Montana Advice Needed
Jul 30th, 1999, 04:33 AM
#1
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Montana Advice Needed
My husband and I are thinking of vacationing in Montana next summer, primarily to visit Glacier Nat'l Park. However, we don't want to spend the entire 7-10 days in the park because we're afraid of the lodging there being overpriced and not real nice. We're looking at staying in Whitefish for about a week and then maybe staying in the park on the east side for a couple of nights. Is Whitefish a good location for seeing the sights in the western part of Glacier? Are there other activities around Whitefish besides visiting the park? We would like to stay in a either a log cabin or a condo with kitchen and laundry facilities. Are there other small towns besides Whitefish that would be picturesque and nice for a weeks stay? If we stay in the park for a couple of nights, any recommendations on which lodge is a "must see"? We loved Yellowstone when we visited several yrs ago and are hoping Glacier will be just as beautiful in its own way. Thanks for the advice!
Jul 30th, 1999, 06:11 AM
#2
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You pose a very interesting question about Glacier. First, let me state my qualifications to answer: I have been there more than once. Second, I have stayed in hotels/motels both in and out of the park.
Whitefish has a few nice places to stay. Unfortunately, the motels owners around Whitefish have become aware that they are in a popular area. As a result prices have gone way up "in season".
There are several places listed in the AAA guide, including the Duck Inn and Kandahar Lodge and the Grouse Mountain Lodge. There are motels in Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse, and Bigfork that are closer to the park than Whitefish. But Whitefish has more shops, restrurants, and some interesting stores and shops.
Kalispell is also nearby and is even larger than Whitefish. It also has "in season" motel prices.
On the east side of the park, I would not stay anywhere in a motel except for a couple of places in East Glacier. Those cabins outside the park in St. Marys are substandard in my opinion.
Or, if you want better quality, go to the Canadian side. The townsite in Waterton Park, the Canadian part of the International Peace Park, permits commercial development. Prices are even higher there, but the Kilmorey, Bayshore, Aspen-Windflower, and Crandall Mountain Lodge are nice places to stay.
Concessioner accommodations inside of Glacier itself are in my estimation not very good. I have stayed at Rising Sun Lodge, a cabin at Many Glacier, and a lodge on Lake McDonald (west side). They do provide convenience. (I am not counting our hikes to the back country chalets of Granite Park and Sperry. Those are primative, with no electricity or indoor facilities.) I am staying at the Timbers Motel in Bigfork before visiting the park in 3 weeks. In previous years we stayed in Whitefish and Kalispell in addition to the aforementioned facilities.
If you have 7-10 days, I agree, you don't want to spend it all in Glacier. I think an extension to Waterton, with the boat ride on Waterton Lake, is nice. You also have time to visit Cardston.
The Flamingo is a decent motel there, with kitchen units. Within range of Cardston is the Head Smashed In Buffalo jump and the Carriage Museum, which is right in Cardston. We were fascinated by the museum. It is first class, no kidding. (And I have seen a few museums in my day -- Louvre, British Museum, and the Smithsonian.) The museum contains a very well done collection of horse drawn carriages. Most interesting and well presented and maintained.
As for hikes in Glacier: I can recommend 3 as outstanding. From Logan Pass, take the Highline Trail along the Garden Wall at least as far as Haystack Butte. The butte will be obvious as it is a prominent rock formation to your left as you walk along the Garden Wall. We have seen sheep and goats as well as marmots along this route. You can go as far as you like before turning around.
The other two are from Many Glacier. Number 1 is the Grinnell Glacier hike.
It is long, however. Number 2 is the walk to Iceberg Lake. It is spectacular as the trail leads to a cirque set under 3,000 foot sheer walls. The ice melts and leaves ice cakes floating in the lake. I did not include the hike to Lincoln Lake or the Sperry Glacier because they are over 8 miles one way and involve an altitude gain of more than 4,000 feet. A strong hiker could do them, but both are quite a pull uphill. (We are staying at the Sperry Chalet, outdoor plumbing and all, so we can visit both places this summer. Hike up, sleep over night, eat, then hike some more.)
On the Canadian side, the boat trip leads to a place called Goat Haunt, where there is a pause for a Ranger presentation. From the dock, there are a few short trails that can be easily taken before catching the next boat back to Waterton. I highly recommend the Canadian side, particularly the museum in Cardston.
Hope this helps.
Whitefish has a few nice places to stay. Unfortunately, the motels owners around Whitefish have become aware that they are in a popular area. As a result prices have gone way up "in season".
There are several places listed in the AAA guide, including the Duck Inn and Kandahar Lodge and the Grouse Mountain Lodge. There are motels in Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse, and Bigfork that are closer to the park than Whitefish. But Whitefish has more shops, restrurants, and some interesting stores and shops.
Kalispell is also nearby and is even larger than Whitefish. It also has "in season" motel prices.
On the east side of the park, I would not stay anywhere in a motel except for a couple of places in East Glacier. Those cabins outside the park in St. Marys are substandard in my opinion.
Or, if you want better quality, go to the Canadian side. The townsite in Waterton Park, the Canadian part of the International Peace Park, permits commercial development. Prices are even higher there, but the Kilmorey, Bayshore, Aspen-Windflower, and Crandall Mountain Lodge are nice places to stay.
