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Major_Tom · 12-01-2021, 12:11 PM

My wife and I are planning a trip for next July to the Pacific NW and we would like to visit Glacier National Park on the way.
Any good recommendations for RV site (28' International) near the park?

Thanks,
Tom

JayleNBob · 12-01-2021, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major_Tom

My wife and I are planning a trip for next July to the Pacific NW and we would like to visit Glacier National Park on the way.
Any good recommendations for RV site (28' International) near the park?

Thanks,
Tom

We visited GNP in early October 2021 and stayed at the West Glacier KOA. It is one of the finest KOA's we stayed at, I wouldn't hesitate to offer this recommendation.

goransons · 12-01-2021, 06:13 PM

There are two KOA's west of the park. Either are nice, the one closer fills up faster. Things to keep in mind, if you want to go into Glacier you need the permit, but you need the day pass. We were there a week and learned about the Road to the sun pass a couple weeks before. We missed the first lottery (long term planning) and were forced to fight for them the 48 hours before. They literally sold out in less than 10 seconds. With 5 households trying we ultimately crammed into 2 cars, and got in one day where our passes overlapped. Worth it, but plan way ahead and learn about the pass and try to get the early bird version.

Salvagediver · 12-01-2021, 07:23 PM

We stayed at Lake Five Resort and RV park - plenty of shade. Power was solid. We've also stayed at a new campground, West Glacier Village (or something like that). Clean and close.

Scott S · 12-02-2021, 09:45 AM

What side of the park?

hhendrix · 12-02-2021, 10:41 AM

Two things, search my post: West Glacier KOA WARNING

Hopefully they have changed their policy on hidden resort fees due to the response from members here.

Second, sometimes Glacier Park and length limits on vehicles touring the park.

DRBusse · 12-02-2021, 10:55 AM

Second-the-motion for the West Glacier KOA...we stayed there several times. You might also consider a night or two in St. Mary on the east side of the park...a good jumping-off point to explore that side as well as Waterton. There is a KOA at St. Mary as well as Johnson's, a private RV camp with spectacular views of the east side of GNP. This is something to consider if you are approaching Glacier from the east via US2. Keep in mind that the drive from East Glacier to West Glacier via US2 skirts the southern border of the park and is a terrific, scenic drive over Marias Pass and along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, often overlooked. If you do make that drive, an Izaak Walton Inn lunch stop in Essex is a must.

We own a summer home in the Glacier area and are there May-October. If you like boon docking "away from it all" you might take a look at Big Creek, a USFS Flathead National Forest campground on the scenic North Fork of the Flathead River and just a few miles south of the Camas Road entrance to Glacier. The North Fork region of Glacier is a wonderful side-trip that includes the village of Polebridge and places like Bowman and Kintla lakes...there are also other USFS boondocking sites along the North Fork Road (Glacier NP is right across the river).

If you are unable to score the Going To The Sun road ticket lottery, simply reserve a boat trip on St. Mary Lake or Lake McDonald for the time you are visiting, and your confirmation email gets you access to GTSR and Glacier without the difficult-to-obtain road tickets. Another option is to book a Red Bus tour of GTSR...negates the need for the controlled entry tickets and (more important) you don't have to worry about parking at places like Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass, popular spots that fill up in a hurry during summer season, and you get to experience a unique, timeless facet of Glacier Park.

As you can imagine, the entry pass and parking issues at Glacier are a "work in progress" and the rules may be subject to revision for the 2022 season. Check the park website and well as local papers like the Flathead Beacon, The Hungry Horse News and the Daily Interlake. All have on-line sites and do a good job of reporting the Glacier Park situation.

When we are in Montana, we are in the park at least three days a week. It is our favorite place. Feel free to contact me via email for any more information.

DRBusse · 12-02-2021, 11:29 AM

As mentioned above, you can keep up on all things Glacier National Park by checking out the Flathead Beacon's "Glacier Journal" from time to time.

https://flatheadbeacon.com/section/glacier-journal/

gypsydad · 12-02-2021, 11:43 AM

We visit each year a few times, as we had a cabin close by; I was also born in MT and been visiting since I was a kid. KOA West entrance, is nice but pricy. There are a several campgrounds outside the park entrances; you need to decide where you want to stay...

