Thinking about Glacier National Park in Montana / myLot

@maezee (41985)

United States

June 3, 2021 3:14pm CST

Later on, in July, I am planning on taking a road trip with my family out to the western part of North Dakota and I may have an additional day or two so I am considering running up to Glacier National Park on the western side of Montana, only a state away to check it out quickly, but that extra trip adds about 8 hours each direction on to the trip. I haven't gotten out since March and it has been a long couple of months. I only have like 24 hours to be near Glacier Park, but it's not a park I feel like I want to a spend a ton of time in-because I am TERRIFIED of grizzly bears. Glacier National Park is a mountainous park known for it's woods/greenery, lakes, mountains, and robust wildlife (including grizzly bears). Considered to many "bear country". I am mainly planning on driving through, getting out for some short hikes (like the 1-2 mile roundtrip hikes, busy interpretive trails, etc) and my plan is to bring all the necessities: a cowbell to affix to my hiking backpack (I hear this deters wildlife), and bear spray for sure. Have you been to this park? Any advice, or memorable areas/ drives/short hikes? What was your experience like?

7 people like this

6 responses

Marie Coyle

@MarieCoyle (59258)

•

4 Jun 21

I love Glacier Park. I found it incredible, a treasure. If you are scared of bears at all, stick to the places where there are more people around. We used to go there in late July or early August, sometimes stayed in a hotel and sometimes a cabin, as they had some that could be rented. The cabins are rustic but clean, nothing fancy, we did not go outside after dark as we were deep in the woods and the rangers did not recommend roaming around at all in the dark. Lake McDonald Lodge is very nice and safe. Go for a boat ride on Lake McDonald--oh, the water is so cold, even in the summer. And when you go, take sweaters and jackets, when the sun starts to go down it is just cold. But it is beautiful. I would love to go back again sometime.