Glacier National Park

[Woosch]

We stayed in Apgar CG a few years ago. Fortunately it was late in the season so we didn't have any problems getting a site. Don't know what it would be like during your time frame. We are staying in Fish Creek CG in late august. Sites there are reservable and they have showers. I think you can reserve a spot now. We also stayed at the KOA on the east side. Nice but $$$$. Also have heard that the KOA on the west side is very nice as well.

[Len n Jeanne]

Trailers are not allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road even when it is open. Leave the AS at your campsite. (Check the NPS website for opening dates.) Highly recommended, if you take your own vehicle, later in the season to go early in the day, as the parking lot at the Logan Pass visitor center does fill up. Better yet, take a free Park Service shuttle (these also can fill up) or book seats on the concession's red touring cars to see Glacier in the grand old-fashioned style.

Highway 2 around the south end of the park between East and West Glacier is open year-round and has no passes.

Our favourite area of Glacier that leaves behind a lot of the front-country tourism is the northwest side: Bowman and Kintla Lakes. We don't haul the Bambi over the bumpy road to get there, but leave it in the campsite (such as in West Glacier,) and then we do take the canoe, as both lakes have breathtaking scenery and good paddling so long as the wind isn't too rough.

[Len n Jeanne]

Just one other thing I might mention-- We used to make a Glacier trip an annual excursion. When we last visited Glacier in August, 2016, there was a horrible amount of forest fire smoke. Parts of the park had recently been closed due to forest fires. (Happily it rained a lot during our first day there.) We live about 5 hours from West Glacier, and the smoke was so bad here last summer that we didn't even bother to go there, as we figured the air quality was about the same; and in any case, the McDonald Lake Lodge closed early due to fires and smoke.


With advance notice, ReserveAmerica refunds CG fees minus the reservation fee; or maybe they only refund some of the advance fee for the site. I forget which.

I might mention that anyone hoping to visit Kintla or Bowman Lakes early in the season should also check whether the Inside North Fork Road (Polebridge) is open, as it also closes for the winter season.

[DRBusse]

I think I've been there 20 times, but this will be my first trip with the Airstream (2018 23CB).

Planning a couple nights at Fish Creek, reserving early.

Keep in mind one of the better-kept secrets in that region is Big Creek campground, a USFS facility along the North Fork of the Flathead River, just outside the park's Camas Creek entrance, and about a 20-minute drive northwest of Fish Creek.

There are no hookups at Big Creek, just like the NPS sites, and you can reserve on-line, and assure yourself of a riverfront spot.

[KJRitchie]

We managed to get booked into Fish Creek in August loop A. Then we tried for a reserved spot at Many Glacier. We decided to try to book a few days before we left Fish Creek for a Many Glacier site and if lucky just loose a little money to change the reservation. It's almost impossible to get a reserved site at Many Glacier as there is usually only 5 or 6 sites available and there must be a lot of people banging away on their computers. It wasn't until the 3rd morning right at the exact time as the reservation window opens up that my wife on her iPad got one of the 6 spots, while I failed on my laptop. It happens to be the same site we had in 2016 so I know my 25fb will fit and is the same day we are scheduled to leave Fish Creek so are reservations line up.


I've read on a Compendium review of Many Glacier for the first come/first serve sites, you have to line up at the campground entrance early and the host will assign you a site that fits your needs. Some will sleep in their cars the night before so they are at the head of the line. Others show up before 6am. Very competitive campground to get into. Must be what Yosemite is like.


Kelvin

[Mollysdad]

Snow in May?
Egad, there'll be snow in August!
We motorcycled the "Going to the Sun" road in mid August and had a snow arch (the shell left after the interior snow melts) come crashing down on the GTTS road burying it in 15' of snow.
No one was crossing until they got a front end loader up there to push enough over the cliff to open one lane. I'm very thankful it didn't fall as we were motorcycling past, but it sure was beautiful!

[Len n Jeanne]

KJRitchie, this sounds about right. Many Glaciers is a small CG. It used to be first-come, first served only. Now they do reserve some sites, but most of the sites were built in the Olden Days of tent camping and small RVs. Having a campground host direct people to available sites is not so unusual.

It is a beautiful place, so well worth a day trip if you can't get in the CG.

[DRBusse]

Originally Posted by PKI

No,no .... you will be in your new 23FB, right? Pat

We’ll be there with our 23CB a couple nights in early August. Already reserved!

[KJRitchie]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

KJRitchie, this sounds about right. Many Glaciers is a small CG. It used to be first-come, first served only. Now they do reserve some sites, but most of the sites were built in the Olden Days of tent camping and small RVs. Having a campground host direct people to available sites is not so unusual.