Concessioner accommodations inside of Glacier itself are in my estimation not very good. I have stayed at Rising Sun Lodge, a cabin at Many Glacier, and a lodge on Lake McDonald (west side). They do provide convenience. (I am not counting our hikes to the back country chalets of Granite Park and Sperry. Those are primative, with no electricity or indoor facilities.) I am staying at the Timbers Motel in Bigfork before visiting the park in 3 weeks. In previous years we stayed in Whitefish and Kalispell in addition to the aforementioned facilities.
If you have 7-10 days, I agree, you don't want to spend it all in Glacier. I think an extension to Waterton, with the boat ride on Waterton Lake, is nice. You also have time to visit Cardston.
The Flamingo is a decent motel there, with kitchen units. Within range of Cardston is the Head Smashed In Buffalo jump and the Carriage Museum, which is right in Cardston. We were fascinated by the museum. It is first class, no kidding. (And I have seen a few museums in my day -- Louvre, British Museum, and the Smithsonian.) The museum contains a very well done collection of horse drawn carriages. Most interesting and well presented and maintained.
As for hikes in Glacier: I can recommend 3 as outstanding. From Logan Pass, take the Highline Trail along the Garden Wall at least as far as Haystack Butte. The butte will be obvious as it is a prominent rock formation to your left as you walk along the Garden Wall. We have seen sheep and goats as well as marmots along this route. You can go as far as you like before turning around.
The other two are from Many Glacier. Number 1 is the Grinnell Glacier hike.
It is long, however. Number 2 is the walk to Iceberg Lake. It is spectacular as the trail leads to a cirque set under 3,000 foot sheer walls. The ice melts and leaves ice cakes floating in the lake. I did not include the hike to Lincoln Lake or the Sperry Glacier because they are over 8 miles one way and involve an altitude gain of more than 4,000 feet. A strong hiker could do them, but both are quite a pull uphill. (We are staying at the Sperry Chalet, outdoor plumbing and all, so we can visit both places this summer. Hike up, sleep over night, eat, then hike some more.)
On the Canadian side, the boat trip leads to a place called Goat Haunt, where there is a pause for a Ranger presentation. From the dock, there are a few short trails that can be easily taken before catching the next boat back to Waterton. I highly recommend the Canadian side, particularly the museum in Cardston.
Hope this helps.
Jul 30th, 1999, 06:24 AM
#3
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Our family visited Glacier Park in July of 98',stayed on the Eastern side first in St. Mary's, at the "St. Mary's Resort
in a small 2 bedroom cabin, for about $135 an night. (no TV/radio). Took a day trip to Waternton Glacier International
Park over the Canada border, very nice little town to visit or stay, saw lots bears, goats, deer etc. Don't miss the large Hotel up on the hill. Later stayed on the West side in Whitefish, at "North Forty Cabins" 1-800-775-1740, very new log cabin, 1 bedroom that would sleep 5, kitchen with lg frig, stove, micro, no
oven though, also two TV's, cool log furniture, would stay here again. While
on the West side we visited the Dam, west side of Glacier, did the normal stuff, horseback riding, site seeing/shopping. One of the highlights for my kids (and hushand) was a play area just outside the park, with an adult size "maze" took me over a half hour to get through it, got lost. (great
fun), also some mini race cars, couldn't get my husband off these. overall the trip was great. If you have anymore questions just e-mail me back.
in a small 2 bedroom cabin, for about $135 an night. (no TV/radio). Took a day trip to Waternton Glacier International
Park over the Canada border, very nice little town to visit or stay, saw lots bears, goats, deer etc. Don't miss the large Hotel up on the hill. Later stayed on the West side in Whitefish, at "North Forty Cabins" 1-800-775-1740, very new log cabin, 1 bedroom that would sleep 5, kitchen with lg frig, stove, micro, no
oven though, also two TV's, cool log furniture, would stay here again. While
on the West side we visited the Dam, west side of Glacier, did the normal stuff, horseback riding, site seeing/shopping. One of the highlights for my kids (and hushand) was a play area just outside the park, with an adult size "maze" took me over a half hour to get through it, got lost. (great
fun), also some mini race cars, couldn't get my husband off these. overall the trip was great. If you have anymore questions just e-mail me back.
Jul 30th, 1999, 12:14 PM
#4
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Last summer while visiting Glacier Nat Park we stayed at the Hidden Moose Lodge in Whitefish and really liked it.
Check this website: www.wtp.net/go/hidden moose
I would highly recommend it.
Check this website: www.wtp.net/go/hidden moose
I would highly recommend it.
Jul 30th, 1999, 12:16 PM
#5
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Last summer while visiting Glacier Nat Park we stayed at the Hidden Moose Lodge in Whitefish and really liked it.
Check this website: www.wtp.net/go/hiddenmoose
I would highly recommend it. Sorry for the double post, but no space between hidden and moose in the web address.
Check this website: www.wtp.net/go/hiddenmoose
I would highly recommend it. Sorry for the double post, but no space between hidden and moose in the web address.
Sep 13th, 1999, 07:43 PM
#6
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Just back from Montana a couple of weeks ago! Had a great time - spent some time at Glacier NP and didn't stay in the park...stayed in Bigfork, (great little town) and also Kalispell. In Bigfork we stayed at the Marina Cay resort which was quite nice. Had a HUGE apartment/suite, not exactly the cheapest room, but very clean and roomy. Kalispell we stayed at a big chain hotel, can't remember the name...right on the main road and quite new. Enjoy....it's really God's country! Email me if you have any questions. Suzanne
