Planning GNP visit for June

I just need some input on plans for our family vacation this June. It will be me, my husband and two boys (ages 7 and 12). I%26#39;m drowning in info and choices!

First, we%26#39;re flying into Kalispell. We originally planned to use the town as our base of operations for our week%26#39;s stay, but I think I%26#39;m rethinking that now. We nixed staying all week at one of GNP%26#39;s resorts because my boys would revolt at the ';no t.v.'; thing, but one or two nights might work.

Day 1. Our first full day I%26#39;m planning on exploring Whitefish since we%26#39;ll probably be tired of traveling and a little jet lagged as well.

Day 2. My youngest boy is a train fanatic, and I just figured out we can take the Amtrak train from Whitefish for a day trip. I%26#39;m considering going to Exeter for the day so he can ride trains, watch trains, and generally breath trains. Can we spend the whole day in Exeter without getting bored? It looks like there%26#39;s a hiking trail or two nearby. We%26#39;d literally be in town all day if we did this since the return train doesn%26#39;t leave until the evening.

Day 3. We plan to drive GTTSR the next day (assuming the weather cooperates and the road is open) with lots of stops for sightseeing and short hikes. What should our end destination be? One suggested initinerary I have says to overnight in St. Marys. Good idea or somewhere better we should aim for?

Day 4 %26amp; 5. Depends on where we are. My husband is dying to do flyfishing lessons. I%26#39;d like to take the boys horseback riding (something really easy as none of us are riders). With the caveat that we need to be back in or near Kalispell the fifth night. Our flight leaves relatively early on the 6th day.

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Planning GNP visit for June

1. What time to you arrive in Kalispell? Would this be a good time for your husband to do his fly fishing lesson? There is a half-day trip from West Glacier starting at 1:30 P.M.

https:/鈥lacier_flyfishing.htm

Note: This is not a recommendation as I have not affiliation with them nor have I taken any lessons or trips with them. I just found them on the internet.

If your husband chooses to take the trip from West Glacier, there are probably more things to do/see in that area than in Whitefish.

2. Where is Exeter? I cannot find any town or station near Whitefish, MT with this name.

3. If the GttS road isn%26#39;t open all the way, you could drive part way up and do some hikes on the west side, then drive around the park on highway 2 and on up to St. Mary to drive part way up the east side for more hikes. There are places to stay in Browning, St. Mary, Babb, and at Many Glacier. Even if the GttS road is open all the way these areas are good choices to stay in. It puts you nearer some great hikes on the east side and allows you to explore the Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas.

4, 5. There should be a number of places near Glacier to ride horses, both on the east side and the west side. From the Browning, MT area to Kalispel is about 100 miles on highway 2 and should only take you a bit over 2 hours. Make your plans based on that distance and the extra distance from where you stay to Browning.

Planning GNP visit for June

Sorry, I meant Essex not Exeter. That%26#39;s what I get for doing too many things at one time.

Just as a hint, I drove through there last August and didn%26#39;t even realize there was a town there. I think you and the kids would be terribly bored spending a day there. JMHO

Essex is grat in winter, not so much in June. Whotewater rafting is an option, cold and wild that time of year. Horse back riding out of Lake McDonald lodge, pretty basic and easy. Go carts and a drive through bear reserve on hwy 2 as you come into glacier from columbia falls/kalispel. Hidden lake at the top of logan is doable for kids and has high probability of animals (mntn goats) If you go to st. mary%26#39;s, suggest making the rest of the distance to many glacier (cabin at swiftcurrent) as high probability of bears and maybe moose (if you/kids are into that) But grsat scenery (if weather good)

So would we better off trying to spend a day in East Glacier instead of Essex? It doesn%26#39;t look like there%26#39;s a lot going on there either.

RM-MN,

We don%26#39;t get into Kalispell until late afternoon so no chance of fly fishing then.

East Glacier is not really at the center of hiking by any means but it does have more to do than Essex. If you don%26#39;t mind spending a bit more money, there are tours that originate there. You%26#39;ll have to research if any of them fit your budget, interest and can get you back in time to catch the return train or can get you back to Whitefish.