer taking a few nights and getting them out in nature. Dry camping is not a issue for us for a couple days. Our big thing is not going across the US to jam pack into a tight campground in "Big Sky Country".

One of the nicest campgrounds is at Two Medicine Lake on the East side of GNP. We camped here a few years ago. Electric only sites, but water and dump station all available. Also flush toilets but no showers.

West of Kalispell is a newly developing CG at Marion - McGregor Lake. Great owners who also run a bar across the highway and are again exceptionally gracious to their guests. FHU available for a very reasonable cost. Big sites, esp the pull through. I think we've always had #6 because this has about 40 yards between us and the neighbour on the pax side.

camaraderie · 03-02-2017, 11:42 PM

Outside the WEST entrance is a wonderful little park in a town setting.
Check out the reviews.. Columbia Falls RV Park - Columbia Falls, MT - RV Park Reviews

spock123 · 03-03-2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Outside the WEST entrance is a wonderful little park in a town setting.
Check out the reviews.. Columbia Falls RV Park - Columbia Falls, MT - RV Park Reviews

We stayed there last year, a great park.

spock123 · 03-03-2017, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Outside the WEST entrance is a wonderful little park in a town setting.
Check out the reviews.. Columbia Falls RV Park - Columbia Falls, MT - RV Park Reviews

We stayed there last year, a great park. Nice place

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