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Just minutes from Glacier National Park 406-387-4420 |
Glacier National Park is a stunningly beautiful ice-carved terrain of serrated ridges, jutting peaks, dramatic hanging valleys, 50 glaciers, more than 200 lakes, waterfalls and thick forests covering some 1.2-million acres. Deer are among the most commonly spotted wildlife but elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolves, grizzly and black bears roam its wild vastness and are often seen by visitors.
Aerial photo from helicopter tour by Jenie Woehler of Historic Tamarack Lodge.
Goat Lick overlook, for example, is a natural salt lick on cliffs overlooking the southern border of the park. From a viewing platform just off US Highway 2 east of Essex you are sure to see mountain goats or other animals at any time of day enjoying the lick.
Wild flowers, too, are abundant and put on a lengthy show of color as they follow spring up the mountains all summer long.
The park is unique among US parks in its relationship with the Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. The two parks meet at the border shared by the two countries. Though administered by separate countries, the parks are cooperatively managed in recognition that wild plants and animals ignore political boundaries and claim the natural and cultural resources on both sides of the border. In 1932, the parks were designated the first International Peace Park in recognition of the bonds of peace and friendship between the two nations. The two parks jointly share the name The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Then, in 1995, The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park was designated for inclusion as a World Heritage Site.
Visitor Centers
Glacier National Park is served by three
Visitor Centers; Apgar, Logan Pass and St. Mary's. Ranger-guided-naturalist
activities are available throughout the park from mid-June through September. Call
406-888-5441 for details. You might like to enquire about having lunch on a
glacier! The park has more than 700 miles of trails ranging from day hikes to extended treks. Trailheads
for popular day hikes can be found near the visitors' centers.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
The famed 52-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs 3,000
feet to provide spectacular views across the Continental Divide from June to
October. It is closed the rest of the year due to heavy snows. Glacier Park Inc.
operates a daily shuttle service along this road, from July 1 to Labor Day Weekend in
September. The shuttle operates between Rising Sun Motor Inn and Lake McDonald
Lodge, a useful service for those who have oversized rigs not allowed on the road, and
others who would rather not drive the narrow mountain roads themselves.
History
Earlier this century, the
Great Northern Railway built chalets to market Glacier National Park as the
"Switzerland of America". Although many no longer exist, Granite Park
Chalet and Sperry Chalet are open to the public. Be warned that the former has no
running water. The most popular route to Granite Park Chalet is a 7-mile hike along
the Highline Trail from Logan Pass. Glacier Park Lodge, and Many Glacier Hotel also
accommodate guests.
*See also the Go Northwest! guide to the Flathead Valley
|
Montana Raft Co. / Glacier Guides Whitewater Rafting, Backpacking, Fly fishing Hiking, Backcountry Chalet Adventures All Inside Glacier National Park! 1-800-521-7238 E-mail |

Go Northwest!
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Best selection of books on the Northwest.
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Hiking
Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, 4th: A Guide to the Parks'
Greatest Hiking Adventures (Regional Hiking Series) by Erik Molvar.
This guide features descriptions and
easy-to-follow maps for 28 short hikes through spectacular scenery in this natural wonderland. Look inside for
short strolls to full-day hikes. Hikes are ranked from easy to challenging
and have GPS-compatible trail maps.
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Glacier
National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park: A Complete Recreation
Guide by Vicky Spring and Tom Kirkendall. Discover the best areas for
hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding and skiing in these two guides.
Order now...
Moon
Glacier National Park, 4th Edition (Moon Handbooks) by Becky Lomax. Get
an insider's perspective on hiking the trails in the park's one million
acres of wilderness, unique trip strategies, a wildlife watching tour, a one
day Glacier tour, biking up Going-to-the-Sun Road and wildlife viewing.
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