Glacier National Park. How To Get - Where To Stay.

Glacier National Park is a beautiful national park located in the northwest corner of Montana outside the Rocky Mountains. The park also borders the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Glacier is known for its stunning landscapes; the park features mountains, pristine forests, and numerous lakes and waterfalls. The park offers various outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping. Making it a popular destination for nature lovers and a great family-friendly vacation spot. 

There are many ways to get to Glacier National Park. Options like flying, driving, or a train ride are available. If you are flying, the closest airport to Glacier is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) located in Kalispell, Montana. The airport is 30 miles from the west entrance of Glacier and 12 miles from a nearby popular town, Whitefish, Montana. For trains, Amtrak services are running from East Glacier, West Glacier, and Whitefish. The train can be taken as far east as Chicago or as far west as Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.  There are seven entrances to Glacier National Park. The main entrance to Glacier is the West Glacier Entrance, located just outside of the town of West Glacier. This entrance is open 24 hours a day. Camas Creek entrance is located on the west side of the park but is more remotely located than the west glacier entrance. You can access the gate 24 hours a day but it is open for vehicles in mid June through October. The Polebridge entrance is the third Glacier located on the west side. This entrance is used mostly by the locals and frequent visitors. The Saint Mary’s entrance is located on the East Side and is open 24 hours a day and all year round. However, it is only open to vehicles from May through October, depending on snow coverage. Two Medicine Entrance is located just a few miles north of East Glacier, Montana. Many Glacier Entrances are located on the East Side. This entrance would be difficult to navigate because they do not plow the snow at this entrance. Cut Bank Entrance is the least known and the least used but is a great place for a private campsite. 

Camping in Glacier National Park is a great way to experience the park's beauty. There are 13 front country campsites, and each campground has a different use. Reservations for campsites are highly recommended as few first-come, first-served spots are available. Campsites are available to be booked 6 months in advance on a rolling basis. Apgar is the biggest campground in the park. It provides tent and RV campers with some shade and privacy. If you are not interested in camping, lodging options are available. The best lodge for those who are interested in saving a little bit of money is the Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins. This lodge has cozy motel rooms and standalone cabins. The location of Apgar Village is great, and it has easy access to the lake and surrounding forest trails. Making it a great location for families and outdoor lovers.  Another great family-friendly lodge is the Historic West Glacier Village. This lodge offers a summer camp vibe and has a mini golf course. For couples visiting Glacier National Park, check out the Prince of Wales Hotel. This hotel has amazing views of Upper Waterton Lake, the Rocky Mountains, and the charming shoreline of Waterton. 

One of the must-see locations in Glacier National Park is going to snow. This scenic drive offers breathtaking views of the park's mountains, valleys, and glaciers. You can stop at other viewpoints, trailheads, and the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Another must-see is Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park, known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain backdrop. Additionally, the Highline Trail is great for everyone to hike as it is relatively fast and flat. Virginia Falls is a waterfall accessible through a hike that offers awesome views of the falls 

Glacier National Park is home to many plants and animals. 71 species of mammals call Glacier National Park their home. Glacier has a large bear population, and the park provides one of the largest remaining grizzly bear populations in the United States. Mountain Goats are also a popular animal in the park. These goats live on the high cliffs and can be seen in the mountains. Pikas are small creatures, only about 4 inches in length. These small animals can be found living under rocks in the alpine terrain. Wolverines can also be found living in the subalpine forest of Glacier. 

Numerous tours of Glacier National Park are available. Tours are offered by boat, bike, and horseback rides. Boat tours are available in numerous lakes throughout the park. Bus tours are offered, highlighting Blackfeet culture. Daily bus tours start from West Glacier, East Glacier, St. Mary, and Browning during the peak season. Guided horseback tours are available inside the park at Many Glacier, Lake Mcdonald, and Apgar. 

Visiting a national park can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable. Come for at least five days. A weekend is not enough time to see all the wonders that the park has to offer. Five days is the perfect amount of time to see a decent number of sites. To maximize your trip, consider staying two nights at West Glacier and two nights at East Glacier. It's also highly recommended that you bring or rent a car. If you’re driving or renting a car, fill up your gas tank beforehand. There are no gas stations located inside or close outside of the park. Fill up your gas tank in nearby towns like West Glacier or St. Mary’s.   Although shuttles run throughout the park, you’ll need a car to reach some of the best spots. Many trailheads are in remote locations not serviced by the shuttle system. If you need a ride, check the shuttle schedule and routes before heading out into the national park. Cash is not accepted in the park, so bring a debit or credit card. Be prepared for your cell phone to not have service. Many parks do not have a service, so you cannot access the internet. With that, remember to bring a paper map if you cannot find your way back home and lose signal. Leave your pets at home, as Glacier National Park is not pet-friendly in any areas of the park.

Around 3 million people visit Glacier National Park each year. Sometimes it is better to visit in certain seasons to beat the crowds. The best time to visit Glacier National Park is in the summer months of July and August. The temperatures are enjoyable; they are not hot or cold. There is a chance you may even see snow during these times. Fall is also a great time to visit, especially if you enjoy seeing the colors of the fall and the changes of the season. The only downside to visiting Glacier at this time is that most of the restaurants and lodges close after Labor Day. If you’re looking for a place to stay during these months of closure, check out b0arding.com. Although some months may be better than others, the park's beauty will always be there, making any time a perfect time to visit. 

Preparing with everything you need is key for a great trip. Here are some things you should remember to pack on your trip to Glacier National Park. Layers of clothing are important to have on when exploring the park. The temperatures change, and you change elevations. Comfortable shoes are necessary as you will spend lots of time walking around.  Glacier is home to bears. Keeping bear spray on your face is a good idea if you encounter one. 

If you find yourself hungry while visiting Glacier, there are many options for grabbing a bite. Located in Apgar, Eddie’s Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eddie’s has a wide variety of food, meeting everyone's needs. Lake McDonald's has three dining options. Russell's Fireside Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Jammer Joe's Grill serves dinner and lunch, and Luckes Lounge serves lunch and dinner. Many of the popular attractions have restaurants in convenient locations for visitors in the park.

Overall, Glacier National Park is an amazing trip for couples, families, and even solo travel. There are many things to do and explore making it an enjoyable trip for all ages. Whenever you decide to visit Glacier National Park you will have an amazing time seeing all the park has to offer. Planning a vacation can be stressful, but not when you follow along with these helpful tips and tricks to make your planning easier and stress-free.