Overview:
Embarking on a vanlife journey in Glacier National Park promises boundless adventures. Roam along the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road, with its breathtaking vistas. Hike scenic trails like Highline or Hidden Lake, encountering wildlife and pristine lakes. Capture starlit skies at Many Glacier, and awaken to ethereal sunrises. An unforgettable experience awaits every vanlifer.
Adventure:
The unspoiled nature and magnificent scenery of Glacier National Park make it an ideal vacation spot for vanlifers. Visitors can go hiking, fishing, sightseeing, driving the world-famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, camping, and boondocking at this park.
Hiking
Over 700 kilometers of trails of varying difficulty can be found in Glacier National Park. Put on your hiking boots and head out on an experience like the Highline Trail, where you’ll have to balance on precarious ledges and then be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains. Hidden Lake Trail is a great option for those looking for a shorter trip with beautiful views and the possibility of seeing mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Your van will serve as a convenient home base as you explore the park’s unspoiled splendor on foot.
Fishing
Glacier National Park is a fisherman’s paradise with its more than 700 lakes and countless streams. Try your luck at catching some of the local trout, such the Westslope Cutthroat or Bull Trout, in the pristine waters. You can fulfill your angling need anywhere in the park, from the placid shores of Lake McDonald to the lonely alpine lakes reachable via short walks.
Sightseeing
With its jagged peaks, sparkling glaciers, and verdant valleys, Glacier National Park is a sight to behold. Take a trip down the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a feat of engineering that stretches throughout the park and leads to breathtaking lookouts like Logan Pass and Sun Point. Take in the breathtaking views of Avalanche Lake and St. Mary Lake, with their turquoise waters and dramatic mountain backdrops. Take pictures at every turn to remember the stunning scenery throughout the park.
Going-to-the-Sun Highway in Your Van
Traveling the world-famous Going-to-the-Sun Road at your own pace is a perk of vanlife. This 50-mile picturesque drive is packed with breathtaking bends, lookout sites, and trails. The road from West Glacier to Saint Mary, or vice versa, is an exciting trip that will allow you to take in the splendor of Glacier National Park without leaving the comfort of your van.
Camping
Campers in search of a true wilderness experience will find a variety of possibilities in Glacier National Park. There are plenty of places to park your van and spend the night beneath the stars, from modern campgrounds with amenities to basic sites tucked away in the forest. Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, prepare meals in the crisp mountain air, and create lifelong memories here.
Boondocking
Glacier National Park is a great place to go boondocking if you’re a vanlifer looking for some peace and quiet. You can discover scattered campsites in far-flung places like North Fork Road and Camas Creek Road. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors and the independence of vanlife by cutting ties with the contemporary world.
Conclusion
Glacier National Park is a vanlifer’s dream, with a wide variety of activities to choose from. This park will leave you with unforgettable memories of your vanlife adventure, whether you’re hiking through its breathtaking trails, fishing in its pristine lakes, taking in the sights along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, setting up camp in its picturesque campgrounds, or boondocking to get away from it all. Enjoy the open road and take in all the sights at Glacier National Park.
Having Glacier National Park is a privilege for our enjoyment, so please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Directions:
To reach Glacier National Park from Missoula, Montana, you can follow these directions:
1. Start by heading north on Interstate 90 (I-90) from Missoula.
2. Continue on I-90 for approximately 38 miles until you reach Exit 96 for Montana Highway 200 East toward Bonner/Missoula/Yellowstone National Park.
3. Take Exit 96 and merge onto Montana Highway 200 East.
4. Stay on Montana Highway 200 East for about 16 miles until you reach Clearwater Junction.
5. At Clearwater Junction, turn right onto Montana Highway 83 North.
6. Follow Montana Highway 83 North for approximately 77 miles as it takes you through scenic valleys and forests.
7. After 77 miles, you will reach the town of Seeley Lake. Continue straight on Montana Highway 83 North, bypassing the town.
8. Stay on Montana Highway 83 North for another 66 miles until you reach the junction with Montana Highway 35.
9. At the junction with Montana Highway 35, turn left to stay on Montana Highway 83 North.
10. Continue on Montana Highway 83 North for approximately 32 miles until you reach the town of Bigfork.
11. In Bigfork, turn right onto Montana Highway 35 East.
12. Follow Montana Highway 35 East for about 35 miles until you reach the junction with U.S. Highway 2.
13. At the junction with U.S. Highway 2, turn left to head west toward Glacier National Park.
14. Continue on U.S. Highway 2 West for approximately 15 miles, and you will arrive at the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park.
Note: Please ensure you have a map or GPS navigation system with you for real-time directions and updates on road conditions. It’s also a good idea to check for any closures or restrictions in Glacier National Park before starting your journey.
References and Links:
- Website: Glacier National Park
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