Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [154]
A vehicle pass good for 7 days costs $25. An individual pass for walk-ins and bike riders, also good for 7 days, is $12. An annual park pass costs $30. Visitors to Waterton Lakes National Park pay a separate entrance fee.
Camping fees are $12 to $17 per night at the park's drive-in campgrounds.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS & WARNINGS
Biking. Bikes are restricted to established roads, bike routes, and parking areas, and are not allowed on trails. Restrictions apply to the most hazardous portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road during peak travel times, from around mid-June to Labor Day; call ahead to find out when the road will be closed to bikers. During low-visibility periods of fog or darkness, a white front light and a red back reflector are required.
Boating. Although boating is permitted on some of Glacier's lakes, motor size is restricted to 10 horsepower on most. A detailed list of other regulations is available at park headquarters and staffed ranger stations. Park rangers may inspect or board any boat to determine regulation compliance.
Fishing. A fishing license is not required within the park's boundaries; however, there are guidelines, so check with rangers at visitor centers or ranger stations for regulations. Also, keep in mind the eastern boundary of the park abuts the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, so you may find yourself fishing in their territorial waters. To avoid a problem, purchase a $10 use permit from businesses in the gateway towns; the permit covers fishing, hiking, and biking in the reservation. Fishing outside the park in Montana waters requires a state license; check in at a local fishing shop to make certain you're within the law.
Horses. Although visitors may bring their own horses and pack animals into the park, restrictions apply to private stock. A free brochure detailing regulations regarding horseback riding is available from the Park Service.
Vehicles. RVs and other vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited on the 24-mile stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road between Avalanche Campground and Sun Point on St. Mary Lake. Snowmobiling is prohibited in the park.
SEASONS & CLIMATE
Glacier is magnificent at any time of the year, but some roads are closed and park access is limited in the winter. By far the most popular time to visit is during the summer, when Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open; in summer sunrise is around 5am and sunset is nearly 10pm, so you have plenty of time for exploring. Spring and fall are equally magnificent, with budding wildflowers and variegated leaves and trees, but these sights can be viewed only from the park's outer boundaries and a limited stretch of the scenic highway.
In winter, Glacier shuts itself off from much of the motorized world. Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is generally fully open only from early June to mid-October, is usually plowed from West Glacier to the head of Lake McDonald. U.S. 89 provides access to the St. Mary area. The North Fork Road from Columbia Falls is open for winter travel to the North Fork area and the Polebridge Ranger Station. Temperatures sometimes plummet to –30°F (–34°C), so appropriate dress is essential.
If You Have Only 1 Day
If you have a limited amount of time to spend in Glacier, the best way to experience the park's full beauty is to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, the 50-mile road that crosses the park between West Glacier and St. Mary. Points of interest are clearly marked and correspond to the park brochure Points of Interest Along the Going to the Sun Road, available at visitor centers.
Remember that the road gains more than 3,400 feet in 32 miles, and it is very narrow in places. Visitors with a fear of heights might consider a guided van tour (see "Organized Tours & Ranger Programs," below).
Just a short drive from West Glacier is Lake McDonald, the largest body of water in the park. Numerous turnouts along the way present opportunities