mellaw6565
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We are taking a camping trip to Glacier National Park in a couple of weeks and would like to hear from anyone who has been camping in that area. Which campgrounds do you like - we don\'t have any kids, pets, boats or fishing equip. We really want something accessible by Jeep but quiet and out of the way.
Any advice/experiences would be helpful:)
I\'d love to go someday. Hope you have a great time.
We\'re going next week. I reserved a spot in one of the big campgrounds just because I didn\'t want to worry about finding a spot and we have a toddler in tow.
I think it was the Montana Parks website (or Glacier website) that had a good page that listed all of the campgrounds and what time of day they filled up last year. Kind of handy, also might be a good judge of how popular (crowded) they are.
Have fun!
mellaw6565
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Thx Elgrego:)
Shihtzu - Have a great time! I would love it if you would post when you return with your take on the campground and the park, etc......Are you staying near Lake McDonald or the Many Glacier Campground?
Lake Bowman! Away from the RVs... Tents only right on the lake. Nice day hike to the fire tower... If you are more adventurous try the Kintla Lake camp grounds (lower and upper).
If you want to see bears (Black and Grizz), stop off at the Bear Safari on the way to the park. It is self directed and you must stay in your vehicle.
Enjoy the trip!
I backpacked there several years ago- my only advice is to plan in advance and make some reservations or you\'ll get the less desirable camping spots. Buy some bear spray at REI before you go too.
mellaw6565
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Definitely noted about the bears - I\'ll check out the bear safari as it sounds interesting.
M - how do I know which are the desirable spots? Any recommendations?
TheHouse
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If you\'re into backpacking, I did the trail to Logging Lake in Glacier NP about 7 years ago and thought that it was fantastic (approx 18 miles total).
I did the trail in August and was amazed by the size and ammount of mosquitos. It got so bad that I had to wear long sleeve pants and shirt.
Other than that, it was beautiful and we did see a small brown bear just as we finished the trail.
This link may be of use:
http://www.nps.gov/archive/glac/home.htm
Keep in mind that if you travel to the Waterton section of the park that the Canadians frown upon bear spray.
mellaw6565
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Good to know - I guess we would need passports to get into the Waterton side - correct?
How was the trip?
mellaw6565
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Karl - thanks for checking in - but we don\'t leave until this weekend. I\'ll post an update with some feedback/reflections when we return:)
P.S. - We\'ve settled on the farthest camp from the entrance at Kintla Lake that\'s only accessible by a narrow one lane road (i.e. no RV\'s, trailers or boats - only tents), so we\'re very psyched! Definitely will be in grizzly territory but have brought bells and whistles!
Wonder how Shihtzu\'s trip was recently?
Love Kintla Lake! Gets a little chilly at night (4,000\' elevation). Are you planning to paddle/hike to Upper Kintla? Did you find the \"back door\" route through Polebridge (MT Hwy 486)? Yea, I\'m excited for you guys!
Glacier Park is my favorite place in the world! I don\'t think you need a passport for Waterton, but I may be mistaken since I don\'t go there as often (it is not as pretty). If you go to the visitor\'s center at the top of Going To The Sun hwy, make sure you take the walk to the Hidden Lake viewpoint. Take a camera because you will usually see big horn sheep and mountain goats.
mellaw6565
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Karl - We bought a small inflatable boat and paddles, so we will definitely explore the lake.
I am assuming that the small campground there has fire pits and grates - sounds like a silly question but we\'re trying to finalize our equipment checklist.
I think you are suggesting that the outside road up to Polebridge is less bumpy? Or is there some other reason we should take it instead? Which road is more scenic - inner or outer?
Keleeso - Thanks for the heads up on Hidden Lake. We definitely plan to explore the park as much as possible over the 6 days we\'re there.
After the park, we are going to stay in a Plains Teepee on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation for a night - traditional storytelling and a traditional dinner of elk, antelope, buffalo, etc... Can\'t wait for that either!
P.S. Karl - I went to the store yesterday and bought 3 different kinds of bug spray. The clerk looked at me like I was crazy, until I explained that where we\'re going the mosquitos are bigger than the grizzlies! (So I\'ve heard LOL). Should have seen her face:)
I remember small campsite metal box fire pits. Well, \"less bumpy\" is subjective (MT DOT!)... It is the road less traveled and a RV was not in site. Don\'t forget the PFDs!
mellaw6565
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Almost forgot those (PFD\'s) - guess the rangers are strict about it.
mellaw6565
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Update: We just returned from 9 glorious days in Montana and had an amazing vacation. Thanks for the tips on Kintla Lake - VERY remote but worth the effort to get up there. Heard wolves howling at night and the loons calling in the a.m.
If you want a typical family vacation with light camping/staying at a lodge and mild hiking/swimming, then stick to Lake McDonald and eastward. If you want a lot less people but a more rugged adventure, then stay on the West side of the Park. Just make sure you got the wheels to handle some of the gravel pot hole roads for miles on end!
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