East Glacier to Many Glacier

We will visit the East side of Glacier Nat%26#39;l park the very first of June 2009. Wondering if we can use East Glacier as a base for St. Mary, Many Glacier and Waterton. Seems like a long distance but like what we have read about East Glacier for lodging. Main priority is sightseeing by car with a little hiking and horseback riding thrown in.

East Glacier to Many Glacier

You have to decide if the purpose of the trip is to have great lodging or to see the parks. It is a long way from East Glacier to St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Waterton. The road doesn%26#39;t exactly lend itself to fast travel either.

East Glacier exists because that was the closest place to the park where the railroad passed through. It made sense when most tourists to that area traveled by train. Now it just seems rather isolated.

I%26#39;d probably lower my sights on lodging and find somewhere in the St. Mary to Babb area.

East Glacier to Many Glacier

East Glacier to Many Glacier is about an hour%26#39;s drive and then another hour to Waterton. So if you don%26#39;t mind the drive, it can be done. I would still try for a few nights in Many Glacier, just for the scenery, even if you don%26#39;t hike. Also the GTTSR may not be open all the way across depending on what part of June you are there. There is horseback riding at Many Glacier and Lake McDonald. I%26#39;m sure there are others, but those are the two I know of.

I agree that you should consider staying in or around the St Mary/Babb area. If your destinations are St Mary/Many/Waterton you will save yourself drive time. There are varied places to stay in the area, including specialty lodging. Take a look at www.paulranch.com, www.ducklakelodge.com, www.glaciertrailheadcabins.com and of course the Many Glacier Lodge. There is a lot to do in the area (I plan day trips for my visiting guests traveling to the park lodges and taking short hikes as we drive Going to the Sun. Good restaurants are open during the summer, although my favorite in Waterton (Kilmorey Lodge) burned down a few months ago. I will miss it on my next trip there. Going to the Sun may not be plowed all the way over the top by then, but the road is currently open as far as Jackson Glacier overlook on the east side, and the road crews are working diligently from both sides of the park.

We will be flying into Kalispell, renting a car. Should we stay at Lake McDonald Lodge West Glacier

or travel to East Glacier and stay somewhere there?

A long drive for one day after a long flight?

Linda

It depends what time your flight gets in. I think I would stay at Apgar or Lake McDonald the first night, just so you can relax a little after your flight and not have to rush. That way when you drive to East Glacier you can take your time. You can also explore the Avalanche area from the west side of the park before you move on to the other side.

ditto earlier replis, out of east you will get a great deal of windshield time

St. Mary or Many option would allow more time to soak up the scenery