If you are planning a family vacation, you should consider camping near glacier national park. Camping is a lot of fun and remains a very affordable way to go on a vacation. You should read this article to learn how you can plan a fun camping trip.
If you are interested in hiking and glaciers, one of the best destinations to plan for your vacation is Glacier National Park in Montana. The northwestern part of the state is covered with thick forests and rugged mountains and the infamous Glacier National Park is one of the few remaining places in the world where you can see authentic glaciers living quietly in their alpine hideaways. Witnessing one of these descendents from the last ice age is really a special thing to do for the entire family. The Rocky Mountains are usually a warm place in the summer months but storms can move in quickly so regardless of the time of year that you visit, you should always come prepared for diverse weather.
Glacier Park can be a dangerous place if you do not have enough experience with hiking. Many of the trails and rocky overlooks can be slick, and the footing can be unsure especially near rivers and waterfalls where the rocks are wet and mossy. Take special care in these situations and when hiking on trails that you are unfamiliar with. Also, never try and cross a flowing stream or river. Even if the water looks fairly calm on the surface like it is not flowing very fast, the undercurrents can be flowing significantly faster and can easily sweep you off your feet and pull you under water.
It is best to stay lower on the mountains if you are still new to hiking. You will be able to see some beautiful landscapes and get plenty of exercise. Plan on exploring the glaciers and higher alpine meadows once you have more experience with this type of terrain and some quality equipment. If possible, find an experienced guide who can take you hiking along some of Glaciers backcountry trails if you are new to the area and unfamiliar with the geography.
Camping and RVing will be a lot more pleasant if you have the right equipment. You should visit your nearest sporting good store to learn more about the camping and RV supplies that you will need for your trip, or do some research on the Internet.
If you are planning on camping outside under the stars, then you need to find a warm and comfortable tent as well as some good inflatable mattresses or mats. Sleeping on the ground is fun but your back will be painful by the end of your vacation if you don’t have a good mattress to sleep on. You should also consider bringing a generator, some camping equipment you can use to cook and perhaps a small fridge or at least a cooler for your food. Camping equipment can be expensive but remember that you will be able to use it for several years. If you have friends who often go camping, ask if you can borrow their equipment for a few weeks.
If you are planning on RV camping, then you should remember to do the routine mantenance checks like checking the tire pressure, and all the fluid levels (oil, antifreeze, power steering, brake fluids, etc.) before you leave on your vacation, to make sure everything looks good. Don’t forget the propane if you want to prepare meals on the stove during your trip. If you have room, you might want to carry along a couple bicycles or an inflatable raft or kayak for your trip. The Glacier Park area has a lot of great places to ride bikes and a ton of rivers and lakes to float.
While tent camping and RV camping is allowed inside the park near the eastern and western gates, it is important to note that larger vehicles such as RV’s are not allowed to drive the Going to the Sun Road, so you should plan to have alternate transportation with you if you want to explore the park. Or you could arrange for a ride in one of Glacier’s Red Jammer Busses or onboard the free Glacier Shuttle Transportation.
There are quite a few very nice camping and RV parks just outside of Glacier Park as well. One of the best RV parks near Glacier Park is Glacier Peaks RV Park is located in the town of Columbia Falls Montana, just a short drive from the western gate to the park. This serene RV Park is situated at the edge of town and offers easy access not only to Glacier Park and Columbia Falls, but also to the towns of Whitefish and Kalispell as well as the Whitefish Mountian Resort where you will find plenty of recreational opportunities from downhill skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, to hiking, biking, and zp-lining in the summer, just to name a few!
Glacier Peaks RV Park offers pull-through sites for both large and small RV’s as well as a few lodge cabins, and several large grassy areas for recreation of family/friend get-togethers.
Glacier Peaks RV Park is also very reasonably priced and provides great service and exceptional hospitality.
Going camping near glacier national park is a great idea for a vacation with your family or your friends. Follow the tips you just read to plan your camping trip and try finding people who visited this area if you have some specific questions.
