Glacier National Park Lodging Confusion
 

We are planning to go to GNP the first week in Sep for 4-5 nights. We will either fly into Salt Lake City and drive to the park or take Amtrak from Chicago.

We will only be doing short, easy hikes (no horseback riding, rafting, etc). Our main focus is the park with, perhaps, a trip to Two Medicine.

There are so many places for lodging and I'm having trouble deciding where to stay AS A BASE for touring the park. We would like clean and comfortable in a quiet, beautiful area with easy access in or to the park and the least amount of backtracking. I don't know if I'm asking for too much but maybe, with this forum's help, I can get close.

Thank you so much. I don't know how we ever planned trips without the Internet!

Betty

If you take Amtrak, the lodge on the eastern edge of the park is right across the street. I think it was called the Glacier Park lodge. It was very rustic to say the least, clean though with nice grounds. We were there 2 or 3 nights which was long enough for our purposes. We dont hike. We thought the Lake McDonald lodge was in a nicer area, lusher scenery, it is on the western side. You can book tours on the park big red bus system from either location. If you have a car, you can easily drive around the park but still do the big red bus over going to the sun road for the thrill. For some reason, we also thought this park was confusing to plan for.

I went to GNP last year. My family stayed in the Pinnacle cabins in St. Mary, which is at the edge of the east side of the park. The cabins were very nice, but not cheap. The views of St. Mary Lake from the cabins are incredible. St. Mary also has an entrance to the GTTS Rd., and is about an hour drive to Waterton Lakes NP if you plan to go there. You can drive to the west side of the park on the very scenic GTTS Rd. in about 1 1/2 hrs. The views from the road are stunning in their beauty. If you would rather spend less on lodging, I have heard from other people that the Swiftcurrent is a popular place, also on the east side.

We found from reading reviews that the park lodging was rather run-down, and that's how we ended up in St. Mary.

Anyhow, stmarylodgeandresort.com is the link to find the Pinnacles. The Great Bear Lodge is part of the resort and the rooms there are also very nice from what I have heard, although the service may not be the best.

We are light hikers as well and did quite a few easy hikes. There are several ferry rides throughout the park that are very scenic. We also took a heli-tour. We rented a motor boat at Lake McDonald. We had a wonderful time. It is such a stunningly beautiful place.

Hilda and Claire, thank you for your very helpful replies. The Lodge and Swiftcurrent both look good and I now have some info on which to move ahead.
Betty

Hi Betty. There is a forum for Glacier NP addicts. They were very helpful and always have current park information posted. The link is http://glacierparkchat.com/chat/index.php

Betty
We stayed at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in July. Its inside the park. There's some nice trails that start there. Its quite a way from Two Medicine if I have my geography straight.

You can see pictures of that area on our website. www.AlandSueJohnson.com. Click on the bison picture and pick Glacier from the menu. There pictures showing the Swiftcurrent area. The moose pictures were taken about a 10 minute walk from where we stayed.

I would suggest staying in the park if you can but that's just me.

GREAT website!!!
I loved reading about Rascal.
Goat story should be published.
Can't wait for more time to peruse your website.

This is a link to my Trip Advisor review of the Pinnacle cottages, in case you're interested. It has pictures.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...y_Montana.html

Thanks everyone. I am finally getting a feel for lodging in the park and in what areas, what is right outside and where the train stops.

Al and Sue, I live in HAMPTON,VA so I am well aware of the places that you talk about in Virginia. We want to go to the New River Gorge in WVA and would like to talk to you about where to stay and what to do. Is there a forum on Fodor's where we can talk?

Thanks again. Betty

Betty,
Link is above for our web site. Use the contact us button to get email. Won't be able to help you mucy, though. Haven't been to New River Gorge but happy to hear from you.