With the holidays wrapping up and a New Year beginning, it’s safe to say that many have caught the travel bug, especially RVers. To spark some travel ideas, we went ahead and surveyed the Wholesale Warranties team and asked, “If you could go anywhere in an RV, where would it be?” We were pleasantly surprised with the results.
Our warranty specialist, Shannon, said that if she could roam the world in an RV, she would visit Glacier National Park. Her choice is easily justified, because the magnificent Montana Park is packed with breath-taking peaks, lakes, and incredible wildlife.
Here are a few things to know for RVing at Glacier National Park:
Location and Weather
Glacier National Park is located in northwest Montana, along the US-Canada border. Covering over 1 million acres, the majestic park has many parts to be seen. Weather is rarely an issue, as the park is great any time of year, with exceptions of closed roads and limited access during the winter months. Climate varies across the park, due to its vast size, and changes depending on which side of the Continental Divide. The western section has higher precipitation, especially during spring and winter, and snowfall can occur any season. The eastern side can get snow as well, in addition to more sunshine and higher winds. The majority of tourists throughout the year will experience temperatures of 60-70 highs and lows in the 40s. Current Park conditions can be accessed 24/7 on NPS.gov.
Photo via Brad Broserop
Nature
The magnificent components of Glacier National Park presents its nickname, “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem”, consisting of large numbers of plant and animal species, two mountain ranges, and over 100 lakes. The protected land of 16,000 miles has all of the beauty in the world to admire, with a wide array of animals from the great grizzly bear to the bald eagle.
Photo via National Geographic
Views
Any and all RVers will get their fair share of sights, no matter what route is taken. One of the best ways to get incredible views is by car, on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The 50 mile highway winds through the Park, providing views of breath taking glacial lakes and forests. A must-see is Logan Pass, the highest point of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Hidden Lake, which is nestled between peaks and ancient glaciers.
Photo via Trip Advisor
RV Accommodations
If you are interested in setting out on an RV adventure to Glacier National Park, there are a few planning points to keep in mind. Campgrounds in the park with RV access are few, with 7 out of the 13 having accommodations. If you are in favor of planning ahead, two of those campgrounds, St. Mary and Fish Creek, are available for online reservation. The other five campgrounds are accessible on a first-come, first served basis. Refer to the National Park Service website for updated information on campgrounds and status, to be fully prepared for your excursion.
Photo via AllGlacier.com
Very important to note for first timers; there are vehicle length restrictions on Going to the Sun Road, so don’t plan on driving your RV through the park that way. Also, if you don’t have a toe vehicle, camp on the west side, you can take the park tour (which is awesome) – it may be available from the east side, but I’m not sure.