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campcollector · 03-20-2005, 04:57 PM

I am wanting to know any details with crossing the border into Waterton park at customs with an RV or just the Pickup.

Are passports or birth certificates mandatory or will drivers licences suffice? Is diesel fuel redily available in the glacier area?

And can anyone share their camping experience at glacier, most Glacier National Park campgrounds are non reservation and I will have to wing it when finding a site.

Also there are the guided red jammer bus tours, has anyone taken one? and if so were advanced reservations required or is it safe to get them a day or two early while in the park?

And any other advice would be helpful.

Condoluminum · 03-20-2005, 06:01 PM

We made trip last summer up through Idaho and into Canadian Rocky Mtn Parks, then down east side back into US and Waterton/Glacier parks... Both crossings were single lanes, open only 7 or 8 AM until around 11, so don't expect 24x7 and speed... We had passports and registration/insurance papers handy, but Canadian entry was pretty relaxed after few questions and showing of passport.. If you don't have passport, get embossed birth certificate, because Driver's License in post- 9-11 world isn't going to be enough, especially if gov't adjusts "Risk Color Scheme" while you're out.. Taking a pet adds to complexity, and will require at least current rabies certs and license info. Canadians less worried about food and beverages in, but will also ask about cigarettes and alchohol... Don't even think about carrying a handgun into Canada.. They're not welcome or permitted..

As for return, US border guards also happy about passports, but checked thoroughly, and also insisted on opening door and entering to inspect the interiors of the 2 RV's ahead of us, and our trailer.. (Looking for terrorists riding on gaucho, or hiding in shower..). Gas more expensive there, everything else pretty much equal.. Border staffs both ways friendly and courteous...

Quite a few commercial campgrounds on SW side near Whitefish, plus a great one at south end about 15 miles west of East Glacier, which has changed ownership, and has good WiFi for e-mailing... Large KOA at St. Mary's on east end of "Going to Sun Highway", and generally reservations not required. You can absoutely NOT take a trailer or MH over that highway, but can drop trailer in Park Service lot at either end and drive in tow vehicle if you are willing to leave AS alone in gov't parking areas.. We didn't... Spaces inside park tend to fill in summer, especially on west side, but there were some open at lakes on southeast side in late July when we visited. Can't answer diesel question, but gas stations in 5 or 6 locations on edges of Park, and should be do-able..

After frame cracks and brake issues, Ford Motor volunteered to re-manufacture the red open "busses" built in 30's, so all new propane-powered running gear complements original bodies and open views. They run across, around and through the park, and reservations helpful, but may not be necessary, depending on time of year. It should be mandatory to visit or dine at "Glacier Park Lodge" in town of East Glacier, which was built with dozens of 4' diameter Douglas Fir trees as vertical support columns, still open in 40' high lobby... I'd even recommend staying there, as it is in same historical vintage as lodges in Yellowstone and Yosemite... Very relaxing, lots of activities. They can answer booking questions about boat trips on lakes, or red bus tours around and through the park, many of which leave from Lodge.. Land to east is mostly Shoshone Indian land, with few cities or activities for 100 miles.. If you have time Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise are 4, 5 and 6 hours north of St. Mary's into Canada, but roads are modest two lanes until very close to Calgary, and Calgary should be bypassed to south and west in or out of rush hour... (Unless you're trying for Stampede, and that is massive influx of RV's and people...)

John McG

Davydd · 03-20-2005, 06:14 PM

I have entered Canada numerous times without having to show anything. You don't need a passport but it would not hurt to have a birth certificate with you. In 2003 we made a circle tour of Lake Superior. We entered Canada from Michigan with no paper check. They asked a few questions such as name, destination, purpose and how long. We circled counter clockwise and re-entered the USA in Minnesota. As we approached the customs checkpoint the officer over the loudspeaker said, "Hello David." Obviously they had a complete dossier just from the license plate.

campcollector · 03-20-2005, 06:49 PM

I reserched the red jammer tours and they have one that goes to Prince of wales hotel in Canada and back to glacier lodge in one day, about 8 hour long tour. I would speculate that this might be less complicated than taking the truck and trailer through just to see the area. Its hard to drive and look at the scenery, at least without running over folks

Porky Pig · 03-20-2005, 07:18 PM

Don't forget to obtain a Canadian non-resident interprovincial motor vehicle liability insurance card from your insurer.

Gee ... that was a mouthful.

