Glacier NP
 

Just to get a general feeling about this place. How would you rate this national park on a scale of 1 to 10 (and why?)

I'm going to presume you want to compare this to other places administered by the National Parks Service (NPS). I've visited over 180 NPS sites, and here's my opinion based on such visits.

Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon are the top tier (10 out of 10). Glacier is in the second tier (8 out of 10, if you prefer). Amongst other places I'd place equal to Glacer NP are Sequoia, Arches, and Zion. This is based on (1) overall beauty and grandeur and (2) just plain SIZE of that grandeur. The rocks of Cedar Breaks, for instance, are no less colorful (and probably more so) than those of the Grand Canyon -- but the GC just has so much more of them. Thus, the GC is much higher than Cedar Breaks.

I should mention Glacier is hard to beat for mountain hiking and wildlife. If that is what you are interested in, then it would be near the top.

IMO, the only place with more awesome scenery is southern Alaska, and only because there is just so much more of it.

I give it a 9, only because besides hiking and driving the GTS road, there isn't a lot else to do there.

I give it a 9.

The thing I found interesting about Glacier NP is that unlike Yosemite, Rainier or Grand Canyon, all of which offers some distinct recognizable feature, when you look at the mass of mountains,lakes and beauty you will be truly amazed. The glaciers and their part in forming the mountain ranges are simply stunning.

We took a helicopter tour and it was well worth the money because we got a more expansive view than we did from the Going to the Sun road. There are glacier lakes that offer great "Wow" factor and flying close to the mountains, you see how the peaks seem so pointed. Plus, it covers a lot of territory that I would never have seen.

They have a wide range of day hikes along with some of the most beautiful lakes and waterfalls I have ever seen. Even the rock colors in the rivers amaze me, they are at least tri-colored and not equaled in any river I have seen.

My 10 is the Grand Canyon.

I give it a 10 cause I live here!
OK, 32 miles away.

Glacier would be a 7 or 8.

Comparing like type parks
Jasper-Banff National Parks in Canada would get a 10 from me. Rocky Mountain National Park would get a 7 or 8.

Comparing all other parks. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Grand Canyon, Arches National Parks would all be 10's for me. Glen Canyon National Recreational Area, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands would be 9's. Bryce would be 8.

Utahtea

We were at GNP this summer, and actually, I think I preferred it over Yellowstone because the size wasn't quite as expansive making less to see more relaxing,if that makes sense, although the terrain at Yellowstone is so profoundly different just among its many sections (geysers, waterfalls, mud pots, etc.) that it's hard to compare it to anything (in other words, there's no where else like it on earth--and it's almost an extra-terrestrial land in a way, IMO). Anyway, I found there was more to Glacier than hiking, only because we enjoyed the various drives, such as a two-day side trip to adjoining Waterton Lakes, and stopping off at each of the US lodges where the glacier-fed lakes are expansive and beautiful (we're talking miles long), and the mountainous scenery around them breathtaking, etc. There are a few short scenic drives within Waterton as well, such as Cameron Lake and Red Canyon. And there is no comparison for me when driving Going to the Sun Road with waterfalls at every turn, and valleys so deep they take your breath away. So whether it is an 8, 9 or 10, I don't know, but it's surely worth visiting.

How much time would be a good amount to plan for this park if you want to see the highlights, do only a moderate amount of hiking and perhaps take a horseback ride? Thanks!

Kathryn

I think it all depends how much of the surrounding area you want to see and where you are going to horseback ride. We flew into Missoula, MT, stayed overnight. Drove to Great Falls, MT, another overnight. Then drove to Waterton Lakes (CA) and stayed two nights and did our horseback riding there. From Waterton, we drove back to GNP and visited Many Glacier (no overnight), stopped at St. Mary's Lodge just to look around and then drove to Glacier Park Lodge for an overnight. From the lodge, we took Going to the Sun Road the next morning, stopped at Lake McDonald for a visit, then headed to Whitefish for two nights (one night too many). I would think you could easily do just GNP with the activities you mention in 2-3 days...one day for hiking, one day for horseback, one day for the GTS road drive, but you can incorporate the hiking many places along GTS road also. Our total trip was 8 days. There are also some other great activities in Waterton including a scenic boat trip, and other short drives to Cameron Lake and Red Canyon. There are hiking options on these drives as well, in addition to hiking alternatives from the boat trip which stops at Goat Haunt, MT. There is supposedly a beautiful day-long hike that you must take the boat to get to in Waterton that goes to a scenic waterfall, but I think the hike 10 miles round trip. Hope this helps you.

hugglynn, what is your opinion of Glacier Park Lodge? We are thinking of staying there next year.

You can read the review I left on this site (the link won't paste correctly here, so see the next response), along with those of other travelers. This was what I used before we left and ultimately decided to cancel one of our two nights. It depends how picky you are with your accomodations. I am picky, so I found fault with the rooms. They definitely are in need of refurbishing.