Our summer plans next summer are to fly into Kalispell, MT and spend a few days in GNP before travelling north to Banff and Jasper. From the east coast it looks like Kalispell is the logical airport for us to fly into. Should we stay in that area while visiting GNP or should we drive over to the east side to find lodging?

Is either a better location to stay knowing that we will be driving from that location up into Banff? Would the ride from either be more scenic on the way to Banff?

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

Not sure of the best way to Banff, so I'll just answer which side I like.

I think the east side of Glacier NP is way more impressive than the west side. We spent 5 days at Swiftcurrent in the Many Glacier area and loved it.

Here's a link to some pictures from around that area.

http://www.alandsuejohnson.com/weste...ftcurrent.html

You can go up a level from the album if you want to see others.

We did your trip in reverse. We came down from the Canadian Rockies & covered Many Glacier (east) area of Glacier NP before driving west on Going to the Sun Rd & staying in West Glacier (Vista Motel).

The next morning we devoted the whole day to driving the Sun rd eastbound. I agree that there is more siteseeing on the east side but you should see Lake Mcdonald & the Logan summit.

Depending on what time your flight lands, you could do part of the sun rd on the first day & stay at one of the lodges midway & cover the east side the next day. Then head North into Canada. Try not to miss Waterton.

Another vote for East over West Glacier. The scenery is more dramatic and, in my opinion, the hiking is better. You can do the Logan Pass area from either side although with a bit of planning and using the shuttle buses if required.
Diz01

It certainly sounds like the east is the place to stay!!! My family and I prefer to rent a vacation home rather than motels rooms (our sons are 17 and 23) and wondered what towns are nearby, if any? We definitely want to do the Going to the Sun Road.
From the research I've done so far, it seems like most of the vacation rentals are on the western side (Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, West Glacier, etc.). If, because of the accommodation choices, we choose to stay on the western side, are any of these towns in better proximity to the Going to the Sun Road? We don't want to drive an hour each day to get into the park.

Any thoughts??

Thanks, Diane

West Glacier is 1 minute to the park.
Kalispell and Whitefish are approx. 30 to 40 minutes to the park.
C. Falls is approx. 20 to 25 minutes to the park.

Banff is a little easier to reach from the east side of Glacier. My suggestion, a route I have used, is to enter Canada at the Chief Mountain station near the entrance to Waterton National Park, which is the Canadian side of the International Peace Park.

From the border crossing, continue on to the town of Pincher Creek. Take Highway 3 west to where it junctions with Alberta Highway 22 a short distance beyond Lundbreck.

At the junction with route 22 turn north. Continue on the town of Longview. At Longview look for the junction with route 541. Follow 541 west to where it merges seamlessly with Alberta Route 40.

Route 40 passes through some very scenic mountains highly carved by glaciers.
YOu also pass by the entrance to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park which is well worth the detour.

Route 40 joins the Trans Canada Highway a few kilometers east of Banff. Follow the Trans Canada by Canmpre to the Banff junction and turn south to Banff.

This route is the most scenic way I know to get from Glacier to Banff. It also is relatively easy driving because there is not a heavy volume of traffic except possibly at peak tourist times.

There will be a slight delay as you cross the border into Canada.
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Coming back to the States is another matter. Be prepared for a quiz session and be absolutely sure you have your passport.

The last time I returned from Canada to the US I had my passport, but that wasn't good enough. The TSA guy at the booth wanted to play games. He looked at my passport and then said, "What's your name?" This seemingly nonsensical question was followed by even more inannty. His game is one I am yet to understand.

Passport is good but not NEEDED. Picture ID AND birth certificate will suffice if you do not have a passport.
I cross 3/4 times a year and have no problem though I do use a passport to get back into USA.
Simply answer all questions without "smirks" and you will be just fine.