Montana/Glacier National Park Travel advice

[B2Barleywine]

Hi all,

I've been sucked into the planning stages of a family trip to Montana/Glacier National Park. I was looking into lodgings inside the park, but now it seems we are looking into areas outside the park like Whitefish and Columbia Falls. We're a pretty large group looking to soak up the sights and activities inside and outside the park. Anyone out there have any thoughts on these towns as jumping points for our adventures? Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thanks! Looking forward to seeing Montana!

 

[BrewWNC]

Ive been to Glacier National Park and really enjoyed it. We staying in the park (in a camper) and it was only a night so I cant offer much advise as far as where else to stay or what to do (we hiked a little) but would suggest going into Canada if you have never been there. My family decided not to go into Canada despite being like 30 minutes away from the border and I have wished we would have. Go everywhere in Montana, its awesome. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[BlindPidgeon]

B2,

GNP is one of my favorite places on this planet. The lodge at Lake McDonald is spectacular and the view of Rifle Sight Pass is not to be missed. My uncle carved the totem pole out front from a piece of driftwood some time in the 1970s. In the park, if you're planning on traveling Going-to-the-Sun highway, make certain that it's open by the time you're family will be there. Often times it opens late in the season due to heavy snowpack. If it is open, and you choose not to drive it, you'll have no one to blame but yourself.

Whitefish is a great little town, better than C Falls in my opinion. Kalispell is wonderful too, with my favorite bar in the whole world: Moose's Saloon. Go during the day, order a pizza, and add to the peanut shells on the floor.

On the far side of Flathead Lake is the little town of Polson. Find Three Dog Down and look around. You'll find some of the best down comforters around. We've been sleeping under ours all this winter.

I know I've used a lot of hyperbolic language to describe this part of Northwest Montana, but it is indeed spectacular. Have fun, be respectful of the bears but don't be afraid. And don't bother climbing a tree -black bears'll just follow you up and Grizzlies'll just knock it over! JK.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

GNP is an AWESOME place! I'd recommend you do some camping inside the park, off the beaten path. Though the lodge is really nice, but depending on the time of year, it can be a bit pricey. If you want to do a complete "sightseeing" tour of GNP, I'd recommend you take a tour on the big red bus. They're tour buses from the 1930's & they offer a nice, easy way to see the highlights of GNP & with open tops, they're great for shooting photos/video. This is a good place to strt:
http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/index.htm

Now as for Whitefish or Columbia Falls, both are nice places with plenty to see & do, lovely scenery all around both towns. Hunting, fishing,swimming, boating, camping, hiking, skiing, etc...

Whitefish was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world, and in summer the big mountain resort has zip lines, mountain biking, alpine slides, all sorts of stuff to do there!
http://www.explorewhitefish.com/index.php

Whitefish also has a couple breweries:
http://www.greatnorthernbrewing.com/
And:
http://blackstarbeer.com/

To the south in Polson, there's Glacier brewing:
http://glacierbrewing.com/

Columbia Falls has some interesting places too, they've got a waterpark and there's the vortex house, Flathead Lake winery:
http://www.flatheadlakewinery.com/index.htm

And Desert Mountain Brewing:
http://desertmountainbrewing.com/
Which happens to be for sale:
http://discussions.probrewer.com/sh...t-Montana-15-miles-from-Glacier-National-Park

On the east side of GNP is Browning, MT. I've never been there, but there should be some interesting things to do. Bear in mind, it's on the reservation.
http://www.browningmontana.com/

South of Polson there's the National Bison Range:
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range/

There's sooooo much to see & do in Montana! I hope you enjoy your trip, it could easily be the trip of a lifetime.
Regards, GF.

 

[B2Barleywine]

Excellent! Thank you for all the great suggestions! I'm now looking forward to the trip even more, and hopefully can sneak in a few breweries while we're there!