![]() The Avalanche Lake TrailĪ 4.5-mile round-trip hike leading to wide-open views of the crystal-clear Avalanche Lake surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. This 1-mile hike takes you through a cedar forest and leads to Avalanche Lake Trail. Trail of Cedarsįound along Going-to-the-Sun Road, just north of McDonald Lake is the Trail of Cedars. This is a great place to grab a snack and take in the relaxing view of McDonald Lake. Park in the large lot and walk to the back of the lodge. McDonald Lake Lodge and McDonald Lakeīuilt in 1914, McDonald Lake Lodge is worth a quick visit. The center offers clean restrooms, useful park information, and a gift shop. If you have time to do nothing but drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will not be disappointed. Going-to-the-Sun Road is an engineering marvel of switchbacks passing through and to numerous trailheads, glacial pull-outs, and overlooks. If spending a single day in Glacier National Park, driving the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road is the way to go. See the West Glacier Village website for details and hours. This is a coveted area for lodging and RV parking as well. West Glacier Village is located at the entrance to the park and is a fantastic area for shopping, eating, drinking, mini-golf, and more. Reaching the park by 6 am is even better. We reached the park around 7:45 am and enjoyed watching the sun begin illuminating streams, mountainsides, and glaciers. It is best to begin driving through the park as early as possible to avoid traffic and crowds. ![]() This is a great option though books up quickly and is expensive. Accommodations here are fairly reasonable and book up quickly. Where to Stay near Glacier National ParkĪ 5-minute drive from the park entrance, offering free breakfast, and is most affordable.Ībout a 20-minute drive from the park so lodging here is a bit expensive.īest Western Rocky Mountain Lodge in WhitefishĪ 30-minute drive from the park entrance. I loved the authentic Montana décor.Īfter stretching your legs and enjoying a great meal in Missoula, drive 2.5 hours to stay the night inside or near the park’s West entrance. Offering excellent craft cocktails and tasty gin and vodka. (The Idaho Falls Riverwalk and Butte, Montana are other great options for a stretch break.)Ī long-standing establishment in Missoula offering great music and a cool vibe. The Clark Fork River runs through the town and offers some of the best opportunities for white water raftering in the region. The downtown area is clean, neat, and architecturally pleasing, telling a story of pride and preservation. Take a self-guided walking tour of buildings and establishments preserved to reflect their historic past. Missoula is home to the University of Montana and has an active downtown with numerous restaurants and access to outdoor activities. Stopping in Missoula, Montana to explore the town broke up the drive, making it a most enjoyable day. The drive time from Salt Lake City to Glacier National Park is 10 hours. I chose to get the hardest driving day out of the way with plans to reach Kalispell, a small town not far from Glacier National Park, soon after dark. My regular rotation of footwear and socks include Ahnu hiking shoes with Darn Tough ankle socks for hiking, Asics running shoes with Smart Wool running socks for walking and paved trails, and Sanuk Yoga Mat flip flops for everything in between.ĭay One: Drive from Salt Lake City to Kalispell, Montana Changing between three styles of footwear (hiking shoes, running shoes, and flip flops) kept my feet happy. Pro Tip: Exploring three national parks in one week requires a lot of walking and hiking. Expand Your Adventure Into Utah Glacier to Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park: 7-Day Road Trip. ![]()
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