Location Set in a rugged section of the northern Rockies, Glacier National Park adjoins Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada.  Together they create Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site - an ideal ‘two nation vacation.’  Glacier National Park is located in north western Montana approximately 40 miles north east of Kalispell on U.S. Highways 2 and 89 and near U.S. Highways 91 and 93. Most of the area is at around 4000 to 6000 ft with a few peaks above 10,000 ft

History
Glacier National Park was established in 1910. It is a land of mountain ranges carved by prehistoric ice rivers. It features alpine meadows, deep forests, waterfalls, about 50 glistening glaciers and 200 sparkling lakes.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, see below, crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and traverses the towering Garden Wall. The vistas seen from Going-To-The-Sun Road are breathtaking, a photographers paradise. Relatively few miles of road exist in the park's 1,600 square miles of picturesque landscape, thus preserving its primitive and unspoiled beauty enlivened by a spring and summer profusion of wildflowers. 


Logan Pass normally opens mid-June and closes mid-October. Glacier Park has more than 700 miles of foot and horse trails. Approximately 1,200 campsite places are available to car campers on a first-come, first-serve basis; back country permits are available.

Park accommodations feature historic hotels and lodges. Facilities are open seasonally; the park and portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year-round.

And Then ?
There are two major routes, with many variations, that run from either side of the Park towards Yellowstone National Park. The route from the western entrance leads south westwards to the large area of lakes in northern Idaho, near to Coeur d’Alène, the town and the National forest.


Going-to-the-Sun Road
There is no road comparable to the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, and for many the thought of driving this narrow, winding mountain road is beyond their imagination. 

A must-do trip, but only in your own vehicle if you have a less-than-21ft camper, is to drive across the Continental Divide on Going-to-the-Sun Road.  This 55 mile road is the only one that bisects the park.  Start at either West Glacier or St. Mary and you’ll soon be climbing through the glacial peaks of Logan Pass, encountering abundant wildlife and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Logan Pass Visitor Information Center is halfway (at the Loop), near to Going-to the-Sun mountain at 9,600 ft. Maximum vehicle dimensions over Logan Pass are 20 feet long (including bumpers) and 8 feet wide (including mirrors). Oversize vehicles may be parked at various points. Rental cars are available at nearby towns.

Alternatively, you may join one of the quaint tour buses which will return you later to your own vehicle.

You relax and enjoy the views of this impressive marvel. Not only will you find this adventure exciting, you will be amazed at the amount of educational information you learn about the park, its peaks, its wildlife and even its wildflowers as you take part in one of Glacier’s interpretative, scenic tours.

Many Glacier Valley and Hotel

Many Glacier Hotel, a grand old historical lodge that sits on the shores of Swift Current Lake, where boat tours take guests into a wilderness wonderland from which they can view living glaciers.

Animals For the avid nature and wildlife enthusiast, there is no place better than the Many Glacier valley and for most, once you have visited this north eastern corner of Glacier National Park, you are drawn back here time after time. It may be because of the abundance of wildlife such as bears, mountain goats and big horn sheep...

- Or it may be because of the wealth of hiking and horseback riding trails. 
- Or it may be because of the panoramic views that are breathtaking.

Campgrounds Nearby
We had approached the Park from the North, having entered the US after a visit to the other half of the Park at Waterton Lakes, Alberta. This is a much smaller ‘half’ but the scenery and the splendid hotel, The Prince of Wales, was well worth stopping for. There are three campgrounds in Waterton area, at nearby Crandell and Belly River(!) We stayed at the edge of town.
After our overnight at Waterton Lakes Townsite and the stop at the hotel, for food and some souvenirs, we passed through the (almost non-existent) Customs and gradually made our way south to St Mary, 4500 feet ,on the eastern side of the Park. We pulled into the “Johnson’s of St Mary” campground; a good large site overlooking the lake with 81 well equipped pitches.
There are at least two other good campgrounds nearby, giving a total capacity of about 170 private and 230 National Parks pitches. 
This area is all part of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and there is a useful museum of Plains Indian history at nearby Browning, south east on Route 89.

After Visiting the Park
Using either the Going-To-The-Sun road or looping south via State Road 2, which also crosses the Continental divide at the 5,280 foot Marius Pass, one ends up on the western side of the Park. Here there are 6 more campgrounds, all with good facilities and lots of souvenir shops! 

Another 25 miles brings Flathead Lake, 30 miles long by 15 miles wide and surrounded by State Parks and campgrounds. This is the area that becomes quite crowded during the holiday season, and reservations are advisable.

For further information on any aspect of RV/Motorhome holidays in the USA or Canada, contact silverstarusa@ntlworld.com