Glacier National Park Trip

I am taking my daughters (13 %26amp; 9) on a 3 week trip this summer ending in GNP for 4 -5 nights. We will be driving from Yellowstone National Park and then flying home from GNP. I%26#39;m totally lost with all there is to do and see as to where to begin. Any suggestions on places to stay? I was thinking of breaking our time between locations ending in west Glacier as it is closest to the airport. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to keep the lodging cost to around $100

Glacier National Park Trip

For in park lodging at that rate I think Swiftcurrent in the Many Glacier area is the only option. This is a beautiful area and Swiftcurrent gets good marks on this forum. I have not stayed there. My only advice would be with two children to make sure you get a room with a bath to avoid having to go out of the room on bathroom runs at night. Near Lake McDonald, right outside the park boundary is Apgar Village Lodge which according to the website is just under $100. There is also a West Glacier Lodge you may check into. Drive across the park and stop at Logan Pass. I don%26#39;t know how much hiking your girls want to do but the hike to Hidden lake Overlook is nice and offers a chance to see wildlife,3 miles roundtrip. In the Many Glacier area walk to Fishercap Lake for a good chance to see moose. This is less than one mile roundtrip and the trail is right at Swiftcurrent. You might also enjoy a boat ride across Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes and then do the short hike to Grinnell Lake for a picnic. Let us know how much hiking you want to do and you will get great advice here. You will really enjoy Glacier.

Glacier National Park Trip

I%26#39;ll try to send you the website for the two motels on the west side. http://www.westglacier.com

For lodging at Swiftcurrent go to www.glacierparkinc.com

Here%26#39;s a link to pictures we took at Glacier and a trip report. That will let you see some of what we did. The pics have comments to let you see where they are.

http://www.alandsuejohnson.com/glacier_np.htm

We loved Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and the location it was in. Beautiful area. Short walk to Fishercap Lake that was mentioned before. Nearly all of the moose pics on our site from Glacier were taken there.

I would like to do some light hiking, maybe 5 miles or so round trip. Thanks for all the help and advise.

for activity options there are horseback rides out of Lake Mcdonald lodge, rafting though the river will be low by then and there is a waterpark at Columbia Falls (incase the girls find the stunning scenery and hiking boring)

Many Glacier area is the overall fav. of the posting group here. Apgar is basic (lacks the close hiking and stunning views) but has more services like the new visitor center, dining and shopping.

Thank you all for the great information. We are very excited about spending time in Glacier and you are all helping to make it that much better. If there is anything else you want to add, I would so appreciate it.

Great advice! I would just like to add some hiking suggestions for %26lt; 5 miles.

Along Going to the Sun Road, Avalanche Lake is 4.5 miles roundtrip. This hike passes through the easternmost extent of the Pacific Northwest Rainforest...beautiful hemlocks %26amp; cedars along a nice creek. The lake itself is situated below some beautiful, massive waterfalls %26amp; the lake is a brilliant turquoise. Also along GTTS Road is Hidden Lake Overlook, as mentioned. The views along the way are spectacular %26amp; you have great chances of seeing wildlife (esp. mountain goats). This is only 3 miles roundtrip and begins at Logan Pass. St. Mary/Virginia Falls is another option along the road. It is 1.5 miles roundtrip to St. Mary Falls %26amp; 3 miles roundtrip to both.

In Many Glacier, Red Rock Lake/Falls is only a ~4.5 mile roundtrip hike. You will pass Fishercap Lake (great chances of seeing moose in the lake) and then arrive at the adjacent lake and falls. The views are very nice in this valley. You can continue on to Bullhead Lake for a total distance of 6.5 miles roundtrip (it%26#39;s really an easy trail...rather flat). Also in Many Glacier, you can hike to Grinnell Lake/Hidden Falls. If you take the boat shuttle as well, the trip is less than 2 miles roundtrip. You can hike around Swiftcurrent Lake on the Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail (a loop of 2-2.5 miles). Finally, the Apikuni Falls Trail is only 2 miles roundtrip but is steep. You get some nice views along the way %26amp; the waterfall is tall (100 feet).

In Two Medicine, you should definitely take the short nature trail to Running Eagle Falls. If you take a boat shuttle across Two Medicine Lake, you have a couple of good hiking options (both 4.4 miles roundtrip but in different directions). These are Upper Two Medicine Lake and No Name Lake, or you could just hike to Twin Falls for a total distance of %26lt; 2 miles.

Thank you for the great suggestions. I am looking forward to seeing the fabulous sights. The hiking suggestions are very helpful as I would be so lost without guidance. I can not wait to explore the areas suggested!!