Summer trip to Glacier National Park

Mapquest is taking me through the area on rt 2 from Browning to Hungry Horse. Is that the best way? (I'll be in my 2500 Dodge Ram pulling a 38' fifth wheel)

Yes, that is the best way. I hope you will enjoy Mountain Meadows as much as we did.

Of course, once you have set up, you will want to drive the "Going to the Sun" highway and you will be visiting both the East and West sides of the park. We enjoyed a picnic on the shores of Saint Mary Lake.

We are past the hiking stage,more in the medium to easy walks time. Two days at Glacier was plenty for us so we cut short our time there and added it onto our YNP and GTNP times where 2 weeks was barely adequate.

Thanks to everyone for the input. I have reservations at Mountain Meadows RV park in Hungry Horse. It really didn't matter which side I stayed at as I was continuing West anyway, and the West side sounded better for us as a base.

Mapquest is taking me through the area on rt 2 from Browning to Hungry Horse. Is that the best way? (I'll be in my 2500 Dodge Ram pulling a 38' fifth wheel)

djsamuel wrote:

Am planning on going eventually (also from Florida). Is there a lot more on the west side in terms of hiking and scenery? Genuinely interested in what the differences are. May tie it in to a visit to the Grand Tetons and/or Yellowstone, so the west side would probably work best anyway.

The poster who said that the west side has more to offer may have been thinking about facilities rather than scenery or hiking opportunities. The west side is more developed (and usually, much more crowded). Park headquarters is there, as well as the largest Park campground. The area between Kalispell and West Glacier has more tourist facilities than the east side. Also, if you're coming from Yellowstone, the east side is closer and more easily accessible.

However, the east side has better scenery and far more hiking and camping opportunities. One reason is that there are more easily accessible areas on the east side. The western border of the park can't be very easily explored, as the roads up to Polebridge and beyond are pretty bad. If you CAN get up there, Bowman and Kintla Lakes are fantastically beautiful, peaceful spots (now featuring grizzly bears!).

In contrast, there are three easily accessible areas on the east side: Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine. The last one, hardly anyone who isn't local knows about but it has some fantastic short hikes, great scenery, and it's QUIET. You can also get up to Waterton from the east side, whereas from the west side, you can't get into Canada at all.

I am presuming that you're comfortable with dry camping in the Park itself or at Forest Service campgrounds; otherwise, it's true that there are more megaslab full hookup parks on the west side. But I do believe that Chewing Blackbones (operated by the Blackfeet tribe) and East Glacier have full hookup parks. Possibly St. Mary (outside the park) as well.

There's another difference in the local topography. The Rockies slope upward from the west and then crest, like a wave, at the Continental Divide, which is much closer to the eastern than the western boundary of the park. As a result, the vistas from the east are more open and dramatic than those from the west. Many such views are absolutely breathtaking.

Finally, if there is weather coming in, it might be cloudy or rainy on the west side but it will probably be clear on the east side.

I went to Glacier last year in August. I was not in my camper but visited both sides of the park. I thought the east side had more hiking opportunities and was less touristy, although it was super crowded. This coming summer (June) I am hitting Tetons, Yellowstone, and will be in Glacier toward the end of June and I will be in my camper on this trip. As of now, I plan on staying in Many Glacier or Two Medicine. I have not narrowed it down but will be chancing my luck with first come first serve as far as getting in one of the two campgrounds. I know I prefer the East side, just my opinion. I am taking a gamble on Logan Pass being open but I would rather be there with low crowds and a few places shut down verses big crowds and everything open. As far as campgrounds for your camper, you are somewhat limited on length, plus you will need to decide if you want full hook-ups or not. If you need full hooks, you will be extremely limited within the park.

GeoBoy wrote:

bikendan wrote:
The OP is coming from Florida so I doubt that they're interested in West side campgrounds.

If I was coming all the way from Florida I wouldn’t waste my time on the east side. West Glacier and the surrounding area has so much more to offer than the east side, and I have been on both sides of Glacier NP.

Am planning on going eventually (also from Florida). Is there a lot more on the west side in terms of hiking and scenery? Genuinely interested in what the differences are. May tie it in to a visit to the Grand Tetons and/or Yellowstone, so the west side would probably work best anyway.

bikendan wrote:
The OP is coming from Florida so I doubt that they're interested in West side campgrounds.

If I was coming all the way from Florida I wouldn’t waste my time on the east side. West Glacier and the surrounding area has so much more to offer than the east side, and I have been on both sides of Glacier NP.

We, too, very much liked the West Glacier KOA. Stayed there for our whole 5 night stay in the Glacier area. A little expensive, but we thought well worth it and would definitely go there again. Echoing the book early (like right now!) recommendations. Gets very crowded out there in July/early August.

If you are looking for some fun adventure activities, we had a great time white water rafting with Glacier Guides/Montana Raft.

tragusa3 wrote:

I wouldn't schedule any sooner than July 1st. Going to the Sun doesn't open until after then sometimes. You would get only a small percentage of the park without it being open.

This is only sort of true. If you're on the east side and Going to the Sun Road isn't yet open, you still have access to the East Glacier, St. Mary's, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and Belly River/Chief Mountain areas, all of which are fantastic. You also are a short drive from Waterton, which is as spectacular as Glacier. Furthermore, if you still want to see the Apgar/Lake McDonald/West Glacier side, you can hop over on Hwy 2.

Also, you'll be able to drive some portion of the Going to the Sun Road (from either side) even if the pass is closed. You still have access to many points of interest.

To me, the benefits of an early season visit are that the waterfalls and rivers are booming and it's a great time of year to see the park's abundant wildlife. Plus, the place isn't yet a frickin' zoo, which it can turn into in July and August.

The OP is coming from Florida so I doubt that they're interested in West side campgrounds.