Glacier National Park - RV Experience

[Jbrannack]

We plan to take our Airstream Interstate to Glacier National Park after Labor Day for one day only and were hoping to learn suggestions from other Class B visitors. The Going To The Sun Road sounds like its a must see but apparently there are restrictions for vehicles over 21 feet long. I did read online someone who went in their Roadtrek Class B and were allowed to go and had no issues.
I welcome comments by RV visitors to Glacier.

[Moflash]

Pretty tight for a class B with overhanging rock outcroppings.Would not recommend it.We used our F350 Supercrew lwb which is just over 22ft with no problems.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

How are you (and your passengers) for white knuckle drives? This is one of those double questions: Can I ? Should I ?

I can still remember my reaction to being in the passenger seat first time on that particular drive ... in 1959 ....It's not just a driver question. The bigger the vehicle (and the more other traffic) the more crazy it can get. After Labor day is better for traffic than before. If you go the whole route with stops, it's a long drive time wise (depending on traffic and number of stops). It won't kill the entire day but it will take up a lot of it. I'd plan on stops since they let everybody get a good view of the scenery and stretch legs.

Bob

[KJRitchie]

Take a Red Bus Tour over GTTS. Worth the money. If the shuttles are still running use them.

[c21]

I was up there in July but I towed a trailer with my Harley in it and rode the Harley thru the Park. The above suggestion on the red bus tours is an excellent one. The buses are from the 1930's and although they are obviously over 21' long they are grandfathered into the park. They are refurbished and fitted with modern engines (5.4L) and brakes. Looks like a very cool way to see the park.

[BioMedMan]

We drove the Road to the sun in our Interstate last summer with no problems. The red car for tours are as long as our RV. Even if there's traffic, you may be slower, but that gives you more time to see the spectacular views. If you have a time crunch, just plan on leaving the park from the opposite side you entered. Don't double back. Really gorgeous in either direction!

[adobehome]

Hi, Jbrannack. I'm in Glacier right now and did Going to the sun road today. With my 62 globetrotter happily resting at St. MARY Campground. I would not recommend towing anything. The Red Vintage busses had to stop frequently in tight areas. I recommend you do the same as I. Settle on east side and leave for Sun road in morning. Drive yourself, if you like taking photos. Return in early afternoon, east bound. Also, be aware... there is a lightning caused wilfdire near lake McDonald. It reduces visibility and I would not recommend for anyone with respiratory problems. Heavy smoke to the west. Esp. In afternoon. Can effect visibility on road, too.

[ArcherTC]

We were there in our Interstate in July, stayed on the east side and rented a compact car in East Glacier for a couple of days (AVIS I believe). However, if you only have one day I would agree with those who recommended the Red Bus tour -- great overview and you don't have to worry about driving. Plus they retract the roof which expands your views tremendously.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Take a Red Bus Tour over GTTS. Worth the money. If the shuttles are still running use them.

Agree that the Red Bus Tour is great. The shuttle buses we saw two years ago were long Sprinters, just like the Interstate vans.

[goodshepherd]

I have driven that road many - many time. Leave your trailer at a campground, drive the Going to the Sun hiway and come back, stay in your trailer overnight and go wherever the next day. That road is not designed for LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGG vehicles - don't be an idiot and cause an accident. Try and be safe, rather than sorry.

Goodshepherd.

[PovIndy]

We are heading up to Glacier after stopping at Tetons, and Yellowstone
have two days there 9/13 & 14 and plan to drop our 28' Safari S/O in West Glacier and see the park in our 2010 Tundra - that way we can bring Benji along
Our question is concerning the fires in the park - are there any updates on conditions? are the fires moving? How is the visibility?

Arlette, Steve & Benji

[Titus]

We were in Glacier in July. Stayed in Avalanche (west side) for two nights, and used the shuttle to get to Logan Pass. Then we drove to Two Medicine (east side) early one morning to get a camping spot there. We drove around the S side on the park on Hwy 2, which was shorter than going across Going to Sun road. But an early AM (6 AM) trip across Going to Sun road would have worked just fine. Little traffic and height issues only exist when going west.

We had no reservations for any nights of our two week trip through Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier. Always hit the road early to be at our next desired spot by 7 AM. I drove, wife slept - or at least stayed in bed and rested. We typically stay outside the park the night before - at a NF campground or an improvised site, to get in early the next day. Nice NF campground at Hatchet Creek just W of Moran entrance to Grand Teton. Lousy NF campground near Coram, W of Glacier - should have improvised.

[Montanadoc]

Originally Posted by PovIndy

We are heading up to Glacier after stopping at Tetons, and Yellowstone
have two days there 9/13 & 14 and plan to drop our 28' Safari S/O in West Glacier and see the park in our 2010 Tundra - that way we can bring Benji along
Our question is concerning the fires in the park - are there any updates on conditions? are the fires moving? How is the visibility?

Arlette, Steve & Benji

We live in Kalispell and air quality up here is not great right now. There are a lot of fires around us right now and in the Pacific Northwest. It changes every day but the last two days have been pretty bad in the flathead valley, maybe not quite so bad in the park but if you want a real time view check out the webcams at Logan pass and lake Mcdonald on the glacier nps website.