Condoluminum · 03-20-2005, 07:26 PM

Follow this link to see photo of intrepid roving reporter for Airstream Life, enjoying the WiFi experience at East Glacier RV Park last summer... Was once a KOA, now independent, and stocks Haagen Daaz ice cream in 4 flavors...

http://www.airforums.com/forum...1&postcount=82

John McG

maxandgeorgia · 03-20-2005, 08:03 PM

We stayed at Many Glacier Campground last summer, east side-enjoyed it so much. Our trailer is 30' and it was a bit dicey hauling in. These roads take a winter beating so expect some jouncing. Take your time, and remember it's the trip, not just the destination that is your prize. Once in, we were challenged to find a site to fit us, but we did and the stay was worth the test of getting there. Great hiking and photography! In July and August, since all GNP campgrounds are no reserve/first come-first served, plan to arrive as early in the am if possible. And yes, those red bus tours are a terrific experience: leave the driving to "them" and you'll enjoy the view. No white knuckle driving. We passed on Waterton so cannot help on that score. On the west side, we stayed in Hungry Horse at Mountain Meadow Campground-great stay, will stay again if we have the opportunity and recommend it. Our 30' had no problem-and we had a private, piney site to enjoy; genial hosts. Hilly terrain driving through and parking, but that prevents the row on row-suburbia feel we dislike in some campgrounds. Enjoy the trip! We are planning on Stanley, Idaho, and Grand Marais, MN, this summer with a stop along the Boulder River in Montana on the way to Stanley.

maxandgeorgia · 03-20-2005, 08:11 PM

About the red bus tours, we were there in August last summer; reserved the tour the day before, and had no problems. One thing, NO ONE TOLD US HOW COLD THE DRIVE WOULD BE in the am! I cannot recall ever feeling so cold and helpless to do anything about it since our warmer clothes were back at camp. The day was predicted to be sunny and warm, which it turned out to be for the drive back in the afternoon, but, oh howdy! did we freeze up until lunch time! What no one told us (but what would have been perfectly predictable had we thought about it) is that the bus tours are open top; you basically are riding in a big long convertible, and it's breezy and sometimes with the high mountains towering above you, down in the red bus, you are in the shade! Wear layers, include a warm jacket-windbreaker type, wear warm socks, include good head gear since you are riding plein-air, sun screen, sun glasses, water bottle, even a snack or two in a fanny pack. I even wished I'd had mittens or gloves part of the time. It REALLY was cold! But we loved every minute of it

Just go prepared for a day outing in the mountains.

campcollector · 03-20-2005, 08:18 PM

It should have occured to me it would be cold but I did't think of it. I could see how ones nose could get froze riding in one of those.

flyfisher · 03-21-2005, 03:16 AM

It looks like you've already received answers that are right on.

I would also agree that taking those red bus tours of the park is definately the way to go, and although I'd think you would be able to get one without a reservation, it would never hurt to make an advance reservation if you know when you'll be there.

Also, my wife and I have also stayed at Mountain Meadow Campground in Hungry Horse, and would recommend it if you're considering staying outside the Park.

If you're there during the season, don't pass up getting a Huckleberry milkshake....mmmmmmmm.

John

Davydd · 03-21-2005, 05:08 AM

If you do drive up to Waterton on the east side of Glacier be aware you will be driving in open range territory and be very careful. We had to stop a few times to let the herds clear.

driftwood · 03-21-2005, 06:15 AM

Warm coat ... good idea!

campcollector · 03-22-2005, 09:10 PM

Its good to have folks on the web who can give first hand info. Somtimes all the answers cant' be found on the NPS website.

Oldtymeflyr · 04-10-2005, 11:36 AM

We were there the end of last August. It was rainy and wet.

Getting to Waterton is easy. We did not have a passport, they sniffed the trailer with a dog, we had to get out of our vehicle. Asked about beef, the current topic of dispute, we knew this was an issue and had none-both ways.

We carry a bear spray, that was not a problem.

Waterton itself is a summer tourist village, I filled up before the border and did not buy fuel in Waterton. Its kinda in the middle of nowhere.

We did some hiking and fishing, its very beautiful, get some Flathead cherry's and blueberry's while you are in the West Glacier area. Those cherry's are the best and as a child my grandfather had a place outside Traverse City, Michigan so I do know a think or two about cherries, sorry Traverse City.

We stayed both in the west end of the park and in a private park San sues ed in West Glacier when our friends with a 39dp arrived. I highly recomend San sues ed, Katherine, the owner is special.

Saw lots of wildlife.

