Katherine Green
USA
Glacier National Park Itinerary – West, East and N.E. Glacier
,Glacier National Park has always been on my bucket list, and it didn’t disappoint my expectations! One of the parts of this trip was all the wonderful people I met at Glacier National Park. Below is my Glacier National Park Itinerary for this journey.
Glacier National Park Itinerary – West, East, and N.E. Glacier
I don’t recommend booking hotel rooms at Glacier at the last minute, as I did. My troubles at home caused me to run away. In September, I ran to Glacier National Park to save my mind. Below is a photo of my living room. The wall in the picture is the second wall installed and looks better than the first. I’m on the third wall installed now, and it’s working out well.
Why I Went to Glacier National Park
My trouble started with a broken window and grew from there. I’ve been trying to get it fixed since January. The problem with my home keeps growing, not because of what I have done, but because it has defects that need fixing. The number of fixes keeps growing, and the first company selected to fix them wasn’t designed to handle my type of project. As more problems were discovered, I was overwhelmed. Now that it has gone on for more than nine months, I had to escape from the construction dust. My associate handled working with the HOA. I went to Glacier National Park to clear my mind and breathe again.
Solo Travel
Everyone travels for different reasons. Traveling solo is fun and relaxing for me. When I travel solo, I don’t have to count on someone else joining me. Solo travel lets me come and go as I want. I share this story because people travel for different reasons. This is my honest reason for this sudden trip. I’m thrilled I went. In my opinion, Glacier National Park is one of the best National Parks.
Hotel Information
For Glacier, usually, book hotel rooms a year in advance. Book a year in advance, starting around September for the upcoming year. I got lucky. I found hotel rooms and took whatever I could find.
One thing to note: Check the Glacier National Park site for Bear season and road closures. It was Bear Season when I went. Therefore, RV or hard-sided car camping was allowed in East Glacier and some areas of the park. If you don’t have a hotel reservation, come prepared to sleep in your car if the park posts Bear Warnings and Road closures.
Here is a photo of my living room and the source of all my troubles, a broken window.
Glacier Hotel Recommendations
My Glacier Hotel preference, based on my research, is the east side because it’s less crowded. But in September, it was overly crowded everywhere in Glacier. However, the east side is the least crowded at any time of year.
Too Many Tourists Visiting the Park
The park, designed for 1 million visitors over 12 months, receives 3 million visitors in the three summer months. Glacier National Park is packed with people, which can try one’s patience. It wasn’t just me who felt this way. I hiked and met friendly folks who said, “What’s with the parking at Glacier?” For example, Logan Pass parking was as crowded as Costco’s parking lot on its worst day. To avoid parking wars, by 7:00 am, no later than 8:00 am.
Accommodations
Book early to get the accommodations you want. Also, book directly with Xanterra Travel to avoid the booking fees. Call 855-733-4522.
Glacier Park Lodges are open seasonally from the beginning of June through mid to end of September. Rooms book up fast, especially for the peak months of July and August.
- Many Glacier Hotel (406) 732-4411.
- Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins (406) 732-5531.
- Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins (406) 732-5523.
- Lake McDonald Lodge and Cabins (406) 888-5431.
- Village Inn at Apgar (406) 888-5632.
How to Get to Glacier National Park
Driving from Seattle to Kalispell, MT takes 8.5 to 9 hours. I left from Issaquah, WA, and rented a car from Enterprise through Costco. Enterprise is excellent, and my preferred rental car agency because they can pick me up and drop me off at home. Another good car rental company is AARP car rentals. Compare these two agencies to find your best car rental rate. Both require a membership.
Another option if you are traveling from the Pacific Northwest is to try Amtrak. Eastbound Seattle trains leave at 4:41 p.m., connecting overnight in Spokane with eastbound Empire Builder trains from Portland. Visitors from Portland and Seattle arrive at Whitefish at about 7:30 a.m. Glacier shuttles can take you to your hotels.
The train also arrives at West Glacier at 8:11 a.m. and East Glacier at 9:44 a.m. Therefore, you can get to Glacier by train and use the Glacier National Park Shuttle to get to all hiking destinations. This is the most ecologically sound way to see the park and maybe the least stressful.
Amtrak station at Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park Itinerary
Day 1- I drove to Kalispell. Don’t do what I did. My suggestion is to drive to Bigfork, the Vista Hotel, or another hotel/motel outside of the park.
On my first day, I went to Logan’s Pass. The first trail I hiked was to Logan Pass Lake and Outlook.
Something to Note:
On day two, when the fog rolled in, it was terrifying to drive the pass and very slow going. When the weather is bad, the drive is very slow and challenging. I would say it takes about four hours to drive the whole pass. If the weather is terrible, it takes much longer.
Weather Changes Constantly – Be Prepared
I was happy when I got to Logan’s Pass on my first day. Below is a photo of the Logan Pass parking lot on a clear day. An adorable couple helped me park and guided me into my parking spot because the tourists are aggressive and frustrated. They steal parking spots. The sweet couple I met in the parking lot helped me get a parking spot by standing in it and directing me. They were very courageous to help me.
Day 2 – Glacier Highland Motel is right outside the West entrance, and I stayed there one night.
Day 3 and 4 – I stayed at the Swiftcurrent Motel and Cabins
Below are some pictures of the adorable cabins.
Day 5 – Lake McDonald Lodge and Cabins
Here is a photo of my wonderful cabin. I loved it!
Here is the iconic Lake McDonald Lodge
Sadly, I drove home on day six because there were no hotels available.
Try to Book Many Glacier Lodge
I wish I could have stayed at Many Glaciers Lodge. Luckily, I did get to eat in the bar by joining another group of three people. The chili was great. The Red Lentil vegan burger is excellent too. A friend told me the red lentil vegan burger was delicious, and it was super. It was sold out. I went back the next day to order a room and got it.
Eat here, stay here, or walk around the lake. It’s a fabulous location and a perfect spot for sunset.
Below is St Mary’s visitor center. All the visitor centers at Glacier National Park are informative, with rangers who are very helpful and full of exciting lectures and advice.
One More National Park
Please consider going to Yellowstone when you are in the Rockies. Here are some great Yellowstone sights I saw while I was in Yellowstone.
If you want to take the ultimate day hike? – Try Crater Lake walk24 miles in one day.
Or if you are in Florida, try a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.
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