Glacier National Park Information

Glacier Park celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2010! There are a lot of Glacier National Park Centennial activities planned.

Glacier National Park is one of America’s most spectacular mountain playgrounds.  Rare wildlife still thrives in the park and visitors have the opportunity to experience the alpine environment from their vehicle on the world famous Going to the Sun Road. 

Glacier National Park is located in northwest Montana and bordered on the east by the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the west by the clear and cold North Fork of the Flathead and on the south by the immense Great Bear Wilderness.  Immediately adjacent to Glacier National Park to the north is Waterton International Peace Park in Alberta, Canada.   The park’s historical roots are tied to a rich railroad history. In fact, it was the Great Northern Railroad who first promoted Glacier National Park to America’s adventurous tourists.

Glacier National Park Hotels

There are may lodging options in and around Glacier National park.  One of the most popular hotels is the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn which is located in the rugged Many Glacier Valley on the east side of the park.  The Inn has splendid accommodations and a quaint coffee shop that is often filled with hikers and climbers.  The remote Inn is a trekker’s hub both in the morning and early evening.   Many adventurous travelers can be found holding court and sharing stories in the coffee shop and café.  There are also many hotel options in the nearby Flathead Valley, just east of the Park.

Glacier National Park Chalets

Historic chalets were constructed in bygone era.  Glacier has four front country chalets that are accessible by vehicle.  East Glacier, Many Glacier, McDonald Lake Lodge and the Belton Chalet are all rustic and magical. 

The East Glacier Lodge is constructed of giant Douglas fir timbers and represents classic log style architecture.   This chalet is the one to see if you can only stay for a short period of time. 

The Belton Chalet and other hotels in West Glacier offer accommodations at the west entrance.  Perhaps the most spectacular view from the deck and patio is from the historic Many Glacier Lodge.  From its perch nestled on the shore of beautiful Swiftcurrent Lake visitors can literally watch grizzly bears, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. 

McDonald Lake Lodge offers a secluded and wooded experience right along the shores of deep McDonald Lake.  There are boat concessionaires on the lake that offer boat rides daily.

Backcountry Glacier Park Chalets

Perhaps one of the most unique experiences in the National Park system is a stay at a remote high country chalet.  Glacier offers two of these breathtaking experiences. 

Both backcountry chalets offer basic services and reservations are required if you want to experience an overnight stay.

First, the Sperry Chalet is perched high up on a mountain, not far from the Sperry Glacier, and offers rooms and meals in the same package.  It is about a 7 mile hike or horseback ride up the trail to the chalet. 

Sperry Chalet is known for the mountain goats which tend to hang close to the chalet. It isn't unusual to have mountain goats on the deck and looking in the windows. Remember that you shouldn't approach or attempt to feed any of the wildlife in Glacier Park. That includes the mountain goats at Sperry Chalet. They do provide a great photo opportunity, but remember to use a telephoto setting on your camera and keep your distance.

The second is Granite Park Chalet which is more like a hostel.  It is first come – first serve for a nominal fee and is located in an alpine wonderland below the continental divide.  While Sperry Chalet is known for the mountain goats that use the area, Granite Park Chalet is known for the grizzly bears that spend time in Bear Valley and the slabrock parks around the chalet.

The most popular routes to Granite Park Chalet are the Highline trail that takes off from Logan Pass. The 7 mile hike to the Chalet traverses the Garden Wall and provides breathtaking views of the McDonald Valley. The Highline trail can be covered in snow during June, but trail crews and volunteers will actually shovel snow off portions of the trail.

The shorter route to Granite Park Chalet is by the Loop Trail which takes off at "the Loop" along going to the Sun Road. The loop trail is a little over 3 miles long, but it is an uphill climb the entire way. During late August into September, huckleberries ripen along the trail and grizzly bears may be encountered at anytime. Avoid hiking alone, make noise, watch for bear sign and carry bear pepper spray.

Glacier Park Hostels

For the thrifty traveler and those with minimal belongings there is the North Fork Hostel, in Polebridge, Montana which is located on the park’s remote western boundary.  The historic Polebridge Mercantile is right next door and offers some of the most enjoyable fresh pastries and sandwiches year round.

Fishing in Glacier National Park

Whether you enjoy lake or clear cold stream fishing, Glacier National Park offers something for every type of angler.  If you forget your rod and tackle do not worry.  Glacier raft Company is located in West Glacier and has the Glacier Outdoor Center.  Glacier Raft Company has experienced and talented employees with more experience than many other recreation businesses near the park.  Glacier Raft Company offers both fishing gear, outdoor clothes, and cross country skiing gear.  Glacier raft Company also donates time to local conservation efforts in and around Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park Wildlife

Glacier Park’s most iconic species is the mountain goat.  The mountain goat can be viewed in most high country habitats in the park.  The best place to vies mountain goats is at Logan Pass on the Going to the Sun road.  Be sure to plan on a few minutes to walk the boardwalk on the Hidden Lake trail which is just behind the Logan Pass visitor’s center to view mountain goats marmots and other wildlife. 

Glacier National Park is also home to the countries most numerous population of grizzly bears in a national park.  Grizzly bears need large spacious wilderness habitats like Glacier National Park to both survive and thrive.  Enjoy all of the park’s wildlife but be sure to give them lots of space as all wild animals can be stressed by visitors approaching too close.

Hiking and Climbing in Glacier Park

Glacier is a hiking and climbing paradise.  There are many hiking books available at bookstores in and around the park.  Once you arrive at the park check at all of the ranger stations for ranger led hikes.  These are both fun and informative and are a great option for visitors that are new to the park. 

For climbing, there is no better resource than J. Gordon Edwards “A Climber’s Guide to Glacier National Park”.  This book is really the only accurate climbing guide written by an actual climber.  J. Gordon Edwards is referred to as the Patron saint of Climbing in Glacier National Park. 

Remember that Glacier Park rock is often unstable and climbing can be dangerous so exercise caution.  The rewards, however, are some of the best views that planet earth has to offer.

One of the annual events in Glacier National Park that attracts a lot of attention is the plowing of the Going to the Sun Road. Glacier receives a lot of snow during the winter. The "Big Drift" on the east side of Logan Pass can be up to 80 feet deep even in June. In order to open the road to vehicle traffic, the Park begins plowing the road in May and depending on snow depths, usually finish the task in mid-June.

Many locals take advantage of "Show Me Day" when Glacier Park provides shuttle buses to take park visitors up to a vantage point where you can watch the snow plowing operations. Every spring the Glacier road crews perform the dangerous task of locating and plowing the road using bulldozers and giant snowblowers.

The high country of Glacier National Park in June is something you should try to experience. As soon as the Going to the Sun Road opens, you can drive or take a shuttle bus to Logan Pass. There is a visitors center at Logan Pass and in June the boardwalk to the Hidden Lake overlook is usually covered in snow. Wear your warm boots with good traction and take a walk over the snowfields for a truly unique experience.