Montana - Where to stay?
 

So my family and I are planning on staying in Montana for a month next summer. We would like to hunker down in one house as a home base and if we spend a night or two elsewhere that is fine. Other than properties themselves, can anyone offer a suggestion as to where we would want to stay (nearest city/town)?

We will be renting a house and hope to find one outside city limits affording us the opportunity to relax and enjoy the environment. We plan to spend time in Yellowstone and Glacier.

Thank you in advance,

Mike

It really isn't practical to try and experience both Glacier and Yellowstone from 1 base location. Just too much distance between the 2.
For Glacier I'd look at the Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse or Whitefish areas. For Yellowstone, maybe West Yellowstone, Cooke City or Gardiner.
Another idea is the Polson area around Flathead Lake for Glacier and other parts of Western Montana and then Yellowstone.

By far the most popular part of Glacier is the eastern part. For good reason.

So it would make sense to stay somewhere near St Mary where you have access to Many Glacier, GTTS Road and Two Medicine.

It's a long drive to Yellowstone that's a big park and requires several days at least.

Agree with both postings above. You really need to think about splitting up your vacation into two separate locations. For Glacier, the east side of the park is the most scenic and has the best hikes. For long-term accommodations, you should check with vrbo.com - but make sure you ask exactly how close they are to either the St. Mary or Many Glacier entrance of the park. If they are located in the town of East Glacier Park, that's over an hour's drive to St. Mary. Make your reservations before the end of this year - as everything on the east side books up quickly.

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/about...ional-park.htm

You'll also want to make the drive across the Going to the Sun Road, which connects the east and west side of the park and visit Lake McDonald Lodge. It's one of the most scenic drives in the country. Plan on an entire day and allow time for road construction which will can slow things down.

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...e-sun-road.htm

If you plan on doing any hiking, some of the best hikes are out of Many Glacier are Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier and the best hikes off the GTTS Road are Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail and Virginia Falls (in my humble opinion!).

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...-ten-hikes.htm

If you stay in the Many Glacier area you will also be near Waterton Park in Alberta. It is a northern extension of Glacier NP and very beautiful.

HTtY

If you stay in the Helena vicinity, you will be about half way between Glacier and Yellowstone.

HTtY

I strongly suggest staying IN the parks. They are large and the driving is very slow. It takes a long time to get anywhere.

You need at least two full days to drive Glacier and make some stops. If you want to hike, you need a couple more, IMO. That doesn't include driving up and back.

Yellowstone needs at least 4 full days and that is rushing it for your first time. Lots to stop and see and you have to park, get out and walk to see most sites in Yellowstone. You can't see them from the car.