Route Recommendations Western ND to Glacier NP

[Bill and Elaine]

Can anyone give us any advice on choosing a route from Teddy Roosevelt NP in western ND to Glacier NP for a summer trip? We can see several possible possiblities, but we have no way to evaluate them other than one is an interstate and the others are not. The interstate is a much longer distance. Route 200 looks to be the shortest and most direct route. Do the small towns along the way have the essential services? We think it would be a two day trip, so we could use a campsite recommendation too.

Thanks!

[wingnut]

Bill and Elaine,
I think I can help you. I live in Kalispell, Mt and drive to Minnesota alot. I'm assuming that you;ll be departing TRNP from Medora. Then I would suggest that you take the northern route. I have taveled this route in mid FEB and the roads are very good. From Medora go west on I 94 to the west side of Glendive, MT. and take MT 200S to Circle, then MT 13 to Wolf Point. There are 2 campgrounds in Wolf Point. I have never used either. Take US 2 west toward GNP. Glasgow is the next sizable town on US 2 and has 3 campgrounds. I have stayed in the Shady Rest RV park a few years ago. It was alright. Glasgow is only about 211 miles from Medora. Another 55 miles down the road is the Nelson Reservoir campground that is wild and free. As in no fee camping. Wild as in primitive camping with vault toilets and hand pump for drinking water. This lake a hot spot for fishing, so if you are coming through here around a weekend then getting one of the few spots could be iffy. I would suggest checking it out on the way by. To get there go west on US 2 to mile marker 148, turn right go about 2 miles it's on the right. Look for signs or other campers. Probably the best place to camp along US 2 is the Evergreen Campground in Havre, MT. It's a nice guiet place with lots of shade trees. Full hookups and a coin-op laundry and WIFI. To get there go through Harve to the junction of US 87, turn left and go 4 miles to mile marker 107.5 take a left 0.2 miles.
Continuing west on US 2 to Browning, where you can take US 89 to St. Mary, which is the east enterence to GNP. At this point I must tell you that the Going to the Sun Road across GNP, has a vehicle length restriction of 21 feet. So you won't be able tow across the Sun Road through the park. But there is much to see on the east side of the park and many campgrounds, both inside and out of the park. As a long time resident of the area I have done a lot of hiking and camping in the park, so if you'd like some more info let me know.

Hope you have a wonderful trip to Montana,
Jim K

[wingnut]

Bill and Elaine,

What time frame are you making this trip? The reason I ask, is the Sun Road sometimes doesn't get opened until late June. Last year it wasn't open until after the 4th of July. When it's close there are parts of the interior of the park that can't be seen.

Jim

[Bill and Elaine]

Hi Jim,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. It is extremely helpful and we will follow your directions exactly. We won't be going out until later in the summer so I don't think we will have much trouble with closed roads. Bill and I have visited most of the national parks, both as a newly married couple and then again with pre teen sons. But we have never been to Glacier or TR Nat'l park and these look really interesting and beautiful. We love your area of the country for the beautiful sites and wildlife. We are avid hikers and love to camp in our teardrop. I was looking at camping in the Nat'l parks, as we love the ranger talks and don't think we can go to the evening ones unless we are camping inside the parks. I was looking at Rising Sun Campground in Glacier since the camp store has a shower. No showers makes me a little uncomfortable, but we can make do, I guess. I guess we cannot pull our teardrop to get to Rising Sun Campground from the east entrance, is what you are saying. So do you suggest we camp outside of the east entrance to GNP?
On another thought, My brother in law says that the driving on Going to the Sun Road is extremely dangerous. What is your opinion?
Thanks again for your quick and thorough response. Elaine

[myoung]

I too hope to visit GNP this summer. I'll be coming down from the Canadian Rockies on the East side of the Park.

Are there campgrounds at the Eastern entrance? I've been looking in my references and can't find much nearby.

Thanks in advance.

