NE Ohio to Glacier NP

So glacier opens June 21 according to campground. I have to slide things down a bit

Glacier

These are some of my pics from Glacier. We were there in July 2018. It was an incredible trip and there was something amazingly cool about it.

I've been to Yellowstone, JH, and Custer. Out of all the National Parks, IMO...it was one of the least populated based on the size.
I could get up early in the morning and go hiking, and I might not see another soul for 3-4 hours.

Sure, things get buzy on Going to the Sun road and places like that, but overall, I think I would consider it one of the less visited NP.

My wife and I fell in absolute love with the area and suprisingly outside of Ft Davis Mountains area in Texas, it was one of our most favorite trips EVER.

That being said, we really enjoyed the Black Hills as well and would go back there again happily.

If you can't make Glacier, the Badlands and Custer SP are worth a trip in and of itself

In view of your available dates I agree with my friends above. We spent a week in Custer (Custer's Gulch Campground--private) and had access to Custer State Park, Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Rapid City, Deadwood, Crazy Horse, and Mount Rushmore (to name some highlights).

One of our favorite campgrounds is Mountain Meadows in Hungry Horse on the west side of Glacier, but that was in high season when Road to the Sun was fully open. That's where I'd go back for a Glacier visit, but only when the park would be fully open.

patperry2766 wrote:

stew47 wrote:
Ok thanks all. The opening day has me a little worried but I can’t change the dates and go later because of wok. Worst case is we go further south. Hoping for glacier. Honestly I would like to spend some time in kalispell and flat head valley. Pictures I’ve seen seems really nice area.

If you can't make Glacier, the Badlands and Custer SP are worth a trip in and of itself and you wouldn't be settling. I've been to both and I'd take Custer over Kalispell any day of the week

Custer - Needles - Black Hills......et all will fill most summer vacations Many options are in the images just click on the circles :)

Not that Glacier is Bad - Just better Later :)

JMHO,

stew47 wrote:
Ok thanks all. The opening day has me a little worried but I can’t change the dates and go later because of wok. Worst case is we go further south. Hoping for glacier. Honestly I would like to spend some time in kalispell and flat head valley. Pictures I’ve seen seems really nice area.

If you can't make Glacier, the Badlands and Custer SP are worth a trip in and of itself and you wouldn't be settling. I've been to both and I'd take Custer over Kalispell any day of the week

I was there this past summer. Stayed on both sides. Stayed in Glacier Campground on the West side and Two Medicine Campground on the East side.

The west side of the park is more tourist oriented, which isn't necessarily a bad thing because there's plenty of stuff to do and I really enjoyed it.

HOWEVER, Two Medicine on the East side was the bomb. There is less stuff to do for sure, but Browning is just a few miles away and you can easily get all the provisions you need. There is a small store inside the park that carries probably most anything you would really need.

I got lucky and scored a site across from the lake so the daytime breeze kept us cool and the evenings got down into the 50's. Some of the best hiking trails originate from that park (so I'm told) and I really can't argue that point.

Both sides have their pro's & con's and if you can swing it, try staying on both sides. I personally felt that the East side is more relaxing because there is less to do except be close to nature.

Ok thanks all. The opening day has me a little worried but I can’t change the dates and go later because of wok. Worst case is we go further south. Hoping for glacier. Honestly I would like to spend some time in kalispell and flat head valley. Pictures I’ve seen seems really nice area.

On the west side of the park you might be interested in seeing this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungry_Horse_Dam

Stew, you are smart to go to West Glacier. East Glacier is limited on services, fuel and supplies are expensive there.
The KOA in West Glacier is very convenient and the Red Bus Tours pick up there. You could also stay at the Columbia Falls RV Park, which is half way between Kalispell, West Glacier and the Flat Head Valley. Enjoy you trip.

stew47 wrote:
Sorry to rehash my old thread. That year the kids wanted a beach vacation and wife couldn’t get the whole time off so we went to Florida. Ended up with a new 2017 f250 on that one. Long story. Anyways this year we are looking back into glacier. June 8 to June 30. New twist on last trip planning. Like to do more boondocking on the way out and back. We will use a campsite in glacier though. Anyways any more suggestions?

June 16th is the earliest opening day (Last 10 years) for "Going to the Sun Road" - which is not to be missed..............Just keep that in Mind. .:)