Questions about Glacier National Park

I have visited several national parks but somehow Glacier isn't one I have been to. I am from MA and love to shoot landscapes and wildlife. I have been to Yellowstone and Grand Teton most recently. Also have been to Arches, Bryce, Kenai Peninsula and Monument Valley.
Can you give me an overview of where to stay? Also has anyone brought a dog to the park? Is it best to leave her home? How many days should we go for? What are the best/must see spots?
Lastly, we may be taking my daughters boyfriend along. So that would mean 4 adults and 3 beds. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Don Gorczynski

I was there this summer with the scouts. I will have to go back sometime with a real camera. We camped for the entire 10 days, so I can't offer much advice on lodging. Information on park service lodging is available on-line though.

We hiked every day, but I think we barely scratched the surface of what is there. My favorite hike was the highline trail. The views are classic and (I'm told) shown the glacial history of the park very clearly.

I guess that's not much help, but I would encourage you to spend several days there - it is quite beautiful.

Pete D.

Don: Many years ago I lived in Spokane and traveled to Glacier many times. The lodges in the park were very nice. They are log structures erected by the railroad to attract tourists. Another really neat place is the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex. This used to be a railroad center where helper engines worked out of to help push the trains over the divide. It has been restored into a B&B and used to be a fun place to stay. Its been over 20 years since I've been there so I hope others will give you more current info. Its a gorgeous park and generally not super crowded. Hope you have a great trip. >=))>

there is a good photographer's guide and a couple other "Where to" books - I''ll be happy to lend them to you for the mailing cost to you and back.
About the bed situation...your daughter might have some ideas....
sorry, teach teens all day,.,, argh.

I love Glacier, but have not been there since the bad fires a few years ago. There is a lot of driving involved - back and forth over the main road "Going to the Sun" highway, so you'll need at least 4-5 days, imo. Depends on how much hiking you'll want to do.
You didn't mention what time of year you plan to go - lots is closed in the winter, and some does not open unil late, like the Many Glacier area on the east.
spring and fall are best - but lots of grizz that are grumpy when they have cubs in the spring.

sandy r
MoonshadoRN@yahoo.com

Don, Sounds like a great trip. Of course, dogs are always a concern in the national parks as they can't really get out and run or hike except for about 100 feet (or is it yards) on leash from the road and parking lot. When my dog was "assisting" me on my photography trips, she didn't like to stay in the car for very long, so it was pretty uncomfortable for her when I went to the national parks to shoot, and of course, that made it pretty uncomfortable for me, too. I ended up going other places instead so she could get out with me.

Hope you have a great trip,

Nancy

Glacier is a gem but you should really leave the dog at home. Pets are not supposed to be off the paved area which is basically road and parking lot.

My favorite was St. Mary's Lake which is really awesome with several great shots available from the road and pullouts. If you can swing a canoe or a boat on the lake heading WEST from the boat docks you will definitely have memories that will last a lifetime. Let the boyfriend row!

If you go the last two weeks in July it is pretty warm in the lower elevations but the wild flowers are awesome.

I wish I had been able to go over on the Canadian side for a few days but we had our dog with us which made things much more difficult.

Hi...I love Glacier...it feels like home to me since I'm from Montana...though I haven't been back since the fires from a few years back. I've camped in an RV at Fish Creek...nice campground. Also the lodges in the park are always fun, but not always cheap.... www.nps.gov ... Also, Glacier is notorious for grizzly attacks so be careful how far or where you hike. I met a guy there who had been hiking by himself and he heard that day that someone had been attacked and he decided he wouldn't go anywhere except with ranger guided hikes. They recommend bear bells, but there are jokes about how much those work. There are a few though that are OK...one is Hidden Lake at the top of Logan Pass and others in that area. As stated before the wildflowers can be fantastic and the lake views are fantastic...and there's even a cedar grove off the road at some point with a short boardwalk hike if I remember right. If you have time I would drive up to the Waterton side toward the Canadian border...hope you have a great trip.

I went to Glacier last Sept.for 1 week.It's different than Yellowstone in that you have to work a little harder for wildlife shots.There are not that many oppurtunities where you jump out of your car and shoot fauna standing along the road.You have to hike if you want good wildlife shots.I got mt.sheep,mtn.goats,grizzlies,marmots,ground squirrels and some birds.As far as the scenics go,I don't think theres a better place than Glacier.You will be overwhelmed with scenic compositions everywhere.If you go, take the red bus tour the first day to get an overview of the layout of the park.The drivers are helpful with photographic info and suggestions.Have fun and take a good pair of hiking boots.