Glacier national park

[Peggyy]

Whats the best and easiest campground to get into at glacier? I see they have thirteen campgrounds but no reservations.  That makes me a tad nervous.  After driving thousands of miles, where would we go if there is no availability when we get there.  Tips?

 

[UTTransplant]

Whats the best and easiest campground to get into at glacier? I see they have thirteen campgrounds but no reservations.  That makes me a tad nervous.  After driving thousands of miles, where would we go if there is no availability when we get there.  Tips?

We had reservations at Fish Lake the first time we went to Glacier. They have a few sites that fit larger units, but make sure you are in the ?generator allowed? loop. The next few times we took a chance at Apgar. No reservations, but a big place with lots of sites suitable for bigger rigs. Stay somewhere close the night before so you can be there in the morning. Jim and Mary?s RV Park near Missoula is fabulous!

 

[nibroc]

Duck Lake is close to the east entrance---very nice and private and on the best route to Browning

 

[RVMommaTo6]

We're staying at North American RV Park, right near the west park entrance. It's a Passport America campground, so if you're a member, it's 50% off. Full hook ups.

 

[Utclmjmpr]

There are a couple of good ones in Hungry Horse also.>>>Dan

 

[Ken & Sheila]

We're staying at North American RV Park, right near the west park entrance. It's a Passport America campground, so if you're a member, it's 50% off. Full hook ups.

This has always been our choice for a park near Glacier.

 

[WILDEBILL308]

We spent about 4 weeks in the area last time we went. I like
Glacier Peaks RV Park & Campground, 3185 Mt Highway 40 W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Glacier Meadow RV Park, 15735 US-2, Essex, MT 59916.
There are several near West Glacier but haven't ben in them like West Glacier KOA Resort. There is supposed to be anouther new one but I don't know the name or address.
Get reservations now.
Bill

 

[John Stephens]

We're staying at North American RV Park, right near the west park entrance. It's a Passport America campground, so if you're a member, it's 50% off. Full hook ups.

Amanda, when are you going to be there? I think you said your trip is still a few weeks away. We will be puling in there tomorrow for two weeks.

 

[Rockbus]

Whats the best and easiest campground to get into at glacier? I see they have thirteen campgrounds but no reservations.  That makes me a tad nervous.  After driving thousands of miles, where would we go if there is no availability when we get there.  Tips?

We cheated and stayed at the KOA in Kalispell. 

 

[John Stephens]

Whats the best and easiest campground to get into at glacier? I see they have thirteen campgrounds but no reservations.  That makes me a tad nervous.  After driving thousands of miles, where would we go if there is no availability when we get there.  Tips?

That is exactly why we made reservations at an RV park outside the park. I drove here from SW Florida, more than 3,600 miles, and didn't want to take any chances so we reserved a spot at North American RV Park. I was just told by the office clerk who checked me in that this is the first time they have ever had someone make reservations for two entire weeks. I told her this is our retirement vacation and we're taking our time.

 

[Peggyy]

That is exactly why we made reservations at an RV park outside the park. I drove here from SW Florida, more than 3,600 miles, and didn't want to take any chances so we reserved a spot at North American RV Park. I was just told by the office clerk who checked me in that this is the first time they have ever had someone make reservations for two entire weeks. I told her this is our retirement vacation and we're taking our time.

John it is a long drive from us Floridians!  I was able to get reservations at st mary koa for $130 per night!  Might try to look for something cheaper but at least i have a spot. I also got reservations at grizzly for yellowstone. I have nothing lined up for grand tetons though.  Hoping we can get in somewhere there!

 

[RVMommaTo6]

Amanda, when are you going to be there? I think you said your trip is still a few weeks away. We will be puling in there tomorrow for two weeks.

We won't be there until Sept 10, but maybe our paths will cross at another destination, we'll be a little bit of everywhere lol

 

[John Stephens]

John it is a long drive from us Floridians!  I was able to get reservations at st mary koa for $130 per night!  Might try to look for something cheaper but at least i have a spot. I also got reservations at grizzly for yellowstone. I have nothing lined up for grand tetons though.  Hoping we can get in somewhere there!

