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Glacier
National Park
Cascading
waterfalls, rapids along the creek, old cedar/hemlock
forests, spectacular peaks, hanging valleys created by glaciers
and awesome alpine meadows full of wildflowers - all of this and
more await you in Glacier National Park this summer. Referred
to as the ‘Switzerland of North America’ Glacier National Park,
with its breathtaking panoramic views and abundance of wildlife,
has so much to offer the avid nature and wildlife enthusiast.
This very rugged park, dramatically formed by glaciers is for the
backcountry hiker. Wildlife is abundant so don’t be surprised
when you come upon bears and wolves. Before hitting the trail,
get an update on bear activity at the visitor’s center. Most of the
park is a wilderness with only one road crossing the park and it
is open only for a brief time during the summer.
Going to the Sun Road
If you have only one
day to spend at Glacier, spend it all on the
Going-to-the-Sun Road, a spectacular 52-mile highway that
bisects Glacier National Park east and west and crosses the
Continental Divide at 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass. Start early in
the morning and drive to the end of the road and then return.
Stop at the various turnouts to take photos and take time for a
few short hikes. Start the day very early at McDonald Lake.
Stop at the Moose Turnout to view early morning moose.
Scenery is awesome in Glacier but if you do not want to go in
the snow, it’s best to take your trip in either July or August. In
the fall, winter and spring some roads are inaccessible by car.
Temperatures
Summer daytime
temperatures during the months of June, July,
and August average in the 60’s and 70’s. Nighttime
temperatures average in the 40’s. Be prepared for snow to fall
anytime!
Getting to Glacier
Park
The International
Airport in Kalispell, Montana, 25 miles from
West Glacier, is one of the closest airports. Shuttles are
available at the Kalispell airport. Great Falls, Montana, 200
miles from West Glacier also has an airport.
Activities in the
Park
A wide variety of
recreational activities await you in Glacier
National Park including bicycling, camping, boating, hiking,
fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing,
and sightseeing. Glacier National Park has 13 campgrounds
with over 1000 campsites. Bicycles are restricted to roadways,
bike routes and parking areas.
Rafting – Be thrilled by such rapids as Jaws, Screamin Right
Hand Turn, and C.B.T.I on the Middlefork of the Flathead River.
Kayaking
With certified kayak guides, learn one of the fastest growing
sports in America. Beginning courses are taught on flat water to
build confidence and perfect skills.
Fishing
No license needed to fish in Glacier but certain regulations are
to be followed. The park-fishing season is from the third
Saturday in May to November 30. Glacial fed rivers are some of
the finest fly fishing rivers in Montana.
Special Activities
for Children -
Nature with Naturalist
Children ages 6 to 12 can become a Junior Ranger by
completing family activities found in the Junior Ranger
Newspaper available at the park visitor centers. Self-guided
nature trails are perfect for families with children. Take the
children on a ranger-led activity such as hiking, boat trips and
evening slide programs.
Lodging
Many Glacier Hotel
- Many Glacier Hotel, historical lodge on the
shores of Swift Current Lake - boat tours take guests into a
wilderness wonderland from which they can view living glaciers.
Lake McDonald Lodge & Complex - Located on the Going-to-
the Sun Road, large and small cottages - scenic tours daily to
Going to the Sun Road.
Sperry Chalet - Accessible only by hiking – situated on an
alpine ledge overlooking Lake McDonald and surrounded by
craggy peaks.
Rising Sun Motor Inn - Cottages tucked away in the trees at
Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cottages on the hillside adjacent to St.
Mary Lake – plentiful wildflowers.
Izaak Walton Inn – Located at Essex - voted the best cross-
country ski resort in the Mountain Region, 2003. Named one of
the top 10 cross-country ski resorts in the Rockies by Snow
Country Magazine.
With so much of nature’s beauty and biological wonders found
in Glacier National Park, you will surely want to take this trip
again.
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