Planning trip to Glacier National Park - Suggestions

[West1134]

Planning trip to Glacier National Park - Suggestions
Hey all,

I'm starting the planning stages of a trip to Glacier National Park in summer of 2018. I figured that during peak times, planning well in advance would be beneficial for camp sites, etc.

Anyways, here's my first draft at an itinerary:

Depart Home on: Sunday August 12 –
Arrive Blackwell Island RV Park: 800 S Marina Dr, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
Drive time: 6h 17min (approx.) 403 miles


Stay 3 nights, Departing: Wednesday August 15 –
Arrive Glacier Campground: 12070 US-2, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Drive time: 4h 12min (approx.) 241 miles

Stay 5 nights, Departing: Monday August 20 –
Arrive Riverside RV Park: 4427 N Aubrey L White Pkwy, Spokane, WA 99205
Drive time: 4h 50min (approx.) 278 miles


Stay 2 nights, Departing: Wednesday August 22 –
Arrive Home
Drive time: 5h 58min (approx.) 376 miles


My questions are as follows:
-Anyone familiar with the selected campsites and have any feedback?
-Do you think I'm spending enough nights at Glacier National Park?
-My wife and I will have a 1 1/2 year old son by this trip, so while we want to hike, it won't be anything extreme. Suggested trails?
-Any other useful info regarding planning this trip??


Thanks for the help in advance!

[DesertRat]

We went there last summer. I can't help with the campgrounds as we stayed outside the park.
The Going to the Sun Road is a must do. If you don't go early in the day don't drive your own vehicle as the parking lot at the top will be full. There are free shuttles which will run all day which is a good option. Parking lots fill fast the later in the day it gets so try and go hiking either early or last afternoon. The boat ride was something we also did. As we rode our motorcycle in the park parking wasn't a problem for us. Take lots of pictures

[West1134]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

We went there last summer. I can't help with the campgrounds as we stayed outside the park.
The Going to the Sun Road is a must do. If you don't go early in the day don't drive your own vehicle as the parking lot at the top will be full. There are free shuttles which will run all day which is a good option. Parking lots fill fast the later in the day it gets so try and go hiking either early or last afternoon. The boat ride was something we also did. As we rode our motorcycle in the park parking wasn't a problem for us. Take lots of pictures

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback

[pdonoghu]

Going to the Sun road is lots of fun on a motorcycle. The road is restricted as far as trailers and RVs. I wouldn't want to tow anything on that road.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm

[West1134]

Originally Posted by pdonoghu

Going to the Sun road is lots of fun on a motorcycle. The road is restricted as far as trailers and RVs. I wouldn't want to tow anything on that road.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm

Yeah we wouldn't be pulling up that. The campground I found is just outside of the official park, and we'd be driving in with my truck.

[ATCguy]

Outside of Glacier is where I had my accident last year... west of the park in the town of Polson.

Can't vouch for any of the RV parks you listed, but Eagle Nest RV Resort in Polson is great! I'm headed back there myself sometime later this summer, just not sure when.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by West1134

Yeah we wouldn't be pulling up that. The campground I found is just outside of the official park, and we'd be driving in with my truck.

Your truck will be legal to drive up the road. My LB was too long. You'll need to pull your mirrors in. Very narrow road & some folks will take up your side of it. Glad wife & I went on our bike. Top parking lot was full so no personal vehicles were allowed in at the time we went. Motorcycles were allowed so we didn't have any parking problems anywhere.

[Researchhound]

I would suggest taking the "red" tour car up the Road To the Sun". Our driver guide had a fair amount of info about the park and the building of the road that made the trip more interesting. We stayed at a lodge when there so can't speak for the campgrounds. Make sure you plan on at least one dinner at a lodge - worth the experience.