Glacier NP Insight One

GNP, West Glacier KOA, 2018, 10 min.

We called West Glacier KOA the last week of the season, about mid-September and luckily got in.  West Glacier KOA is considered one of the nicest KOA’s anywhere and it has plenty of amenities, it’s well-kept and only two miles from the West gate.  There are others nearby. If you are 30 minutes from the gate, I’d consider that staying close.

 Memorize this website https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

5 Basic Tips

1. Early to bed, early to rise.  By 8 am, you will be lucky to get a parking space anywhere without waiting.
2. Take everything you’ll need.  There is no fuel and other than Apgar and Logan pass, there are no stores inside the gates.
3. Large vehicles are not permitted beyond certain points.  Going to the Sun Road is very, narrow, some very sharp turns.  There is ZERO tolerance.
4. Be patient and flexible.  Access to trails can be restricted by no parking or wildlife.  Your plans could change drastically.
5. Make all reservations as early as possible, a year in advance if you can.

Hiking

Everyone can hike and enjoy the beauty and majesty of this park.  You can go to Apgar or park on the side of GTTSR, where permitted and just walk down to Lake McDonald. There are easy hikes like the boardwalk at Trail of the Cedars and there are long difficult hikes that will take a full day and some overnight.  Amazing views will surround you.  You are likely to see Montana wildlife that includes Long Horn Sheep, Elk, Marmots, Mountain Goats, Moose and maybe Bear.

Remember: Hydrate, Rest, Fuel, Layers.

Outside the Gates

 Don’t miss St. Mary’s, Two Medicine, Babb and Many Glacier.  Nearby Hotels, RV Parks and Camps are convenient.  Visit Polebridge, Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake. Larger towns West of the park like Kalispell, Columbia Falls and Whitefish have everything you need.  They are gateways to more Hiking, Paddling, and Camping, Photog-Tours, Heli-Tours, Horseback Riding, Fishing, Biking and Cross Country Skiing.  Need gear and want to preserve Glacier?  Go to https://glacier.org/

Remember: Few Restaurants, Grocery Stores and Gas Stations

Seeing the Crown of the Continent

  Regardless of the weather, the views are fantastic.  Gate to gate on Going to the Sun Rd. is 2 to 2 ½ hours depending on traffic.  You’ll probably stop to take in the views and take photos.  Take your time, slow is smart. There are a few parking lots with bathrooms. Distance is 54 miles, most areas speed limit is 30 mph.

Remember: Use your lights for safety.

The Musts

If you’re hiking, you must have Day Hikes of Glacier National Park, https://shop.glacier.org/ .  Cell phone cameras are very good, but investing in a nice camera for this trip is smart.  Binoculars are great if you want to sit and search for wildlife, you’ll probably find it.  Talk to Rangers, participate in Ranger Talks, you will learn so much more that you can’t learn anywhere else. 

Remember: Likely No Cell or Wi-Fi inside the park.

What We’ve Learned

On this first trip, we learned we needed to make a great plan to go back and learn a lot more!  We learned we needed to stay healthy and get in better shape if we were to see and go to more places.  Not all of them, just more.  Some of the terrain is extreme but like I said, some of it is just outside your car or hotel room door. 

Remember: Let Our Souls Travel will be happy to help you have a GREAT trip! R&M 4Ever