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-   -   Glacier National Park in early April (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/glacier-national-park-in-early-april-704694/)

DoctorT May 13th, 2007 04:59 AM

Glacier National Park in early April
 
Is early April just to early to visit the park? It is the only time we can travel next year. Will trails be open, park bus system etc.? Traveling from South Florida this could be qite an experience at this time of the year. The park's website was somewhat helpful but ....
We welcome any and all information. Thank you

RedRock May 13th, 2007 05:11 AM

It will be nice and toasty warm in South Florida but not so in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The Park is open year round, one thing to keep in mind. Don't let the experience be to much for you if you are not experienced in handling the kind of weather and conditions you may encounter.

http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Ag3046 May 13th, 2007 08:04 AM

Having visited in July and in August, I would say that April would be a very bad time to plan a visit. Snow likely, freezing conditions at night, many roads not open. The most popular lodges and trails not open because of snow.

John May 13th, 2007 12:19 PM

Hello from Northwest Montana.
Sorry, April is way too early for the park unless you want to snowshoe or x country ski.
The Sun highway has just opened on the west side to Avalanche Creek area only this week and we had a relatively mild winterr. ALL lodges in the park will definetly be closed in April. Just about all trails will be snow covered.
The new transit center which will be in it's inaugaral year doesn't open till July 1 this year. This mini bus system hopefully will cut down car traffic on the Sun highway. It is absolutely free and will run 12 hours a day throughout the west side AND east side with stops scheduled approx. every half hour. See the Glacier website
www.nps.gov/glac/home.htm
Click on What's New
If you can make it out this way some other time, by all means put it off. April is way too early to get the benefit of the entire park. The Sun highway will most likely be closed at
Mac donald lake on the west side and Rising sun on the east side till mid June at best guess.
Be aware also that due to a torrential rainstorm last November, portions of the Sun road were washed out. Reconsruction will start soon with one way traffic over a temporary bridge with traffic delays.


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