The West entrance we have stayed in several outside the park; prefer Glacier Campground for a night or 2 as it is much less expensive then KOA. We will move to Apgar inside the park for longer stays once we get a site inside; still first come so no reservations yet.. We like Apgar as it usually has sites if you get there early, is on GTS highway, next to Lake McDonnald, and the village is walking distance to shop/eat/groceries. Lots to do there. The other campgrounds we like are Two Medicine, St. Marys, and Many Glacier. Toughest to get into is Many Glacier...folks line up at the gate around 5am to get a spot when they open up at 8am! Road in is very rough, but if you get in, it is spectacular with lots to do, beautiful lake, lots of wildlife and of course bears! It's also close to Waterton, CAN so day trip or even camping there in Canada is very convenient..assuming the border is open.

Two Medicine can get crowded and is nice, but can get windy sometimes. There are several campgrounds close outside/around each entrance. (except Many Glacier) Get a reservation ahead if you want to stay inside the park or you can get a spot outside for couple nights, and check out park campgrounds and decided if where you want to stay in the park. Don't procrastinate if wanting to stay inside at Many Glacier or Fish Creek; book asap.

ttrout · 12-02-2021, 11:50 AM

Be sure to take a spotting scope if you have one, binoculars if you don't. We have spent hours grizzly watching up on the mountains

Wheelestate · 12-02-2021, 12:10 PM

I would highly recommend West Glacier RV Park. We stayed there and absolutely loved it. We had reservation at West Glacier KOA however after driving thru there opted to extend our stay at the West Glacier RV Park. You are literally right outside the entrance so it can't get any better and its a new RV park. Have fun!!

Here is the link:https://www.glacierparkcollection.co...acier-rv-park/

Wheelestate · 12-02-2021, 12:13 PM

I forgot to mention your a short walk or bike ride to the West Village which is a fun area.

Mikemdd · 12-02-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRBusse

Second-the-motion for the West Glacier KOA...we stayed there several times. You might also consider a night or two in St. Mary on the east side of the park...a good jumping-off point to explore that side as well as Waterton. There is a KOA at St. Mary as well as Johnson's, a private RV camp with spectacular views of the east side of GNP. This is something to consider if you are approaching Glacier from the east via US2. Keep in mind that the drive from East Glacier to West Glacier via US2 skirts the southern border of the park and is a terrific, scenic drive over Marias Pass and along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, often overlooked. If you do make that drive, an Izaak Walton Inn lunch stop in Essex is a must.

We own a summer home in the Glacier area and are there May-October. If you like boon docking "away from it all" you might take a look at Big Creek, a USFS Flathead National Forest campground on the scenic North Fork of the Flathead River and just a few miles south of the Camas Road entrance to Glacier. The North Fork region of Glacier is a wonderful side-trip that includes the village of Polebridge and places like Bowman and Kintla lakes...there are also other USFS boondocking sites along the North Fork Road (Glacier NP is right across the river).

If you are unable to score the Going To The Sun road ticket lottery, simply reserve a boat trip on St. Mary Lake or Lake McDonald for the time you are visiting, and your confirmation email gets you access to GTSR and Glacier without the difficult-to-obtain road tickets. Another option is to book a Red Bus tour of GTSR...negates the need for the controlled entry tickets and (more important) you don't have to worry about parking at places like Avalanche Creek and Logan Pass, popular spots that fill up in a hurry during summer season, and you get to experience a unique, timeless facet of Glacier Park.

As you can imagine, the entry pass and parking issues at Glacier are a "work in progress" and the rules may be subject to revision for the 2022 season. Check the park website and well as local papers like the Flathead Beacon, The Hungry Horse News and the Daily Interlake. All have on-line sites and do a good job of reporting the Glacier Park situation.

When we are in Montana, we are in the park at least three days a week. It is our favorite place. Feel free to contact me via email for any more information.

This is better information than you can get from any brochure or website... Thanks!

Hoagie · 12-02-2021, 02:21 PM

We stayed in Mountain Meadows RV Park in Hungry Horse, MT a couple of years ago. Nice park with large sites, full hookups, decent wireless. Its about 12 minutes from the west entrance to the park.