Uberlanders · 04-15-2005, 08:17 PM

Glacier...awww...my most favorite place on earth. If you don't need electrical hook up all the time both Many Glacier and Two Medicine are amazing places to camp. Both places have amazing hiking opportunities. You could spend a week at Many Glacier and still not see what it has to offer.

I have been to Waterton. I thought it was a major let down. All that drive and then...what a let down. It is like a regular town. It is not like our national parks at all. Yes the Prince George is an amazing hotel with a great view, but to me getting away from it all is not going to a kitchy town with lots of stores that all contain the same kitchy things. Imagine a bunch of Wall Drugs all in one place. Okay, its not that tacky.

But I would recommend staying in the park. The wildlife is great. When we were there two years ago it was Bear-o-rama. We saw all kinds of wildlife, and if we need a bit of civilization, we would go to the lodge, watch the Cabaret, and sip a beer on the deck overlooking amazing mountain/water views.

If you want a good site in Many Glacier or Two Medicine you must get there early, by 9:00am. People will start driving around and circling at 7:00am waiting for people to leave.

Also parts of the road on the east side between Sunrise and Two Medicine is 1 1/2 lane, lots of curves,bumpy, rutted and full of cows. Oh, but so worth it.

campcollector · 04-30-2005, 09:51 PM

What time of year were you there? I will be going in the last week of June, so I am hoping it will be a little easier to find a site.

At two medacine were there enough sites large enough to accomidate a 19 footer and a full size truck? Were the streets paved or gravel, and was the wind so bad that you could not sit outside in the evening?

Uberlanders · 05-01-2005, 08:06 AM

There are a lot of sites in all the camp grounds in Glacier that are pull throughs. I've seen 5th wheelers that seem more like a house pull into sites there.

I've been in June, but that year they had a great deal of snow. We hiked through snow on most trails. But this summer it might be different.

If you hiking is what you love, hike with a ranger on one of their daily hikes. They do this at Many Glacier and Two Medicine. The rangers are a wealth of information on natural history and botany. Most are teachers in the off season. Another cool thing at Many Glacier is at 6:00 every evening a ranger sits in the parking lot with a scope. Others in the campground with scopes hang out too. This is the way to see a grizzly safely. :-)

We always seem to be between mid-July to late August. And I don't ever recall a wind but once. It came up at night and I thought my tent was going to fly away into the creek. I have been lucky to not have experienced rain or cold while visiting the park.

We have friends who live on the west side of the park, 15 miles N of Polebridge. Those are the only gravel roads in the park. Now if you feel like a day of adventure with the truck, go have a beer at the Northern Lights in Polebridge. An hour of bumpy rutted gravel roads from Columbia Falls! If you encounter gravel elsewhere it is due to road work.

On the East side of the park, the road that connects East Glacier to Kiowa (49) is the road that is very tight and sometimes rough. Its paved and littered with livestock. This is a stretch of land that skirts the reservation.

Take a Jammer! This is the best way to go over Going to the Sun Road. You can gauk and leave the driving to someone else.

Sorry for the novel! I love this place.
Kathleen

Turtle · 05-01-2005, 09:46 AM

For full hook-ups Johnson's of St. Mary is nice, if not a little funky. Pull thoughs with a grand view on the first row. They have a cafe on site that makes very good home made soup and bread. The rest of the fare wasn't all that bad either.

You NEED more than a drivers license to get to Waterton. You need proof you are an American. Passport works great. Jamie

Mark Wiltrakis · 05-08-2005, 09:29 PM

Campcollector -

I note in your post that you're headed for Glacier in the last week in June. Though I'm a bit late in getting this nailed down, I hope to do so also. I'm curious about campgrounds, and have read the posts on your thread. Where did you chose to stay? Any others look good to you? We had decided to try to book at Mountain Meadow CG in Hungry Horse; now having read the thread, it even sounds better.

We are in Hillsboro - perhaps 50 miles closer to Glacier than you are! We have a 1992 29' Excella - some of the CG's would take a shoehorn to squeeze us in.

Have any other suggestions for first-timers to Glacier?

Mark

campcollector · 05-09-2005, 07:39 PM

At this time I think I will camp at Two Medicine for the entire stay, it is first come first serve like many of the campgrounds. Even though It doesnt have hookups it does have a dump station and water. I wanted to camp inside the park. And since I am takeing my father with us we can use his golden age pass and save $$. Im thinking the cost of diesel for the trip will be about 500-600 dollars.

We will bring a small generator and I have a new blue tote tank I can use for grey water, we will be putting FSC to the test.

If things go poorly I guess I can try and find a full hookup campground in east glacier. I just dont' care for private parks, I like the national park campgrounds.