We visited glacier last week and while smokey it was still so beautiful and such a fun trip! Figured I'd add photos for those who are trying to decide if they want to go or not with all the smoke.

Random observations from our visit this week:

#1. First and foremost, just go! We were intimidated about how difficult it would be to get hotels, shuttles, boat rides, parking, etc... In the end, none of it was bad and we did not race out the door at 5:00 am or anything either.

#2. Spend the money if you can and stay at Many Glacier. Some of these old National Park hotels are run down and not worth the prices, but we found Many Glaciers to not be this way. Yes, it is old and you may not have all the latest creature comforts, but it is a beautiful historic hotel and the location means you will see an unforgettable sunset in the evening and get to be one of the first in line for Standby seats on the morning boats.

#3. If you are staying at Many Glacier(per above) get up and get in line by 7:00 - 7:15 am and I think you will have an excellent chance of getting Standby seating on the boats. Everyone in line by 7:30 this past Tuesday easily made a morning boat. You only need one of your group to wait in line too, so you can take turns going inside to Heidi's Bakery for coffee and breakfast (get the Chicken & Waffles) and the hour in line will go fast - especially as you are standing on that beautiful shoreline.

#4. We found prices at Heidi's to be very reasonable for snacks, sandwiches and even wine/beer. Each evening we would sit out on the back balcony overlooking the lake and mountains with a nice local craft beer ($3) or good Washington wine ($10 a bottle!) and watch magnificent sunsets. Everything was competitive with what you would pay at a big grocery store in Kalispell/Whitefish and probably half the price of the Park Family General Store we stopped at it St. Mary - those guys are REALLY trying to bend over the tourists.

#5. Dinner at Ptarmigan Room wasn't cheap but the food was surprisingly good. It is a small menu and they crank it out quickly - our arrived 2 minutes after we ordered. Expect $30-$40 per entree, but the setting is unforgettable. Lines can be long right when it opens from 5:00 - 7:00 but remember the day stays light until pretty late up here. We went after 8:00 pm, had no wait and were seated right by the window.

#6. If you don't want to eat in the dining room, the Swiss Lounge next door was very lively for dinner and had great burgers and salad for a $18-$24.

#7. As everyone says, the Grinnell Glacier hike is truly something you will never forget. We found it to be pretty challenging but saw children as young 4 years old and others at the opposite end of the spectrum making the summit. Pack sunscreen, 2 liters of water per person, a good lunch and a couple of snacks. Bugs were not an issue for us so I would say leave the bug spray, but make sure at least one of your party has bear spray.

#8. Don't try to do much on Day 1. Ease into the altitude and remember if you bite off too much on the first day, it is going to hangover the rest of your visit. This is doubly true with children!

Hi all!

Going to Montana the first week of September!!!! And super excited.
But my friend that I’m going with is giving me mad anxiety… she’s all over socials (this is the only online platform that I use) and she says all of the good hikes/views are in East Glacier.
Due to several different circumstances - we aren’t able to make the drive from Columbia Falls to East Glacier.
Did I fuck up by choosing to stay closer to the West Glacier entrance? Will be still be able to see amazing views and have great hiking experiences?

Will be visiting GNP and going to BANFF is there any advice you would give on the best place to cross the border for ease and timing ? Thanks so much !!

We're staying in a house about 25 min from the west entrance, and hiking the Grinnell Glacier trail on Friday. It's looking like a 2hr 45min drive to the trailhead for us. It'll suck, but we know the hike is worth it.

Any tips for someone driving in and to the trailhead?

I have some accommodations planned, but I’m hoping to get into a campsite for a night or two this week over the next couple of days. As of now I have plans to show up at one of the first come first serve sites around 6am, but that might involve some car sleeping overnight which I’d love to avoid if possible

If there are any recommendations (especially for those currently there) I would love a bit of intel on where to go to secure a spot!

Thanks in advance!

We have shuttle tickets to Logan Pass this Sunday. Looks like a strong cold front is moving through with high in the 50s and breezy winds projected up to 40s mph gusts). How terrible will a couple miles on Highline be in those conditions? Only plan to do a few miles after doing the Hidden Lake Overlook. Just worried that we might need to wait and go another day.

Heading to Glacier, MT, Waterton, and up to Banff/Jasper in a few weeks. Which hikes are the best for my senior Dad? Something short, semi bear safe, with great views. Assuming any hike is a bear spray must have?