We agree with the recommendation for the Red Bus Tour. Best part of this is you don't have to worry about parking at any of the stops. You get a narrated tour up Going to the Sun Highway and everyone in your party gets to enjoy the scenery and vistas. (I've driven the highway in the past and as the driver, you don't want to take your eyes of this road even for a second.)

If you like getting up early you may not need a ticket for this drive. According to Recreation.gov passes are only required between 6am and 5pm.

If you don't mind dirt roads look into making a drive out to Polebridge, MT, a tiny community about 27 miles North of the West entrance to the park. Nice drive. Interesting community. Great mercantile.

Hope your trip goes well.

**azflycaster** · 12-02-2021, 03:50 PM

Our last visit (2018) we stayed at North American RV Park. It is in Coram, just a few miles from the wet entrance to the park. Very nice facility and it was the middle of September and we were able to Passport America for 50% off.

gypsydad · 12-02-2021, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoagie

We stayed in Mountain Meadows RV Park in Hungry Horse, MT a couple of years ago. Nice park with large sites, full hookups, decent wireless. Its about 12 minutes from the west entrance to the park.

We agree with the recommendation for the Red Bus Tour. Best part of this is you don't have to worry about parking at any of the stops. You get a narrated tour up Going to the Sun Highway and everyone in your party gets to enjoy the scenery and vistas. (I've driven the highway in the past and as the driver, you don't want to take your eyes of this road even for a second.)

If you like getting up early you may not need a ticket for this drive. According to Recreation.gov passes are only required between 6am and 5pm.

If you don't mind dirt roads look into making a drive out to Polebridge, MT, a tiny community about 27 miles North of the West entrance to the park. Nice drive. Interesting community. Great mercantile.

Hope your trip goes well.

Polebridge mercantile is great! Best huckleberry macaroons, but all their pastries and sandwiches are great! Go up to Bowmans lake while there...but take it slow...road is a bit rough. Lake is like Louis in Banff area...very cool to picnic there! To rough to get an AS trailer into, IMHO>

Andy Squared · 12-02-2021, 04:24 PM

I highly recommend you look at Hungry Horse Reservoir on NFS land. Often overlooked and very under-rated.

I worked (and lived) in GNP on the Ticketed Entry (TE) system last summer. TE is a work in progress. The weak point is Rec.gov. TE ends at 5pm and you just need your park pass then, In July you have sun after 10 pm still and beautiful twilight. Arrive before 6am and in you go, just don't leave during the day. Tickets go on sale 60 days prior to entry, Usually 80% of capacity and the other 20% 48 hours ahead of entry. TE is based on number of parking spaces in the park. They do sell out in 3-10 minutes. Do not just pass through the area, GNP is not a single day experience. IF you want to drive Going to The Sun (GTSR) make you sure it's open before you arrive, although usually open in late June it can be later. The is no, just going to Apgar Village or the Visitor Center since it is on GTSR. If you hated TE, contact your senators and congressional representatives, especially those on DOI committee.

Rosey Jet · 12-02-2021, 05:58 PM

Just outside Kalispell, this was a very nice place..
Columbia Falls RV Park
noreply.columbiafalls@gmail.com
406-892-1122

Kauainot · 12-02-2021, 07:43 PM

My wife and I just spent 4 months on the road. From the Bay Area to Maine. We ventured through 32 states including Montana. We loved staying at Moose Creek RV Resort & B&B. We were there the last 2 days they were open. September 30 & October 1. They actually close up at the end of September but allowed us to stay another day. Only 2 miles from the entrance of the Park. Nice sites nestled in the woods, quiet and convenient. Reasonably priced too!

tommyglen · 12-06-2021, 12:25 PM

We had a very pleasant stay at the Moose Creek RV Resort only three miles west of the west Glacier NP entrance, right off highway #2.

Check out the website for information.

Also, day pass into the Park are not needed if entering before 6:00 AM, or after 5:00 PM. We went in at 5:00 and had a marvelous crowd-free time all the up to the "SUN" and back. Bears and trees and sights aplenty!

Be sure to walk the "Trail of Cedars" path near the west entry before the climb up. Amazing self-guided tour of majestic trees.

Also, behind Moose Creek RV is another resort that is lake-side with beaches and rental gear for the lake. Cannot remember the name, but a couple RVers pulled out of Moose Creek just to get access to the lake-side.