Glacier Nat. Park
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 89
Likes: 14
From: Northern Il
Just rode GNP this last summer. Left Cody, WY in the morning avoided Beartooth and Chief Joseph on the way up in order to make time. I was riding 2up with my wife so I wanted to make it as comfortable as I could for her. We spent the night at the Glacier Lodge in East Glacier. Be careful in Browning the reservations can be a bit rough. Saw a review on here for the Glacier Lodge and decided to give it a try. It reminded me of the hotel from The Shining! Kinda spooky. It is a very grand old lodge. I'm glad we stayed but wouldn't repeat. It is very expensive, and rustic. No tv, ac, doors don't really close, and a creaky old bed. The restaurant was terrific great food. The next morning we took off for GNP. We took 49 to 89 to Going to the Sun. I have been here before and wanted to share this amazing beauty with my wife. From the moment you leave East Glacier it is awesome! What at an experience. We took our time stopping for lots of pics. Don't go to fast in comparison to Yellowstone it's over before you know it. We left GNP and rode south down 2 to 93. Stopped in downtown Kalispell at a really cool brewery. Sorry can't remember the name. We followed 93 along the never ending Flathead Lake back to 90 and into Missoula. All in all it was an amazing ride that I got to share with my wife and she loved it.
We did this ride the first week of August. It was cool in the mornings 40's and 70's by afternoon. Some rain not bad. I wanted to stay close to the park to get an early start in the morning and avoid traffic, which wasn't bad at all. We were through GNP by noon. The line was starting to get pretty long at the gate on our way out.
Stay safe and enjoy, GNP is absolutely amazing.
We did this ride the first week of August. It was cool in the mornings 40's and 70's by afternoon. Some rain not bad. I wanted to stay close to the park to get an early start in the morning and avoid traffic, which wasn't bad at all. We were through GNP by noon. The line was starting to get pretty long at the gate on our way out.
Stay safe and enjoy, GNP is absolutely amazing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
We went there three years ago on our way home from Sturgis. We were coming north from Yellowstone, nothing but great roads, 93 is exceptional. We stayed two nights in Whitefish on the West side of the road, great little town with lots of stuff to do. Hidden Moose Lodge is where we slept, great family owned place. After GNP we rode route 2 east all the way to Mackinaw City, Michigan, fun road, lots to see and experience. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 550
Likes: 92
From: MN
Hope some of my Glacier/Yellowstone/Sturgis trip report helps:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_...GhWdVo4MThVODA
And dont miss the slideshow, with tunes :
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_...m1pQUV1QTEtams
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_...GhWdVo4MThVODA
And dont miss the slideshow, with tunes :
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_...m1pQUV1QTEtams
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 3,429
From: Idaho Panhandle
I prefer riding up Glacier's West side, going West to East as you are on the view side most of the way. It is the same reason I prefer Beartooth from the East side. Stop and take photos of the hairpins. There will be traffic, but it is about the view, not a race. Someone said go early. To this we agree, most "Tourist" don't get to the entrance before 10:00AM. This is true of most Western parks, Utah, Wyoming, Montana all get busy by 11:00.
If you decide to take that route, I concur that 93 from Arco to Kallispell is a nice way to connect the dots, but there are others as well depending on how many days and miles you are leaving yourself. But don't worry, once you ride it....you'll be back. Just be warned, that ID 28, Sacajewea Byway is boring. It is worth going to Butte City and taking 93 through Challis and North.
If you decide to take that route, I concur that 93 from Arco to Kallispell is a nice way to connect the dots, but there are others as well depending on how many days and miles you are leaving yourself. But don't worry, once you ride it....you'll be back. Just be warned, that ID 28, Sacajewea Byway is boring. It is worth going to Butte City and taking 93 through Challis and North.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 27
From: Hamilton,Ontario
On the East side of GNP, west of Babb is Many Glacier Hotel. Great place for picnic lunch and if you have the $$ a good place to eat n stay. I went from Kalispell over the Going to the Sun road, had lunch at Many then over the Sun road back to Kalispell in time for dinner.
I agree with Son of the Hound, going from west to east has the better views and the easier access to most overlooks.
I agree with Son of the Hound, going from west to east has the better views and the easier access to most overlooks.