Peggy, you didn't mention when you wanted to come up here. If you're planning on this summer, you may already be too late to get reservations at any of the lesser expensive campgrounds. But that also depends on how long you want to stay. If it's only for a day or two, you'll be able to find something, but if for a week or longer, you're going to have problems for the months of July and August, and possibly, September.

When we drove up here, we stopped at Grant Tetons first and got a spot for three nights at Gros Ventre. No reservations allowed, so you have to present yourself to the office as early in the morning as possible to put your name on a list. There are dry camping spots, which are easier to get, and electric only spots, more difficult.I got there at 9:00AM after camping the night before in Dubois, WY, about an 80 mile drive, and I was first on the list. Since check out is 11:00, they will start checking the sites around 10-10:15. I had a spot by 10:30. But that was in June when they aren't as crowded. They told me they book up by 10:00 in July and August.

I was going to reserve at Grizzy while in Yellowstone, but found they raised their rates from $64 per night to $94.50 because of a lack of spots available this summer since Fishing Bridge is closed for the entire season. Sorry, but I won't pay that for a FHU unless they give me tickets to a Broadway show and fly me there. I got two weeks at Buffalo Crossing, the closest park to YNP. Read my blog, "The long awaited retirement vacation," under travel logs and you'll get a good idea of what we had. They, too, now have their full sign out most nights, but I noticed there was almost always at least one or two spots not filled. You may have to move from one spot to another if you want to stay for a while, but that will still be better than paying $30 a night more. BC charges $65 and gives Good Sam discounts.

We just got up to North American RV Park and Yurt Village yesterday and are paying $55 per night with the seventh night free, so your $130 at KOA is very high. This is a very nice park with a lot of trees but none too close to the sites so if you have satellite, there is no problem. You may not be able to do any better than what you have already found. Obviously, the most expensive parks fill up last. If you want reservations for Grand Tetons, you can try the Virginian in Jackson. I think they charge $115. I have a problem paying over $50 per night anywhere but realized that when in the most popular spots, i.e. Yellowstone and Glacier, you're going to pay more. But I still won't pay as much as you're finding right now. $65 per night at BC is the highest we'll pay during our 90 day trip. Even in Las Vegas, we won't pay more than $55. If I have to pay more than that, I'll dry camp for free or sell my coach and begin staying in hotels.

 

[John Stephens]

We won't be there until Sept 10, but maybe our paths will cross at another destination, we'll be a little bit of everywhere lol

Amanda, you're going to like this park. Very well maintained and quite pretty, cut out of the forest with mountains in the background from Glacier. No cable, but good satellite reception and strong wi-fi at 6.45MB speed most of the time. Friendly staff and they will allow shipments to the office. I ordered two things for the RV from Amazon last week wile at Yellowstone and had them shipped here. They were here when I arrived yesterday. The yurts are in the front of the park and frankly, look a bit strange, not having seen one before. Most of the sites here are pull through and they told me they are creating 40 more sites right now, but they probably won't be open until next year. If you want shopping or a town to browse, Columbia Falls isn't too far away and looks interesting. We're going to drive back there today and look around. And Kalispell is about 45 minutes if you need a larger city.

 

[Peggyy]

Peggy, you didn't mention when you wanted to come up here. If you're planning on this summer, you may already be too late to get reservations at any of the lesser expensive campgrounds. But that also depends on how long you want to stay. If it's only for a day or two, you'll be able to find something, but if for a week or longer, you're going to have problems for the months of July and August, and possibly, September.

When we drove up here, we stopped at Grant Tetons first and got a spot for three nights at Gros Ventre. No reservations allowed, so you have to present yourself to the office as early in the morning as possible to put your name on a list. There are dry camping spots,
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John we plan to be at glacier august 5th.  We realize we should have planned this earlier.  And sure we would like to spend less.  As for Gros Venture, we just got our Class A three months ago and we are not sure how to dry camp.  How do you keep your refrigerator going for a few days?  Will our battery last that long?

