Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, is perhaps the last vestige of pristine wilderness left among national parks in the continental United States. Uncrowded and blessed with some of the world's most beautiful scenery, Glacier National Park's rugged landscape was sculpted eons ago by slow moving glaciers, 50 of which are still active today. more info
Glacier National Park preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds.
Named for the rivers of ice that continue to carve its spectacular alpine landscape here, Glacier continually ranks as the most pristine of America's national parks and the one people would most like to revisit.
Don't be surprised if a hike in the park leads to a grizzly bear tearing lazily into a rotten log for a meal of tasty grubs. Grizzly sightings are a tradition here. Glacier is also home to wolves, mountain lions, and mountain goats.
The same remote quality that makes Glacier hospitable to these solitary species makes it less accessible than other national parks. A visit to Glacier demands a bit more effort before it surrenders its charms. But it won't take long for you to discover that this is one of the park system's true gems.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Most visitor facilities are open from late May to mid-September. During the winter in-park services are not available.
Getting There
Plane
The closest airports are Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana (25 miles from West Glacier) and in Great Falls, Montana (200 miles from West Glacier). Car rentals are available at both airports. Shuttles are available at the Kalispell airport.
Car
NOTE: Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited on the steepest sections of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Public Transportation
Public transportation options are limited. Shuttles from airports and train stations provide some service to visitors to the park.
Kalispell, MT Weather
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