Glacier NP - Time to spend there and hotel
 

Hello fellow Fodorites,

I just had two quick questions to ask.

First, for a trip in mid-June 2009, how much time would a father and teenage son need to spend in Glacier Natl. Park? We like nature and hiking trips...but we aren't major, major hikers/campers.

Secondly, on said trip, which hotel would be best to stay at? We were thinking of staying a a more classic lodge in the Park, but if anyone has any other suggestions, any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

sorry for the wrong tag.

I swear I tagged Montana....

We've always liked the Many Glacier Hotel.

http://www.nationalparkreservations....acier_many.htm

Time: Anywhere from 3 days to a month, just depends on how much of the park you want to see and how much you want to get out of car and onto the trails. Also, look at the Canadian counterpart - Waterton.

As for hotel, we like the Lake McDonalds Lodge. Many Glacier looks nice, but never stayed there.

We're going in June as well and spending one night in the Many Glacier Lodge as we have heard that there are a lot of great hiking trails that begin near there. Wherever you decide to stay, you should probably book soon as I see that some of the properties are already booked out for mid-June. Also, you might want to take advantage of their June Stimulus program--http://www.glacierparkinc.com/SpecialsAndPackages/sandpdetail.asp?id=8&type=1

Problem could be : what will be open for walking in June.It
depends a lot year/years...There are a lot of hikes, there for all kind of walkers...From easy(Avalanche lake, Hidden lake, Hidden meadow,...) to mid-difficult(Snyder lake, Trout lake,Iceberg lake, Cracker lake..) and difficult(Swiftcurrent pass,Grinnel Glacier...).
The Falcon Guide on the hikes is a good idea to choose, but after you have to do with road conditions, hikes conditions,...(the GNP website is a good source of information).
The best would be to have 2-3 days in the west part and 2-3 days in the east part.
In the west, Mc Donald Lodge or Apgar Village Inn are the best options/price, comfort and location/hikes, lakes,...
In the east, Swiftcurrent motor inn has no concurrent/value.Rooms are huge, price are good(rooms in teh motel part, not the cabin..).
You are at the beginning of a lot of hikes(Red Rock lakes,
Swiftcurrent valley, Iceberg lake...). You can diner at the pizzeria or even at the Many Glacier Hotel(Ptarmigan room is very nice and meals are very good).
We return this year in Glacier and our option have been Apgar Village Inn in the west and Swiftcurrent motor inn in the west...
Erik

Last year, the road through the park didn't open until July...and some of the trails weren't even open then yet either.

I would suggest 2 days on the west side of the park, you could hike to Avalance Lake on one day.

I would suggest 3 days on the east side, one day head to Many Glacier, hopefully some of the trails there (Cracker Lake) will be open. Then you could also hike to Virginia Falls one day and head to either Waterton in Canada for a day or down to Two Medicine.

We stayed in West Glacier, and just visited Lake McDonald Lodge. We also stayed in the St. Mary's Lodge, which is like any old hotel, but comfortable.

I have stayed at Many Glacier and Lake McDonald lodges. I did not care for Lake McDonald, but I loved Many Glacier. Please be aware, however, that neither of the lodges have the amenities one has come to expect from modern motels. They are primitive but in an historic, quaint, comfortable (old shoe) way. They have private bathrooms and satisfactory beds and they are spacious enough (Many Glacier more so than Lake McDonald). I would return to Many Glacier in a heart beat, but not to Lake McDonald. JMHO

Here's the problem (and I'm so very sorry for mentioning this) - We're arriving by train. And the only car rental location at a train station is at West Glacier.

So our options are somewhat limited to Lake Mcdonald Lodge and Apgar Inn (or others on that side of Logan Pass that people like). I don't want to have to drive all the way to Many Glacier (however nice it may be) after arriving at 8:30 pm. And if Logan Pass isn't open....we'd have to take a roundabout route.

I'm sooo sorry for neglecting to mention that.

My daughter worked in the park last summer. It was my second visit to Glacier. I would recommend Lake McDonald Lodge on the west side. It is a beautiful old lodge sitting right on a pristine glacial lake. Swiftcurrent Inn on the west side is worth a look; they have motel rooms AND quaint cabins and the day hikes from there are varied and gorgeous. You could stay a night or two on each end of the park. Many Glacier rooms are noisy and disappointing in my opinion, but I agree the dining room is worth a visit. We saw sheep,goats, moose and a grizzly! Have fun!

Another vote for Many Glacier. I took a picture of the sunrise shining on the mountain across the lake, and I hung it on the wall above my computer monitor so I can see it every day.
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/182700-md.jpg

As for hikes, our favorites were Iceberg Lake, Hidden Lake, and (especially) the Highline Trail.

I did like the lodge at Lake McDonald; the fireplace is incredible and is a must see.

My favorite photos from Many Glacier:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12251295@N04/2083259096/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12251295@N04/1307462344/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12251295@N04/1253653490/

You will have a great adventure no matter where you stay. The journey is far more important than where you lay your head at night.

Going to the Sun road will not open till July 1 to enable construction crews to "catch up" on road projects while weather is relatively mild. After July 1,free shuttles will start running (weather permitting) for the summer and road will open to traffic with maximum 1/2 hour waiting time at construction sites. This is an ongoing project started 2 years ago and will continue for another 6 to 7 years.
As mentioned, some trails may not be opened in June. Lower elevation trails such as Avalanche Lake hopefully WILL be open by then.
Can't give you any input on hotels as I live in the area and therefore only do day trips into the park and go home each evening. If you can not get into hotels in the park there are lots of rooms in the Kalispell/Whitefish area which is approx. 30 miles away.
Have a good trip!!