Greetings, we'll be heading to Glacier soon and we can't seem to find out if the park's campgrounds have hook-ups, etc. Can anyone out help us out here? BTW, we have a 35 ft. MH.
Also, we love to hike, what's the best hiking trails at GNP?
From their website...."Utility hook-ups are not provided and connection to water, sewer, or electrical outlets is prohibited."
Some of the CGs had lenght restrictions also. You should review their website.
If you hook-ups, you will need to stay in one of the private cg around the park.
Also, we love to hike, what's the best hiking trails at GNP?
Almost any hike in Glacier is a good one. Been years but I can recommend Highline trail, Iceberg Lake, Sunrift Gorge, Grinnell Glacier, St. Mary's and Virginia Falls, Avalanche Lake, Any hike with a waterfall or lake on the other end will be good. Really, there are just tons of hikes to fit almost any skill level. If I had to recommend just one it would be the Highline Trail for the views and the wildflowers. If it is a good year for beargrass that will be an added bonus.
The rangers are very knowledgeable and can help you decide what you want to do. I do recommend taking many layers. We hiked Highline in July and ran into hail and snow at the beginning of the trip and 80 degrees at the end. Any kind of weather can occur in those mountains.
Have fun, Susan
Ray and Susan
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We really like Two Medicine Campground on the east side, though there are no hookups. There are several sites that will facilitate a large RV. The NPS allows generators for two or three periods each day, enough to be convenient. Wish we were there now!
Was there a couple of years ago and NO hook ups. Can only run generators during set hours. It get cool at night and warm in the day.
Lots of nice people and many bears.
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Check out this blog for info on Glacier; these people are there now, and they do a lot of hiking--and post pix. http://www.twowiseones.com/
(click on adventures)
Chuckling here. We left yesterday and I just started the summary review and have only gotten around to the campgrounds that we stayed in. For all of the photos and daily blog entries, click on Adventures/Archive and look at the past three weeks. It's been awesome!
I've been thinking about the best hikes and would recommend the below hikes. Most all of the hiking is great but the below are significantly greatER.
Logan Pass to Hidden Lake (or at least to the overlook) for mountain goats.
Highline Trail from Logan Pass all the way down to the loop (or at least the first mile or two) for shear coolness of trailbuilding and scenic views.
Grinell Gracier - probably the top hike of all but 700 foot elevation gain. Tough for some folks including me but best hike of all. You can take the boat across the first two lakes and do this with a Ranger at 9am (?) each morning.
Iceberg Lake - We did this right before it closed for grizzly activity and it's still closed. But it was a beautiful hike up to a neato lake. It lived up to it's name.
CAMPGROUNDS
TWO MEDICINE CAMPGROUND
This is the best kept secret campground of Glacier National Park. The sites are widely spread in a wooded area overlooking a gorgeous lake with plenty of fishing and tons of animals. Many folks come straight here and spend the entire summer moving to a new campsite every seven days (park regulation). The best part of this campground is that it comes with two interpretive rangers: Ranger Pat Hagan and Ranger Leisel Ersnt. Do NOT miss their evening campfire programs. They both also lead day hikes in the Two Medicine area. Yep. This campground and area are great!
MANY GLACIER CAMPGROUND
We pulled into Many Glacier at 9am. People were already claiming sites before folks were checking out. They'd check to ensure that the folks weren't renewing and they would put their tag on the site post and leave a couple of folding chairs. We quickly pulled the Airstream into the first nice empty site we saw! It was in the back of the campground along the creek. It's nice as almost all of the sites have shade.
The Many Glacier Campground is probably the most sought after campground on the east side of the park. The reason is clear. The bears and moose are abundant. If you can get a campsite with a view of either mountain side, take it. The campground is set in a valley which is used by grizzlies, black bear and moose as a corridor.
In the early evening, Ranger Kyle sets up spotting scopes in the parking lot back by Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Many a grizzly were spotted by us with our own scope in the same location and from our own campsite. Be sure to bring binoculars wherever you go in this valley.
ST MARY CAMPGROUND
We heard some folks rave about this campground but didn’t understand any compliments other than it’s proximity to Going-To-The-Sun Road. The wind was tremendous. In other places it was just a breeze. In the campground, it was rip roaring gusts.
The only reason we stayed in this campground for a full week is due to the fact that Rising Sun Campground only allows a maximum length of 25 feet for BOTH truck and trailer - NOT just one vehicle. Bummer as it’s gorgeous. When we drove through Rising Sun, it’s mostly tent campers.
OTHER STUFF TO KNOW ABOUT CAMPING IN GLACIER
The NPS website maintains an updated listing of when the sites at each campground fill so you can get an idea of when you safely need to be at the campground to get a spot.
FOR TENTERS - Also at each campground, there’s a site used for folks without vehicles. I don't see any issue with throwing your tent out for the night and going to park the car in one of the nearby parking lots. That way the next morning you can be first to grab one of the available sites. This isn't the best way to do it, but it could be better than sleeping in you car outside the park entrance.
We were near the eastern entrance to Glacier last week. We stayed in St. Mary at the Johnson RV Park. It is beautiful there. We were able to spend our days in the park and come back to a nice camp at night. We also explored the Many Glacier entrance which is only accessible from the east. And by the way, the Johnson Cafe there at the RV park is exceptional - home cooking. Friendly people, great amenities.
Sites are tight at Johnsons but the view is great. We camped there 2 weeks ago. the Opiqua ? viewing site just west of Logan pass has lots of goats, the babies come right onto the walkway. An idiot woman took her dog on the walkway. We told her she was risking her dog being attacked. She said,"I know I'm from here." Was a different story when Momma and Poppa thought their baby was in danger. Fortunately when they went after the poor dog there were enough of us to chase them off. They should have gone after her. We really enjoyed the park.
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