Vacations Blog

Glacier Park receives more than two million visitors annually. With seemingly endless stretches of natural wilderness to explore and so much natural history to soak in, experiencing all that Glacier Park offers can at times be overwhelming to first-time visitors. Many tourists want to explore this region of endless trails, scenic highways, and miles of lakes and rivers but don’t know where to begin. If you find yourself in this precarious predicament you’ll be happy to find that there are many guided tours that can make your visit more organized and enjoyable . Your Glacier adventure can be as big as your mind can dream… from a wild river adventure down the rapids of the middle fork of the Flathead River, to a leisurely ride down a mountain trail on horseback, Glacier Park tours and activities are sure to satisfy your wanderlust.

While roads through the park are few, they make up for their lesser numbers by over-delivering with unparalleled scenery and pristine beauty. Full vehicle access is usually allowed in the park from July to September. Easily the most famous road within the park, and probably one of the most famous roadways within the entire pacific northwest is the Going to The Sun Road. This 50 mile stretch of highway is carved right into the side of some of the most impressive rocky mountains you will ever see. The road straddles the Continental Devide winding its way past dozens of waterfalls, multiple lakes, and some of the most stunning panoramas you will probably ever see in your life.

Glacier’s shuttle system is a free service provided by the National Park System. Buses run every 15 or 30 minutes depending on the stop. The Logan Pass, St. Mary, and Apgar Visitor Centers are facilities on the shuttle route where people can obtain more information about the park. There are also extensive hiking and nature trails, picnic areas, and phenomenal areas for photography along the way.

For a more unique and historic tour of the park, you might try out one of the famous “Red Jammer” busses. These 1930s vintage-style coaches hold up to 25 passengers and offer interpretive tours of passing landmarks as well as cultural history of the area. People can view many of the park’s mountains and glaciers on the way to Lake McDonald, which is the largest lake in the park.

A third option for touring the park is offered by Sun Tours. While this private tour company doesn’t quite offer the nostalgia that the Red Jammers provide, their buses are a bit more modern and offer air conditioning and nice big windows that provide for great viewing opportunities of Glaciers magnificent scenery. These shuttles offer guided tours by Native American descendents of the Blackfoot tribe, who have lived in Glacier for centuries.

Fishermen and paddlers will appreciate the more than 1,500 miles of rivers and streams within the park. The Flathead River is by far the most popular river for recreation among tourists here. The banks of Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River serve as boundaries for the park.

When it comes to whitewater rafting, the Flathead Rivers Middle Fork offers a wild good time, with rapids ranging in class from 2 to 4, there is enough ‘wild’ in the river to get your heart racing without overdoing it. This river forms the western boundary of Glacier National Park. Most rafting companies in Glacier prefer to take their tour groups down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River through John Stevens Canyon to the south end of Glacier. The scenery along this river trip is diverse and magnificent boasting beautiful rocky mountain peaks, dense evergreen forests and lush glacial valleys. The upper wilderness area of Middle Fork is only reachable by foot. Wildlife abounds along the river and it is not uncommon to see deer, elk, eagles, mountain goats and even the occasional bear foraging for food along the sides of the surrounding mountains. June and mid-July is considered the best time to raft or float the Middle Fork. More adventurous rafters can take advantage of the fresh mountain runoff in the spring. Experienced rafting guides will lead you and a group through the rapids with instructions to keep you safe.

The North Fork of the Flathead River is a good location to kayak if you’re a beginner because it is a little tamer than Middle Fork. The waters of the North Fork are a beautiful emerald green due to the high silt content in the water. Floating and canoe trips are ideal in the North Fork from mid-July to mid-August. Fly fishing tours are offered through specialty businesses in and around the park. Rainbow, Brook, and Cutthroat Trout are most common fish species in the Flathead River. Whitefish is another fish found on the west slope of Middle Fork.

Lake boating tours with commentary are also offered through the National Park Service at various lakes including St. Mary Lake, Two Medicine Lake, and Lake McDonald. Many tours will include guided hikes of the surrounding area.

Another very popular way to explore the park is on horseback. Horseback riding in Glacier Park is generally not very difficult (suited to beginners) and it is a great way to see some very beautiful back-country. Several horseback tours are available, you can either choose rides that lead up mountain trails into the higher elevations for some fantastic panoramas, or trail rides that lead back into the Flathead Forest. Choose from shorter trips only lasting a couple of hours, or half-day trips. Some companies combine horseback riding with rafting, fishing, or other activities and offer full or multi-day trips.

Of course one of the most popular ways to see the park is on foot. More than 700 miles of hiking trails exist within the park, with trails leading to many of the most scenic spots within the park. There are also guided hikes available for those who don’t want to go it alone.

To learn more about Glacier National Park activities and lodging options visit www.NationalParkReservations.com/glacier.htm If you would like to learn how you can save thousands off all your future vacations, and actually get paid to travel and take unforgettable adventures, visit Resorts 360 at www.Resorts-360.com