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Glacier National Park in July
Has anyone been there and is there anything we need to know? We are pulling our popup unless we find the perfect travel trailer between now and then. Our stops include Estes Park - Rocky Mountain National Park, Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier. We have been to the others but never Glacier. Should we get our passports? What I mean is, is there really a great reason to travel into the Canada side of the park? Thanks for any help!
Tags: Glacier
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chet King on -
We are headed there in August so cannot help you now. We have reservations at the Mountain Meadow. We have heard many good reports on this whole area and are looking forward to the trip.
Hope you have a great time while there.
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Permalink Reply by Ross & Becky on -
Thanks! I'll let you know what we thought and post photos.
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Permalink Reply by Don and Ruth Slabaugh on -
We live about 1/2 hour from Glacier so maybe can give some advice. We were just there biking today and it was wonderful. Plenty of snow yet so the mountains are beautiful.
Once at Glacier, park your vehicles and take the shuttle. They are redoing Going to the Sun Road and offer free shuttle service along the road. It is great. You can get off at the designated stops, hike to your hearts content and then catch another bus. Many still drive the Sun Road but leaving the driving to them is fun. In the past, us locals visited the park on the shoulder seasons and then seek out our "secret spots" outside the park during the tourist season. Now, with the shuttle we too enjoy the park during the busy summer season because of the ease of transport.
Along the Sun Road beginning from the west, popular stops include Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars (same location). (Glacier is geared for hiking - hope you enjoy that.) Logan Pass is the top of the Sun Road with Hidden Lake Trail a must. We are having a very late spring but the flowers should be fully out in July. Watch for Mountain Goats on the hike. Also from that pass, you can hike the Highland Trail as far as you want to go. Once a year we do the Highland Trail past Granite Park Chalet and then down, down, down to the loop where we catch the shuttle back to the car. (a tough 11 mile hike due to the downhill.) On the east side of the pass, There are other places to get out, hike some, and then move on to the next stop. Jackson Glacier viewpoint, St. Mary Lake and other stops are fun. There are also some waterfalls near St. Mary Lake that are short hikes.
All along the Sun Road are pull-outs for picture taking - good if you want to take your car. If you have a big rig, go from one side of the park to the other over Marias Pass (US 2) south of the park. They have length restrictions for big rigs on the Sun Road plus the Sun Road is narrow with few guardrails.
Since we mostly access the park from our home, we don't have a lot of input on camping opportunities. Campgrounds are throughout the park and we don't believe there are hook-ups at any. We believe there may be reservation opportunities but can't be specific. Most campgrounds are first come, first served.
Two other areas of the park are must sees. Both are accessed from the east side of the park. Many Glacier is a beautiful place with many hikes and a neat boat ride. Here you will have a greater chance to see wildlife also. Two Medicine is also beautiful. It is our favorite since I was a ranger there for two years. Again a boat trip and various hiking opportunities with far fewer people.
We know you will have fun and a great time will be in store.
Don
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Permalink Reply by Ross & Becky on
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Oh, thank you so much! It sounds like there is really no reason for us to get a passport to go to the Canadian side. Plenty to see and do there! I appreciate this information so much! It is nice to hear this.
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Permalink Reply by Will Triplet on -
We were there in June 2007. The weather was beautiful, coolo in the morning and delightful by mid morning. Plan on driving St. Mary's to West Glacier, however it is limited to 20 foot length vehicles. Wildlife viewing is best early am. There are a lot of hiking trails and other outdoor activities available depending on your budget. Good Luck, Will & Charlene Triplet wtriplet@centurytel.net
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Permalink Reply by Ross & Becky on
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Did any of you go to the Canadian side of the park? If so, was it really worth the trip? I hate to be hurrying there if it is just more of the same and we can keep our trip a bit more relaxed than constantly moving.
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