It is a beautiful place, so well worth a day trip if you can't get in the CG.

Prior to our 2016 reservation at Many Glacier in 2011 and 2012 we reserved one night in St Mary Campground and the following day towed into Many Glacier (we had a Casita then), parked in Swiftcurrent parking lot and then walked around the campground looking for campers leaving their sites. There were cars/trucks/RVs driving around the loops, it was quite a dog and pony show. We were lucky to get a site. We were told by the host that current campers have up to 11am to decide if they are staying or leaving. Many site tags showing the current day of departure but the campers where still asleep even at 8am so you couldn't ask them if they were leaving. It was a mess.

Looks like now they have campers in first come first serve plan better. If they want to extend their stay they must decide and pay the day before they were at first planning to leave so the hosts know what sites are available the next day for campers waiting to enter.

In 2016 half the sites became reservable. Our inlaws were traveling with us in their trailer so we reserved two sites. It was easy to get two sites since it probably wasn't widely known. Now, you have to click on "Book These Dates" right on the exact second your 6 month window opens up at 10am EST and get lucky to get a reserved spot in July and August at Many Glacier.

Glacier has such a short summer season. 2011 GTTS highway didn't open up until the last week in July due to record snowfall when normally its mid to late June. The hike to Ice Berg Lake you hiked on snowfields the last 1/2 mile same with the trail to Hidden Lake off Logan Pass. If you like to day hike many of the popular trails at the higher elevations will not open until July. There is usually some repair required on these trails due to avalanches over the winter which then delays the opening.

It may be easier to camp in St Mary for a week then for a couple of days book into Many Glacier Hotel or Swiftcurrent Inn to visit Many Glacier. The road into Many Glacier is rough driving past Lake Sherburne due to winter damage. This road is not repaired to the same quality as other roads in the park yet Many Glacier is one of the most visited sites. In 2016 Swiftcurrent parking lot and Grinnell Glacier Trail Head and even the parking lot above Many Glacier Hotel was full everyday we were there in August so if you have to drive in for a day visit make sure you get there early if you are planning day hikes.

Kelvin

[DoublTrouble]

We are planning our 1st ever trip to GLACIER NP. We are planning a week in West Glacier beginning May 21.

Besides the GTTS Road, will we be able to explore the park or are we going way too early? We like to drive around a lot but not 4x4.

Thanks to all who share....


We are planning to head to Salem after that.....

But as I look more.closely at the map of the park, it seems that the GTTS Road is the big attraction and there are few paved roads other that it..

Maybe July is a better idea?

Jeffrey

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by DoublTrouble

We are planning our 1st ever trip to GLACIER NP. We are planning a week in West Glacier beginning May 21.

I never got tired of the GTTSR. Plenty of overlooks, Lake McDonnald, the lodge, hikes to clear lakes if you feel sprite (I didn't). There's a visitor's center at the pass.
I never got enough. IMO, the most beautiful place in America. (but keep it quiet)
Then take a day and visit Whitefish, it's charming.

[KJRitchie]

Originally Posted by DoublTrouble

We are planning our 1st ever trip to GLACIER NP. We are planning a week in West Glacier beginning May 21.

Besides the GTTS Road, will we be able to explore the park or are we going way too early? We like to drive around a lot but not 4x4.

Thanks to all who share....


We are planning to head to Salem after that.....

But as I look more.closely at the map of the park, it seems that the GTTS Road is the big attraction and there are few paved roads other that it..

Maybe July is a better idea?

Jeffrey

May is too early. GTTS will not be open. Many if not all of the best day hiking trails will be closed. Apgar and St Mary are the only campgrounds open. July and August are perfect but the most crowded.

Kelvin

[dprvashon]

A trip from Yellowstone up to Canada will likely take you up the east side of Glacier. We did part of that trip in reverse...heading from West Glacier to East Glacier then down 89 and 287 to Helena and then to Yellowstone. Outside Helena is a great RV park to stay for the night or two...Lincoln Road RV Park. We loved East Glacier - Two Medicine Lake Campground....breathtaking views, beautiful lakes, and hikes. The rangers will confiscate your grills and coolers so keep them stored away b/c bears will find them.
We have journaled our trip here....photos of Glacier, bears, Yellowstone, and more. Have a great trip!

http://melchertroad.com/2016/09/23/e...medicine-lake/

[glcmranger]

NOT reservable after Labor Day weekend.

[DoublTrouble]

Heading south after that. Has anyone gone down Route 93 all the way towards Twin Falls? Campgrounds along the 93?