[wingnut]

HI Elaine,

Towing your camper to Rising Sun or an of the other campgrounds in the park isn't a problem. The vehicle length restriction starts to the west of the Rising Sun area. There are signs posted at that location. I'll also mention that the campground at Many Glaciers has showers available too. And there is a camp store and resturant close to the campgrounds. I think it is less windy in the Many Glaciers valley than it is in the St Mary valley. For My money, the Many Glaciers area is one of the most beautiful areas of the park. There also some very nice day hikes that start out from there. I would recomend the Iceburg Lake and the Ptarmigan tunnel hikes. Two of my favorites.
The Sun Road isn't dangerous for the average driver. But then there are those who shouldn't be driving anything at any speed. If you guys can get out this far in all the summer time traffic and not have any problems handling that, then you won't have any trouble driving over Logan Pass on the Going to the Sun Road. Some of the most spectracular scenery that can be seen from the car is along the Going to the Sun Road. And once you drive it, you get get the T-shirt, and brag to all your friends when you get home. It's really a piece of cake.
I would also like to suggest that you bring your passport along, so that you can take a day trip up the Waterton Park on the Canadian side of the boarder. I don't think you should miss it. A very beautiful area. And you can go the an icecream shop and have Rollo icecream My son-in-law makes speacial trips up there just to get Rollo icecream. Go figure? Kids!

[wingnut]

HI myoung,

Yes there are 2 campgrounds in the east entrance. There is St Mary CG, about 1/2 mile from the visitor center. The Rising Sun CG is about 6 miles west of visitor center on the Going to the Sun Road. Both have pay showers. Rising Sun is $3 at night cheeper, but has only 1 shower, where St Mary has 3 M/F.

Have a wonderful trip to in Montana,
Jim K

[Bill and Elaine]

Dear Jim,

Thank you once again for all of the wonderful information about Glacier National Park. We are both very excited to go. I will look into the Many Glaciers area for camping. We will definitely take the trip on the Going to the Sun Road. We did plan on seeing Waterton also.

I noticed that the Capitol is behind you and your wife in your picture. When were you out here? The cherry blossoms were blooming a week ago (ahead of schedule) What a sight to behold. Have a wonderful spring. Elaine

[wingnut]

Bill and Elaine,

We missed them last year when we were out there end of first we of April too.

Jim

[wingnut]

Bill and Elaine,
I thought I'd pass this along. I just check the fill campground fill time for August 2011. It looks like Many Glacier CG usually fills up by noon on most days. Most of the other CG in the park fill by mid afternoon and some a little later. There is no reservation for campsites, so would suggest to plan your arrival at the CG in the park by noon.

Jim K

[Bill and Elaine]

Jim,

Based on your campsite recommendation, we plan to arrive there closer to 10 AM, so we should be able to get a spot with time to spare.
Thanks very much!

Elaine spent the last two days planning out our trip, so now the excitement is growing. I only wish it was sooner.

Bill

[doris s.]

My husband and two kids went to GNP two summers ago. We drove from Maryland and took the northern route...drove to chicago than on to eu clair, Wisconson...then on to St. Cloud Minnesota and to the North Dakota border, Fargo, then on across North Dakota and Montana. When we hit Great Falls we traveled north to West Glacier. It's a beautiful trip. If you Google map it I think it takes you the same way as we went.

We loved Many Glacier. The kids liked the hike around the lake and the Swiss National Park Hotel where we had lunch one afternoon. Just be careful when hiking to make noise, we did see a grizzly bear. The kids were talking most of our hike so no need for a bell, lol.

Have a fantastic time...

Doris

[Bill and Elaine]

Doris-It is very nice to meet you, especially as a fellow Frederick County resident. There are at least three teardrops "living" in the county, with Jim and Teresa in Walkersville, you in Jefferson and us out in Mount Airy. I'd say we have all points of the county pretty well covered. Now that Beckley RV is carrying Little Guy trailers, we many have a few more Frederick folks joining us soon.

Thanks for the route recommendations and the tips on what to see in Glacier NP. We'll compare your route to our plan and perhaps ask you for more advice if we see important differences.

Bill

[doris s.]

Hi Bill,

I talked to Chuck at Beckleys at the Timonium RV show and he said they are selling lots of teardrops. We may need to have a small mini rally this summer. Last fall we camped at the Brunswick Campground on the Potomac River. Thinking that a campout and tubing trip on the Potomac would be fun.

Doris

[Bill and Elaine]

Doris-The Tearjerker group is having a camping event in late June at Cunningham Falls SP, Manor Area (right off Rt. 15). We can't make it, but there is sure to be 20 or more teardrops at this event. If you are interested, check out the TJ Forum. We will join that group when they camp in Ellicott City in September.

Bill