This week, I’m going to look back on the beautiful Glacier Park. I was recently going to head back for another visit, but parts of the road on the side of the park that I would be on are closed due to more wildfires. This really makes me sad, the last time I was there I got a chance to see some of the damage caused by the fires and since then there have been many more fires, one of which destroyed a 104 year old Chalet. If you are planning a visit, and can plan to make it to the East side of the park you’ll have less problems with road closures right now.
I’ve only had a chance to see a small portion of the park as on the West side of the park, the main scenic road the Going to the Sun road opens late and closes early depending on when the snow arrives, both times I’ve had a chance to visit, much of the road has been closed so I’ve seen a tiny sliver of the park, but that sliver is still beautiful.
Just a quick drive from Kalispell, the park is very easy to get to. It’s about a 45 minute drive to West Glacier and another hour or so to get to East Glacier but both trips can be done easily. It’s a lovely drive around the park, but if you want to just relax and enjoy the sights the Famous Red Buses provide the opportunity to tour in style which were introduced to the park in 1914 and many of the vehicles in today’s fleet have bin in service since the mid 1930s.
When you need a place to stay you’ll have your choice from Historic Hotels to a backcountry Chalet. The Granite Park Chalet is still there but the Sperry Chalet recently was lost. With 13 campgrounds you have plenty to choose from. There’s a variety of restaurants and stores to grab snacks throughout the park. From casual and cozy to grand you will have plenty of options to choose from.
Established in 1932, Glacier is more than 1500 square miles and 700 hiking trails you can tour, hike, bike, fish, boat explore you will find no shortage of things to do. Keep your eyes open for the wildlife, yes there are bears in the park but there are so many more, elk, deer, wolverines, mountain lions, mountain goats, big horn sheep, lynx, beavers, bats and something called pika just keep your eyes open and you never know what you will see. With about 1500 miles of streams and rivers and 700 ponds if you enjoy the water you wont be disappointed.
Keep exploring
-Trina