The Ultimate Guide To Glacier National Park

Some tips for visiting Glacier National Park:

-If you want a guided tour of the park, there are plenty to be had. The red, 1930s-inspired "jammer" buses are a common sight throughout the park and make for a great introduction to some of the parks highlights. You can also find boat tours to take you out onto some of the lakes like St. Mary Lake, Lake McDonald, Two Medicine and Many Glacier.! -Huckleberries grow rampant throughout Glacier, and visitors are welcome to help themselves. They ripen in the mid- to late summer, so keep your eyes peeled for the delicious little treats. And don't forget to bring a basket, because you can even pick up to a quart to carry out of the park for yourself. -Be careful when visiting Glacier during the winter: few roads get plowed, so access to many sites is limited, and many stores, restaurants and hotels close. You can find great skiing and snowshoeing during the colder months, though. -The park is a million-plus acres, and there are no gas stations anywhere inside the borders. Top off your tank whenever you can, and plan trips outside the park to fill up on gas whenever you start to run low. -Be bear aware. Bring bear spray (and know how to use it!) and don't forget bear canisters for storing food and valuables if you're camping. As long as you give them their space and follow posted signs, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Spanning 53 miles across Glacier National Park in Montana, Going-to-the-Sun Road is one drive every nature-lover, engineering buff, and/or thrill-seeker should make… Carved through some of the most stunning landscapes in America, the road is as historic as beautiful, being one of the first NPS projects borne from America’s then-newfound love with the car. Today, road trippers still enjoy Going-to-the-Sun’s unparalleled views, hair-raising curves, and access to Glacier National Park’s most stunning spots.

Visitors can find tons spots in the park that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Lodges and hotels, often in the Swiss chalet style commonly seen in the Alps, began popping up across the park, and many, like Belton Chalet, are still operational! In many ways, a stay here is a trip back in time (the classic decor and the fact that rooms don't have TVs really add to the old-school vibes) but it makes up for everything with its charm. Plus, the convenience of staying in the park is undeniable.

Want a slightly more rustic experience? Book a stay at Glacier Under Canvas. Only 7 miles from the park, this "glamping" resort lets you camp out in the beauty of nature, but in style. Safari tents, treehouses, cabins, and tipis are already set up and are perfectly appointed with the basics: beds, wood-burning stoves, and some even have ensuite private bathrooms. Since its a resort, you can take advantage of their activities in and around Glacier as well.

One of the coolest overnight experiences in the area? Spending the night in a refurbished train caboose at the Izaak Walton Inn! The rentals are outfitted with everything you could need for a cozy cabin getaway (kitchen, plumbing, decks with scenic views), except they're located in authentic railcar cabooses! The Inn was originally built to serve the railroad personnel, but they've morphed into a resort experience, complete with lodge, restaurants, and activities, that will add that extra special touch to your trip to Glacier.

Nope, that picture isn't Photoshopped! Grinnell Lake is most famous for being a shade of striking blue or bright teal-- this is because the water in it is made of pure glacial melt, with glacial silt that gives the lake its vibrant color. Plus, the cold water temperatures ensure that little plankton grows in the water, keeping it crystal clear.

While you can view Bird Woman Falls from Going-To-The-Sun Road, if you can get closer, you can get a great idea of how massive this waterfall is. Plus, there's a stone footbridge going over part of it, which is utterly enchanting.