It's been a few years, but Glacier is our favorite, mostly because there are fewer people. We've stayed at Rising Sun and Many Glacier Campgrounds, and they were fine. However, there's a relatively undeveloped campground just south of Saint Mary's that's called Cut Bank, I think that we really liked. I wouldn't miss Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada just north of Glacier, and there's a pretty good Plains Indian Museum in Browning just east of the St. Mary's entrance. Happy camping.
GreatWhite
2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Quadcab Dually
2004 Alpenlite Santa Fe 1150
I just remembered there is another private campground acroos the highway called Johnsons Of St Mary RV Park.
The road to the KOA is almost opposite the drive to Johnsons.
That was going to be our original stop in the East Glacier area.
It is higher than the highway and offers a good view of the lake.
Bill
Cuttership wrote: I'm plaining my 20 day vaction starting in Sept 3. Thinking about Glacier National park(GNP), then heading south to Jackson Wyoming. Question hows the weather around GNP in September?
It can certainly vary, but things start closing by about mid September. Having said that, we like it that time of year. It's much cooler, wetter and emptier than in the summer. Of course the Grizzlies are hungrier too (getting ready for winter) and some of the beautiful lodges have already shut their doors. Even the private places start shutting down; one year we missed Johnson's Cafe (mentioned above as a part of the RV park) by a day or so; the next year caught the last weekend they were open. Great family style breakfasts.
In any case, if you don't mind the weather, threat of snow/rain, you'll have a blast. Sometimes you might not get any warm days at all, and the pass can get hit by snow and you won't be able to see it/do it.
We took this trip a couple of years ago. I don't remember where we stayed but we never plan ahead because that's the beauty of a camper. We did stay in park operated camp grounds and the camper allowed us to stay in places normally only used by tents and the like. In other words the big 5ers and trailers have to plan ahead but I had no problems with the camper.
My wife, kids, and I did this trip two years ago and had a great time. Getting there was half the fun. On the way out we stopped at Badlands National Park and spent a day there (there is a KOA on the South Side). After that we went to Mt. Rushmore and spent two days there. There is a KOA at Mt. Rushmore that will take you to the mountain for a small fee.
After that we jumped up to Cheyenne, WY and took a HWY that crossed the Continental Divide and dropped in on the South Entrance to Tetons National Park and Yellowstone. There is a RV park at that intersection and that is where we met my parents who drive thier RV down from AK. We then drove into the Tetons and spent one day (should have spent more) and move to the campground on Yellowstone Lake (primitive). But if you don't have reservations you will not get into it this year. Had bison walking 5 ft from our RV; drove the dog, and wife, nuts. Remember to take one day, maybe two, to drive all the routes through the park. You will know where to look for animals because there will 500 cars stopped along the side of the road in various directions.
After that we drove up to Glaciar Nat. Park (via Missoula, MT) and camped at the KOA like most everyone else has. Remember to stop at one the roadside stands around Flathead lake and pick up the best, and cheapest, cherries you will ever find.
It was a great trip and you should have a blast. Since I don't have a map I can't remember the names of the all the roads but if you look at an atlas of the area you should be able to pick out the roads that I mentioned. Forgot to mentioned we started at VA Beach, VA. Heck of trip and I am still married but for a family of four in a TC it will test your relationship.
08 F350, DRW, 4WD, DSL
07 Lance 1131
1 wife, two kids, and a dog
Just got back from from a trip west,we live south of Detroit in Canada took a month to do grand tetons, yellowstone,Glacier,and up into Canada banff and jasper.WE did stay at the St.Mary KOA it is very open but still a nice campground,with side trips like road to the sun and many glaciers to see makes it handy
Bob
There are many reasonably priced campgrounds once you reach the west. I paid as little as $10 a night in north central Wash. and $15 a night in Rapid City, S.Dakota. Also take advantage of the state and National Parks. They have few amenities but are clean and great for overnighters. I found Utah to be very boondock friendly. With a rig your size you shouldn't have any problem with that. TC's are very flexible. Though I have a 37'5th wheel at present, I'm looking for a 9 ft pop up with a bathroom to replace the '94 Elkhorn I just sold. Alone and with a dog, the TC and a camera is all I need for the journey your planning. Adrian in Scranton, Pa.
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