Mt. Ranier or Glacier Ntl. Park for long weekend??
 

I will be visiting my son and would like to have a long weekend in either Mt. Ranier or Glacier National Park. We would probably mostly just hike around, maybe a boat ride if there are opportunities for that. Just want to enjoy the fantastic scenery.

Having said that, if you only had two full days in one of those parks, which would you choose and why?

Oh, we will be going in August and I would like to book a room for a couple of nights as well. Something rustic is okay. Don't need a lot of amenities, but something close to or in the parks would be nice. Budget is an issue as well. Any ideas there?

Thanks.

Given the choice between the two parks, I'd go with Glacier. Plain and simple, it's just got more. More beauty, more wildlife, more trails, more boat rides. It's not that Mount Ranier is chopped liver; in fact, it'd be a great place to go to. It's just that Glacier is better.

At least this summer, the choice is made easier by the fact that Rainier is still recovering from catastrophic flooding. Some roads (Stevens Canyon) may not open this summer, and you are going to still see a lot of repair of damaged roads, campgrounds, and valleys.

Glacier suffered significant damage last Winter as well, esp. Going to the Sun highway. I know repairs are being expedited, but you might want to check either some Montana tourism websites, or seek details from the National Park Service.

Thanks for your replies. I guess I've got some homework to do. I guess I'm leaning towards Glacier if I can get a good report on conditions there.

If so, anyone have any recommendations for lodging in the park?

If your first choices are not available because of road repairs, I suggest Crater Lake in Oregon combined with a few dozen miles along the Oregon Coast. In places the coast is spectacular with pounding waves against rocky headlands and high cliffs projecting almost directly out of the ocean.

Although there are some isolated beaches, I don't recommend going for a swim. The air is cool and so is the water. (I have seen people who dared to get wet break out in goosebumps.)

I haven't been to Mt. Ranier, but I do LOVE Glacier NP. There's great hiking and lots of ferry rides. You can rent a boat at Lake McDonald. The Swiftcurrent Motel is very popular although I haven't stayed there. We were there last summer when the GTSR wasn't completely open, and for us, it wasn't a proplem. The drive to the west side was still very scenic.

YEA!! We have reservations for the Swift Current Motel for two nights in August. It looks like GTTS road will be open by then. I'm so excited!

Cindy

We've been to both and perhaps because a lot of times of the year MT.RAnier is in the clouds as we experienced when we were there I also prefer Glacier n.park. For budget reasons you can easily book a room in the Motel6 in Kalispell.PAul

Oh, I've also booked a room at the Super 8 in Kalispell on our way in. I can't wait.

Thanks again everyone.

I hope it's not the Super 8 we stayed in fifteen years ago because it was worn thin even then.

Hi, once upon a time I had the choice of stopping in Kalispell or driving on toward Glacier late one evening.

Much to the dismay of my companion, I passed on Kalispell and got a room in "West Glacier" (immediately adjacent to the park entrance). We arrived after dark, said companion really enjoyed the touristy shops there, and we had a nice dinner.

Had a cozy room at night and awoke to discover that we were in a really beautiful valley-like setting.

So, you might consider opting away from Kalispell and putting yourself right at the edge of Glacier upon waking up that first morning.

(from what I recall, the place we stayed was out the west entrance to the park, then across the street, and (what would be) south a block or two).

Living here in Kalispell, I can tell you that the Super 8 HAS been here a long time. can't tell you if they've remodel though.
Without reservations you may find it hard to find a place to stay, EXCEPT for a brand new Holiday Inn Express which opened 2 weeks ago and a Hilton Garden Inn which opened this week. Incidentally, another Hilton is being built on the oppisite end of town!!
Sun Road is open with minor delays (had a torrential rain storm last November which wiped out parts of the Sun Road) for constuction. A temporary bridge has been built over the damaged road on the east side enabling the crews to work on the road. Delays during the day should be approx. 15 minutes if any but delays of 4 hours after midnight till 7/8 am.
Come on out. Temps forecast to 100 degrees this week.

Why stop in Kallispell. You're almost there.

We're stopping at Kalispell because I had to pick someplace to stop and wanted to make a reservation. I didn't know where to go beyond that. I did look at the Super 8 in maybe Glacier Falls? (Can't really remember right now) But they were already booked. I think the Super 8 in Kalispell had just a few rooms open. I wanted to get something booked as I think it's a popular time to go and didn't want to be looking for a room in the dark. We are driving from Spokane and won't leave Spokane until probably 4 p.m. at the earliest.

I realize that Super 8 might not be the best, but it's a place to lay our heads for a night. We won't be spending any time there. And I like the idea of having breakfast at the hotel even if it's just a continental.

We'll get up early and get to the park. I guess it's just my personality to want everything planned up ahead.

I'm glad to hear that GTTS Road is open. I'm so looking forward to our trip and spending time with my boys.

Thanks for all your advice.

Cindy