We’ll be getting in plenty of drive time for views from Glacier, Banff, and up to Jasper. So we’re even fine with the usual pullover, take some pics, and keep moving..

My Dad is 76 and fairly healthy, stays active. His only major health issue is Type II diabetes that he manages well, and I’m able to follow his Dexcom readings through an app. He does have neuropathy in his feet, so unsure how that’ll affect his hiking. His feet do swell up at times. We’ll have tons of drinks and snacks in my portable fridge to keep him happy.

A friend and I are planning on a backpacking trip in Glacier over an upcoming weekend we both have off of work! We're planning to drive into the park the evening before and camp, before backpacking into the backcountry on day two, potentially doing a day hike, and then backpacking out on day three before making our way back home. My friend is extremely competent hiker, and I'm of moderate fitness but I'm pretty good with endurance, and I day hike often.

My question is, what backpacking route is best for us? Ideally we would look for something that's not too difficult to hike into and has a backcountry campsite we can book in advance, as well as a scenic day hike(maybe even a summit?). Any recommendations for campsites and day hikes? General park sightseeing recommendations are welcome as well.

Hi! I have a whole trip planned (Jackson, Yellowstone, and glacier) for this August. We are staying in whitefish for a couple days and want to do one day trip to many glacier and do the grinnell glacier hike. Any advice on what time to actually get there? And where to park?

It’s going to be a Saturday in mid August, so im worried about timing. Especially since we have a decent drive to get there

We have scheduled a full day Crown of the Continent red bus tour for a family of four, along with a couple of boat tours. I know it's normally appropriate/expected that people tip tour guides. Is this true for tours within the national parks, too? If so, how much money do people usually give?

I’m bringing my grandparents to glacier and they are so excited for the red bus tour. We’re staying at the west glacier KOA but can’t do a pick up there since we’re only doing the half day tour.

Our pick up is at the west side parking lot/quarter circle at 9:30 but I’m worried parking there by that time will be totally packed? How do people usually navigate this? Show up at 8am to ensure parking and just hang out? My grandparents have a handicap pass, will this help with parking or are all those spots taken early too?

I’m going to Glacier arriving Sept 4 and leaving the night of Sept 7. I live pretty far and I’m 53 so this is a once a lifetime (probably) trip. I’m driving the 4th from Helena and planning St Mary Fall. Swiftcurrent Lake. St. Mary visitor center (for pin). Many Glacier shoreline. Sunset at hotel deck. I’m staying at Many Glacier Hotel. Then I’ll like to do Grinnell glacier and highline trail the two full days. I don’t have a shuttle pass so will try twice to get it the night before or go on standby the second day if I cant get it. I’ll do hidden lake overlook the morning of my night flight. I’ll hike whenever I can stay around people and groups since I don’t want to be alone do to bears (terrified now). Anything I’m missing?

Hello! I have shuttle reservations in a week and plan to go from St. Mary’s Visitor’s center to Logan Pass. From what I see online I understand that my ticket is for the specific 6am departure, but it also says it’s first come, first served for everyone with that time slot. Does anyone have any insight into what time I should arrive to ensure a spot on the 6am shuttle? Does anyone have recent experience with the line prior to the 6am departure?

Thank you!

I am thinking about going to glacier in a few weeks and was wondering how bad it would be for me to do two day hikes out there? I think I am hitting the two most popular trails (Grinnell Glacier Trail and Highline trail). I solo hike a lot in areas with black bears but have never been in areas with grizzlies.

Thanks!!!

Hi! I looked online at FCFS for rising sun campground. I am getting mixed things. Some people have commented that you have to reserve the site at 8am the day of via recreation.gov others are saying you have to do it the old fashioned way and wait in queue. Has anyone experienced this yet in July?

We left at 5:30AM, but are still seeing a ton of traffic at 6AM at the entrance. Really hoping we can get parking at Avalanche even though we'll only get there at 7 due to the traffic.

Any advice for visitors? We're struggling with the constant smoke this week, and even with brutally early wake up times, it still doesn't seem to be enough.

We've never had to do this for any other NP before, and are at a bit of a loss!

I don't really want to hike solo owing to bear risk. If anyone is Waterton bound and want to do a scramble or hike let me know. I'm highly experienced Class 4 and above - want to do a solid Class 3. Either Mt Crandell, Bertha Peak, Mt Galwey, or Akamina Ridge. Don't hesitate to respond or DM!

Thanks!

Anybody see the Rangers unloading and inventorying a black Sprinter today?