 

[John Stephens]

Peggy, you didn't mention when you wanted to come up here. If you're planning on this summer, you may already be too late to get reservations at any of the lesser expensive campgrounds. But that also depends on how long you want to stay. If it's only for a day or two, you'll be able to find something, but if for a week or longer, you're going to have problems for the months of July and August, and possibly, September.

When we drove up here, we stopped at Grant Tetons first and got a spot for three nights at Gros Ventre. No reservations allowed, so you have to present yourself to the office as early in the morning as possible to put your name on a list. There are dry camping spots,

John we plan to be at glacier august 5th.  We realize we should have planned this earlier.  And sure we would like to spend less.  As for Gros Venture, we just got our Class A three months ago and we are not sure how to dry camp.  How do you keep your refrigerator going for a few days?  Will our battery last that long?

Peggy, what is the age of your coach? Unless it's a really old one, the refrigerator most likely won't run on the battery, it will run on either propane or 110v electric. If you have full hook ups (FHU), it will run on the electric being supplied to the coach from the campsite and you won't have to worry about using your battery. Even at Gros Ventre, you can get electric, but in the event you have to dry camp, it isn't difficult. Who did you buy your coach from? If a dealer, they should have taught you how to use the coach and if they didn't, they did you a disservice. If you bought it from a private party, ask them for instructions. But essentially, all you need to do is make sure your generator is operable so you will have electric and make sure your fresh water holding tank is sanitized and full of water. When you fill it, use a potable water hose, not a regular garden hose, to avoid introducing bacteria into the water system. Make sure your black and gray holding tanks are empty and then fill your black tank about a third full with water so the solids you put in it will dissolve easier. Use a Porta-Pak or some other black tank product to reduce the smell. Read you're owner's manual for the coach and do a search on YouTube for how to dry camp and you'll learn a lot. And don't be afraid to ask questions; that's what we're here for.

 

[coolmom42]

The biggest bargain in commercial parks is in East Glacier.  The campground is the Y Lazy R.    It's very basic but has full hookups.    It's very casually run.  There is grass and gravel, but the sites are all pull throughs, very little shade.    There is an amazing view off the bluff where the campground sits. 

The best thing is its proximity to Serrano's Mexican restaurant, and the Two Medicine Grill, which is amazing for breakfast.  I don't remember the exact price we paid but it was about half of anything else in the area.

Do be aware that East Glacier is on the Blackfeet reservation and is not an upscale town, but it's cool in its own way.

 

[Peggyy]

John we plan to be at glacier august 5th.  We realize we should have planned this earlier.  And sure we would like to spend less.  As for Gros Venture, we just got our Class A three months ago and we are not sure how to dry camp.  How do you keep your refrigerator going for a few days?  Will our battery last that long?



Peggy, what is the age of your coach? Unless it's a really old one, the refrigerator most likely won't run on the battery, it will run on either propane or 110v electric. If you have full hook ups (FHU), it will run on the electric being supplied to the coach from the campsite and you won't have to worry about using your battery. Even at Gros Ventre, you can get electric, but in the event you have to dry camp, it isn't difficult.

It is brand new 2018 and we have a residential refrigerator. 

 

[Larry N.]

Peggy, you'll need to run your generator periodically to recharge the batteries. The residential fridge runs off the inverter when not plugged in, which of course draws from the batteries. We found that running the genny in the morning (including breakfast time) for 2-3 hours and again in the evening  for a few hours (including supper time) worked well for us. Just keep an eye on the charge mode when you run it -- though it'll likely start in bulk charge, hopefully you'll get it back to float mode before turning off the genny.

 

[John Stephens]

Peggy, Larry is correct. If you have a new residential fridge, then it will run off your batteries and all you have to do is run your generator to recharge the batteries. You're probably going to want to run your generator anyway if you're dry camping. If you are in a campground that prohibits generators during quiet hours, your batteries will last long enough to not be a problem.