Which Side Of Glacier National Park Is Better?

The

east side

of Glacier National Park is generally drier, cooler and windier than the rest of the park. The base elevation is higher and the valleys are wider. That makes for some epic scenery and outstanding adventuring. Here are some of our favorite spots on the east side.

Is it better to stay on west or east side of Glacier National Park?

You'll also be near the Many Glacier area of the park. In fact, if you stay in West Glacier, it will take you over 2 hours one-way to get to Many Glacier! This makes

staying on the east side of the park the best option if you are visiting the area solely for Glacier National Park

.

Which is prettier East or West Glacier?

The main attraction in Glacier National Park is the Going-To-The-Sun Road. The Sun Road is 50 miles long from West Glacier on the West Side to Saint Mary on the East Side.

The West Side encompasses 35 miles of this Road and will provide you with the more scenic and picturesque drive

.

What is there to do on the east side of Glacier National Park?

• Take the Eastern Alpine Red Bus Tour.
• Hike the Sunrift Gorge to St. Mary Falls trail.
• Hike to Grinnell Glacier.
• Have dinner (or drinks!) …
• Stop in at the St. …
• Attend a Ranger Program at the St. …
• Hike the Hidden Lake Trail at Logan Pass.
• Hike to Iceberg Lake.

When should I avoid Glacier National Park?

The Best Way to Avoid Crowds in Glacier National Park

during the Summer

. The best way to avoid summer crowds in Glacier National Park is to arrive before 7am at the trailhead or parking area. For extremely popular areas like Logan Pass, 7am might not be early enough to find a parking spot.

What's better Glacier National Park or Yellowstone?

Which is better Yellowstone or Glacier?

Glacier is much more rugged than Yellowstone

. Hiking will demand much more physical ability and skill. The whole park is much higher than Yellowstone, so animals and plant life will be quite a bit different than what you find in Yellowstone.

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?

How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park? Ideally, plan on spending at least

two to three days

in Glacier National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike one or two trails, and visit the Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas.

What is the closest town to Glacier National Park?

Columbia Falls

may actually be the closest city to Glacier National Park, so if you're going to stay somewhere other than Whitefish, try Columbia Falls (especially Cedar Creek Lodge!) Kalispell.

Can you see the northern lights at Glacier National Park?

Best time to view northern lights

In Glacier National Park,

you can observe polar lights at any time of the year

. However, the longer nights of late fall, winter, and early spring offer the best chances to watch an unbelievable light show. The peak times are from around an hour before midnight to around an hour after.

How long does it take to drive across Glacier National Park?

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is 51 miles long and runs from West Glacier to St. Mary. It takes approximately

2 hours

to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road without traffic or stops. However, plan to spend at least 4 to 5 hours exploring the scenic drive.

Is east side of Glacier Open?

Glacier National Park is

open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year

.

Where should I stay between Glacier and Spokane?

The top city between Glacier National Park and Spokane is

Coeur d'Alene

. It's 5 hours from Glacier National Park and less than an hour from Spokane.

Where should I stay when visiting East Glacier National Park?

1. Lake McDonald Lodge. Lake McDonald LodgePublic domain courtesy NPS. …
2. Motel Lake McDonald. …
3. Village Inn Motel. …
4. Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins. …
5. Sperry Chalet. …
6. Granite Park Chalet. …
7. Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins. …
8. Many Glacier Hotel.

Where are the most bears in Glacier National Park?

While grizzly bears can be found anywhere in Glacier, trails in the Many Glacier Valley (Iceberg Lake Trail, Cracker Lake Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail), on Huckleberry Mountain and in the Logan Pass Area (Highline Trail, Gunsight Lake Trail, Hidden Lake Trail) tend to have the most grizzly bear sightings.

What towns are on the east side of Glacier National Park?

To the east,

St. Mary, Babb, Browning, Cut Bank

and East Glacier Park provide multiple launching points for exploring the Blackfeet Nation—complete with guided tours and incredible history—and central Montana.

Is Glacier National Park too crowded?

Glacier has become an extremely busy park

. Expect crowds on roads, at visitor centers, on popular trails, and on shuttles.

How do you avoid crowds in Glacier National Park?

1. Start Early / Start Late Afternoon. The best way to start your day is to get up early and go to Glacier National Park. …
2. Enjoy Hikes Outside of Glacier National Park. …
3. Overnight Rafting Trip with Glacier Raft Company. …
4. Backpacking Glacier National Park.

What part of Glacier National Park is open?

Road Status in Spring

By late May,

most roads are open for vehicle travel except Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass

. Lower portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year-round, but the entire road does not usually open until late June or early July, and the Logan Pass area is not accessible by vehicle until then.

Is Glacier colder than Yellowstone?

The towering mountains carved by glaciers

typically warrant cooler weather than Yellowstone

, at least in summer, when travelers have the best chance of seeing the majority of the park.

Are there more bears in Glacier or Yellowstone?

A new report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that

Yellowstone's grizzly bears are more dangerous than those in Glacier National Park

, despite Glacier's larger bear population.

Which is better Glacier or Grand Tetons?

I've done both and while I did enjoy GTNP, Glacier is a much bigger Park with more diverse mountain views, significantly better hiking opportunities, and slightly better wildlife viewing as well as several historic structures (lodges) and the truly magnificent drive on Going to the Sun roAd.

Do you need bear spray in Glacier National Park?

Do I really need bear spray?

Yes

. We highly suggest that visitors carry bear spray in the park as Glacier is home to the largest numbers of both grizzly and black bear in the lower 48.

Which is better Banff or Glacier National Park?

For serious day hiking

Glacier is one of the best parks in the world

. Banff is far more touristy than Glacier which is more remote, however as noted the major trails can be more crowded at Glacier as the Canadian parks are larger and more spread out.

Do I need reservations for Glacier National Park?

Entry reservation tickets are not required for any other portions of the park

(for example Many Glacier, Two Medicine, North Fork, Cut Bank or Chief Mountain Highway) but visitors are still subject to the per vehicle entrance fee. Visitors may also reserve a ticket through Recreation. gov's call center.

What is better Whitefish or Kalispell?

If that's what you prefer, pick Whitefish

. If you want more options for dining/entertainment then Kalispell might be better. The drive to St. Mary from Whitefish via Going-to-the-Sun Road took us about 1 hour 45 minutes, and it would be nearly the same for Kalispell.

What is the biggest city near Glacier National Park?

How far is Whitefish to Glacier?

Only

27 miles

from Whitefish, the park's scenery, wildlife and history are not to be missed. The Going to-the Sun Road, a national historic landmark, can be traveled by personal car, hiking shuttle or a historic Red Bus Tour.