Glacier National Park, what to do ?
 

We are going to GNP in Aug. arriving on the Amtrak. Currently have reserv. for Glacier Park Lodge. But is this good lodcation or better to stay on west side or what ? Should we rent a car or just use the park tour buses etc. ? what are best to do there with kids (ages 12,10, 8) Recommendations for easy - mid hiking trails? Thanks for the help !

I have not been there for a long time but when we were there we stayed at the village inn on the west side of lake Mc Donald and it was great we had a 2 bedroom apartment with aporch looking at the lake and mountain range on the other side. I could spend the rest of my life sitting on that porch! the hiking was great lots of wildlife. we also spent time at glacier lodge and liked that also. It has been 20 years I hope the park hotel I described is still open and that I have the name right. You will love it though it is the prettiest park I have ever visited.

With three kids, I strongly recommend a car. On a per day basis it will probably cost less than five tickets on the tour bus, and you get the advantage that YOU decide how long to stay at a specific site. If your kids run down a trail they think looks fun, don't count on the tour bus to wait for them to show up after ten minutes! Best advice on Glacier, drive the Going to the Sun Road, stopping whenever you see a "O Wow!" site. It will be often! Also, check out www.nps.gov/glac. The Saint Mary's Falls trail leads to a fun site. Enjoy your stay at Glacier; you will *not* be disappointed!!

We're renting a car from Dollar for $29. a day with 150 a day free mileage. That was about the cheapest we found. Does Glacier Park Lodge have an email or web address?....we're trying to find a place to stay....by the way the Dollar rental is next to the Amtrak station.

I have been go Glacier Park many times and used all manner of places to stay, including a tent.
First, I think a car is mandatory. The tour buses never seemed to me to be a viable alternative.
The lodges are expensive for what you get, but you have limited alternatives.

Lake McDonald lodge is a good bet, given the circumstances. The last time we were there, we actually stayed at a motel (the Flamingo) in Cardston in Canada because we wanted to visit the Canadian side, too.

Waterton townsite on the Candian side has privately owned motels, but they are pricey. At least you are in the park and close to the boat dock for a trip on the lake.

Some of the other places are close to subpar.
We have used the cabins at Many Glacier and Rising Sun. I might stay there again, but not if I had an option.

But Kalispell is not that far, and there are a few motels there. Also, Big Fork has a few places as well.

As for hikes, there are many. My favorite is the hike from Logan Pass along the Garden Wall toward Haystack Butte. Beyond Haystack Butte, the chances of seeing animals is good. In years past, we have seen marmots, mountain goats, and once we met a group of 8 or 9 young mountain sheep rams. But, if you have small children, my advice is to keep off this trail because some of the path is on a ledge high above the highway. There is a garden hose line (!!!!!) to hang onto, but still I would not want a 3 or 4 year old on that trail. (My son has been on it twice, once when he was 7 and once when he was 27. He did fine both times!!)
But, with small children, take boat rides instead.

The hike to the Grinnel Glacier is tough - over 10 miles round trip. But I have seen families on this trek. We did it when my son was almost 7 and survived quite nicely because we were equipped with jackets and appropriate footwear. But I have hiked the same trail on a hot summer day and wished I had worn shorts. (Take water and food. Plenty of water if it is a hot day.)

The Iceberg Lake trail is great, too. But, again, it is long -- 10 miles round trip. No danger spots, however, assuming normal prudence.

For a shorter trail, try Hidden Lake from Logan Pass. It gives great views. The trail is on a board walk most of the way, so it is safe and suitable for children.

My wife thinks the best bet with small children is the boat ride from the dock in Waterton on the Candian side. The trip takes you go the southern end of the lake and the ride is spectacular. At the US end, you can get off, walk and take the next boat back (assuming you go in the morning).

On one Waterton Lake trip, we walked about 3 miles south from the dock at the US end and had lunch with the moose (moostresses as my son called them) feeding in the stream. Very tranquil site with a fine view of a glaciated ridge. On the way back, I was attacked by a grouse. These are little birds native to the area. It ran down the trail after me and pecked my boots. I guess he thought he was a big dinosaur.

We laughed so hard we had to lean on the trees for support. Glad he was not one of those 300 pound carniverous birds of the early Cenezoic!!

In conclusion, Glacier is a hiker's park. If you cannot hike, then the Sun Road trip and the rides on the many lakes still give you a heck of a view.