Glacier National Park
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 376
From: Mississippi
Glacier National Park
I would like to make it to Glacier National Park next year. Probably go back to Sturgis then head up there. I know I will ride the Going To The Sun Road and I would like to go through Great Falls, Montana to visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. I think I would like to stay in one of the park Lodges at least one night. Any suggestions?
Any recommendations on route up to the park and then "South"? Anything that is a "Must See"? How much time to spend in the park or area? Possible campsite recommendations? Places to eat?
Is the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center worth a visit?
Is Little Big Horn worth a visit?
Is it worth it to continue into Canada?
I did the Yellowstone area this year.
Any suggestions on where to go afterwards would be appreciated?
Any recommendations on route up to the park and then "South"? Anything that is a "Must See"? How much time to spend in the park or area? Possible campsite recommendations? Places to eat?
Is the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center worth a visit?
Is Little Big Horn worth a visit?
Is it worth it to continue into Canada?
I did the Yellowstone area this year.
Any suggestions on where to go afterwards would be appreciated?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Little Big Horn is definitely worth a visit.
If you are a serious historian, you could spend many, many hours there; if you are a more casual visitor,
3 hours will let you see almost everything.
A note of warning..
There is a gas station and KFC right off the I-90 exit and almost across from the park entrance..
Avoid it like the plague.
The pavement is completely failing, almost all the pumps were out of commission and most of the ones
that "worked" were out of gas. The KFC had broken windows taped up with OLD, peeling tape as did the
gas station itself.
I was told by another biker that the card readers at the pumps were not working because the tribal agency
running the place had lost their credit card processor.
The place is perfectly positioned to absolutely mint money but no one has put a penny into maintenance
in what looks to be decades and the whole thing should just be bulldozed. God knows what
the KFC's kitchen is like..
About 15 miles north is the town of Hardin that has a number of good facilities including a number of
chain restaurants. Plan on fueling there..
FWIW.
If you are a serious historian, you could spend many, many hours there; if you are a more casual visitor,
3 hours will let you see almost everything.
A note of warning..
There is a gas station and KFC right off the I-90 exit and almost across from the park entrance..
Avoid it like the plague.
The pavement is completely failing, almost all the pumps were out of commission and most of the ones
that "worked" were out of gas. The KFC had broken windows taped up with OLD, peeling tape as did the
gas station itself.
I was told by another biker that the card readers at the pumps were not working because the tribal agency
running the place had lost their credit card processor.
The place is perfectly positioned to absolutely mint money but no one has put a penny into maintenance
in what looks to be decades and the whole thing should just be bulldozed. God knows what
the KFC's kitchen is like..
About 15 miles north is the town of Hardin that has a number of good facilities including a number of
chain restaurants. Plan on fueling there..
FWIW.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
We stayed in St Mary right outside of the road to the sun at a KOA in a cabin, fairly cheap warm and a great view.
We were there mid July and I don't think the road opened up because of snow until late June early July.
We were there mid July and I don't think the road opened up because of snow until late June early July.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
The portion of the Canadian Rockies http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/waterton/index.aspx above Glacier NP is quite scenic. Check out the Prince of Wales Hotel.
Swiftcurrent Lodge in GNP would be my choice for a night or two.
As mentioned in another post, do not miss the opportunity to ride the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Hwys. to the south.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
How many days are you able to spend riding? How may miles per day? Are you interested in beautiful rides or good spots to stop and check out points of interest?
If you are going around rally time in Sturgis there won't be an issue with snow. They usually try to open the Sun Highway by the 4th of July for tourism.
As others have said, Beartooth Pass is a great ride and something you should do if you haven't already. There are some spectacular areas closer to Glacier also. It just depends how long you will be in the area and what you are looking for.
If you are going around rally time in Sturgis there won't be an issue with snow. They usually try to open the Sun Highway by the 4th of July for tourism.
As others have said, Beartooth Pass is a great ride and something you should do if you haven't already. There are some spectacular areas closer to Glacier also. It just depends how long you will be in the area and what you are looking for.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 376
From: Mississippi
Thanks for the replies and information:
I may have to add Little Big Horn. Probably the 3 hour excursion.
HDRolling, I have seen your pictures and noted the KOA. Do you have cell service in the area?
I did Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph last year, but going this close, might have to do it again. Would possibly like to spend a little more time in Cody. Might make a good excuse.
Still considering Canada. Is a tour through Idaho worthwhile?
CC I will probably be riding for three weeks or so???? This year I did 15 days. Comfortable riding 600 or so, but have done over 900 in a day.
"Are you interested in beautiful rides or good spots to stop and check out points of interest" Both I guess.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a million.
I may have to add Little Big Horn. Probably the 3 hour excursion.
HDRolling, I have seen your pictures and noted the KOA. Do you have cell service in the area?
I did Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph last year, but going this close, might have to do it again. Would possibly like to spend a little more time in Cody. Might make a good excuse.
Still considering Canada. Is a tour through Idaho worthwhile?
CC I will probably be riding for three weeks or so???? This year I did 15 days. Comfortable riding 600 or so, but have done over 900 in a day.
"Are you interested in beautiful rides or good spots to stop and check out points of interest" Both I guess.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a million.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Cody is an OK town but outside of that museum, which is terrific, there's not much to hang around for, IMO. And since you've ridden Beartooth and Chief Joseph I'd recommend instead just heading from Sturgis to Glacier and beyond. Sturgis-Lame Deer-Forsyth-Roundup-Harlowton-White Sulphur Spgs.-Great Falls is a fine ride. Did this again last year myself. That historic East Glacier Lodge is terrific and from there you can ride the Sun road to the west. Then back through Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Seeley Lake, Missoula and on home to the Magnolia State.
Absolute best ride, but you've got to have some extra time and of course $, is to finish Glacier and head to Waterton Lakes, Alberta and then north through Longview, Alberta and work your way to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. You will remember that ride the rest of your life. I know, that's a lot, but maybe another trip.
Absolute best ride, but you've got to have some extra time and of course $, is to finish Glacier and head to Waterton Lakes, Alberta and then north through Longview, Alberta and work your way to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. You will remember that ride the rest of your life. I know, that's a lot, but maybe another trip.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
Being you have that much time and have been through Beartooth you may want to look into heading further west. Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, Idaho are beautiful and not that far away. On the MT side, Flathead and Seeley Lakes are very nice. Highway 200 through Thompson Falls is a good ride.
Helena is the state capital of MT and Butte has a ton of history if you want to check out the sights. The Berkley Pit (or whatever it's named now) is an interesting place to visit in Butte.
I was born and raised in MT and have logged thousands of motorcycle miles in Big Sky Country. I have not stayed at many lodges or hotels (family all over the state) so I can't really help you there.
Helena is the state capital of MT and Butte has a ton of history if you want to check out the sights. The Berkley Pit (or whatever it's named now) is an interesting place to visit in Butte.
I was born and raised in MT and have logged thousands of motorcycle miles in Big Sky Country. I have not stayed at many lodges or hotels (family all over the state) so I can't really help you there.