We have some friends that are world travelers and they claim that Glacier is the most beautiful place they've been. They liked it over Yellowstone by far. We've been to Yellowstone before but plan on spending 4 nights at the KOA in St. Marys and 4 nights at the Koa on the West side of Glacier(can't remember which one) and then going back to Yellowstone for 5 nights. Does anyone have any recommendations on particular hikes in Glacier or any strong opinions on the lengths of time we are spending at each side? My kids are 9 & 12 so anything that they might find cool is also appreciated!

We hiked to Hidden Lake one of the most popular since it leads out of the main Visitors Center. We also had good hiking boots and staffs to help us as seniors. Count the steps.While resting at the lake a squirrel tried to grab our bag of chips; several times.

There is enough places to hike and see without being to the tourist spots that one could spend weeks on going thru GNP. You will have no problems spending 8 days there, and if it were me I would skip YNP and stay in GNP for the additional 4-5 days. The east side is not as pretty as the west side, as far as I am concerned, but they are both spectacular. As for the children, as long as they admire scenic terrain, rugged mountains, seeing mountain goats, and know enough to be on the lookout for the occasional mountain lion and multitude of bears they will have a blast. We spent a summer in the GNP area when our 3 children were 6 & 7 and did not begin to see everything there was to see.

Agree, we loved Glacier over Yellowstone also. But there are 3 sides, the Northern end of the Lake in Canada is great. There is a tour cruise of the lake from the North end of the lake is well worth the expense. IMHO, at least 3 days at each side not including travel time is really required. Sadly a late spring / summer snow storm hit the week before (late June) and the Going to the Sun road was still closed. SO we have to return, still on our bucket list. Next time will also include Banff National Park in Canada as well. Just remember if you cross into Canada, any firearms have to be left in the USA. rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

We also like Glacier better than Yellowstone. Plenty to do in the Glacier area other than GNP: - Hungry Horse Dam in Hungry Horse MT - Isaak Walton historic site in Essex MT- Big Sky Water Park - Polebridge Mercantile (adventure down a dusty dirt road from Columbia Falls MT but awesome huckleberry bear claws once you get there!) They have a nature trail there. Beautiful area! - Columbia Mountain hike. http://www.columbiafallschamber.org/hiking/- Zip Lines Whitefish Mountain Resort - Wild River Adventures - float trips and whitewater rafting. - Amazing Fun Center - Coram MT - Lone Pine State Park - Kalispell MT

Don't miss the hike to Avalanche Lake. It's uphill to the lake and downhill going back, btw. Take your camera.

Glacier-How many days on each side | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015
We also like Glacier better than Yellowstone.
Plenty to do in the Glacier area other than GNP:
- Hungry Horse Dam in Hungry Horse MT
- Isaak Walton historic site in Essex MT
- Big Sky Water Park
- Polebridge Mercantile (adventure down a dusty dirt road from Columbia Falls MT but awesome huckleberry bear claws once you get there!) They have a nature trail there. Beautiful area!
- Columbia Mountain hike. http://www.columbiafallschamber.org/hiking/
- Zip Lines Whitefish Mountain Resort
- Wild River Adventures - float trips and whitewater rafting.
- Amazing Fun Center - Coram MT
- Lone Pine State Park - Kalispell MT
rocmoc
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015
Agree, we loved Glacier over Yellowstone also. But there are 3 sides, the Northern end of the Lake in Canada is great. There is a tour cruise of the lake from the North end of the lake is well worth the expense. IMHO, at least 3 days at each side not including travel time is really required. Sadly a late spring / summer snow storm hit the week before (late June) and the Going to the Sun road was still closed. SO we have to return, still on our bucket list. Next time will also include Banff National Park in Canada as well. Just remember if you cross into Canada, any firearms have to be left in the USA.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
Grandpere
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015
There is enough places to hike and see without being to the tourist spots that one could spend weeks on going thru GNP. You will have no problems spending 8 days there, and if it were me I would skip YNP and stay in GNP for the additional 4-5 days. The east side is not as pretty as the west side, as far as I am concerned, but they are both spectacular.

As for the children, as long as they admire scenic terrain, rugged mountains, seeing mountain goats, and know enough to be on the lookout for the occasional mountain lion and multitude of bears they will have a blast. We spent a summer in the GNP area when our 3 children were 6 & 7 and did not begin to see everything there was to see.
Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015
We hiked to Hidden Lake one of the most popular since it leads out of the main Visitors Center. We also had good hiking boots and staffs to help us as seniors. Count the steps.
While resting at the lake a squirrel tried to grab our bag of chips; several times.

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Glacier-How many days on each side

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