mazzeter

I will be in Glacier for 7 nights with my husband and adult son in the beginning of August. We plan to do moderate hiking, sightseeing. and maybe a boat trip, We fly into Helena about 3pm, My question is how many nights should we plan to spend in Many Glacier area and how many nights in Lake McDonald area? Also should we plan on spending an overnight or two in Waterton or just do that as a day trip?

As of now I have first 2 nights at Rising Sun (we will arrive late the first night) then one night at Lake McDonald. Then I have 4 nights at Swiftcurrent. I also have reservations on hold for the last 2 nights in Waterton at Aspen Village Lodge if it would be better to stay there.

We were late into the game and so have been fortunate to get reservations at all. Just trying to tweak our reservations now and hope to get some seasoned advise. Thank you.

Myer

I could cause an issue here. With 7 nights I would skip the west side and spend a day or two on the east side along GTTS road and two days in Many Glacier (spectacular scenery and wildlife central).

Banff National Park in Alberta is a 4.5 hour drive from Many Glacier. If you've ever thought of seeing spectacular Moraine Lake and Lake Louise among others, add maybe another day and see both Glacier and Banff/Jasper.

I spent two very full days in Banff and Jasper scoping it out after spending 5 days in Glacier. The next year I spent 5 days in Banff and Jasper with my daughter.

It's a bit of a drive but Banff and Jasper have a lot of roadside scenery and this could start you planning a trip there.

You can see my photos of trips to Glacier, Banff and Jasper at: www.travelwalks.com

mazzeter

Thanks Myer for your response. We have been and explored both Banff and Jasper and loved it! This time we want to concentrate on the Glacier area. I know 7 nights seems like a lot of time but I see the first and last day to be mostly travel days to and from the airport.

mazzeter

Beautiful photos Myer!!

Myer

Ok. Then spend a day or so in Waterton Lakes. I was only there for a few hours. We did a really tough short hike call "Bears Hump". It felt like we were climbing high stairs made of railway ties for over an hour. Tough on the knees.

I don't know much about the park other than to tell you Canadian parks are different from parks in the US.

What's good about one is bad about the same one.

Many of the Canadian parks have tourist towns in the park. That's bad. But there are usually many lodging options in those towns. So that's good.

Thanks about the photos.

John

IMHO 2 days on the west side, 3 days in the Many Glacier area and 2 days in the Two Medicine area.

Myer

We spent a day in Two Medicine. Nice area and very few people. However, was it worth the drive after doing some hiking and viewing on the east side of GTTS Rd and Many Glacier? Most likely no. But it is a quiet chang of pace for part of a day.

If I go back again (I thinking of taking my daughter (we went there several years ago) and granddaughter) we'd spend a day or so in the Visitors Center area to do the Hidden Lake Overlook hike, St Mary Falls and maybe Virginia Falls.

Then over to Many Glacier to spend two late afternoons / evenings at Fishercap Lake and the Iceberg Lake hike.

Maybe another day here or there.