Glacier National Park / Montana

[Mr Bean]

The wife and I are going up there in a couple of weeks. I've made hotel reservations in Whitefish after we fly into Kalispell. We'll only have three full days there.

Anyone been and have any recommendations?

 

[Uninformed]

I have been many times. Personally, I prefer Watertown National Park (The Canadian side of Glacier National Park)> Tons of wildlife come right into the city of Watertown. It is a quaint place with an old Fairmont Hotel similar to the one in Banff but not quite as elegant. When I have backpacked I haven't been able to walk that far: So while spending the night out in the wilderness and seeing Moose and such in the morning is neat, I pretty much prefer to walk without the added weight and return to a nice comfy bed, especially when you can still see most of the stars from the small town. To give you an idea of the town size, at times they have had problems with cougar entering the city and killing and eating deer in front of the stores. Heck, I even saw a grizzly about 3 miles from town. Without a backpack I can walk for probably around 20 miles so a lot can be seen compared to about half that with a backpack.

Anyway, if you are going to Glacier, you will of course drive the highway to the sun. It is pretty spectacular and worth the trip. You won't see as much wildlife on the US side, but you will still have fun. And you will still see goats and big horn sheep. Have fun.

 

[Mr Bean]

Would it be fairly easy to wake up early one morning and drive to Watertown to check it out and do some hiking? Or is it a big pain to cross the border?

 

[Uninformed]

Waterton (sorry I spelled it wrong earlier) is about a 2:30 hr. drive from whitefish, so you would have to get up early. Plus, when you enter the park from the town you have to take a boat ride. It is a pretty ride but it will take a little bit of time as well. Entering Canada has been simple when I have done it. It was pre-911 when I last went but I don't think much has changed.

I think the hotel name is Prince of Wales Hotel. Have someone confirm it though.

 

[CleverNickname]

I'm very interested, we just decided to do a float trip down the upper mizzou and are budgeting a couple days to see Glacier.

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[TXBabe97]

Going to the Sun Road is quite a breathtaking experiences.

Whitefish is fun. I stayed at Grouse Mountain Lodge once. You can party at the Great Northern. Also, head back to Kalispell to eat at Moose's Pizza and ask to blow the horn.

There isn't much to see to the east of Glacier.

 

[Lone Star]

I have a house in Whitefish and travel up there repeatedly.

Things to do:

1. Definitely visit the Park. I would not recommend going to Waterton as it is a 6 hour round trip drive and, while pretty, you are passing stunning scenery to see more stunning scenery – why waste half a day just for the drive when you can be out in it?
2. In the Park – take the Going to the Sun Road as it is one of the most stunning stretches of scenery in the lower 48. Hike I recommend off of Going to the Sun Road – Avalanche Lake, Siyeh Bend, and the Highline Train from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet and down to the loop – 11 miles downhill – park at the Loop – hitchhike to Logan Pass then take the trail. Stop for drinks at Lake McDonald Lodge.
3. Check the Glacier Park Website for trail and road conditions--The Link
4. In Whitefish – if you play golf – TAKE YOUR CLUBS. Highly recommend Whitefish Golf Club North and South Course & Big Mountain Golf Club. Best $51 value in golf.
5. As far in dining in Whitefish – Tupelo has great Cajun food, Truby’s for Pizza, the Dinning Room at the Whitefish Golf Club is great, Mambo Italiano for Italian, the Bulldog for Burgers, Spencers for Steaks (down on 93 near Kalispell).
6. Would also recommend rafting the Middle Fork (Montana Raft) or fly fishing – I have a guide I highly recommend – PM me for details.
7. At the Big Mountain ski resort overlooking Whitefish – you can take the chair and either mountain bike or hike up or down using the chairlift.
8. Agree with the Whitefish Bars – the Northern, Bulldog, Palace – they have poker at the Bulldog and Remington.

Great times, great place.

 

[Uninformed]

How do you figure 6 hrs? Even if the highway to the sun is closed, it wouldn't take that long to get to Waterton.

US-93 2.2 mi 5 mins
MT-40 4.5 mi 6 mins
US-2 18.9 mi 22 mins
Going to the Sun Hwy 50.0 mi 1 hour 25 mins
US-89 12.8 mi 14 mins
MT-17 Entering Canada (Alberta) 14.2 mi 21 mins
HWY-6 13.7 mi 16 mins
HWY-5/HWY-6 0.5 mi

Either way, you will have a great time.

 

[Lone Star]

Uninformed -- you just quoted a driving time of 3+ hours to the Prince of Wales in Waterton. Factor in the drive back to Whitefish and you are clocking 6+ hours.

My point: I think the Prince of Wales is great, but for a first time trip to GNP/Flathead Valley, you can still see stunning scenery without 6+ hours in the car.

 

[Uninformed]

You did say rt - my bad - I thought you were talking about each way. I agree with you for a short trip (for someone already staying in Whitefish) that it is better to stay in Glacier. On the other hand, if they are already on the other side of Hwy to the sun, a trip to Waterton would make sense. You would already be halfway there and the entire drive is beautiful. Personally, I love the area.