This is where we have decided to take our big trip next summer. We plan on going in June and will be there in the middle of the week, I am sure it is too late to get weekends there.
We have a 31' TT.
Any recommendations for campgrounds, we have 4 children ages 9-17.
It can still be quite cold there in June. The Going-To-The-Sun Road usually opens sometime in June. I like the east side of Glacier because it gives easier access to Many Glacier Valley, Two Medicine Valley and Waterton Lakes NP (in Canada). There is a NP campground (St Mary) if you don't need hook-ups. Johnson's RV and the KOA are good choices (only choices near east entrance)if you want hook-ups.
I would go to Mtn Meadow. Less money than KOA and 8 miles from park, but closer to Hungry horse and Columbia Falls. We enjoy their park and it is very kid friendly.
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Be advised that you will NOT be allowed to tow your trailer through the park on Going to the Sun road. There are length restrictions that you won't even come close to fitting. We had to remove our 11.5 foot TC from our truck before driving through.
RRUGG
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June is definitely "iffy" to see Glacier because of the weather. There have been times that the Going-to-the-Sun Road is still being plowed due to spring snowfall. I would say to plan for the end instead of the beginning of June if you have to go in that month.
We stayed on both sides: LaSalle RV Park in Columbia Falls and St Mary KOA in St Mary. We towed the fifth wheel over Marias Pass on Highway 2 to get from the west side to the east side.
We took our kids to Glacier the first week of July in 2004. It was still cold on Logan Pass, and the roads were open.
Happy Planning.
PS. We're planning our trip for Seattle and Portland.
Scott & Margo
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"May you live as long as you want and may you never want as long as you live."
We stayed on the west side this past July.
If I had to do it again I would stay nearer to Kalispell or Whitefish. More to do when not in the Park.
Whatever you decide, it's the best National Park we've been in; more ooohs and ahhhhs than all the rest put together.
Make sure you have plenty of batteries and disc space on your camera. Go early up the mountain because by 11AM the parking lot was full.
Tallyo
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Semper Fi
I would suggest you do a Search on there and look up Glacier - a lot of good info passed along in the past.
We were there again this last summer - think that was the 4th time. Love it.
Personally, we like the east side better; not as commercial and more hiking, etc. (all levels). On the east side I would definitely stay at the KOA - they were just finishing up a great new poo; / spa area when we were there in July.
On the west side we stayed at the North American this time and it was fine. KOA is the best by far but quite expensive.
If you want more specifics feel free to eamil me at LaurenH517@gmail.com
Lauren - DW Barbara - "Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3 with TrailAir
2006 Chev 3500 3LT Ext Cab 4x4 360HP Dmax 6 Spd Allie
Most issues have been touched on here: Going to Sun may not be open. West to East with trailer requires using hwy 2 even if Going to Sun is open. Even if Going to Sun is open many high elevation hikes will be unavailable in June due to snow. If you like commercial out of park activities, the West side is the place to be. If you like to hike and see sights in the park, I (and many others) prefer the East side. It isn't too late at all to get reservations. Only Fish Creek and St Mary's NPS campgrounds even allow reservations-remainder are first come first serve. Commercial campgrounds will still have plenty available. Glacier is gorgeous, bring plenty of film or something to download your memory card to.
Thanks for all the recommendations.
We checked all the NP campgrounds and according to the websites, we won't fit into any of them, we knew when we bought our trailer, that we would have that issue and have to go to private campgrounds.
It will be after June 21st when we go. July and August are out for big trips this year. Our two boys have Boy Scout Summer camp, the middle of June (sorry that should have said JULY) and this is the first year for the youngest boy and he is so excited. Our older son is going to Philmont Scout camp in August.
So that kinda left us with June for our big trip.
Our youngest is special needs and we really needed the extra space.
I did read last night about the Going to Sun road.
We have just started researching and I wanted to ask her first to get some ideas and personal recommendations, as we can say that at times websites don't always tell the truth about a campground. We learned that lesson last summer when we went to Southern California.
Oh and I should say I am not new...I have been here before, but for some reason, I could not get logged in, even once my user name and password was sent.
My other usernamd was jemek.
* This post was
edited 12/09/07 08:11pm by smith7 *
Chances are, the road will be open by 6/21. You may want to keep checking the glacier website for status. I would consider going to a different park if the road wasn't going to be open when there. Not sure if you are into hiking, but there are many trails at Glacier. The one I feel is "must do" is from the Visitor Center to Hidden Lake. It has scenery and lots of wildlife.
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