For any of you who have been to Glacier and the surronding area, can you give us any suggestion on "special" things to see and do while we are out there?
We will be staying at West Glacier KOA, anyone been there?
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This past summer we spent two weeks at Glacier. We orginally had reservations at West Glacier KOA but then found Glacier Campground for LOTS less $$ and ended up cancelling the KOA. Even with the fee to cancel saved bunches. Glacier Campground does not have sewer but they will pump you out for $8.00. Still lots of savings over the KOA.It is about 1/2 mile closer to the entrance to West Glacier than the KOA.
We took a kayaking trip on the river and also played some golf at Glacier Golf Course. Of course lots of hiking opportunities there too. The place is really beautiful. You will see grizzlies for sure. We were lucky enought to see two walking down the side of the road. More over at the Many Glacier area. We moved the second week to East Glacier to St. Mary's. That way can see the whole park without spending so much time driving. Have fun!!
Glacier CG in West Glacier is much less costly as stated above. Not nearly as crowded. If Cajun Mary's Cafe is still in business there, give it a try.
While in West Glacier, take a drive over to the Goat Lick. This is a huge canyon right off the road - there is adequate parking - with a viewing area. These mountain goats come down and lick minerals on the side of the gorge. The walls are almost vertical and they walk around and cavort like it was level ground. Take your binoculars.
Of course you know about Going to the Sun.
There is a dam just a short drive off the road from Kalispell in or near Hungry Horse. You can drive up the road to and across the dam. It continues up into the mountains, but we didn't get past the dam (rain)
Walk the Trail of Cedars and take a look at the thickness of the moss growing on the side of the rocks. Continuously dripping water makes it grow. The trail is something over a mile, but worth the effort. Most is on an elevated board walk.
rkassl wrote: For any of you who have been to Glacier and the surronding area, can you give us any suggestion on "special" things to see and do while we are out there?
We will be staying at West Glacier KOA, anyone been there?
The PARK is totally SPECIAL -- just get out of the car and hike -- not a disappointing step will be taken. Do not forget to see and do the Canadian side also.
The whole area is just “eye candy” and to try to say one thing is more special is just a personal preference – much like Yellowstone, in the only things that will disappoint, will be the things you didn’t see or do, not so much the things you did.
Hi,
We were thre a few weeks last summer & wrote about all our adventures (hiking, restaurants, etc..) on our travel blog (linked below). On the right is an index which will help you find the Galcier info.
rkassl. GNP, a really great place to visit. Hope you will be there after mid-June and "Going to the Sun Road" is open and you can drive tow over Logan's Pass, a memorable drive and wonderful sights. Next best is to ride the antique open air bus and listen to the docent. DO go to St Mary's and eat a slice of rhubarb pie at the Park Cafe. I would also recommend a visit to Waterton Lakes NP, (the Canadian side). There is a wonderful campground right in town with full H/U and deer wandering thru your campsite. Boat ride to Goat Haunt, back into the US well worth the time and money.
Go to Arends flyshop in Columbia Falls, make a reservationfor a float trip down the Flathead River and maybe have them show you how to fly fish as well.
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We are also thinking about Glacier this summer after Fleetwood rally in Gillette end of June. Will be listening in as well. We have not been out west for a couple of years and looking forward to it again...may the fuel price not rise again. LOL
Joan and Bruce
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Glacier NP is one of our favorite places - been there a few times. Sounds like you are going to be on the west side only; I would try to figure some time to get over the east side which we like much better - not a commercial et al.
Glacier West KOA is the best place on the west side, but you pay for it in spades. I would recommend North American but you will get a variety of opinions on where to stay. We have looked at them all.
If you can do a nice short hike on the west side do Avalanche Lake. And here is something most people will not tell you about - drive to Polebridge and get a cinnamon roll or whatever at the very neat General Store. I think there are two ways to Polebridge; drive the easist one. Then go north to Red Mountain Road which only goes east. You will connect with Upper Whitefish Road which runs parallel to Hwy 93. You head south to Hwy 40 and back. It takes a day but some of the most beautiful spots you will see. Of course, GNP is so beautiful and special.
God bless - be safe.
Lauren - -
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I agree that the east side offers better access to everything east of Logan Pass, but don't stay in East Glacier or Browning as it is too far from everything. Stay around Many Glacier, St Marys or even Two Medicine. Those locations can handle larger rvs but generally without hookups. I also agree with seeing Waterton.
If you go to Polebridge, go to Bowman Lake. It is beautiful and much less visited. There are some great hikes in that area and even a primitive cg near the Ranger Station. The road into Bowman Lake is narrow with sharp turns, so not suitable for most rvs, only campers, pups, tents, etc.
There is only one road to Polebridge, and it is unpaved and very rough (35mph). It will take up to two hours to get there from Columbia Falls and a little less from Apgar. The road is paved from Columbia Falls to just past the Apgar cutoff road, as is the Apgar road, but it is slow going from there to the Canadian border. I don't recommend this side trip unless you have plenty of time to see the main park attractions first.
We visit GNP most summers, and our dear friends worked in GNP for many years, as have their children. The place we call home is about 1 1/2 hours south of GNP on the south edge of Flathead Lake, and my family goes back 100 years in that area.
Enjoy visiting our part of God's Country!
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